But Thursday Lost returns to the airwaves, and last season's finale was even nominated for an Emmy. Whether the series can recapture its glory, it'll at least provide something for TV-loving geeks to talk about.
And these videos will put it all in perspective.
1. The 117th episode?
Lost will end in three years, after 48 more episodes. But hardcore fans know that the final episode already slipped out last January, featuring surprising scenes with Sawyer, Kate, Sayeed, and Ben.
Some argued that actors Evangeline Lilly and Josh Holloway only filmed a three-minute parody to pander to geeks attending the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. (This theory is buttressed by the fact that Kate announces in the video that the first thing she'll do after leaving the island is attend the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, adding that the men attending the show are all "dead sexy.") Kate also reveals which of the hunky castaways she prefers, Sawyer or Jack, though her answer takes an unexpected twist.
It's nice to see the cast acknowledging their loyal fans, even if they're also teasing them about the show's mysteries. This video ultimately captures a final showdown with treacherous Ben (played by Michael Emerson, who would later be nominated for an Emmy.) In the clip, Ben promises Sayeed "one simple unifying theory" that explains the mysteries of the island. (Sayeed thinks the answer is purgatory — but he's in for an annoying surprise...)
2. Episode 0
Sneak a peek at a bizarro world where there is no plane crash, or even a TV series — just struggling actors desperate for work
The first season DVD holds the rare "audition tapes" that were recorded by the show's actors. As Sawyer, Josh Holloway is good-looking, charming, and even a little bit younger. But even more surprisingly, it's a world of Sawyers, since his part was also coveted by three of the other future Lost actors — Matthew Fox (Jack), Dominic Monaghan (Charlie), and Jorge Garcia (Hurley).
But the most disturbing secret of all lies in Evangeline Lilly's audition tape for the part of Kate. It apparently comes from a parallel reality where Jack, the doctor, was killed in the very first episode.
"And whatever it is that killed Jack is still out there."
3. I'll Be Lost For You
This video suggests another little-known secret about Lost.
It was originally a sitcom about wacky good-looking friends living together on an island.
They frolic in the water in its original opening, their smiling faces
showing what good friends they really are.
A montage captures their warm moments of friendship —
smiling, dancing, sharing peanut butter, and relaxing
by the flaming jets from a recently demolished airline.
This video's title is "The one with the Friends spoof"
(even identifying one of the actors as "Matthew Fox Arquette.")
But it's letting the cast off easy. Elsewhere on YouTube, someone actually redubbed
four full minutes footage of Lost footage with a sitcom laugh track.
4. Sawyer's acting class
The character of Sawyer charmed Kate, who sees tenderness under his gruff exterior.
But the other castaways usually just see his volatile temper.
As the frustrations of island life mount,
this remarkable video could be seen as a Lost drinking game gone
horribly wrong. If you promised to chug every time Sawyer says
"Son of a bitch" — prepare for alcohol poisoning.
It's surprisingly zen, a moment in time in which Sawyer's dialogue never changes, though the world flows on around him. Even when he's been captured and gagged, he still manages to snarl out a muffled version of his trademark phrase.
"Son of a bitch"
5. The magic turtle
Lost's writers received a warning message
about the unsolved mysteries
that are starting to pile up.
(There's that smoke monster,
the eyepatch guy,
what "The Others" want,
the ghost of Mr. Eko...)
But maybe they're more interested
in discussing what would happen if Kate and
Locke switched brains?
The rival writers at comedy site "SuperDeluxe"
offer a dead-on analysis of what this show's
story meetings must look like.
"Everyone wakes up, and the ocean is missing!"
"Everything goes backward, for two and a half years!"
And a comment uploaded with the video suggests what the ABC show's writers are really feeling.
"It begins with the letter 'L' and rhymes with cost."
6. Hurley's Last Laugh
Jorge Garcia was 31 when the writers of Lost created the character of "Hurley" specifically for him. He was the first actor cast, going from stand-up comedian to top-rated TV star, playing the unlucky everyman who regrets ever winning the lottery.
In November of 2006, he even turned up on the David Letterman Show, reading a list of "The Top Ten Signs You're Obsessed With Lost." ("Number four: Your co-workers affectionately refer to you as 'That loser who's obsessed with Lost.") It speaks to the show's popularity that each of the ten jokes triggered some kind of recognition from the audience.
But maybe we're all just spending too much time watching TV.
See Also:
Leaving Lost Limbo
Five Freaky Muppet Videos
Pulp Fiction Parodies on YouTube
Six Freakiest Children's TV Rock Bands
Democratic Cartoon Candidates
“The Top Ten Signs You’re Obsessed With Lost.” (“Number four: Your co-workers affectionately refer to you as ‘That loser who’s obsessed with Lost.”) My how that stings and rings true. It is not even over for me since I have them all recorded and I watch them still.