The Fans Get Involved

One of the most interesting and enjoyable aspects of the LOST experience is the amount of fan-generated content that exists on the web.  Unlike many television programs, in which the producers keep a tight grasp on their intellectual property and terminate any unauthorized use of their work, a great deal of the LOST experience exists on the Internet.  Prior to the beginning of every season, sneak-peeks and other web content were posted on the Internet to ease the withdrawal symptoms of its viewers.  These tiny segments fell short of delivering the satisfaction of an actual episode, however they gave the viewer insight into what they were planning for the season, as well as posting footage from the cutting room floor that would not be featured in episodes.

Here is an examples of a sneak peak from season 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ck_agBf5QKA

These videos encourage the viewer to over-invest themselves within the LOST universe in order to have any possibility of coming to understand the complexities of the mysterious island.  In this video clip, we see a man who we know as Jacob talking to an unknown hospitalized woman, it is revealed that she in fact works for Jacob, and it is her duty to protect the remaining 6 candidates.  Having seen the last season already I  now know the significance of this interaction, however at the time it was shown to me I was blown away.  While these tiny tid-bits of information offer no concrete insight LOST, they help to formulate the questions that the writers want the fans to be asking, leading them deeper into the LOST universe.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnpRsmSlvhU

LOST as "Cult" Television

Within the first few minutes of an episode of LOST, one is aware that this show is not intended for the uneducated viewer.  Not education on a academic scale, but educated in the story of LOST.  Unlike most television programs, in which one can quickly deduce the gist of the story and characters of an episode by simply watching the opening credits, LOST targets a smaller audience.  The audience that LOST targets is not flipping through the channels on Wednesday night hoping for a re-run of Seinfeld, but rather, an intent group of devout followers whose viewership of LOST keeps them keen to the shows many inside jokes and references.  If this small, intense, "cult" audience misunderstood something from the previous week's episode, they have already scoured the internet for an answer of been enlightened of the message by one of their fellow LOST-ies.  Aspects of the show such as the numbers, the significance of characters' names, the recurring theme of black and white, and tying together concepts and stories are the reason that these fans remain so loyal and intent.  When referring to LOST, it is often said that you either love it, or haven't seen it.  I certainly agree with this, especially in recalling my intitial introduction to the show.  Several of my friends were re-watching the first season a few days before the second season premiered.  I watched one episode, I didn't particularly like it.  I watched another, I was more intrigued.  By the third episode I was hooked, finishing the first season hours before the second season premier.  LOST demands that its viewers watch every episode, and encourage using the internet to fill in missing pieces of the story, those who are willing to do this become avid members of the cult audience, thereby making them honorary passengers of flight 815. 

Guys...Where Are We?: The Universe of L

     In its pilot episode, LOST establishes that the inland on which it is set does not adhere to the traditional laws of nature or science, but its own unique universe.  Much of LOST's appeal is that the viewer, like the program's characters, is being educated of these laws as the story develops.  Pilot-mauling jungle beasts and jungle-dwelling polar bears invoke the same fear and curiosity in both cast and viewer, leaving both hungry for the next fragment of an answer to LOST's countless mysteries.
     Unlike most television dramas, the characters of LOST do not have relationships preexisting their arrival on the island, therefore the progression of their characterization is experienced in the same manner by viewer and character alike.  However with each episode's storyline typically focused on one central character, that episode's flashbacks serve to reveal information regarding that particular character's history, which might reflect into their experiences on the island.  Therefore, the viewer witnesses characterization at two points on the time line: their present on the island, and their past via flashback.  In the introduction of Reading LOST, Roberta Pearson argues that, "LOST's producers have come up with an entirely new construction of the televisual character, one in which every element of character is tied to the central narrative enigmas".  The development of these characters is essential to the progression of the story.  A character's experiences shape their personality, their personality dictates their actions, and their actions drive the show; the audience becomes so intrigued by these characters because their stories reveal greater insight into the series, and allow the viewer to hypothesize his/her own theory regarding the LOST's direction.

Light on the Medical, Heavy on the Drama

It seems that today, one can't turn on a television without coming across at least one medical drama.  Between Scrubs, House M.D., Grey's Anatomy, ER, HawthoRNe, and Nurse Jackie, you would probably assume that by now the audience would have moved on, as at this point I would imagine they could complete most of these medical procedures themselves.  However it seems that for every series finale there is a new crop of ill-conceived medical dramas waiting to take its place.  These programs adhere to a strict formula; a combination of romance, medicine, and morality.  The doctors date, it doesn't work out, they break up, they get back together.  At this point in the show, I begin to wonder if being a doctor is as easy as dating your co-workers, but then there's the second part of the formula, the medicine.  They don't have time to worry about the fact that J.D. kissed Carla (that's a Scrubs in case your not a fan), because there's a little girl who was just in a car accident and now all that petty stuff has to be put aside.  But oh dear, she doesn't have health insurance.  Now its time for the hard-headed liberal doctor and callous administrator's storyline, in which they'll argue as to whether or not to treat the little girl.  Of course the Dr. Cox/House character will win, but don't you dare question their methods, after 5 seasons you just have to accept that they know what they're doing.  Following the commercial break, the little girl will come out of surgery with no complications, the dating doctors will just continue the cycle until an attractive guest star comes on the show, and then the narcissistic doctor and apathetic can walk away from one another with that "I don't like you, but I respect you look".  Now if you turn into ABC you can watch another hour of the same exact show.

It's not that I don't like medical dramas, I watched Scrubs for eight seasons and almost always enjoyed it.  But just like The Office with Parks and Recreation, an almost identical program pops up to try to swindle an audience that is screaming for an encore.  And although I grow tired of the endless arguing and repetitive medical issues, I take comfort in knowing that no matter how many of these shows they make, the doctors will always be attractive.  


Family Guy meets Dr. House