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.