It’s clear that the acclaimed series, Lost, significantly contributed to what is now known as the “Golden Age of TV,” offering viewers groundbreaking shows such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Oz, and The Wire. Yet, despite its lasting impact, there are numerous questionable choices made within the show that continue to spark debate. Notably, even esteemed series like The Sopranos faced similar issues in their later seasons; however, Lost‘s unique broadcast on network television sets it apart. While HBO can air mature or explicit content, Lost had to navigate these restrictions while still producing captivating TV that distinguished itself from previous productions.
As a devoted cinephile who followed the premiere of “Lost” episode by episode, I can attest that describing the experience as a roller coaster ride is an understatement. At its peak, the show reached dizzying heights, leaving viewers spellbound and exhilarated. Yet, when it stumbled, it could be exasperatingly frustrating.
We express a glimpse into the general sentiment about the series at its time. Not primarily concentrating on the enigmas of the island or the grand narrative, but rather highlighting the plot choices that strained the endurance of numerous viewers. Consequently, we have listed seven instances that stood out as the most frustrating during Lost‘s broadcast. Incidentally, these recollections stirred up some delightful memories too, which is another testament to an exceptional show. Take a look below and see if it can evoke similar feelings for you.
1) Charlie Goes Bad
Initially, Dominic Monaghan’s character, Charlie, was one of the primary castaways from Flight 815, struggling with his drug-induced inner struggles and striving for sobriety amidst the island’s enigmas. However, in Season 2, before his poignant final scenes warning Desmond about Penny’s boat, Charlie displays a less sympathetic side. He takes Claire’s son, Aaron, and attempts to baptize him, prompting Locke (Terry O’Quinn) to give him a beating. This incident leads Charlie to aid Sawyer in stealing the guns and heroin from the mysterious hatch, during which he assaults Sun (Yunjin Kim). This dramatic change in his character is quite unexpected, but it paves the way for his eventual sacrifice, ensuring Desmond’s life for his own perplexing time-travel journey. Although Charlie’s transformation into a less likable character after being a favorite in Season 1 may be disappointing, there are other characters who exhibit more serious transgressions.
2) Time Traveling Castaways
Introducing time travel into a narrative or TV show often leads to an instant increase in complexity. Unless your production is titled “Quantum Leap“, it’s advisable to handle time travel with caution. Although it can further the exploration of themes like free will versus destiny, its implementation can sometimes take unexpected turns when it comes to time travel mechanics. For instance, after Ben Linus rotates the wheel at the heart of the island in Season 4’s finale, the island shows it can relocate itself. This is later discovered after a nudge knocks the wheel off its axis, causing the survivors to experience temporal displacement, making the plot even more convoluted. However, Locke manages to rectify this issue, but it ultimately results in everyone being trapped in 1974.
3) Paulo and Nikki
In the third season, a duo, Paulo and Nikki – known for their deceitful ways – received significant attention, illuminating other survivors who weren’t part of the main group. After the Oceanic Flight 815 crash, they had grand plans to swipe $8 million worth of diamonds, but this scheme got complicated. Their storyline unfolds, offering insights into their actions and perspectives during key season moments. They eavesdrop on the Others discussing capturing other survivors, collaborate with Locke on a trip to the Pearl station, and even bear witness to Mr. Eko’s death at the hands of the smoke monster. A notable aspect is that they were given an entire episode amidst the events happening in Season 3.
After the duo chose to deceive one another, it became clear that their actions were futile. Paulo falsified having the diamonds, while Nikki retaliated against him by releasing a venomous spider. This spider bit Paulo, causing him to be immobilized for eight hours. In her pursuit to eliminate the spider, Nikki found herself in the same predicament, drawing more of these creatures towards her. Eventually, they were found by the remaining survivors and inadvertently interred alive along with the diamonds, thus concluding their tale.
4) Flash Sideways/Flash Forwards
In its initial seasons, the show distinguished itself through strategic flashbacks that built up the main characters on the island. However, as the series progressed, it experimented with different narrative devices like flash sideways and flash forwards in later seasons. The third season finale marked the introduction of flash forwards, focusing on the Oceanic Six who survived from the island, such as Jack, Kate, Hurley, Sayid, and Sun. Although this shift brought fresh perspectives to the series, it also solidified some questionable plotlines.
Upon their arrival back at the island and our progression towards its end, an alternate reality known as “flash sideways” was introduced in the last season. This served as a glimpse into a world created by those on the island after their deaths. However, these concepts were later challenged by reactions to the final episode and interpretations of its meaning versus the established lore from the series.
5) Locke’s End
For the initial four seasons of “Lost”, John Locke was often one of the most intriguing characters among the original plane crash survivors. He initially appeared shrouded in enigma, suggesting he was an expert in wilderness survival. Additionally, he was depicted as a man with strong religious beliefs, serving as a stark contrast to Jack (Matthew Fox). His faith became stronger due to the island miraculously healing Locke’s paralysis, enabling him to walk after years of being confined to a wheelchair. This included his transformation into a guardian for the island and a successor to Ben Linus following his manipulation in causing the island to move.
After Ben murders him, the narrative continues with the Man in Black adopting Locke’s identity, while the genuine Locke perishes. Throughout the remainder of the series, we receive an explanation for these events, and all loose ends are tied up in the finale. However, it was still a tough concept to accept.
6) Juliet’s Sacrifice
In the beginning, Juliet was initially part of the group known as the Others, who later discovered she was a fertility specialist brought onto the island by Richard Alpert and the undercover psychologist Ethan Rom to tackle the island’s fertility problems. Later, she joined the core survivors, developed romantic feelings for Sawyer, and potentially became one of Jacob’s chosen few to manage the island. However, a lingering suspicion caused by her parents’ divorce drove her to assist Jack in detonating the Swan station, hoping it would prevent their plane from ever crashing.
1974 saw a deep bond form between Juliet and Sawyer, only for it to be shattered when she seemingly reignited his feelings for Kate by appearing on the scene. This seems ludicrous, especially considering that Kate has been underdeveloped throughout the series, with little substance given to her character beyond expressing affection for Jack. Essentially, one major character died, another was left in pieces, and yet Kate remains untouched, serving only to reiterate her feelings for Jack.
7) Spending Half a Season in a Cage
From a movie enthusiast’s perspective, I must say that Kate’s confinement with Sawyer by the Others, as portrayed in Season 3 of the show, marked a turning point where the plot became overly complex. The cages symbolized yet another twist in the narrative, deepening the enigma surrounding the Others and the island itself. However, this storyline also resulted in an extended hiatus for Season 3, as the initial six episodes were centered around Kate, Sawyer, and Jack’s ordeal, with Juliet thrown into the mix.
While the cages did provide fans with the long-anticipated romantic scene between Kate and Sawyer, overall, it felt like a laborious stretch. In retrospect, it seems somewhat redundant when considering the larger narrative arc of the series as a whole.
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2025-07-08 19:42