After an unfortunate delay to a rather unexpected deluge of new programming and a return to university, it’s time to return to Cultural Learnings’ 10 Shows to (Hopefully) Watch in 2008. In terms of shows we’ve already spent time with, it was officially announced today that Dexter will air its first season in a heavily edited for on Sunday Nights at 10pm on CBS starting on February 17th. Should be interesting to see how the ratings for the series turn out, but not quite as interesting as today’s entry into the list.
It has been over seven months since the last episode of Lost aired, and it will be eight by the time the show’s fourth season premiere hits ABC. When the show returned from an extended hiatus in February 2007, having suffered from an intriguing if a bit lackadaisical opening salvo, it hit new ratings lows and seemed to be fading from its role as “the” show. Hating Lost became a fad of sorts, and it seemed like there was nothing that Lindelof and Cuse could do in order to revive the series in the eyes of some fans.
The backlash wasn’t surprising, nor was the decline in ratings and popularity which has hit Heroes this season. The reality is that these series become successful quickly, but over time viewers not attuned to genre television slowly bleed away for more casual fare. What Lost maintained, then, were those viewers willing to accept questions over answers, character over action, and a slow build as opposed to a barrage of development.
Those viewers patient enough to let Lost move at its own pace were rewarded with the best finale of the year, a blistering two-hour spectacle of action, emotion, and a stunning flash-forward revelation which was more than worth any rough spots earlier in the season. Leading up to this finale, a series of episodes of staggering quality showcased the show’s ability to develop the Others, specifically Ben and Juliet, into well-rounded and fully realized characters. This section of episodes was perhaps its best run since the first season, and represents one of the greatest creative turnarounds in quite some time.
As a result, it’s hard not to place Lost on the top of Cultural Learnings’ 10 Shows to (Hopefully) Watch in 2008. It’s ABC’s cornerstone, their only surefire midseason programming. Airing in the prime 9pm Thursdays timeslot currently dominated by Grey’s Anatomy, Lost is suddenly the biggest non-American Idol series on network television again.
It’s going to be unique place for the series to be: as it concluded its third season, Lost began to regain a level of cultural awareness it had lost in the months previous. Now, with buzz surrounding the finale still hitting the internet, Lost is in a position to become the talk of the town…but what will they be talking about? With only eight episodes to air, and the obvious need of a denouement of sorts following the finale, is it not just going to be déjà vu all over again? Are the same people who stopped watching last time not just going to inevitably tune out again?
ABC deserves a great deal of credit for building considerable hype for the show’s returns with a great deal of coverage that, unfortunately, I haven’t been paying enough attention to. Usually, my brother ends up sending me a link to see if I’ve seen something – it’s clear they’re getting out there, but I’ve just been too busy. Over the next three weeks, though, there won’t be much in terms of distractions – once American Idol returns to the airwaves, Lost is the biggest series left to air.
What previews I have seen are fascinating and intriguing – they feature new characters, new action, and some rather cool little tidbits. There has been a solid mix of both simple trailers and interactive web experiences which flesh out the universe. Something like Lost in 8:15 (Embedded below) recaps the entirety of the show’s first three seasons for those viewers who need a refresher. On the other hand, the complicated and intriguing Find815.com is a web game and video series about Sam Thomas, whose girlfriend was aboard the flight and who is determined to find the flight after Oceanic gives up their search.
The result is that I think ABC will keep their momentum – they’ve been working hard to keep Lost’s hardcore fans both interested and confused, and it seems to be working. With only a few weeks remaining until the show returns, ABC will be putting all of their marketing muscle behind ensuring that everyone and their mother knows about the show’s return. Plus, personally, I can’t frakkin’ wait – Lost is perhaps my favourite show on television, so obviously I’m looking forward to its return and to being able to cover the series here at Cultural Learnings.
Lost returns on January 31st at 9pm on ABC and CTV. As for why it’s not my #1 show, well, you’ll just have to accept that I’m a little nuts until tomorrow brings the answer.
YouTube – Lost in 8:15
YouTube – Season Four Teaser
Cultural Learnings 
I’ve seen the first and the second season of “Lost”. The first was amazing, but I didn’t like the second.
Generally, that reaction is common – I would personally suggest watching the third if only for how fantastic it becomes in its second half. Things become urgent again, as opposed to the rather plodding and unexciting pace which occasionally plagued the second season.
Either way, considering there isn’t anything else on, I’d at least catch up as best you can to be able to enjoy some original programming!
Season 2 was Lost going through its growing pains, particularly when it came to integrating new cast members (the “Tailies”).
Season 3 was much more confident. Despite one notable failed experiment (Niki/Paulo) and a slow start (one that will likely work much better if seen in conjunction with the rest of the season) it felt more like a show that knows where it’s going and how it’s going to get there.
The integration of The Others as regular characters was much more skillful than the Tailies. The show revealed more answers than the first two seasons, but also brought up some REALLY fascinating new questions. And its finale might be the show’s best episode since its pilot.
In short: watch season 3. It’s totally worth it.
I love the show.
Although I agree that season 2 has been the weakest, I really think it should be said that that’s only because it’s being compared to its own other seasons, not tv in general, and the show had set the bar very high in season 1.
Lost is put under intense critical scrutiny, more so than any other show on tv, (seriously try and think of another show given so much attention by fans and detractors), because of it’s unique ability to garner both popular and critical success. I’m happy that the writers took their time, and remained rigidly committed to the idea of a serial story, because for the fans that remained, the story now is just so much more potent than most other tv series in their successive seasons.