Lost seasons 1 and 2 DVD sets

I can recall watching some of the first episode of Lost, and wishing I had seen the whole thing. The show has won 31 awards including the Golden Globe for Best Television Series in 2006 and several Emmy awards in 2005.

As time passed, I realized that I missed out on a new series that I would have enjoyed. Recently, I decided to buy season 1 and 2 on DVD and watch both series before the October launch of season 3. I watched both seasons in about two weeks.



Sure, you have to suspend belief quite a bit, but if you do that enough, you are rewarded with an additive show filled with mystery, suspense and tension, qualities that are often missing from today's movies. And being a serial, you are compelled to watch each episode religiously. Not surprisingly, there's a few romances that blossom, as well as a love triangle.

With about 42 survivors, the show could not possibly focus on everyone. Instead, about a dozen of the characters are in every episode, with the remaining people just floating around as mostly anonymous extras.

After a while, you begin to question what the island really is. Where the survivors brought to it on purpose and if so, why? Each of the characters end up seeing things which bring up flashbacks to explain their pasts. About one third of the show is told in flashbacks, showing episodes of their lives that shaped who they are. These are pivotal moments.


Emilie de Ravin as Claire Littleton.

All the of the main characters are compelling, as we get to know them from the flashbacks. Sawyer (Josh Holloway) is the charming, handsome redneck conman who distinguishes himself by his greedy hoarding. Jack (Matthew Fox)is the tireless doctor, the superman of the tribe who is a reluctant leader in the face of jealousy, due to his constant heroics. Kate (Evangeline Lilly)is 20-something hottie who knows her way around guns and the jungle, but has a past that she desperately tries to keep quiet. Michael (Harold Perrineau Jr.)is a guy who recently became aquainted with his adolescent son, Walt (Malcolm David Kelley), who grew up halfway across the world, in Europe, with his lawyer mother and stepdad. Michael was given custody of his son when Walt's mom died, and now they have an uneasy relationship. Walt instantly bonds with Locke (Terry O'Quinn, one of two actors I recognized), one of the bigger guys in the group, who is almost the polar opposite of his former self. Locke is savy with guns, knives, hunting and is almost foolishly fearless. He is a bit kooky with his somewhat mystical outlook on life and reminded me a little bit of Col. Kurtz, the deranged military leader from the film Apocalypse Now, especially in appearance. Hurley (Jorge Garcia)is the fat 20-something Hispanic guy guy who everyone loves due to his easy-going nature. There's a Korean couple (stunning Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim) who don't speak English, apparently. One of the most recognizeable stars for me is Naveen Andrews, who plays an English-speaking former member of the Iraqui Republican Guard. A brother and step sister from a wealthy background seem to have a strong bond, despite their constant bickering. She's a beautiful, seemingly stuck-up blonde (Maggie Grace)with no real career experience, while he is a CEO of a company that his Martha Stewart-like mother has as part of her business empire. He makes an effort to help out while she sun bathes, mostly. One of the actors from Lord of the Rings (Dominic Monaghan)shows up as former rock star with a short-lived but popular band formed with his brother. Shades of Oasis here. There's another young blonde woman (Emilie de Ravin)who happens to be very pregnant, very scared and single.

Like the television show Survivor, these passengers from Oceanic Flight 815 quickly become comfortable traveling through the jungle, with danger seemingly lurking around every corner. One of the dangers of the jungle sounds like it must be a T-Rex. It's huge, rattles treetops and sounds like something from Jurassic Park. You won't believe your eyes when you actually see it.


Terry O'Quinn as John Locke.

There's so new information introduced in each episode but, like any good series, with new information comes new questions as the overall mystery of the show deepens. I won't say much more other than to say that if you haven't seen the show, or all the espisodes, buy, beg, borrow or steal the DVDs and treat yourself to some of the best television in a long time. There is so much that I would love to discuss right now, but I loathe spoiling the show for anyone. For the last two years, I have not paid much attention to the story and I'm glad I've kept myself in the dark. I didn't pay much attention to the bonus material, so I won't comment on it.

Now that I've seen the first two seasons, I have visited the odd blog site to read some in depth analysis of things that I actually missed. Look for details like things like company names and you may notice one popping up over and over again.

The series isn't flawless - what is - but it's definitely a very entertaining way to spend some time. One advantage to watching the show on DVD is that you can catch the "easter egg" on the shark. You'll see something and will definitely want to watch it over again. Season 3 begins Wednesday, October 4, 2006.