Fantasy vs. Reality - “Lost” Season 1 & 2

It is an interesting show for two reasons: It happened after plane crash on an isolated island, no one can get out; It is a TV show with 25 episode, so you can play many details that can't be played in a movie.

More than often, we like stories that extend beyond our daily real life, but still with roots we can associate. In real life, we need to make our own decisions, deal with issues we hate but can’t avoid. Many real issues have long term impact on our future, but the burden to make the best decision gets heavier when we grow more mature (list composed by marriage, divorce, property, investment, career path, etc.). The little ones drain our resources, numb our brain and senses, but give back so little pleasure (list composed by deadlines, complaints, kid’s routine, partner requests, house chores, paying bills, etc.).  When they crashed on the island, all of them get to start a new life, toss away the past burdens and pains. They only come back to in memory and emotions. But the current situation released them from the responsibilities and consequences once chained and surrounded them. They make immediate decisions and see immediate results. That is very stimulating to our viewers, in our comfort of home, mentally explore the opportunities with the characters, spared from the physical discomfort in such true natural environment. However, the flash back of their past lives, linked our emotions to the characters. We recognize our own desires, dreams, failures, hurts and much more. Very few of us dare to choose such a path to disconnect from the “boring” reality, free our souls to a new world. But nevertheless, the dream persistently exists. So we watch the show.

The show has depth with its abundance resources: time. It doesn’t have to wrap up a story in the plotted time, the story continues from one to the next. This is always a blessing when the crew knows how to use it. It used to be a curse to viewers in the old days, we didn’t want to miss any and got stuck with their schedule. However, with technology, I get to view the whole season (all 4 actually) online through Netflix instant play. So now I choose not to watch any good shows till they accumulate to a good chunk of numbers, and watch them all together.

Season 1 is great, with the mysterious history of the island. I feel like reading the first few Harry Potter books, with the unknowing power behind the scene, my curiosity was greatly stimulated. Season 2 got the curse: with so much time to be filled up and to string the audience’s attention, one set of main roles are not enough to expand the themes, so it brings the other group (tail survivors) along with others to the stage. I am not disappointed yet, however I am hitting a plateau of interest. There are more seasons to come, but I will take a break somewhere to give my curiosity a break.

I loved Jin and Sun in the show. Glad to see an Asian couple given great spot light in the mainstream media, without being put down or flatten out. Sun is a pretty girl with proper Korean style make up. Both of them feel real, although I am not Korean to give an authentic judge.