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“Lost”

The 2004-2005 television season I found very few new shows that I was impressed with. I’m not saying the season was a total loss because there were some shows that I felt had the potential to do extremely well in the ratings, but many more were lucky to make it pass the first few weeks.

The ABC network did really well and came out a big winner with a couple big hits. One of those shows is “Lost” (Wednesday, 7:00-8:00 p.m., CST), a one hour drama about forty-eight plane crash survivors that are stranded on a mysterious island. The plane enroute from Sidney, Australia, to Los Angeles tears apart in mid-air and crashes on a deserted island in the Pacific.

Striped of everything the survivors scavenge what they can from the plane for their survival. Some of the passengers panic while others hold on to the hope of being rescued. A few find an inner strength they never knew they had.

After a short time of adjusting to their new surroundings the survivors realize they are not a lone on the island. You don’t get to see exactly what they are dealing with but there’s no doubt that it’s something abnormal stalking the jungle and is out to destroy them.

“Lost” is from J.J. Abrams the creator of “Alias” so you know this series is going to be packed full of action and suspense.

Matthew Fox (“Party of Five”) plays Jack a doctor who out of the blackness of the crash,  the first thing he senses is pain and the reality of what has happened; the burning sun, a Bamboo forest, smoke and the horrific screams.  From there it’s a blur, as his doctor instinct kicks in and he works to help those who are injured. He undoubtedly becomes the unofficial leader of the survivors.

Matthew is best known as Charlie from “Party of Five” but he also had a starring role two years ago in the series “Haunted.” It was a critically acclaimed sci-fi thriller that didn’t even manage to last a season.

I recently read in a magazine that Matthew goes on eight-day treks in the Wyoming Mountains where he literally lives off the trout he catches. I guess he has some survival instincts to qualify him for the part of Jack.

Evangeline Lily plays level-headed Kate who, with no medical training suddenly finds herself suturing the doctor’s wounds. She has a mysterious past that follows her and makes her an interesting heroine in the story.

Lilly’s combination of irresistible charm and natural talent is earning her a reputation as one of the most promising young actresses in Hollywood.

One more character I’d like to mention in “Lost” is Charlie played by Dominic Monaghan (“Lord of the Rings” Trilogy). Charlie is a junkie who is quickly running out of his stash. His character doesn’t appear to be all bad and you kind of get the feeling he will probably end up a good guy.

All the actors give outstanding performances in this sci-fi thriller and it really is an excellent series. I’m not at all surprised that it’s doing so well in the ratings. The time slot for “Lost” is not that great for family viewing, only because it really isn’t suitable for the youngsters. It had me on the edge of my seat and could give some nightmares.

“Lost” is filmed in Hawaii and the plane-crash set is located on Mokuleia Beach, one of the most remote beaches on Oahu. I found it interesting that the air plane or parts of it that you see in the series is a surplus L1011 once flown by Delta and was taken a part in California and shipped to Hawaii. The reported cost was $250,000. The plane was cut into three pieces and arranged on the beach. Production designers also ripped pieces off the plane and burned them.