News

Get ‘Lost’

Acclaimed show asks big questions.

Lost ABC Wednesdays 8/7c

One creator of the television series Lost says the most important scene of last year’s stunning fourth season wasn’t the pivotal moment when some survivors of downed Oceanic Flight 815 actually made it home. Instead, he says, it was a simple conversation in a greenhouse between character John Locke, a believer in the supernatural order of the universe, and Dr. Jack Shepherd, Lost‘s resident Man of Science. Locke told Jack that their plane crash was no accident: they were there for a reason. Jack ignored the talk of destiny and boldly left the island.

But even bigger for me was seeing Jack, months after getting home, change his tune by confessing, “We weren’t meant to leave. We have to go back.”

What changed the doctor’s mind? Who, or what, didn’t mean for the castaways to leave? Why go back? These are questions propelling the character-driven show as it starts season five this winter. But as Lost fans know, the more the show answers questions, the more questions arise.

Lost regularly tackles complex themes like redemption, an ordered universe, and the literal sins of the fathers with an untidy approach that fits the messy subject matter. No easy answers are offered. Characters take one step forward and two steps back as they try to grasp their purpose and overcome personal weaknesses. The mysterious sci-fi story has viewers constantly wondering what is going on: Is this island the Garden of Eden? Atlantis? Just a hub of mystical powers?

In an entertainment culture of short attention spans, Lost sets a higher bar. Viewers have to commit, wait for resolution, and think about what they have seen. It is a model for how life’s big questions can be probed in a tv series.

For some, Lost‘s lack of answers is maddening. So the creators, wanting to inspire trust in their plan, have announced that the show will conclude in May 2010. If the answers are as strong as the questions, it will stand as one of the most ambitious and smartest shows in television history.

Todd Hertz, managing editor, Ignite Your Faith

Copyright © 2009 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Lost premieres tonight.

Christianity Today also has other reviews on music, movies, books, and other media.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

Sci-Fi's Brave New World

News

California's Temper Tantrum

Reverence for the Mystery

My Top 5 Fiction Books for the Soul

Review

Novel Teachers

Searching for Radical Faith

Praying 'Thy Kingdom Come ...'

Q&A: Louie Giglio

News

Yechiel Eckstein: Evangelicals’ Favorite Rabbi

Editorial

Who Do You Think You Are?

Review

Making Movies to Change the World

CDs on The List

Review

Live: Hope at the Hideout

Cartoon

Cartoon of the Month

Bibliophiles We

Meager Harvest

Books Uncommon and Offbeat

News

Political Exile

Memo to Worship Bands

Review

Learning from Secular Nations

News

Quotation Marks

News

Smuggling Debate

2009 Christianity Today Book Awards

News

Gas-Powered Gospels

News

Atheists' Outreach

News

News Briefs: February 01, 2009

News

Passages

News

Go Figure

Bush's Faith-Based Legacy

News

Fault Line of Faith

News

Prosperity Gospel on Skid Row

News

Readers Write

News

Stocks Squeeze Seminaries

View issue

Our Latest

News

Died: Andar Ismail, Prolific Writer Who Made Theology Simple

With his Selamat series, the Indonesian pastor wrote more than 1,000 short stories illuminating Jesus’ life and teachings.

The Bulletin

Praying for Time

Hosts and guests discuss Gen Z in the workplace, Israeli hostages, and astronauts stuck in space.

Wire Story

China Ends International Adoptions, Leaving Hundreds of Cases in Limbo

The decision shocked dozens of evangelical families in the US who had been in the process since before the pandemic.

Wire Story

Bangladeshi Christians and Hindus Advocate for a Secular Country

As political changes loom and minority communities face violence, religious minorities urge the government to remove Islam as the state religion.

Public School Can Be a Training Ground for Faith

My daughter will wrestle with worldliness in her education, just as I did. That’s why I want to be around to help.

Boomers: Serve Like Your Whole Life Is Ahead of You

What will our generation do with the increased life expectancy God has blessed us with?

Review

Take Me Out to Something Bigger Than a Ballgame

American stadiums have always played host both to major sports and to larger social aspirations.

Wire Story

Evangelical Broadcasters Sue Over IRS Ban on Political Endorsements

Now that some nonprofit newspapers have begun to back candidates, a new lawsuit asks why Christian charities can’t take sides.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube