J.J. Abrams: What “Lost” Is – And Isn’t
“Lost” co-creator J.J. Abrams says he knows what “Lost” is and what it isn’t.
“It isn’t a puzzle before it’s a character piece. It’s not a sci fi series before it’s a character drama and an emotional drama,” Abrams says in a phone interview today. “A lot of people put the facade of what `Lost’ is and put it first. To me, while I would say it is (a sci-fi thriller), it’s almost an anthology. What’s going on in the flashbacks is about who these people are.”
Abrams says in Season Three, a whole new group of people get thrown into the mix. We assume he’s talking about The Others.
“(Copycat) shows like ‘Threshold’ or ‘Invasion,’ while they had great promise, were all happening in response to (the success of ‘Lost’),” Abrams says. “But (the success of ‘Lost’) wasn’t about genre, that was secondary. It’s all about what really makes Locke tick and what has Jin gone through.”
Abrams says the creative team knew even before the pilot was shot that there would be a hatch and there would be a man inside the hatch.
“It wasn’t clear that this man was going to be involved with the people or not,” Abrams says. “The beauty of a good idea of that you can explore different versions. It was clear where we wanted to go in short term (with Desmond), then we cast the actor. Now, wouldn’t it be cool if (we did certain things with that character). That’s the fun of series television, if you are lucky (enough to stay on the air), is to continue to make those decisions.”
Will said,
October 3, 2006 at 12:34 pm
Abrams comments about the hatch and having a short term plan are what made Lost a “must see” the first season and why it has declined in the second season. The biggest complaint I have heard is the repeats and “special” episodes that serve as fillers from the premier in October until the finale in May. Lost 2.5 and the subsequent season starting in the new year could serve to sink the ship in a matter of speaking. I am also confused about the emphasis on romance this season. Why? This is an adventure show not some sort of Felicity knock off. While I await the season premier as much as anyone I am afraid the show will go the way of Invasion and Alias. A ton of promise that will be Lost!
Dino, Oceanic Flight 815 Survivor said,
October 4, 2006 at 4:00 pm
Can I just say that October 4, 2006 is unofficially LOST DAY? and can I also say that J.J. Abrams is my hero. Seriously. If I would meet him or if he would call me I think I would pass out like a teenie bopper meeting Usher. Ever since Felicity, I am forever inspired by him. Plus, we wear the same kind of glasses (according to Susan). I wonder if I can be a recurring character on this show….hmmmm….perhaps the long lost son of Jin and Sun? who happens to be an other? Something to think about J.J. I would definitely work for cheap, but not that cheap.
Kim said,
October 4, 2006 at 4:19 pm
From hitting the various Lost forum boards, I don’t know that the show will tank all that quickly. There are a LOT of devoted fans…and while the men love the intrigue, monsters, sci-fi nods and the like, the women like a little romance. People wanna see if Kate goes for Jack or Sawyer. They want to know if Claire and Charlie’s relationship is going to blossom. Even some of the guys are into seeing those kind of things develop. I agree about the repeat episodes. But I also think people will stick around to find out what’s going on. Even if they have to wait a little longer. Heck, they did it for Sopranos…
Will said,
October 5, 2006 at 12:47 pm
Sopranos didn’t start breaking up the season and having long layoffs until they had strung together a few normal seasons. Last night’s episode was great to start but I can’t swallow very much of Jack/Juliet sequences. Jack overpowers her then 30 seconds later is getting knocked out by her? They seem to be cut off from the outside but they also know everything about Jack? Which is it? Did anything get answered or addressed? Nope. Say hello to X-Files 2006. I will continue to watch because I have invested the time but it would be interesting to see one or two mysteries addressed instead of moving straight on past them and on to new mysteries.
Kim said,
October 5, 2006 at 2:27 pm
True true…anticipation is the greatest form of torture, but still, throw us a frickin’ bone once in a while!