Thursday, April 2, 2009

if you aren't lost, please come back

Yeah, yeah... I know. For all of you who don't watch Lost, those Thursday posts get really boring.

All that time travel, yada yada, Smoke monster, blah, blah, blah, Jack, Hurley and Kate nonsense is definitely more than one can handle IF by some chance you actually bother to read it.

But I realized today after reading the blog of a non-Lost viewer, that I feel a little bit sad for those of you who don't watch. You see, Lost isn't just a TV show. It's more of a hobby... no, no... It's kind of a part-time job... no... let's see. It's actually a lifestyle.

It probably seems like just another 60 minutes of mindless entertainment to fill a void on Wednesday nights. Turn it on. Turn it off. Go on with your life.

If ONLY!

You see, watching Lost requires dedication, research, commitment and hours of hard-core thinking! The show itself is only a small part of being a Lostaholic. Once an episode is over, that's when the real fun begins.

True addicts lose sleep on Wednesday nights searching the message boards and blogs for clues, hints and theories. I've heard of people missing work on Thursdays to make more time for their research.

Viewers have to learn about time travel, world religions, ancient history and even quantum physics. They have to decipher the meanings of strings of numbers and review past episodes for tiny references that were missed the first time.

For those who are over the top, they can join Lost book clubs and read other works that might give clues to the storyline.

When a friend recommended I watch Lost about a year and a half ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. She loaned me the complete Season 1 on DVD and I watched it in a matter of weeks. I missed an entire week of my life in a mind-numbing blur my husband and I now lovingly refer to as "Season 2".

At that point, there was no turning back. I was starting to realize that this was quite possibly the best TV series in the history of mankind, and Season 3 was definitely offering proof.

Now, being a Lost junkie has added a whole new dimension to my life.

My husband and I have a standing date every Wednesday night in front of the TV. We both look forward to this time to kick back and hang out. When I meet a new mom in the park, I can casually ask her if she watches Lost. If she says yes, we suddenly have made a connection that gives us HOURS of conversation. It's like we've known each other our whole lives.

Oh yes. We've had to give up a few things. But really?!? Do the kids actually NEED me to pack their lunches on Thursday mornings when I am busy reading message boards? Is it SO BAD if I forget to cook dinner one day a week? I realize I have forgotten it was my turn to drive the carpool ONCE in a WHILE because I was so preoccupied with leaving comments on other blogs about Lost.

People, I never said this was an easy life. But when you are committed, you CHOOSE to ignore the tension headaches and carpal tunnel.

Besides, with only a few episodes left in Season 5, we are near the finish line now. We only have one more season after this one and then it's back to the life we once knew.

Nothing to look forward to on Wednesday nights. Boring Thursdays. No more countless hours spent trying to understand the Time Loop Theory. No more searching the blogs for clues.

Sure there are other shows. I've heard people talk about them. The Office. The Bachelor. The Biggest Loser. But do any of THOSE have a BOOK CLUB?!?!

So, I must ask you, my dear Bloggy Friends who don't watch Lost. Will you consider getting on board before the end? You still have a chance to join the fun! I hate leaving you out every Thursday morning. Will you just rent Season 1 and give it a try? Please?

If you won't do it for me, consider doing it for the Smoke Monster.


11 comments:

Kacie said...

Haha, I did laugh! You know, we have friends that gave up TV, but they are so addicted to Lost that they come to our house every Wed. to watch. And then at work a few of us are addicted so we suggested that we have a "Lost at lunch" on Wednesdays. We started on the first season and hooked three brand new fans... it's so fun! It's good too because I see all new things watching it this time around.

It's definitely not ANYTHING like the other shows. 24... yeah, people are addicted, but there's nothing to research, no real mystery, just suspense. The bachelor? Lets be honest, that's like reading a romance novel - interesting but not necessarily intelligent. Lost is DEFINITELY intelligent. The office is a comedy - you can miss a week and not miss anything. Not so on Lost!

Good post! :)

Jenny-Jenny said...

Sorry Emily, I'm still trying to get my blogging hobby under control. There's no way I could handle adding this intense of a new hobby to my life. I love your blog but you lost habit will continue to allude me at least for the present.

Unknown said...

Oh, girlfriend! I totally agree that LOST is THE TV event of the millennium! Nothing else will ever come close to it!

We don't have tv anymore, so as soon as I get up Thursday morning, I am checking to see if the episode is available online. I watch it, then Hubby watches. unfortunately, he's not quite as obsessed as I am. I'll forgive him for that.

i spend most of Thursday scouring message boards and blog posts, rewatching scenes if i missed something.

Simply said, I LOVE LOST!!!!!!! (Sorry for shouting, but I think you understand the emotion behind that last statement.) After season 6, we can still have our book clubs, and I'm sure there will be an aspiring screen writer or two who will post their own scripts of future Lost episodes, in hopes that their work will be noticed. (We can all laugh, because NOTHING will ever be this good, again. EVER.)

Shannon said...

LOL...I can relate!

Sarah Eliza @ devastateboredom said...

rofl This is so true, and so profound (:P)... I was thinking about it the other day, how this is the first time I've been so involved with a show, and how I love the element of connection with other viewer/addicts. :) Hobbies are what makes life go 'round, I firmly believe... and Lost is definitely one of a kind. As much as we think we want to discover the answers, it will be a national tragedy when the mysteries are wrapped up and the show ends.

(do you think we dare hope for a spin-off? With a world as rich as The Island, it seems like a spin-off would be infinitely feasible... or is it the specific set of characters who cement our allegiance to the series? Hmmm)

Anonymous said...

I'm trying to hang in there with you Emily! I still have season two disc one sitting by my computer. It's been there for at least four weeks! No kids home tonight, so I'm gonna finish it!
:) Lynn

Anonymous said...

Hey Emily... I am one of the non-Lost TV watchers out here... I'm sure I could get easily sucked into the show & then into the blogs, message boards, book clubs etc that are out here but I have to draw the line somewhere... there are other shows out there that I like to watch - the mindless ones that I can turn on the TV, watch for a half hour or an hour, turn off the TV & go... it's more an issue with time & making myself get other stuff done... and I spend lots of time playing on the computer too so if I got sucked into Lost, then there'd be lots more computer time... so it has to end somewhere!! So don't worry, I'll come back to your blog & post... just not on Thursdays...
Have a great weekend!
Laurel

Sarah said...

Maybe I'll join in at the end. Then I can watch them all at once and not have to wait weekly like you obsessed fans do now. :)

everydayMOM said...

Hopefully, y'all know I'm being a *teeny* bit sarcastic. =] (Although my husband probably agrees that everything I wrote is true! ... He watches with me, but doesn't quite get into the aftershow.)

At least I gave it my best shot, huh? hee hee.

jennybek said...

O--M--G!!! I snorted a couple o times, laughing. You said I could relate, and I SOOOOO do.
"But when you are committed, you CHOOSE to ignore the tension headaches and carpal tunnel."
And yes, we are all smarter because of the homework we do for this show.
HEY!!! We should all get credit hours!
Great post. True dat, true dat!

oh amanda said...

LOL! I just want to cut/paste your post onto mine! *sigh* I love Lost. And I love Losties.

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