Haven't bothered to watch one episode due to all the negatives about the way it slowly and painfully ended over the last 2-3 seasons.
Are you going to tell me I should rethink this decision? I know this isn't what you had in mind for your thread but please, Robert. Humor me.
I agree there was a lot of temporizing in its final (6th) season. They really hadn't wanted the serial to take that long, but they did get an unprecedented advance deal to end it there. If they'd been able to negotiate it, they probably would've liked to get a deal to do less than that full final season, but seasons come in certain lengths.
I was a friend of show runner Damon Lindelof, thru his father, for years before
Lost, so I'm biased. But my perspective also gives me insight that I wish others had, and that I can help impart.
Do you like detective stories? Do you like puzzles?
Lost was a hidden mystery. That is, even the fact that it was a mystery was not stated openly. It's a mystery story that had no denouement -- that never came out and said it was a mystery, let alone tell you the solution at the end -- but that the audience definitely can solve. It helps enormously if you're versed in detective drama and fiction, as well as knowledgeable about conspiracies, hoaxes, magic tricks, and scams. Knowing some other fiction and nonfiction helps a bit too, because
Lost often gives clues in the form of unstated allusions to source material. Of course best of all would be knowing Damon Lindelof and certain conversations and experiences we shared over the years before
Lost, but at least you have me.
As you watch
Lost, remember the object is to figure out, what's really going on here? What do these people know that we aren't told explicitly? Who are they, really?
When you "get" the allusions and see the discrepancies between what seems to be happening and what you can infer is actually happening, if you're like me you'll LOL. So
Lost is really a dark comedy.
It starts with the very beginning. You'll see what appears to be the scene of an airplane wreck with survivors. But is it really? Look critically at the evidence.