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Original Message
"A new mystery for evey solution?"

Posted by Drive My Car on 01-23-05 at 01:30 AM
This show seems to be giving us a little bit of insight for every 3 or 4 questions.
For every question answered it gives us 3 more questions. Every insight gives us more clues to more unanswers.

My question is, do viewers like this type of show, and if they do, for how long?
I like the writing. I like that the show is like a novel, like reading a great story. I like that not all the questions are answered each week. Lost is definately an investment of time kinda Drama.

My fear is that the viewing public has gotten used to easy stories that conclude in a few episodes; that we've gotten used to the 'wrap up' story line.
Lost doesn't seem to be that.
It is more 'soap drama' a story that contnues. I worry that because I like it, this story could be cancelled.
Or is the popularity of 'Lost' and 'Alias' a sign that good stories and movie type production values, are what the viewers want? Do we want more questions than answers? Has the viewing public suddenly gotten a longer attention span?

Another show that seems to be doing the same with sharp writing, is Desparate Housewives. No episode ends with all the questions answered.

Is Mystery the new trend? Is is it just trendy?


( I'd like to note that I don't watch Alias, because I missed the first 2 seasons, and am hopelessly lost to the story. I tried, but just can't catch up)




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Messages in this discussion
"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by motormouth on 01-23-05 at 04:03 AM
First , the shows ratings seem to be be pretty good so I would say that yes, this is what people like. For how long, I can't speak for anyone else but me and as long as we get a satisfying answer reasonably often I will keep watching. Even if they do pile more questions onto it.
I love the intrigue. Same with '24' and 'Desperate Housewives'. (like you I have not watched Alias)

My only fear is that we get so worked up and excited anticipating the answers/end, that we will be sorely disappointed with it. (Have you seen the speculation threads?) It can be hard to live up to that kind of expectation.

Remember how the end of "The Sixth Sense" got so much attention? Because most people were not expecting the shock ending. They loved it. It is hard with the these TV shows, the internet posting spoilers and speculation so much I don't see how they could surprise us. But I will keep watching and hope they do.



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"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by TeamJoisey on 01-23-05 at 11:05 PM
My lovely wife is very frustrated with Lost. She wants some answers.

Personally, I'm worried there are no answers, and the writers are making stuff up as they go along. And I'm losing interest.

I fear "Twin Peaks 2" will begin to lose audience as long as they string along the myriad plotlines without some resolution. The producers may feel they are tantalizing the viewers, when in reality they are beginning to bore me and others.



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"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by Devious Weasel on 01-24-05 at 11:13 AM
I think part of that is the structure of episodic television. If everything wraps up in one season, what do you do for the second season? How do you sell syndication rights?

I think 24 hit on a good answer. Wrapping up almost everything in one season, then starting over the next season with a different story, diminishes the worries about how to keep things going. I would love to see, though it will never happen outside of HBO or Showtime, some series that are designed only to go a one-season 24-25 show run.



"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by jkokoj on 01-24-05 at 02:03 PM
Agree w/the weasel! I like that we have shows that are little more thought provoking. I am truly tired of the "reality" type shows, with the exception of the founding Survivor and TAR. I am also a little tired of the cop and hospital shows. We needed something more mysteries.

With that said, like DW has stated, we need to have some answers thrown our way. Right now viewers are hooked. But if towards the end of this season they leave us hanging with too many unanswered questions it may turn into Twin Peaks part deuax. That would be unfortunate because the concept is great.



"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by SurvivaBear on 01-26-05 at 12:18 PM
Wrapping up almost everything in one season, then starting over the next season with a different story - another good example would be Alias (however, apparently none of you watch it). They tie up most of the lose ends and go in a different direction at the end of the season. That is what I would like to see. Perhaps the Lost crew determines how they are all connected to each other or what the island is all about, but we are left with another type of cliff-hanger that leads us into next season.


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"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by Smooth23 on 01-23-05 at 11:59 PM
I love the show and like the mystery, but they really do need to wrap up some of the questions now and then. I think the writers are worried about the fact that since they are on an island if they use up all of the mysteries to fast there's no more characters to add more storylines too.

"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by FesterFan1 on 01-24-05 at 05:55 PM
I know there is building frustration in the viewing community, but I, for one, love that each answer brings more questions. I don't need answers as long as the drama continues to be compelling. So far, it has not disappointed. Conversely, it would disappoint me if we got major answers before, or at the end, of season 1. I want this show to last. I want there to be a high level of mystery. Sure, I want cliffhangers and some resolution to some story arcs, but in this case, less is more.

Also, I disagree with the idea that these writers are making it up as they go along. As a watcher of a show where that's definitely the case -- '24' -- I can say with pretty good certainty that these folks have, at a bare minimum, a definite blueprint about the Big Picture items at the core of the show, if not blueprints of all the major characters. I believe they know what they want to reveal and when they want to reveal it. The methodical way the show has unfolded to this point (the order of the backstories, the way in which the island "thing" has been developed, and the relationships among the characters to name a few) is what makes me believe this.

Eventually, those with a desire for more standard plotlines will drift off, and maybe ABC will push the writers to give up more secrets quicker. I'm hoping that doesn't happen. I like love the show just the way it is, thanks. Like all new shows, the buzz will die down eventually. Those casually interested in the show will gravitate to other shows. Those disappointed in the progress of the show will leave. But there are enough people watching this show who have become hooked to keep it going at its current pace successfully (in network terms--i.e. number of viewers) for years.

Fester


"Totally agree"
Posted by PhoenixMons on 01-24-05 at 06:59 PM
I love the mystery each week...the suspense of "maybe this week we'll learn the answer to XYZ" makes it that much more enticing and interesting. NOT getting answers is what makes this show so good (well, part of it anyway). I also like that we're being given SO many hints and clues each episode...but not quite enough that we can figure everything out.

I can also say that from the info I've gathered, the writers have at least an outline in place for FOUR seasons' worth of shows. They definitely aren't making it up as they go along and I don't get the feeling at all because of the way in which the information is presented (you can always look back and say "why didn't I see this coming?").

Part of what's so awesome about Lost is that there are so many ways things could go...so many people to keep track of - but it's done in a way that doesn't make your head spin in confusion.

I have LOVED every single episode of the show with the exception of Whatever the Case May Be - that's mostly because I find Kate annoying and nowhere near as interesting (yet) as the other characters - AND that I was expecting more after such a long break. I liked that episode, but didn't love it.

I am sure there are lots of people who are getting annoyed with the unanswered questions, but I love it the way it is.


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"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by zombiebaby on 01-24-05 at 07:34 PM
The only thing I have a problem with is the breaks between episodes. I feel the show will flow so much better if we got all the episodes in a row.

I think the new current crop of quality TV lends itself to this way. Cable, like HBO and Showtime have been doing it with their shows. I think 24 does it as well.

This type of show really does not lend itself to running 3 episodes, repeats for 2 then resume new episodes. In this day and age I would be inclined to think that most people have VCR's or TiVo and do not need a "repeat" episode. This show will probably do amazing when the first season is released on DVD and will pick up even more fans.

Back on topic, I love the new mysteries and the new layers that are added each week. While the ending may not live up to everyone's expectations and imagination I believe it will all be tied together one way or another.

This is a major complaint of The Sopranos as well (more plotlines introduced before any old ones are resolved) and look at how well that show is doing.


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"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by Devious Weasel on 01-25-05 at 12:18 PM
I think one of the reasons for the break is to help build the audience. I know that I didn't start watching until I found out they were going to run some repeats. If I didn't get the chance to catch up (and after these two repeats the only episode that hasn't been rerun will be episode 3) I'll be where everyone else is who watched from the start. I think the lesson they learned from the first season of 24 was that if people didn't watch from the start, they wouldn't start watching midway through.



"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by J I M B O on 01-25-05 at 09:02 PM
and now if you notice, 24 isn't doing that. they don't have ANY breaks or repeats this season. probly due to the show's popularity and established audience. maybe next season will be at a better pace for Lost as well. also, i'm not sure how many they shot initially, but i've wondered if some of the delays in broadcast is due to the uncertainty of actually producing the second half of the season. not being in a studio setting would make that even worser.

"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by J I M B O on 01-25-05 at 09:00 PM
It'll be interesting to see what happens once the majority of main characters have their 'spotlight' episode out of the way. I think Jin and Hurley are last, and coming in the next few...so what then, MORE backstories? They'll probly go into the interconnectedness of survivors--as has been hinted at--but some of them I find rather boring. All the stuff between Michael and his ex just dragged and dragged IMO. Also, I don't have a problem suspending disbelief for what happens on the island, but the thought that everyone crossed paths before the flight seems silly to me. I'm not sure what the point of that will be.

"Keep the Questions Coming"
Posted by trigirl on 01-26-05 at 01:20 PM
I don't want answers...or at least all the answers. Keep me guessing!


"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by joannie on 01-26-05 at 05:37 PM
I don't want to know all the answers, at least not yet. Let me savor the mystery. The best part is that we know no more about the characters than they do about eachother. We're all confused together. And unraveling the clues.

"RE: A new mystery for evey solution?"
Posted by blacknwhitedog on 01-27-05 at 12:59 PM
I have the feeling not all the show's mysteries will be solved. That's ok with me, as long as they give us something.

I think the strength of the show so far has been character development. We learn each main character's back story through flashbacks. That gets us invested emothionally in each character. I like the way that device has been used so far.

I remember something from back in the fall right before the show premeired. All the episodes were not picked up at first until it turned out the show was going to be a big hit for ABC. I'm thinking Abrams and crew probably did not have all the episodes written at that point. He gave an interview- maybe in TV Guide not sure- and was asked something to the effect of how do you prevent this show from becoming a Gilligan's Island. And he said something about maybe making the second season (if there was one) about their rescue and how the characters would deal with returning to society. I'm sure this was speculation at the time because no one knew the show would be a big hit.


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