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How Lost Changed TV Shows Forever

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Still lost.

If you were watching TV in 2004, chances are you or someone else you knew was completely and utterly obsessed with Lost. ABC's drama series took the world by storm, creating a passionate fanbase that took to the internet to discuss each episode and theorize about what it all means.

In 2018 that might not sound like anything special, but it's important to note that this was the very first show to capture the hearts and minds of TV audiences living in the internet age. It wasn't easy to congregate on places like Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube because, well, they didn't exist in any meaningful way.

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Now Playing: How Lost Changed TV Forever

But part of being a Lost fan was engaging with others, and it was undoubtedly a show that gave its audience plenty of material to work with. Lost was filled with characters to love--and hate--mysteries to consider, and wild twists that shocked us. Regardless of whether you love it or hate it, the fact that it was a cultural phenomenon is undeniable.

And now, it's available to stream in its entirety on Hulu. To celebrate its arrival on the streaming service we decided to put together a video looking back at what made Lost so unique. If you'd like to read instead of watch, you can check out our gallery on the 8 Ways Lost Changed TV.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com


tamz

Tamoor Hussain

Tamoor Hussain is the Managing Editor of GameSpot. He has been covering the video game industry for a really long time, having worked in news, features, reviews, video, and more. He loves Bloodborne and other From Software titles, is partial to the stealth genre, and can hold his own in fighting games too. Fear the Old Blood.

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lionheartssj1

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Lost made it ok for Damon Lindelof to get work, and that's a losing situation for everyone but him.

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chopsbenedict

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Edited By chopsbenedict

The internet already existed as a place to congregate and discuss anything. It had been for years. Dont try to grant Lost some accolade because its entire structure was about being filled with plot holes you can crash a plane through. EVERY fan of this show from back then I know wrote it off entirely after the Dallas finish - people who wouldn't let me speak in the house during an episode, now wont speak about the show, hows that for a cultural phenomenon?

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Bread_or_Decide

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Edited By Bread_or_Decide

@chopsbenedict: If any show deserves that title its X-Files. That’s the show that caused fans to meet online. Lost has one legacy: lies, misdirection, and disappointment.

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chopsbenedict

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@Bread_or_Decide: not to mention its a show which actually began when the internet was taking off, not when millineals favorite apps came out and a show with a thoroughly considered overarching plot which isnt one big baloney sandwich at the end. I will say Xfiles suffered after the move to filming in California.

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kthulhu

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@chopsbenedict: "and a show with a thoroughly considered overarching plot"

It's actually pretty well known, and outright admitted, that X-Files did NOT have a plan, and was just making it us as they went.

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chopsbenedict

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Edited By chopsbenedict

@kthulhu: You're right, I don't mean to suggest an overall plan from the beginning, I mean that as the story progressed they thoroughly considered the advancement of that plot, both on its own and as it impacted the standard episodes/pacing of the show. As opposed to the hodge podge throw out a clue thats not a clue, without much direction, which in my opinion resulted in the reliance on a "dream" (I know they dont like to call it that, but its not effectively different).

Now I know xfiles threw out plenty of clues that werent clues, but always with background of it being smoking man manipulating, and as an audience we were nearly always aware of the deception, at least by the end of a story arc.

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Bread_or_Decide

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Edited By Bread_or_Decide

This friggin show. Dangled so many carrots and ended on the very thing they claimed wasn’t true. Hey it’s an alternate dimension! F-this show. It’s legacy is poop.

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cobsohn

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@Bread_or_Decide: They created the alternate dimension over the course of the show. It didn't begin in the alternate dimension.

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Bread_or_Decide

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@cobsohn: i recall the alternate dimension only showing up in the final season. When does it show up earier?

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ZeroEffect311

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@Bread_or_Decide: someone is still bitter 14 years later lol. Wow its been that long geeze..... Tamoor is indeed correct how this show was a cultural phenomenon! I remember discussing crazy events the next day at school and scouring forums to see what the popular fan theories were. It was a show that loved asking questions and its answer to those questions were more questions. For some like me... they loved it. For others who expected it all to be neatly wrapped up with a bow on it... they were disappointed. I would argue that the ride was worth it even if the payoff wasn't there. Just the fact that each episode focused on a different character and showed their backstory (or future) to me seemed sort of groundbreaking. It was always cool seeing a major character like Jack show up in little to no capacity in a story focused on someone different. That shows the strength of that ensemble and I would argue that was one of the better ensemble casts a show has um assembled... Cheers Tamoor I really enjoy your content!

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