Ten years ago I was at the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Los Angeles. Myself along with 2,000 fans from around the world had gathered to watch the final episode of LOST. Watching the finale like a movie with an electrified crowd made it an unforgettable experience. I recall that the line of people waiting to get into the Orpheum wrapped around the block. After patiently waiting for an hour or so and we finally got through the front door around 6PM local time. To say I was a bit excited would be a gross understatement. The presentation was in HD; the screen was a traditional movie size (huge), and the hosts of the evening Jay & Jack (of Jay & Jack podcasting fame) KILLED the live event. There were collective gasps, shouts and applause throughout the finale. Audience members all played nice and were quiet (when we had to be), even shushing the theater as the commercials faded and the show resumed. It was the best way to end my LOST journey.
It’s only a matter of time before we go back to the island.
Producing a successful television reboot/remake/remix requires a delicate balance of respect for the original content and originality. When the scale tips too far in either direction, it often leads to failure. But, when a reboot does well (I.E. Battlestar Galactica, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power), it can achieve cross-generational appeal. In the past, Carlton Cuse said the following about LOST “Disney owns the franchise, it made them a lot of money, [so] it’s hard to imagine it will just sit there idly forever.” Even back in 2017, Damon Lindelof was quoted as saying that “Any new take on LOST will probably have to feature new characters, as it should.”
So what qualities should a new take on LOST include? First off, a big nope for network television. Sorry, ABC this needs to be made with Disney+ in mind. We’re talking 8-10 ‘hour long’ episodes per season. LOST was not about the scenario or its mysteries. It was, is and always will be about its characters first and foremost. The series asked viewers to imagine that nothing matters but people. Flawed people who need people. If nothing else the episode ‘The Constant’ proves that even if you are unstuck in time, riding it out in an alternate timeline or different realities, we are all tied together through human relationships. That being said, LOST 2.0 should be The Adventures of Hurley and Walt. You invite Jorge Garcia back as Hugo “Hurley” Reyes and re-cast Walter “Walt” Lloyd with If Beale Street Could Talk and Homecoming star, Stephan James. You hire a capable show runner like a Sam Esmail or a Noah Hawley. Jordan Peele would crush this as well. Try not to introduce new questions that you never want to answer. Take tentpole ideas of the original 121 episodes like the crash, The Others, the Smoke Monster, The Dharma Initiative and spin them on their heads a bit; Scale down the rest of the ensemble cast but bring back sweet Vincent (this is not negotiable), re-contextualize old stories, and develop or eschew weaker mythological elements (ex: The Whispers, Get rid of Jacob’s Lighthouse, etc.)
In a special feature from the final season’s boxset, Walt was shown going back to the Island with Hurley where he belonged. Walt’s story was far from wrapped up and he could easily be used in a “Jacob” like role if the series did continue. Hell, even start it with the basic idea of what exactly does it mean to be Island protector? What is the job, really? Who would they be protecting the Island from? Let’s explore that. Oh and one more thing, is Michael Giacchino available?
-Dagobot
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