What Lost Teaches Us About Storytelling

Ever wonder how they wrote the TV show Lost? Hear from Damon Lindelof, JJ Abrams, and Carlton Cuse about their experiences in the writers' room and how they created one of the biggest TV shows in history.
Chapters:
00:00 Preface
01:08 1. Structure
03:43 2. Flashbacks
07:04 3. The Writing Room
12:17 4. Writing With Meaning
16:29 5. The Voice of Lost
18:18 6. Character
19:34 7. Research
20:18 8. The End
Subscribe: kzbin.info/door/3osNjJeuDdvyALIEP-nh0g
Comment below a film or TV show you want me to research next.
Lost is an American drama television series that originally aired on ABC from September 22, 2004, to May 23, 2010, over six seasons, comprising a total of 121 episodes. The show contains elements of supernatural and science fiction, and follows the survivors of a commercial jet airliner flying between Sydney and Los Angeles, after the plane crashes on a mysterious island somewhere in the South Pacific Ocean. The story is told in a heavily serialized manner. Episodes typically feature a primary storyline set on the island, augmented by flashback or flashforward sequences which provide additional insight into the involved characters.
ABOUT BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Learn from real screenwriters... and then learn how that translates into your own writing process. Behind the Curtain takes the best pieces of advice and insight from professional screenwriters and deliver them to you in an easily watchable format. We're focused on creating a community of passionate screenwriters who are eager to grow together through learning from the best.
LEARN MORE with this youtube interview playlist
kzbin.info/aero/PL0OEVTUCV1gb2WlfMSlSnRUBJvl_WFcML
How I Wrote Lost (Screenwriting Insight)
kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJvPga2rlMuibpY
#screenwriting #damonlindelof #filmmaking

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Want a place to discuss films & filmmaking? Join our Discord Server: discord.gg/xxTqXXd

[@RobinMikalsenVFX]

The episode with Desmond on the boat when he slips back and forth in time and finds Penelope is one of my favorite episodes of all time. fantastic show!

[@yasielromero8236]

The Constant

[@GrabTheSwitchMike]

Watching through that show finally and yes. Really impressive storytelling, and a clever way to flip the flashback structure on it's head . Absolutely the episode that stuck with me the most.

[@r58302]

One of my favorite episodes too. That was the episode where I started thinking, Is Desmond my favorite character???

[@25willp]

People might ask Lindelof and Cuse what Lost would look like if it was made in today’s television landscape, but I’m not sure we would have today’s television landscape without it. Here’s a bunch of remarkable stuff Lost did, that was pretty bold or uncommon in mainstream popular prime-time American television in 2004: * One of the first shows to be actively engaging with an avid online community * A fully live orchestral score in time when that was out of fashion * Having a massive cast of twenty or more main characters, while being very diverse for American prime time television * Episodes that are primarily subtitled and not in English * A heroic romantically available Iraqi character, who is Muslim, during the height of the support of the Iraq war * Negotiating an end date in advance * One of the first TV shows at comic con * One of the first shows where it’s Showrunners became as much of big stars as the cast. * the Lost offical podcast was the first podcast on iTunes * popularising the flash forward as a narrative device * showing that genre series with complex plots and mythology can have mainstream appeal * created The Lost Experience to advertise the show. This is one of the first examples of an alternate reality game.

[@futurestoryteller]

Not to be pedantic, but some of your examples fall under the header "One of the first shows to be actively engaging with an avid online community" Which - did X-Files do that? I feel like X-Files did that to a lesser extent, in fact, not to take anything away from Lost but I think X-Files did a bunch of these. Did they really negotiate the end date? Because it kind of sounded in this video that they were told they were being cancelled? Sayid is also kind of a stereotype, no? Like he is very "of his time" regardless. When it comes to the subtitles... I would get really pissed when I would turn on a TV show and they thought their audiences was so xenophobic and illiterate that foreign characters would speak English to each other. This started creeping up in Man in the High Castle, there are scenes that I hate so much of Japanese officials speaking to each other in English, then I just end up pondering whether it's more realistic than I think it is.

[@25willp]

Lost was not the first show to have an Online community, but it was one of the first and certainly the largest of its time. The X-files certainly shouldn't be overlooked in the conversation and the X-files directly inspired Lost. As for the Lindelof and Cuse wanted there to be 4 seasons while ABC wanted at least 10. Yes, all the characters start off as stereotypes, that's kind of point, the audience is supposed to see them in one way, and then the flashbacks are supposed to challenge the audiences expectations. With Sayid's character, remember this show was made in 2004, only three years after 9/11. To have one of the main characters in a mainstream American prime time show be not only Arabic but be brave, handsome, romantically available and unashamedly Muslim was totally a bold move. The fact that a hero is shown to have fought against American Troops, and to show the Americans to engage in torture was extremely political. Remember this was during the Iraq war, and during a time when the Iraq war was still very popular with Middle America. As for the subtitles I remember reading about how the directors were very surprised that the network allowed them to create an episode that was mostly subtitled, but because the pilot was extremely successful they were given more freedom.

@@futurestoryteller they did negotiate an end date. Lindelof addressed this more precisely: the network didn't want Lost to end, writers said they needed an end date, the network said "fine! let's do 10 seasons then", they said they only planned 3 seasons and that they'd only be around for 2 more seasons (2 x 24 episodes) as their contract would end and the network could hire other people to write the show, network said "ok then, 48 episodes but let's do 3 seasons instead" and they did shorter seasons. that seems like a negotiation.

[@EthanTAllison]

From a filmmaking standpoint this was the first network television show that was shot like a movie and not like a TV show. Beautiful cinematography.

[@r_r_rye2441]

I just re-watched season 5 and it completely vindicated Lost being my favorite show. Combining ensemble casts that all have compelling character arcs both separately and together with multiple plots and subplots that converge and non-linear storytelling while making it all make sense (and yes, Lost makes sense). Storytelling masterclass.

[@RetroCarsForever]

As a Lost fan and as an editor, this was incredibly well put together and fascinating peek behind the curtain. Thanks!

[@judichristopher4604]

Yes it was.

[@imkitti1942]

I work for a PC, who do you work for? I never meet humans that say " I am an editor" on utube. Do u work for a PC? A network? What projects have u worked on? I know so many that do our post productions for our projects, I might know you or some1 u work w/ or for.

[@judichristopher4604]

@@imkitti1942 If "YOU" are going to be Professional... YOU do not ask a "Human" (person)... with questions like: Do u work.... have "u" worked on... Children use the "u" for YOU... Come on now. Show some professionalism. So "u" don't look like you're 12 years old.

[@swoozie]

This was amazing! Thank you for this! LOST is an Excellent point for study. Keep it up!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks, sWooZie! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@SawyBoy]

Did you like the second part of the show? After season 3, I mean. I loved basically the whole show, and didn’t think it got boring or too difficult/ stupid like I’ve heard a lot of people say. I don’t really mind the shift in writing and thought all new characters were interesting. I don’t even mind unanswered questions. When you read the original idea for the show that’s basically what they were going for. And the ARG on commercials/phone calls was cool af! Idk how anyone could lose love for this show tbh.

[@assumedspider8419]

One of my favourite youtubers watches my favourite show the circle is complete

[@shaggydudegaming]

I remember the first time I ever came across Lost. I was a teenager in my bedroom skipping through channels on my box tv. Pretty sure I was grounded that day and not supposed to be watching tv…. But I saw a beautiful woman about to dive into a pool formed by a waterfall with some hunk of a man with her. They swim to the bottom looking for something and they find rotting corpses. Scared the ever living love out of me… Turns out it was Kate and Sawyer. I’ve been obsessed ever since that day. I used to have dreams about being a character on the show. I was a lonely kid and I felt like all these characters were my friends. (Sad I know lol) This show will hold a special place in my heart for as long as it continues to beat

[@pnwlady]

This makes so much sense. The characters and beat kept each episode good. Their stories and struggles were the draw. The mysteries added to the overall all suspense. Never did figure out what those black smoke creates were. 😂

[@judejohnston]

I always tell my friends season 1 of Lost is a writing masterclass, It was perfect in every way. I love the show as a whole but season 1 is particularly special to me.

[@Allan1291]

"And in the season finale they finally open the hatch! - and whats in there? I don't know...." haha I heard that with Ryan's voice from Screen Rant 's pitch meetings

[@ExpressATrain]

Ooo unresolved plot devices are tight!

[@dorpeer91]

"But Isn't it irresponsible to start making the show before we have answers to all the questions?" - "OK I'm gonna need you to get ALL THE WAY OF MY BACK"

[@frozenbananas6726]

Fair enough!

[@futurestoryteller]

Honestly I think the worst thing about the hatch is that Locke expected to find something mystical inside. Like, dude, it's a hatch not the River Styx. I think it's weird that characters can get the audience worked up in their mindset too, like you expect something mystical to be inside because that's what Locke expects. But it's just a metal door in the ground with the light on the other side, and what if the inside of the hatch just revealed the Island as some kind of Truman Show? Those would have been "answers" the way Locke was looking for them, but they'd hardly be life affirming. I think in the end, what I'm saying is if you can get worked into a frenzy over a hatch isn't it kind of your own fault for expecting some grand reveal?

[@Allan1291]

​@@futurestoryteller I think its in part due to a concept called "suspension of disbelief" as long as the shows keeps consistent withing its own rules the audience would believe everything thrown at them, that's why we can accept marvel's own "reality" for example (until it falls into plot-holes at least). In the case of Lost the rules are kept so vague that we have no other choice than accept what we saw but also to accept it as the characters saw it, which is the other key part. Their point of view its ours too and we rely on them most of the time (some are unreliable like Joaquin's Joker ). Movies like Volver of Pedro Almodovar or The game of David Ficher are good examples of how we believe and accept all kind of things trough the lens of the characters we follow.

[@klickerpup]

The depth of the writing and characters and story is remarkable…I see more, learn more, each time I watch or rewatch an episode.

[@apprentice70]

The reason Lost ending go so much hate is nobody understands it. They continue to think “they were all dead” it all happened for nothing…blah blah. But thats not what happened. Everything that happened happened. And wherever or whenever they died, they go to purgatory or the flash sideways. They stay there until the have their “realization” and then they all come together at the church to move on to heaven. Its not that hard to understand. Its an incredible show and one of the best to ever air on TV. Watching it now with the gf. Its her first time and my 6th. Never gets old.

[@saoirsedeltufo7436]

Yeah I was so confused when I watched the ending (I only watched Lost over lockdown) - the ending is really good and makes perfect sense thematically, I didn't understand why fans didn't get it

[@MatiZ815]

I think LOST is the most clever and well thought out show I've ever seen. It's amazing what they pulled off.

[@joshhayes1708]

I loved this show. That’s for the breakdown.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks, Josh!

[@JJ180]

To be fair the ending was still better than GOT ending

[@quarter-lifecrisis5127]

everything is better than GoT ending..

[@Kyle-nd7gb]

the LOST ending is amazing

[@SawyBoy]

@@Kyle-nd7gb agree

[@chickenlegsTV]

The Lost ending is a meh, but nothing is worse than the GOT ending.

[@mickrofone]

With GoT I expected it to be shit. Lost, I expected it to be like the hacks -sorry showrunners- promised us.

[@dashalpha]

re: "a stupid plane crash show" at the start, when this show first came out I didn't know much about it other than thought it was like a scripted Survivor or something and passed on the entire first season. About the time the 2nd started, i learned what type of show it really was and quickly binge watched the 1st season. One of my favorite shows ever.

[@timmc8444]

Its always laughable how so many people ridicule Lost for jumping the shark and taking the easy way out...easily one of the most complex shows in tv history...very unlikely anyone will ever commit to doing something so complicated again

[@fitnesshacks7458]

"How I Made The Room" - Directing Masterclass

[@BehindtheCurtain]

How'd you know about my next video?

[@esrblgn]

while there were some plotlines especially in the later seasons that were flawed, i really think the writers made a great job in general of putting together a complex and interesting show. and they did that while managing to not ruin any of the many characters they had. the ending of lost is great and incomparable to game of thrones’ imo.

[@EvanAgee]

Such an amazing show, I wish I could watch it again for the first time.

[@caiquejd2]

Exactly what I feel!

[@judichristopher4604]

Excellent Video... My sister (God Rest her Soul) absolutely loved this show... and I can see why now even more after watching this video. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@laurabrunetto5864]

I really enjoyed this video and I absolutely love this channel. I can confirm as a writer myself that changing something in the narrative structure on the run is for the best if it fits with the main plot as a whole. I rewatched several times this series and I learned a lot from the writing: it's deep, it's true with the characters and the mysterys. It's not a "light" show like Gossip Girl and it's not even a "The Sopranos" show so stop comparing it to the other greatest shows of all time because it's different from all of them. If you pay attention all the questions are solved or are implied, but you have to pay attention to it ( as i said, i rewatched this show several times). You have to notice the detailes and use your brain. I'm not just a fangirl, I'm really grateful for the impact that Lost had on my approach with the creation of the characters and the plot of my own stories. I watch every show there is on the platforms but you can never forget your first imprinting 🥰

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Great insight! Thanks for watching.

[@Taj_Rahine]

I agree completely, thanks for sharing, glad to know there are other people that appreciate the story and writing as much as I do.

[@deadpatronus]

Thank you for this. Been the biggest fan for the past 16 years. Glad to know the insight of who Jack and Locke were to Damon. Really helped me.

[@1995yuda]

One of the most incredible pieces of art ever made. This show didn't left my mind since the day it came out. I watched it about 5-6 times by now, almost never happened with anything else. Not surprised the team and minds behind this are such amazing souls. I like the show even more after watching this. Thanks to everyone involved !

[@tidepride86]

I'd love to hear one of these on the show The Leftovers. Such a fantastic show. Also written by Damon Lindelof.

[@MimMdance]

I may not have been entirely happy with the later seasons, but Lost was probably my most beloved show from its gripping start. The paranormal mysteries and the character chemistry was unlike anything I had seen or felt before, personaly. It was an incredibly ambitious project and for that I applaud them. I loved the idea of focusing on different characters and seeing their flashbacks and points of view, they all felt like they could be the main at some point.

[@Paul-zh2jp]

for those still not aware (they say it in this video too) they weren't 'dead the whole time'. viewers' interpretations of lost's ending is one of the strangest mandela-effect-level pervasive rumor type situations i've ever seen. it's explained in the show and the creators have explained multiple times, but the ending remains this widely hated thing, based on misinformation. as a huge lost fan, it troubles me to this day

[@masicoler]

I have never watched this show always curious about it but never found the time maybe caught some chapters on TV as a kid, as you said I thought the ending from what I've heard was that they all died in the plane crash and were in some kind of purgatory or something like that I assume maybe that's it but they always had the chance to come back to their lifes or so? I would love an explanation, I don't care about spoilers maybe if I think its a worthy ending I will finally watch it

[@Paul-zh2jp]

@@masicoler so, throughout much of the show, there are flashbacks to their lives off the island, before the crash. later on, there are flashforwards (some call them flash sideways) to a purgatory type place outside of time where all the characters are, but it's after they've individually lived their lives and died. but the audience doesn't know this. at the end, it's revealed that they're dead in those flash sideways segments, and viewers thought that meant they were dead the entire show for some reason. everything that happened in the show actually happened, and this purgatory aspect of the ending isn't even central to the core plot of the show. it's just a cute way to bring everyone together at the end. i don't want to spoil the ending to main plot of the show, but i do recommend watching it

[@masicoler]

@@Paul-zh2jp okay so, they didn't die on the plane crash, this flashforwards show them all together after every one of them has lived their lives and died wether on the island or out of it in some kind of purgatory so all characters can be together again, so I'm guessing some of them actually make it out of the island? Or do they all die in the island by the end and meet in this purgatory?

[@Paul-zh2jp]

​@@masicoler all of that is correct, except the last question. some die on the island during the events of the show, some stay on the island and presumably die there after the events of the show, and some make it off the island.

[@masicoler]

@@Paul-zh2jp Thank you very much I think its finally time I give this show a shot and watch it to completion

[@sword3197]

Definitely hands down top 3 shows of all time

[@wariolandgoldpiramid]

LOST is my favorite show of all time 😊 Thank you so much for making such a great video!

[@JengibreRallado]

Thank you so much for putting this together. So much we can learn from this.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joshualarue1624]

I've heard every Lindelof interview there is, multiple times. And not just for Lost. Still love that you did this. Same with Esmail and Mr. Robot.

[@kuhpunkt]

Not every!

[@andremaines]

Thanks for the upload man this was awesome!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks for watching!

[@machiel5888]

It's a shame how many people just flat out don't get the last season of Lost. It's too clever for it's own good, people either refused to follow it or couldnt.

[@rachorachev8905]

"It can only end once, Everything that happens before that, is just progress..."

[@HoldfastAndDeliver]

Today I learned that Lost was not ad-libbed but in fact had writers.

[@kuhpunkt]

Jokes should be funny.

[@teainastorm4357]

Writing a mystery story without even knowing the final resolution yourself. That's the opposite of a master. Lost was a great story right until the end, because at the end we all realized that the writers hadn't built a puzzle - they had built a mystery machine with no internal logic.

[@kuhpunkt]

Why do you say this?

[@teainastorm4357]

@@kuhpunkt They were just making it up as they go

[@kuhpunkt]

@@teainastorm4357 No, they didn't. Why do you say this?

[@Zanthorr]

@@kuhpunkt Did you watch the video?

[@kuhpunkt]

@@Zanthorr Yes.

[@sensationalstation9138]

I would love to see one on how phoebe waller bridge wrote Fleabag, how Issa Rae wrote Insecure, and how Michaela Coel wrote Chewing Gum and I May Destroy You. Some of my favorite shows and can't find videos as good as these on their work, outside the THR roundtable interviews. Keep up the good work, great content!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

That would be great! Especially the Fleabag one. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@sensationalstation9138]

@@BehindtheCurtain Yes, brilliant show! Thanks for the reply

[@funstuff3740]

@@BehindtheCurtain omg yes do Fleabag plz

[@adalmartinez3367]

I know the show is not perfect but it has a special place in my heart and memory.

[@rhianhegarty3383]

Excellent video. Brilliantly put together and for me summed up the hows and whys that to be honest, even as a huge LOST fan, I hadn't heard compiled so well. It made me want to watch it again. One of the best shows ever in my opinion. Before The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad, for me there was always LOST.

[@themanwithoutaface2260]

Absolutely GREATEST show ever! So many small details that have meaning behind them. Example: Kate meets Jack for the very first time, she comes out of the jungle and is rubbing her wrist. We have no idea at first that she went into the jungle to cut the handcuff off and EVEN after the reveal, NO ONE ever mentions this small detail. Another detail is Charlie almost gets killed by a piece of the plane, he also almost gets killed by Ethan, and eventually we start to get the answer for this in season 3, where he is destined to die. There were literally dozens of these little details in every season.

[@heartmath5224]

I thought the Lost ending was perfect as was the entire show 😍 , it all comes down to original thinking & having your own opinion of the show instead of jumping onto others' opinions. Also the ability to analyze & coming up with your own answers is critical to a show like Lost, most people just want all the answers spoon fed. All the answers are right there, trust me 😉

[@mathikumar491]

its amazing how all the writers of the show had the same spiritual perspective or a good philosophical opinion about life

[@ForFrodo19]

Amazing show! I have rewatched it three times. Thanks for the great. content!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks for watching!

[@ForFrodo19]

@@BehindtheCurtain did you put all the clips together from different interviews?

[@wezzyb8]

"Come up with an interesting question, and worry about the answer later" Yep, found your problem here

[@kuhpunkt]

What?

[@wezzyb8]

@@kuhpunkt This was a writing technique used throughout Lost (and Prometheus). It left many fans feeling deeply unsatisfied, particularly by the notoriously disappointing finale, because these "interesting questions" were presented in such a way that seemed to promise an equally intriguing answer was to follow. Instead they were left either unanswered or answered in a boring way because when it came to it, the writers couldn't think of any compelling ones. People were left feeling cheated because it's basically the creative writing equivalent of clickbait.

[@kuhpunkt]

@@wezzyb8 That's not the writing technique. Bringing up Prometheus doesn't even make sense here, because it was a movie... And disappointing finale? People are constantly disappointing, because they didn't even understand it, or, like you, claim that they never answered anything - when they did.

[@wezzyb8]

@@kuhpunkt It is literally the writing technique described in the quote. Are you unable to read? Lindelof himself has admitted he fumbled the ending, no one agrees with you. It is well established that the finale failed to answer the fans' most anticipated questions. And how exactly are movies not relevant to creative writing? That's an embarrassingly desperate non-rebuttal. You're acheiving nothing trying to rewrite the history of a notoriously disappointing show by simping for it in youtube replies from over a year ago. Get a life dude. It's over.

[@kuhpunkt]

@@wezzyb8 No, I'm perfectly able to read. "Lindelof himself has admitted he fumbled the ending, no one agrees with you." Oh, I'd like to see a quote for that. And again, what questions should the finale have answered? Prometheus is a bad example, because it's a self contained story. How does that compare to a TV show, where, as you claim, they just came up with answers later?

I think I love Damon Lindelof. He blew my mind with Lost - despite making me watch a bunch of unnecessary flash-sideways, and then he made TV's greatest show ever: The Leftovers. I still gotta watch Watchmen (I'm hardly in the mood for dramas since my father passed away) but I'm excited to see what's next for him.

[@juliansfilmmaker]

underrated show now. people don’t talk about it anymore

[@kuhpunkt]

What? People talk about it constantly.

[@serenitycinema5809]

Such a great video! I love listening to Lindelof talk about his process

[@wezzyb8]

Watched every episode of Lost hoping for answers but instead only got more questions. Had the exact same experience with this video.

[@kuhpunkt]

Answers for what?

[@wezzyb8]

@@kuhpunkt In the case of Lost, answers to the questions and mysteries that are presented in the show. In the case of this video, answers to the question of how Lost was written.

[@kuhpunkt]

@@wezzyb8 They answered the questions they presented in the show.

[@wezzyb8]

@@kuhpunkt Yeah try googling Lost Unanswered Questions to find out just how wrong you are on that. As for trying to rewite the history of a notoriously disapppointing, decade-old tv show by replying to years-old youtube comments... is there nothing better you have to do with your time?

[@kuhpunkt]

@@wezzyb8 I have seen those "articles" with so called unanswered questions... which are just dumb. And notoriously disappointing? The show's finale has a 8.2/10 and 9.2/10 rating on imdb. How is this rewriting history? And why do you ignore the fact that a ton of people literally misunderstood the finale and the show, which makes them complain about something that's not even true?

[@Nophotofound]

I loved the ending then. I love it more with time.

[@OliverHenaineOficial]

THIS IS WHAT I WANTED FOR A LONG TIME... Thankyou!

[@t9sbattlefieldgamingegn_ar188]

Id take watching this again for the 1st time over my childrens birthings!!!... Best show ever made!!!... The mystery and story telling was a masterpiece!!!... With "ended" shows coming back such as prisonbreak LOST is a MUST!!!!!!!!!...^S^...

[@buffdaddddddddy]

this show and heroes are 2 shows from that era that while nowhere near the best tv shows being made then just were such fun and unique tv experiences, might have as much to do with the time as the style of the shows

[@drakenfist]

I disagree, especially with Regards to LOST. I still think it's a masterpiece. Is it flawed and does it have huge writing problems?. Absolutely. But it's still one of the most unique shows out there and to this day, television is trying to replicate it. Heroes on the other hand, I think it was writer Bryan Fuller keeping that show afloat. Once he left in season 1 it went down the toilet. That show had a worse problem then LOST did. With LOST, the writers realized they needed a plan for the later seasons and planned the show far in advance then most shows do (by season 3 they pretty much mapped out the rest of the show). But Heroes didn't realize this and eventually just went around in circles.

[@shouryachouray]

Lost was the first show I truly connected with. First I saw it through the years as they released the six seasons, then finally I binge-watched it again on netflix. SALUTE TO THE TEAM OF LOST. P.S.- I have heard the studio is bringing dexter back, then why not resolve lost too. This time around put in the whole structure of all the seasons, so that all the previous gaps could be filled.

[@niravbarad4365]

its not on netflix...where you've watched?

[@Zazooma7]

Your videos are some of my favourite content on KZbin Nehemiah, thanks for doing what you do! Random question: What song is playing during chapter 5 (the voice of lost)?

[@lau3star]

I watched Lost many times😍 Should be back in Netflix again ‼️‼️‼️

[@peterelivewire]

Nehhemiah, this was fantastic. I also recently found your Discord server, so thank you for that too!

[@BehindtheCurtain]

Thanks for watching! Welcome!

[@KevinPetersdp]

Still my favourite TV Show ever

[@Hardrive2677]

I will always love lost

[@davidedthinkin9679]

"How I Wrote Lost?" "I simply stopped halfway through it!" Just kidding, I actually enjoyed the later seasons and the early ones were really ahead of their time and had a great mystery plot.

[@AudoPlay]

minute 12:00 ish sure is something after the big expose of how abusive and toxic their writers' room was.

[@malinhessedahl]

Love this KZbin channel❤❤❤📷🎥🎬😍😎 Keep upp the Good work❤❤❤💙

[@futurestoryteller]

Honestly the writing on Fringe, with some of the same people, came out much better in the end. Excruciatingly underrated, in my opinion.

[@ColombianThunder]

Lost, in my opinion, later failed, which isn't entirely his fault, but this "Lost" sort of style he incorporated into the Leftovers was perfection.

[@joaoluizsn]

YES, I would love to see an episode dedicated to The Leftovers, that's show is a masterpiece

[@ColombianThunder]

@@joaoluizsn it really is! One of the best shows of the 2010s imo

[@mr.phillips]

When I recommend Leftovers to friends I tell them it's "Lost done right".

[@drakenfist]

@@mr.phillips Yes and no. I absolutely adore both shows. But it's really unfair to really judge them side by side. LOST was a cable show concept that somehow landed on Network television and just took off. Did LOST have it's filler and share of meandering?...sure, cause it was on network television. But it still to this day is one of the most thought provoking and creative shows out there. I love the characters in the leftovers, but I love the characters and the world in LOST far more.

[@ColombianThunder]

@@drakenfist that's fair, although the oversl consensus between the two is that Lost was kind if made up as it went a long while the Leftovers was made with purpose of never directly answering the questions which imo leads to a more satisfying experience. Lost may have more interesting characters but Leftovers was made with better care. Nobody tops Locke though lol

[@killthecatpodcast6300]

"When you can't reach consensus, neither idea is the right idea. You have to mutually reach the third idea." This was one of my favourite shows when I was a kid, that's now mostly remembered for a crappy ending and unfilled plot holes. Thanks for bringing back the wonder and joy I had originally watching this show with this wonderful video.

[@Kurzula5150]

"What's in the mystery box?" "Nothing." Abrams and co turned a plot device, the MacGuffin, into the a storytelling strategy.

[@kuhpunkt]

They didn't.

[@futurestoryteller]

But that's literally what a MacGuffin is, a storytelling strategy, Alfred Hitchcock gave it a name because he had absolutely no qualms about building an entire movie around it. You think his movies are about characters? His response to questions of character motivation was, and I quote, "I don't care." Also I've never seen anyone criticize Abrams mystery box who accurately internalizes the way he defines it in his (in)famous Ted Talk. Although to be fair, maybe he's not worth defending on this point, since the hatch story is the most 1:1 example of the way people _usually_ misinterpret his point. I suppose at best I can call it an oversimplification, but he doesn't do himself any favors when people read the worst into it.

[@zlatanthegod3525]

greatest tv show ever

[@arielkantor1081]

So how did “worrying about the answer later” work out for you guys?

[@kuhpunkt]

That's not how Lost was written.

[@MrGreaves]

The thing is.. they didn’t know what they were doing in the end. But I went into the show expecting not everything to be answered, and I went in thinking it would end with them being dead the whole time.. so I expected the finale to be slightly disappointing. And I had a really good time. I had a really bloody good time. I loved the characters and I loved the story to the end. And I was pleasantly surprised when it ended with everything on the island NOT being them dead the whole time aha.

[@kuhpunkt]

What do you mean they didn't know what they were doing in the end?!

[@drakenfist]

"they didn’t know what they were doing in the end."- actually they knew exactly what they were doing. During season 3 the show got renewed for 3 more seasons and so they mapped out season 4-6 in detail.

[@MrGreaves]

@@drakenfist no... because you see if you look at the mysteries brought up in season 1 through to 5 and look at the answers in season 6, it is fairly evident they didn’t have the answers at the time of writing the questions therefore they didn’t know what they were doing. It says so in the bloody video. Don’t get all pissy though because as my comment says, I still really enjoy the show.

[@drakenfist]

@@MrGreaves your the one getting pissy. I'm just how stating how it is. they came up with the majority of the first season during the pilot, and the second season was thought up after season 1 wrapped. But season 3-6 was mapped out after season 2 wrapped.

[@MrGreaves]

@@drakenfist I never said you were pissy I just said don’t get it coz it typically happens in KZbin comment sections. And no I just don’t believe they had a complete plan. Every interview with them says they didn’t. There’s a really good series of videos that showcases it.

[@PrimerCinePodcast]

Amazing vid. Thank you!

[@patricksommer4376]

I loved the show for the scrambled shit show that it was. The plot was like a Teenager caught in a lie coming up with more and more lies to save his neck. To me the opposite of good story telling, but you were constantly wondering: How are they gonna get out of this?!? And I don’t mean the characters... 😅

[@futurestoryteller]

If you think Lost is "the opposite of good story telling" you haven't seen Gotham. Compare and contrast, you'll recognize all the things Lost does right in spite of itself.

[@Didgets]

@01:00. That's it. The major issue of this show.

[@kuhpunkt]

That's NOT how the show was written...

[@c.r.m.4689]

Lost teaches us that if a Series depends-as Lost does -upon three and four hour long, independently produced KZbin videos to explain it, then at some point the "storytelling" has failed.

[@melissahitchcock2072]

Best pilot: Lost Best finale: Six feet under

[@changjoe01]

You get the impression Lost wrote itself. The writers certainly didn't know what was going on.

[@kuhpunkt]

How is this "certain?"

[@cocacolaman963]

Lost up until season 3 is the best show there is. Unfortunately, the fact that writers themselves didn't know where the story was going made it an incoherent mess.

[@kuhpunkt]

Why do you say this stuff?

[@manooxi327]

How come such a mess of a show is just sooo good with amazing characters

[@kuhpunkt]

How is it a mess?

[@manooxi327]

@@kuhpunkt you are replying to every bad comment 😂 What I mean by a mess is explained by its creator: what's in the hatch?...i dont know, we'll figure it out once we get there

[@kuhpunkt]

@@manooxi327 That's not how it what they said and that's not how the show was written. Context is important here...

[@manooxi327]

@@kuhpunkt 😕

[@kuhpunkt]

@@manooxi327 Should I explain it?

[@Dr.Pepper001]

What I find hard to understand is that the guy who played Charlie used to date Evangeline Lilly (Kate).

[@chrisofnottingham]

Someone actually wrote Lost? I always assumed they filmed a plane crash and then let the actors improvise a plot.

[@kuhpunkt]

Haha, how clever and funny!

[@drakenfist]

so...Friday Night Lights? lol!.

[@kuhpunkt]

@@JayTaylor3dollarfilms Why?

[@drakenfist]

@@JayTaylor3dollarfilms about what?. You probably watched the show half asleep.

[@RobBon12]

Master class in how to destroy multiple IP's, one at time and with extreme prejudice.

[@kuhpunkt]

What the fuck are you talking about?

[@suhibalazeeh7559]

0:30 - 2:00 -3:20-4:30-5:37

[@TRal55]

How I wrote Lost: I wrote all the juicy payoffs of a good storyline (monsters, time travel, polar bears) but with zero logical exposition as to how they came to be and made millions

[@kuhpunkt]

What?

[@elenmascaradoescarlata7005]

How you wrote this comment: zero mental capacity (it was literally all explained). We also get english aint your first language

[@sadia8696]

Every single thing you mentioned was explained. Maybe pay attention the next time you watch it!

[@AzkuulaKtaktu]

I wish the last two seasons had done the show a scintilla of justice. Should've worried about the answers sooner.

[@RobertoLopezFlores]

Un trabajo excepcionalmente realizado, muy útil y claro.

[@welfaiewfb8802]

I've watched every episode of LOST but I can't remember anything

[@kuhpunkt]

Get your brain checked?

[@shriviyasr3848]

You are...Lost?

[@yaboyjay7202]

"Not Penny's Boat" is one of the most iconic scenes of any show that you just can't forget

[@drakenfist]

found the drunk.

[@mtulio6422]

I would like to forget about it. So I could watch it for the first time again

[@TheViken1]

1st LOVE THIS SERIES

[@imustacheyouaquestion1]

Summary: "We just made things up one episode at a time."

[@kuhpunkt]

No, that's not the summary. Why are you like this?

[@avivshalom7719]

what is the name of the soundtrack on 2:30 ?

[@limyize]

Circles - Post Malone

[@000Gua000]

4:30 I was obsessed by this show, but I've always hated flashbacks and the ending.

[@kuhpunkt]

Why?

[@000Gua000]

@@kuhpunkt I was interested in island events, mystery and atmosphere, not some basic drama short stories. That's why I hated flashbacks, it's like temporary turning off my favorite show and turning on some cheap tv drama in the middle of it. As for the ending, well I always hated "it was all a dream, purgatory" stuff. And I don't know many people who do like those kind of explanations. I want for all of it to be real and have interesting explanation. Writers of the show promised that it's not purgatory, but it was a lie. There was some good ending memes. But I can find only one i.imgur.com/wtzBE.gif

[@ohadros1951]

Lost is special Some people see it as the best ever Some hate it terribly But it was a phenomena Im one of the ones that think it was the best But i do understand that some people didnt like it And people that say that lost didnt answer all - im sad to agree with them At the start of the series i got bored, smoke monster was boring Then ethan and the hatch and desmond and dharma and ben WOW But i do agree that there was bad writing, like for example when jack is in thailand Its weird that some people didnt understand the end Maybe its a special talend to confuse people And maybe its a mistake in writing

[@kuhpunkt]

Why would a show even have to answer everything? What's the point?

[@ohadros1951]

@@kuhpunkt i loved the mysteries I loved guessing I feel they didnt answer everything but im ok with it Damon says that some things dont need explaining like the death star or the force Carlton said that some mysteries dont have importence All in all i wish they would have done a follow up or spin off to miss clue, or bakunin or others

[@orangewarm1]

this was great. can you do one on the sopranos?

[@BehindtheCurtain]

I have one on Sopranos, actually! It's one of my first videos! Enjoy.

[@brunoarnabar7450]

Very cool

[@sirmrguitardude]

Best series that isn't a comedy imo

[@BideoSama]

"Coming up with an interesting question and worry about the answer later" - Yes. JJ is to blame for the sequels. I mean Rian Johnson did a horrible job but I think he did it because he didn't want fill in the blanks that JJ left for him because of laziness.

[@Erikthedood]

I think this is a Lost video and not a sequel trilogy video; in case you were confused. Maybe you just didn’t like the sequels. It isn’t that deep dude. There isn’t a conspiracy behind their production like you think it is.

[@Erikthedood]

Also; I find it absolutely hilarious that people like you; who have the hatred for the ST rent free in your head; talk about it more than the people who actually liked them. Are you really sure you disliked them so much?

[@nafsiammara]

It's really sad and annoying that they hooked me through these peoples work, but we were always let down by the producers and those other idiots. They had no idea. But these people made me feel like there was.

[@kuhpunkt]

Why do you say this?

[@Darkwolfproduction1]

greatest show ever made

[@bobharris5093]

I remember at the time the show was being released the writers were saying they knew perfectly where they were going with the smoke, the polar bear etc. 😂

[@kuhpunkt]

They never said that.

[@teafollet5361]

I should've counted the "you know"

[@mrsupertash]

Is the answer "everything you should avoid"? Lost is an overexcited 8-year-olds idea of a cool story. Oh, they find a hatch and there's a polar bear and and... A work where anything goes and nothing holds together. I have no idea how it managed to enthrall so many people. As soon as it was clear that there's so much utter random shit going on that the only possible conclusion is that everyone's dead and this is the last flickering of their synapses and Lindelof and Abrams are reveling in the fact that they don't even have to try to make any sense whatsoever and can throw anything they want at their "story machine" it was absolutely dead for me because nothing at all was at stake. That was season 2 episode 1. And I only watched that far because I gave it the benefit of a doubt. No idea how it mass hypnotized everyone back then. Maybe I'll find out watching this video. Never too late to become enlightened. edit: "I've had writers when they were getting teased or abused would get kinda hostile." lol. I'd say abusing writers is a hostile act, no? So is hostility then not the expected reaction if you also want them to not "be a pussy"? Seems hostility is how it was shown that you are not. Incredible.

[@x-man9473]

Sothen why are you guys still here? Lost has been off air since 2010. And you weirdos can't stop showing up, whining about the series. haha

[@spencer9093]

Cant wait to hear this fools explanation of this mess... Which i loved

[@kuhpunkt]

Fool?

[@Alexander1005]

“LOST” describes their entire writing process on this.

[@kuhpunkt]

Why?

[@Galvatronover]

@@kuhpunkt mystery box

[@kuhpunkt]

@@Galvatronover No.

[@Galvatronover]

@@kuhpunkt your in denial if you think kJ is competent

[@kuhpunkt]

@@Galvatronover who is kJ