Lost: I'm Hooked (Are You?)

Okay, I’m “out-ing” myself as a fan of the new TV series “Lost.”

But really, that shouldn’t surprise those who also know I got hooked on “Alias” the night of its two-hour debut. “Alias” and “Lost” are the brainchildren of the same inventive writer—J.J. Abrams.

Just as “Twin Peaks” went downhill when David Lynch got busy with other projects, so “Alias” has all but collapsed without the involvement of Abrams. There are reports that Abrams is getting back involved with “Alias” for its return to television next year.

But he hasn’t been wasting his time. “Lost” is a bit overcrowded with characters, and the cast look like a gallery of fashion models, but Abrams is doing a great job of making the show suspenseful, involving, emotional, and willing to dig into interesting ethical dilemmas. Moreover, the character development is more interesting than in most series. And the cast aren’t embarrassing themselves.

The most obvious reason to watch the show is Dominic Monaghan, whose work I enjoyed on BBC’s “Hettie Wainthrop” mysteries long before he became Meriadoc in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings.

But the best reason to watch the show is Terry O’Quinn’s performance as a brave, optimistic survivor… a much more interesting character than his formidable CIA officer he played on “Alias.”

This hour of television is better than four out of five two-hour movies in theaters, week after week. It’s still early in the series. Check it out. For more information, click here.