Heroes #2 - Damon Lindelof

Make no mistake. To my mind Damon Lindelof is the coolest person on the planet right now.

As Co-Creator, Executive Producer and Show Runner of 'LOST' he is chiefly responsible for the creation and development of the greatest show in 21st Century television. Together with his writing partner, and fellow Exec, Carlton Cuse he holds all the secrets to the Islands mysteries.

Now let me tell you why LOST is so special. There are very, very few examples of TV or Films that can simultaneously handle three key objectives.....

1. Mass Appeal

2. Artistic Integrity and Quality

3. Depth of Intellectual Content

LOST handles all three exceptionally well. Its first season was a pop culture phenomenon. And even with reduced ratings from losing the casual observers who can't keep up with the depth of the story lines - it is still massively popular. Genuine 'water cooler' TV. Its production values are first rate - many have described it like watching a 'movie every week'. The characters and dialogue are just brilliant. After watching an episode of Lost, your other favourite serialised shows (24 or Heroes) seem clunky, bad acted and second rate. They're not - it's just that LOST is so good. It is far more than a TV show. I never make an effort to see shows I've missed - life is too bust and there are far more important things to do - yet I NEVER miss LOST. Never.

No other show has the scope to examine redemption, life and death, the nature of good and evil, science versus faith and freewill and destiny. It also has a nice sideline in 'Father Issues'.

There are two things I love most about LOST and Damon Lindelof is the chief protagonist for both. Firstly, the mythology of the Island - JJ Abrams described the Island as 'a character' in its own right. I love all the mystery of the show, the piecing together of the puzzle, the 'Easter Eggs', the speculation, searching the screencaps. This is the primary reason why LOST has a second life on the internet. There are hundreds of forums and chatrooms where the endless theories are posted. There have also been three ARG online games which have enhanced and augmented the overall mythology of the show. 

Secondly, the show's sponge-like absorption of cultural references. From Greek Mythology to Star Wars there are hundreds of references from across the board. There is even a 'LOST Book Club' run by the ABC Studios to encourage fans of LOST to read the books which influence the show. The show is rich in religious imagery particularly Christianity and the Eastern religions.

The show is truly a rich tapestry and I am enjoying whilst it is here because there are only 34 more episodes to be broadcast. I cannot wait to see how it all ends and how the mysteries are revealed yet I am also dreading its ending - there will never be anything quite like this on TV ever again. 

Many of you will be thinking "It's only a TV show.... You're a geek and a loser". With pride.

Thank you Damon.

What He Says - “Thank you for believing in our show. We know it's frustrating sometimes, but hold on and thanks for getting Lost with us.”

What They Say - "The show with perhaps the most compelling continuing story line in television history" The New York Times

Finest Moment - It's a toss up between the "snake in the mailbox" twist at the end of Season 3 and the brilliant genre bending episode 'The Constant' from season 4, both written with Carlton Cuse.

dg