View source for Lost (TV series)

{{short description|American television series (2004–2010)}}
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{{Use American English|date=September 2019}}
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{{Infobox television
| image              = Lost main title.svg
| alt                = The word ''Lost'' in white lettering on a black background.
| genre              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]
* [[Mystery fiction|Mystery]]
* [[Science fiction on television|Science fiction]]
* [[Serial (radio and television)|Serial drama]]
* [[Supernatural fiction|Supernatural]]
* [[Survival film|Survival]]
* [[Thriller (genre)|Thriller]]
}}
| creator            = {{Plainlist|
* [[Jeffrey Lieber]]
* [[J. J. Abrams]]
* [[Damon Lindelof]]
}}
| showrunner         = {{Plainlist|
* Damon Lindelof
* [[Carlton Cuse]]
}}
| starring           = {{Plainlist|
* [[Naveen Andrews]]
* [[Emilie de Ravin]]
* [[Matthew Fox]]
* [[Jorge Garcia]]
* [[Maggie Grace]]
* [[Josh Holloway]]
* [[Malcolm David Kelley]]
* [[Daniel Dae Kim]]
* [[Yunjin Kim]]
* [[Evangeline Lilly]]
* [[Dominic Monaghan]]
* [[Terry O'Quinn]]
* [[Harold Perrineau]]
* [[Ian Somerhalder]]
* [[Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje]]
* [[Michelle Rodriguez]]
* [[Cynthia Watros]]
* [[Henry Ian Cusick]]
* [[Michael Emerson]]
* [[Elizabeth Mitchell]]
* [[Kiele Sanchez]]
* [[Rodrigo Santoro]]
* [[Jeremy Davies]]
* [[Ken Leung]]
* [[Rebecca Mader]]
* [[Néstor Carbonell]]
* [[Jeff Fahey]]
* [[Zuleikha Robinson]]
* [[Sam Anderson]]
* [[L. Scott Caldwell]]
* [[François Chau]]
* [[Fionnula Flanagan]]
* [[John Terry (actor)|John Terry]]
* [[Sonya Walger]]
}}
| composer           = [[Michael Giacchino]]
| country            = United States
| location           = [[Oahu]], [[Hawaii]]
| language           = English
| num_seasons        = 6
| num_episodes       = 121
| list_episodes      = List of Lost episodes
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
* J. J. Abrams
* Damon Lindelof
* [[Bryan Burk]]
* Carlton Cuse
* [[Jack Bender]]
* [[Jeff Pinkner]]
* [[Stephen Williams (director)|Stephen Williams]]
* [[Edward Kitsis]]
* [[Adam Horowitz]]
* [[Jean Higgins]]
* [[Elizabeth Sarnoff]]
}}
| company            = {{Plainlist|
* Grass Skirt Productions
* [[Bad Robot]]
* [[ABC Signature|ABC Studios]]{{efn|Credited as [[ABC Signature|Touchstone Television]] for seasons 1–3}}
}}
| camera             = [[Single-camera setup|Single-camera]]
| runtime            = 38–53 minutes
| network            = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired        = {{Start date|2004|9|22}}
| last_aired         = {{End date|2010|5|23}}
}}

'''''Lost''''' is an American [[science fiction on television|science fiction]] [[Adventure fiction|adventure]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] television series created by [[Jeffrey Lieber]], [[J. J. Abrams]], and [[Damon Lindelof]] that aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] from September 22, 2004, to May 23, 2010, with a total of [[List of Lost episodes|121 episodes]] over six seasons. It contains elements of [[supernatural fiction]], and follows the survivors of a commercial [[jet airliner]] flying between [[Sydney]] and [[Los Angeles]], after the plane crashes on a mysterious [[Mythology of Lost#The Island|island]] somewhere in the [[South Pacific Ocean]]. Episodes typically feature a primary storyline set on the island, augmented by [[flashback (narrative)|flashback]] or [[flashforward]] sequences which provide additional insight into the involved characters.

Lindelof and [[Carlton Cuse]] served as [[showrunner]]s and are executive producers along with Abrams and [[Bryan Burk]]. Inspired by the 2000 film ''[[Cast Away]]'',<ref name="Cast Away" /> the show is told in a heavily serialized manner. Due to its large [[ensemble cast]] and the cost of filming primarily on location in [[Oahu]], Hawaii, the series was one of the most expensive on television, with the [[Pilot (Lost)|pilot]] alone costing over $14 million.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2005/01/26/news/story2.html |title=High filming costs forced ABC network executives to consider relocating |last=Ryan |first=Tim |date=January 26, 2005 |work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106050917/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2005/01/26/news/story2.html |archive-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> The [[fictional universe]] and [[Mythology of Lost|mythology of ''Lost'']] were expanded upon by a number of related media—most importantly a series of mini-episodes called ''[[Lost: Missing Pieces|Missing Pieces]];'' and a 12-minute [[epilogue]], "[[The New Man in Charge]]".

''Lost'' has regularly been ranked by critics as one of the greatest television series of all time.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515164119/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/|url=https://empireonline.com/movies/features/best-tv-shows-ever/|title=The 50 Best TV Shows Ever|website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire Online]]|date=June 15, 2016|archive-date=May 15, 2019|access-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515164726/http://www.ign.com/lists/top-100-tv-shows/100|url=https://ign.com/lists/top-100-tv-shows|title=Top 100 TV Shows of All Time|website=[[IGN]]|archive-date=May 15, 2019|access-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515164717/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-105998/|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-lists/100-greatest-tv-shows-of-all-time-105998/|title=100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=September 21, 2016|archive-date=May 15, 2019|access-date=May 15, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The first season had an estimated average of 16 million viewers per episode on ABC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=062105_06 |title=Season Program Rankings from 09/20/04 through 05/19/05 |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet |date=June 21, 2005 |access-date=February 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010224625/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=062105_06 |archive-date=October 10, 2014}}</ref> During the [[Lost season 6|sixth and final season]], the show averaged over 11 million U.S. viewers per episode. ''Lost'' was the recipient of [[List of awards and nominations received by Lost|hundreds of industry award nominations]] throughout its run and won numerous of these awards, including the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series]] in 2005,<ref name="emmys">{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/lost |title=Lost |publisher=Emmys.com |access-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928085415/http://www.emmys.com/shows/lost |archive-date=September 28, 2012}}</ref> Best American Import at the [[British Academy Television Awards]] in 2005, the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama]] in 2006, and the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series]].

{{TOC limit|3}}

== Episodes ==
=== Overview ===
{{Main|List of Lost episodes|l1=List of ''Lost'' episodes}}
{{:List of Lost episodes}}

=== Season 1 ===
{{Main|Lost season 1|l1=''Lost'' season 1}}
Season 1 begins with the aftermath of a plane crash, which leaves the surviving passengers of Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 on what seems to be an uninhabited tropical island. Spinal surgeon [[Jack Shephard]] becomes their leader. Their survival is threatened by a number of mysterious entities, including polar bears, an unseen creature that roams the jungle (the "[[Man in Black (Lost)|Smoke Monster]]"), and the island's malevolent inhabitants, known as [[List of Lost characters#The Others|"The Others"]]. They encounter a French woman named [[Danielle Rousseau]], who was shipwrecked on the island 16 years before the crash and is desperate for news of her daughter, [[Alex Rousseau|Alex]]. They also find a mysterious metal hatch buried in the ground. While two survivors, [[John Locke (Lost)|Locke]] and [[Boone Carlyle|Boone]], try to force open the hatch, four others; [[Michael Dawson (Lost)|Michael]], [[Jin-Soo Kwon|Jin]], [[Walt Lloyd|Walt]], and [[James "Sawyer" Ford|Sawyer]] attempt to leave on a raft that they have built. Meanwhile, [[Flashback (narrative)|flashbacks]] center on details of the individual survivors' lives prior to the plane crash.

=== Season 2 ===
{{Main|Lost season 2|l1=''Lost'' season 2}}
Season 2 follows the growing conflict between the survivors and the Others and continues the theme of the clash between faith and science. The four survivors in the raft are ambushed by the Others, and they take Walt, Michael's son. The survivors are forced to return to the island, where they find the tail-section survivors (the "Tailies"). A power struggle between Jack and [[John Locke (Lost)|Locke]] over control of the guns and medicine located in the hatch develops and is resolved by Sawyer when he gains control of them. The hatch is revealed to be a research station built 30 years earlier by the [[Dharma Initiative]], a scientific research project that involved conducting experiments on the island. A man named [[Desmond Hume]] had been living in the hatch for three years, activating a computer program every 108 minutes to prevent an unknown catastrophic event from occurring. To recover his son, Michael betrays the survivors, and Jack, Sawyer, and [[Kate Austen|Kate]] are captured. Michael is given a boat and leaves the island with his son, while Locke destroys the computer in the hatch, whereupon an electromagnetic event shakes the island. This causes the island to be detected by scientists working for [[Penny Widmore]], and it is revealed that a similar event caused the breakup of the plane.

=== Season 3 ===
{{Main|Lost season 3|l1=''Lost'' season 3}}
In season 3, the crash survivors learn more about the Others and their long history on the mysterious island, along with the fate of the Dharma Initiative. The leader of the Others, [[Ben Linus]], is introduced as well and defections from both sides pave the way for conflict between the two. [[Time travel]] elements also begin to appear in the series, as Desmond is forced to turn the fail-safe key in the hatch to stop the electromagnetic event, and this sends his mind eight years to the past. When he returns to the present, he is able to see the future. Kate and Sawyer escape the Others, while Jack stays after Ben promises that Jack will be able to leave the island in a submarine if he operates on Ben, who has cancer. Jack does, but the submarine is destroyed by Locke. Jack is left behind with [[Juliet Burke|Juliet]], an Other, who also seeks to leave the island, while Locke joins the Others. A helicopter carrying [[Naomi Dorrit|Naomi]] crashes near the island. Naomi says her freighter, ''Kahana'', is eighty miles offshore and was sent by Penny, Desmond's ex-girlfriend. Desmond has a vision in which [[Charlie Pace|Charlie]] will drown after shutting down a signal that prevents communication with the outside world. His vision comes true, but Charlie speaks with Penny, who says she does not know Naomi. Before drowning, Charlie writes "Not Penny's Boat" on his hand so that Desmond can warn the other survivors. Meanwhile, the survivors make contact with a rescue team aboard the freighter. In the [[Through the Looking Glass (Lost)|season's finale]], apparent flashbacks show a depressed Jack going to an unknown person's funeral. In the final scene, these are revealed to be "flashforwards", and Kate and Jack are revealed to have escaped the island, but Jack believes they "have to go back".

=== Season 4 ===
{{Main|Lost season 4|l1=''Lost'' season 4}}
Season 4 focuses on the survivors dealing with the arrival of people from the freighter, who have been sent to the island to reclaim it from Ben. "Flashforwards" continue, in which it is seen how six survivors, dubbed the "Oceanic Six", live their lives after escaping the island. The "Oceanic Six" are Jack, Kate, [[Hugo "Hurley" Reyes|Hurley]], [[Sayid Jarrah|Sayid]], [[Sun-Hwa Kwon|Sun]], and Aaron. In the present, four members of the freighter arrive and team up with the survivors to escape the island, since the crew of the freighter have orders to kill everyone who stays. Meanwhile, Ben travels with Locke to see [[Jacob (Lost)|Jacob]], the island's leader. Locke enters his cabin but finds Jack's dead father, [[Christian Shephard|Christian]], who says he can speak on Jacob's behalf, and orders Locke to "move" the island. Ben takes Locke to an underground station in which time travel was researched. Locke becomes the new leader of the Others, while Ben moves the island by turning a frozen wheel, after which he is transported to the [[Sahara]]. The six survivors escape in a helicopter as they watch the island disappear and are subsequently rescued by Penny. It is then that Desmond and Penny reunite. In the season's finale, it is revealed that the funeral Jack went to in the "flashforward" was that of Locke, who had been seeking out the Oceanic Six in his efforts to convince them to return to the island.

=== Season 5 ===
{{Main|Lost season 5|l1=''Lost'' season 5}}
Season 5 follows two timelines. The first timeline takes place on the island where the survivors who were left behind erratically jump forward and backward through time. In one of these time periods, Locke speaks with [[Richard Alpert (Lost)|Richard Alpert]], one of the Others, who says that to save the island, he must bring everyone back. Locke goes to the same underground station Ben went to. After moving the island himself, Locke is transported to the Sahara in 2007, as the time shifts on the island stop and the survivors are stranded with the Dharma Initiative in 1974. In 2007, Locke contacts the Oceanic Six, but no one wants to return. The last one of the Oceanic Six he finds is a depressed Jack. Locke tells Jack his father is alive on the island. This seriously affects Jack, and he begins taking flights, hoping to crash on the island again. Ben finds Locke and kills him. After Locke's death, the Oceanic Six are told to board Ajira Airways Flight 316 to return to the island and in order to go back, they have to take Locke's body in the plane. They take the flight, but some land in 1977, where they meet with the other survivors who are now part of the Dharma Initiative, and others land in 2007. The survivors in 1977 are told by [[Daniel Faraday]] that if they detonate a nuclear bomb at the hatch's construction site, the electromagnetic energy below it will be negated; as a result, the hatch would never be built, and their future could be changed. In 2007, Locke apparently comes back to life. He instructs Richard to speak with a time-traveling Locke and tell him that he must bring everyone back to the island. After this, he goes to speak with Jacob. The season finale reveals that Locke is still dead and another entity has taken over his form to manipulate Ben into killing Jacob. In 1977, Juliet detonates the fission core taken from the hydrogen bomb.

=== Season 6 ===
{{Main|Lost season 6|l1=''Lost'' season 6}}
Season 6, the final season, follows two timelines. In the first timeline, the survivors are sent to the present day, as the death of Jacob allows his brother, the [[Man in Black (Lost)|Man in Black]], the human alter-ego of the Smoke Monster, to take over the island. Having assumed the form of Locke, the Smoke Monster seeks to escape the island and forces a final war between the forces of good and evil.

The second timeline, called the "flash-sideways" narrative, follows the lives of the main characters in a setting where Oceanic 815 never crashed. In the final episodes, a [[Across the Sea (Lost)|flashback to the distant past]] shows the origins of the island's power and of the conflict between Jacob and the Man in Black, who are revealed to be twin brothers, with Jacob desperate to keep his brother from leaving the island after he is [[transmogrified]] by the power of the island and becomes the Smoke Monster.

Jacob's machinations are revealed: everyone was pushed by fate and his manipulation to be on the Oceanic flight as many of the members of the flight were deemed "candidates" by Jacob to be the new protector of the island after his death. The Man in Black's mission since the beginning: kill all of the candidates, thereby allowing him to leave the island once and for all. The ghost of Jacob appears to the last-of-the-surviving candidates, and Jack is appointed as the new protector. Jack catches up with The Man in Black, who says that he wants to go to the "heart of the island" to turn it off and, therefore, finally leave the island. They reach the place, but after doing this, The Man in Black becomes mortal. The Man in Black is killed by Kate, but Jack is seriously injured. Hurley becomes the new caretaker of the island. Several of the survivors die in the conflict or stay on the island, and the remaining escape in the Ajira Plane once and for all. Jack returns to the "heart of the island" and turns it on again, saving it. Hurley, as the new protector, asks Ben to help him in his new job, which he agrees to do. Having saved the island, Jack dies peacefully in the same place in which he woke up when he arrived on the island.

The [[The End (Lost)|series finale]] reveals that the flash-sideways timeline is actually a form of [[limbo]] in the afterlife, where some of the survivors and other characters from the island are reunited after death. In the last scene, the survivors are all reunited in a church where they "move on" together.

=== Mythology and interpretations ===
{{Main|Mythology of Lost|l1=Mythology of ''Lost''}}
<!--This is a general summary only; the specific references should go to the main Mythology article.-->
Episodes of ''Lost'' include a number of mysterious elements ascribed to science fiction or supernatural phenomena. The creators of the series refer to these elements as composing the [[Canon (fiction)|mythology]] of the series, and they formed the basis of fan speculation.<ref>{{cite web|last=Benson |first=Jim |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/157152-The_Lost_Generation_Networks_Go_Eerie.php |title=The ''Lost'' Generation: Networks Go Eerie |work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]] |date=May 16, 2005 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004234743/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/157152-The_Lost_Generation_Networks_Go_Eerie.php |archive-date=October 4, 2012}}</ref> The show's mythological elements include a "[[Mythology of Lost#The Man in Black/Smoke Monster|Smoke Monster]]" that roams the island, a mysterious group of inhabitants whom the survivors called "[[Others (Lost)|The Others]]", a scientific organization called the [[Dharma Initiative]] that placed several research stations on the island, a [[The Lost numbers|sequence of numbers]] that frequently appears in the lives of the characters in the past, present, and future, and personal connections ([[synchronicity]]) between the characters of which they are often unaware.

<!-- NOTE:
The ONLY theories to be included in this section are those specifically REFUTED by the show's creators/writers. ALL unsourced theories will be removed, as Original Research. All that is needed is a brief statement of the theory and a link to the verifiable source, indicating who dismissed the theory. -->
At the heart of the series is a complex and cryptic storyline, which spawned numerous questions and discussions among viewers.<ref name="ign loose ends">{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2006/11/13/igns-top-50-lost-loose-ends |title=IGN's Top 50 ''Lost'' Loose Ends |website=IGN |date=November 13, 2006 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025014326/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/13/igns-top-50-lost-loose-ends |archive-date=October 25, 2012}}</ref> Encouraged by ''Lost''{{'}}s writers and stars, who often interacted with fans online, viewers and TV critics alike took to widespread theorizing in an attempt to unravel the mysteries. Theories mainly concerned the nature of the island, the origins of the "Monster" and the "Others", the meaning of the numbers, and the reasons for both the crash and the survival of some passengers.<ref name="ign loose ends" /> Several of the more common fan theories were discussed and rejected by the show's creators, the most common being that the survivors of Oceanic flight 815 are dead and in [[purgatory]]. Lindelof rejected speculation that [[Spacecraft|spaceships]] or [[Extraterrestrial life in popular culture|aliens]] influenced the events on the island or that everything seen was a fictional reality taking place in someone's mind. Carlton Cuse dismissed the theory that the island was a reality TV show and the castaways unwitting housemates,<ref>{{cite news|last=Idato |first=Michael |title=Asking for trouble |url=https://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/asking-for-trouble/2005/08/20/1124435180515.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=August 22, 2005 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014213401/http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv--radio/asking-for-trouble/2005/08/20/1124435180515.html |archive-date=October 14, 2012}}</ref> and Lindelof many times denied the theory that the "Monster" was a [[nanobot]] cloud similar to the one featured in [[Michael Crichton]]'s novel ''[[Prey (novel)|Prey]]'' (which happened to share the protagonist's name, Jack).<ref>{{cite news|last=Wharton |first=David Michael |title=Coooooonnn!!!!!! Report: Friday and Saturday |url=http://www.mania.com/coooooonnn-report-friday-saturday_article_49194.html |publisher=Maina.com |date=July 17, 2005 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018120122/http://www.mania.com/coooooonnn-report-friday-saturday_article_49194.html |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref>

==== Recurring elements ====
There are several recurring elements and [[Motif (literature)|motifs]] on ''Lost'', which generally have no direct effect on the story itself but expand the show's literary and philosophical [[subtext]]. These elements include frequent appearances of black and white, which reflect the dualism within characters and situations; as well as rebellion in almost all characters, especially Kate;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2006/11/13/igns-top-50-lost-loose-ends?page=4 |title=IGN's Top 50 ''Lost'' Loose Ends: Page 4 |website=IGN |date=November 13, 2006 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210080632/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/13/igns-top-50-lost-loose-ends?page=4 |archive-date=December 10, 2013}}</ref> [[dysfunctional family]] situations (especially ones that revolve around the fathers of many characters), as portrayed in the lives of nearly all the main characters;<ref>{{cite news |last=Lachonis |first=Jon |date=March 18, 2007 |publisher=BuddyTV |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/daddy-dearest-are-father-issue-5103.aspx |title=Daddy Dearest – Are Father Issues at the Core of LOST? |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113225246/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/daddy-dearest-are-father-issue-5103.aspx |archive-date=November 13, 2013 }}</ref> apocalyptic references, including Desmond's pushing the button to forestall the end of the world; coincidence versus fate, revealed most apparently through the juxtaposition of the characters Locke and Mr. Eko; conflict between science and faith, embodied by the leadership tug-of-war between Jack and Locke and their stark disagreements on subjects such as the hatch, the button, and leaving the island;<ref>{{cite video |people=Lindelof, Damon, Carlton Cuse (writers); Bender, Jack (director); Burk, Bryan (executive producer) |title=Lost: The Complete Second Season, "Man of Science, Man of Faith" audio commentary |publisher=Buena Vista Home Entertainment |date=September 5, 2006}}.</ref> the struggle between good and evil, shown by the relationship between Jacob and the Man in Black, several times by Locke using symbols such as his [[backgammon]] set, also the white and black rocks that the [[Man in Black (Lost)|Man in Black]] referred to as an "inside joke"; and references to numerous works of literature, including mentions and discussions of particular novels.<ref name="USAToday10042005">{{cite news|last=Oldenburg |first=Ann |title=Is ''Lost'' a literal enigma? |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-10-04-lost-literature_x.htm |work=USA Today |date=October 4, 2005 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015095647/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-10-04-lost-literature_x.htm |archive-date=October 15, 2012}}</ref> One notable reference to a novel is [[John Steinbeck]]'s ''[[Of Mice and Men]]'', usually when Sawyer is seen reading it or referencing it. There are also many allusions in characters' names to famous historical thinkers and writers, such as [[Ben Linus]] (after chemist [[Linus Pauling]]), John Locke (after the [[John Locke|philosopher]]) and his alias [[Jeremy Bentham (Lost)|Jeremy Bentham]] (after the [[Jeremy Bentham|philosopher]]), [[Danielle Rousseau]] (after philosopher [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]]), [[Desmond Hume|Desmond David Hume]] (after philosopher [[David Hume]]), Juliet's ex-husband (after philosopher [[Edmund Burke]]), [[Mikhail Bakunin (Lost)|Mikhail Bakunin]] (after the [[Mikhail Bakunin|anarchist philosopher]]), Daniel Faraday (after physicist [[Michael Faraday]]), [[Characters of Lost#Miscellaneous characters|Eloise Hawking]] (after physicist [[Stephen Hawking]]), George Minkowski (after mathematician [[Hermann Minkowski]]), [[Richard Alpert (Lost)|Richard Alpert]] (the birth name of spiritual teacher [[Ram Dass]]), Boone Carlyle (after pioneer [[Daniel Boone]] and philosopher [[Thomas Carlyle]]), and [[Charlotte Lewis (Lost)|Charlotte Staples Lewis]] (after author [[C. S. Lewis|Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis]]).<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2008/02/22/lost-s4-mind-blowing-scoop/ |title='Lost' (S4): Mind-blowing scoop|magazine=Entertainment Weekly |author=Jensen, "Doc" Jeff |date=February 22, 2008 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819085254/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20179125_5%2C00.html |archive-date=August 19, 2012}}</ref>

== Cast and characters ==
{{Main|List of Lost characters|l1=List of ''Lost'' characters}}

[[File:Main characters of Lost.jpg|thumb|upright=1.81|alt=The main actors from ''Lost'', standing side by side.|From left to right: [[Daniel Faraday|Faraday]], [[Boone Carlyle|Boone]], [[Miles Straume|Miles]], [[Michael Dawson (Lost)|Michael]], [[Ana Lucia Cortez|Ana Lucia]], [[Charlotte Lewis (Lost)|Charlotte]], [[Frank Lapidus|Frank]], [[Shannon Rutherford|Shannon]], [[Desmond Hume|Desmond]], [[Mr. Eko|Eko]], [[Kate Austen|Kate]], [[Jack Shephard|Jack]], [[James "Sawyer" Ford|Sawyer]], [[John Locke (Lost)|Locke]], [[Ben Linus|Ben]], [[Sayid Jarrah|Sayid]], [[Libby Smith|Libby]], [[Sun-Hwa Kwon|Sun]], [[Jin-Soo Kwon|Jin]], [[Claire Littleton|Claire]], [[Hugo "Hurley" Reyes|Hurley]], [[Juliet Burke|Juliet]], [[Charlie Pace|Charlie]], [[Richard Alpert (Lost)|Richard]], [[Rose and Bernard Nadler|Bernard]], [[Rose and Bernard Nadler|Rose]], and [[Characters of Lost#Vincent|Vincent]]]]

Of the 324 people on board [[Oceanic Flight 815]],<ref>{{cite episode |credits=[[Drew Goddard|Goddard, Drew]] and [[Brian K. Vaughan|Vaughan, Brian K.]] (writers); [[Stephen Williams (director)|Williams, Stephen]] (director) |title=[[Confirmed Dead]] |series=Lost |network=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] |season=4 |number=2 |date=February 7, 2008}}</ref> there are 70 initial survivors (as well as one dog) spread across the three sections of the plane crash.<ref name="Pilot: Part 2">{{cite episode | title = Pilot: Part 2 | episode-link = Pilot (Lost) | series = Lost | credits = [[J. J. Abrams|Abrams, J. J.]] (teleplay/story/director), [[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] (teleplay/story), [[Jeffrey Lieber|Lieber, Jeffrey]] (story) | network = ABC | airdate = September 29, 2004 | season = 1 | number = 2}}</ref><ref name="White Rabbit">{{cite episode |title = [[White Rabbit (Lost)|White Rabbit]] | series = Lost | credits = [[Christian Taylor (screenwriter)|Christian Taylor]] (writer), [[Kevin Hooks|Hooks, Kevin]] (director) | network = ABC | airdate = November 20, 2004 | season = 1 | number = 5}}</ref><ref name="The Other 48 Days">{{cite episode | title = [[The Other 48 Days]] | series = Lost | credits = [[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] and [[Carlton Cuse|Cuse, Carlton]] (writers); [[Eric Laneuville|Laneuville, Eric]] (director) | network = ABC | airdate = November 16, 2005 | season = 2 | number = 7}}</ref> Although a large cast made ''Lost'' more expensive to produce, the writers benefited from added flexibility in story decisions.<ref name="large cast" /> According to series executive producer Bryan Burk, "You can have more interactions between characters and create more diverse characters, more back stories, more [[love triangle]]s."<ref name="large cast">{{cite news|title=TV hits maximum occupancy |work=USA Today |last=Keveney |first=Bill |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-11-08-ensemble-casts_x.htm |date=August 11, 2005 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016185941/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-11-08-ensemble-casts_x.htm |archive-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref>

''Lost'' was planned as a multicultural show with an international cast. The initial season had 14 regular speaking roles that received star [[billing (film)|billing]]; though most of these actors remained on the show for the duration of its run (including flashbacks and alternate timelines), no single actor appeared in all 121 episodes. [[Matthew Fox]] played the protagonist, a troubled surgeon named [[Jack Shephard]]. [[Evangeline Lilly]] portrayed fugitive [[Kate Austen]]. [[Jorge Garcia]] played [[Hugo "Hurley" Reyes]], an unlucky lottery winner. [[Josh Holloway]] played a con man, [[James "Sawyer" Ford]]. [[Ian Somerhalder]] played [[Boone Carlyle]], chief operating officer of his mother's wedding business, and [[Maggie Grace]] played his stepsister [[Shannon Rutherford]], a former dance teacher. [[Harold Perrineau]] portrayed construction worker and aspiring artist [[Michael Dawson (Lost)|Michael Dawson]], while [[Malcolm David Kelley]] played his young son, [[Walt Lloyd]]. [[Terry O'Quinn]] played the mysterious [[John Locke (Lost)|John Locke]]. [[Naveen Andrews]] portrayed former [[Iraqi Republican Guard]] [[Sayid Jarrah]]. [[Emilie de Ravin]] played a young Australian mother-to-be, [[Claire Littleton]]. [[Yunjin Kim]] played [[Sun-Hwa Kwon]], the daughter of a powerful and incredibly wealthy Korean businessman and mobster, with [[Daniel Dae Kim]] as her husband and father's enforcer [[Jin-Soo Kwon]]. [[Dominic Monaghan]] played English ex-rock star and drug addict [[Charlie Pace]]. 

===Seasons 1 and 2===
During the first two seasons, some characters were written out, while new characters with new stories were added.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-09-13-lost_x.htm |work=USA Today |last=Keck |first=William |date=September 13, 2005 |title=''Lost'' in the face of death |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102182149/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-09-13-lost_x.htm |archive-date=November 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comic-con.org/common/cci06prog_lost.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427024136/http://www.comic-con.org/common/cci06prog_lost.php|archive-date=April 27, 2011|publisher=Comic-Con International|title=Popular TV Show Returns for Its Third Year at Comic-Con|access-date=October 23, 2012|quote=Carlton: There will always be new characters that will be joining the cast of Lost. We will try to give the audience a lot of stuff with your favorite characters and introducing new characters and evolving the story is just part of the DNA of the show.}}</ref> Boone Carlyle was written out near the end of season one,<ref name="boonedeathdev">{{cite magazine|author=Jensen, "Doc" Jeff |date=April 6, 2005 |url=https://ew.com/article/2005/04/07/ian-somerhalder-last-nights-lost-shocker/ |title=Ian Somerhalder on last night's ''Lost'' shocker |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=October 17, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070816055447/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1045702%2C00.html |archive-date=August 16, 2007}}</ref> and Walt became an intermittent character, making occasional appearances throughout season two after he is captured by The Others in the season one finale. Shannon's departure eight episodes into season two made way for newcomers [[Mr. Eko]], a former Nigerian militia leader and fake Catholic priest played by [[Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje]]; [[Ana Lucia Cortez]], an airport [[Transportation Security Administration|TSA]] guard and former [[Los Angeles Police Department|LAPD]] police officer played by [[Michelle Rodriguez]]; and [[Libby Smith]], a purported clinical psychologist and formerly mentally ill woman portrayed by [[Cynthia Watros]]. Ana Lucia and Libby were written out of the series toward the end of season two after being shot by Michael, who then left the island along with his son.<ref>{{cite web|author=Keck, William |date=May 24, 2006 |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-23-lost_x.htm |title=A Father and Child Reunion? |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=October 19, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102213943/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-23-lost_x.htm |archive-date=November 2, 2012}}</ref>

===Seasons 3 and 4===
In season three, two actors were promoted from recurring to starring roles: [[Henry Ian Cusick]] as former Scottish soldier [[Desmond Hume]]; and [[Michael Emerson]] as the manipulative leader of the Others, [[Ben Linus]]. In addition, three new actors joined the regular cast: [[Elizabeth Mitchell]], as fertility doctor and Other [[Juliet Burke]]; and [[Kiele Sanchez]] and [[Rodrigo Santoro]] as background survivor couple [[Nikki and Paulo|Nikki Fernandez]] and [[Nikki and Paulo|Paulo]]. Several characters died in the season: Eko was killed off when Akinnuoye-Agbaje did not wish to continue on the show,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/tv/article/On-TV-Um-Lost-we-can-t-go-on-like-this-1219158.php |title=On TV: Um, 'Lost,' we can't go on like this |author=McFarland, Melanie |date=November 8, 2006 |work=[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]] |access-date=March 22, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927181820/http://www.seattlepi.com/ae/tv/article/On-TV-Um-Lost-we-can-t-go-on-like-this-1219158.php |archive-date=September 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/2008-07-25-516501817_x.htm |title=Just 34 hours left for TV's "Lost" |work=USA Today |date=July 25, 2008 |author=Cohen, Sandy |access-date=March 22, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024100941/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/2008-07-25-516501817_x.htm |archive-date=October 24, 2012}}</ref> Nikki and Paulo were buried alive mid-season after poor fan response,<ref>{{cite web|author=Mitovich, Matt |title=Lost Boss Explains Last Night's Double Demise |url=https://tvguide.com/news/lost-boss-explains-13850.aspx |work=TV Guide |date=March 29, 2007 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729213152/http://www.tvguide.com/news/lost-boss-explains-13850.aspx |archive-date=July 29, 2013}}</ref> and in the third-season finale, Charlie dies a hero.

In season four, Harold Perrineau rejoined the main cast to reprise the role of Michael, now [[Suicidal ideation|suicidal]] and on a desperate redemptive journey to atone for his previous crimes.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2007/08/08/lost-harold-perrineau-coming-back |title=''Lost'': Harold Perrineau on coming back|magazine=Entertainment Weekly |first=Mike |last=Bruno |date=August 8, 2007 |access-date=September 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926105703/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20313460_20050265%2C00.html |archive-date=September 26, 2012}}</ref> Along with Perrineau, additional new actors—[[Jeremy Davies]] as [[Daniel Faraday]], a nervous physicist who takes a scientific interest in the island; [[Ken Leung]] as [[Miles Straume]], a sarcastic supposed ghost whisperer; and [[Rebecca Mader]] as [[Charlotte Staples Lewis]], a hard-headed and determined anthropologist and successful academic—joined the cast.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2007/09/03/lost-producers-their-five-new-actors/ |title=''Lost'' producers on their five new actors|last=Jensen |first=Jeff |access-date=August 30, 2007 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902045818/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20053863%2C00.html |archive-date=September 2, 2007}}</ref> Michael was written out in the fourth-season finale.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvguide.com/news/lost-harold-perrineau-36053.aspx |title=Harold Perrineau Dishes on his Lost Exit (Again) |access-date=May 30, 2008 |author=Malcom, Shawna |date=May 30, 2008 |work=[[TV Guide]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122081721/http://www.tvguide.com/news/lost-harold-perrineau-36053.aspx |archive-date=January 22, 2009}}</ref> Claire, who mysteriously disappears with her dead father near the end of the season, did not return as a series regular for the fifth season but returned for the sixth and final season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/4378/lost-redux-promises-to-keep-and-miles-to-go-before-we-sleep |title=Lost Redux: Promises to Keep, and Miles to Go Before We Sleep |access-date=June 5, 2008 |author=Godwin, Jennifer |date=May 30, 2008 |publisher=[[E!]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114040643/http://www.eonline.com/news/4378/lost-redux-promises-to-keep-and-miles-to-go-before-we-sleep |archive-date=November 14, 2013}}</ref>

===Seasons 5 and 6===
In season five, no new characters joined the main cast; however, several characters exited the show: Charlotte was written out early in the season in episode five, with Daniel being written out later in the [[antepenultimate]] episode. Season six saw several cast changes: Juliet was written out in the season premiere while three previous recurring characters were upgraded to starring status.<ref name="Nov19PR">{{cite web|url=http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=111909_04 |title=ABC Announces the Premiere of the Sixth and Final Season of ''Lost'', with a Special All-Night Event on Tuesday, February 2 |author=Fordis, Jeff |publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet |date=November 19, 2009 |access-date=November 19, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429050016/http://www.abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=111909_04 |archive-date=April 29, 2010}}</ref> These included [[Néstor Carbonell]] as mysterious, age-less Other [[Richard Alpert (Lost)|Richard Alpert]]; [[Jeff Fahey]] as pilot [[Frank Lapidus]];<ref name="lostqausatoday">{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/popcandy/post/2009/10/a-lost-qa-damon-lindelof-tackles-your-questions/1 |title=A 'Lost' Q&A: Damon Lindelof answers (most of) your questions! |author=Matheson, Whitney |work=USA Today |date=October 27, 2009 |access-date=October 27, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027164500/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/popcandy/post/2009/10/a-lost-qa-damon-lindelof-tackles-your-questions/1 |archive-date=October 27, 2009}}</ref> and [[Zuleikha Robinson]] as Ajira Airways Flight 316 survivor [[Ilana Verdansky]]. Additionally, former cast members Ian Somerhalder, Dominic Monaghan, Rebecca Mader, Jeremy Davies, Elizabeth Mitchell, Maggie Grace,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/02/17/lost-exclusive-maggie-grace-shannon/|title=''Lost'' Exclusive: Maggie Grace, a.k.a. Shannon, returns this season |author1=Jensen, Jeff |author2=Snierson, Dan |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 17, 2010 |access-date=February 17, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220061701/http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/02/17/lost-exclusive-maggie-grace-shannon/ |archive-date=February 20, 2010}}</ref> Michelle Rodriguez,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/03/04/lost-michelle-rodriguez-returns/ |title=''Lost'' Exclusive: Michelle Rodriguez Returns! |author=Ausiello, Michael |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 4, 2010 |access-date=March 4, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625005426/http://insidetv.ew.com/2010/03/04/lost-michelle-rodriguez-returns/ |archive-date=June 25, 2011}}</ref> Harold Perrineau, and Cynthia Watros<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tvguide.com/News/Lost-Harold-Perrineau-1013608.aspx |title=''Lost'': Harold Perrineau, Cynthia Watros to Return for Final Season |author=O'Connor, Mickey |work=[[TV Guide]] |date=January 12, 2010 |access-date=January 12, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115060610/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Lost-Harold-Perrineau-1013608.aspx |archive-date=January 15, 2010}}</ref> made return appearances.

===Supporting characters===
Numerous supporting characters have been given expansive and recurring appearances in the progressive storyline. [[Danielle Rousseau]] ([[Mira Furlan]])—a French member of an earlier scientific expedition to the island, first encountered as a voice recording in the pilot episode—appears throughout the series. She is searching for her daughter, who later turns up in the form of [[Alex (Lost)|Alex Rousseau]] ([[Tania Raymonde]]). Alex has been kidnapped by Ben Linus and brought to the Others where she was raised. [[Cindy Chandler (Lost)|Cindy]] ([[Kimberley Joseph]]), an Oceanic flight attendant who first appeared in the pilot, survived the crash and, subsequently, became one of the Others.

In the second season, married couple [[Rose and Bernard Nadler|Rose Nadler]] ([[L. Scott Caldwell]]) and [[Bernard Nadler]] ([[Sam Anderson]]), separated on opposite sides of the island (she with the main characters, he with the tail section survivors), were featured in a flashback episode after being reunited. The second season also introduces Dr. Pierre Chang ([[Francois Chau]]), a member of the mysterious [[Dharma Initiative]] who appears in the orientation films for its numerous stations located throughout the island. Corporate magnate [[Charles Widmore]] ([[Alan Dale]]) has connections to both Ben and Desmond. Desmond is in love with Widmore's daughter [[Characters of Lost#Penelope "Penny" Widmore|Penelope "Penny" Widmore]] ([[Sonya Walger]]).

Eloise Hawking ([[Fionnula Flanagan]]), introduced in the third season, is Daniel Faraday's mother and also has connections with Desmond. The introduction of the Others featured [[Tom Friendly]] ([[M. C. Gainey]]), and [[Ethan Rom]] ([[William Mapother]]), all of whom have been shown in both flashbacks and the ongoing story. Jack's father [[Christian Shephard]] ([[John Terry (actor)|John Terry]]) has appeared in multiple flashbacks of various characters. In the third season, [[Characters of Lost#Naomi Dorrit|Naomi Dorrit]] ([[Marsha Thomason]]), the team leader of a group hired by Widmore to find Ben Linus, parachutes onto the island. One member of her team includes the ruthless mercenary [[Martin Keamy]] ([[Kevin Durand]]).

In the finale episode "[[The End (Lost)|The End]]", recurring guest stars [[Sam Anderson]]; [[L. Scott Caldwell]]; [[Francois Chau]]; [[Fionnula Flanagan]]; [[Sonya Walger]]; and [[John Terry (actor)|John Terry]] were credited under the "starring" rubric alongside the principal cast. The mysterious black smoke cloud-like entity, known as "[[Man in Black (Lost)|the Monster]]", appeared in human form during season five and six as a middle-aged man dressed in black robes, who was played by [[Titus Welliver]], and in season six, it appears in the form of John Locke played by O'Quinn in a [[dual role]]. His rival, [[Jacob (Lost)|Jacob]], was played by [[Mark Pellegrino]].

== Production ==
[[File:Lost (ABC television series) Bad Robot logo.svg|thumb|Official production logo, initially used before the airing of the series.]]
[[File:Lindelof y Cuse.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse sitting, speaking into microphones.|Damon Lindelof ''(left)'' co-created the series and served as an executive producer and showrunner alongside Carlton Cuse ''(right)''.]]
''Lost'' was produced by [[ABC Studios]], [[Bad Robot]], and Grass Skirt Productions. Throughout its run, the executive producers of the series were [[Damon Lindelof]], [[J. J. Abrams]], [[Bryan Burk]], [[Carlton Cuse]], [[Jack Bender]], [[Jeff Pinkner]], [[Edward Kitsis]], [[Adam Horowitz (screenwriter)|Adam Horowitz]], [[Jean Higgins]], and [[Elizabeth Sarnoff]], with Lindelof and Cuse serving as [[showrunner]]s.<ref name="Nov19PR" />

=== Conception ===
The series was conceived by [[Lloyd Braun]], head of ABC at the time, while he was on vacation in Hawaii during 2003 as a television adaptation of the 2000 [[Tom Hanks]] film ''Cast Away'', crossed with elements of the popular reality show ''[[Survivor (American TV series)|Survivor]]''.<ref name="EW">{{Cite magazine|date=May 14, 2010 |title=Lost: How It Began |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |issue=1102 |editor1-first=Jess |editor1-last=Cagle |issn=1049-0434 |oclc=137343926 |access-date=December 12, 2011 |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/05/07/lost-how-it-began/|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603155702/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20367067%2C00.html |archive-date=June 3, 2013}}</ref> Braun later pitched his ideas for ''Cast Away – The Series'' at the network's gathering of executives at the [[Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa]] in [[Anaheim, California]], describing the concept as "parts ''Cast Away'', ''Survivor'', and ''[[Gilligan's Island]]'', with a ''[[Lord of the Flies]]'' element."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/04/08/56472.htm |title='Lost' Royalties Demand Had Smoke but no Fire |publisher=Courthouse News Service |date=April 8, 2013 |access-date=February 27, 2014 |author=Dotinga, William |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227180638/http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/04/08/56472.htm |archive-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref> Many found the idea laughable, but senior vice president Thom Sherman saw potential and decided to order an initial script from [[Spelling Television]]. Spelling producer Ted Gold turned to writer [[Jeffrey Lieber]], who presented a pitch to ABC in September 2003 titled ''Nowhere'', which Sherman approved. Unhappy with the eventual script by Lieber and a subsequent rewrite, in January 2004, Braun contacted J. J. Abrams, who had developed the TV series ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'' for ABC, to write a new pilot script. Lieber would later receive a story credit for the ''Lost'' pilot and, subsequently, shared the "created by" credit with Abrams and Lindelof, after a request for [[WGA screenwriting credit system|arbitration]] at the [[Writers Guild of America, East|Writers Guild of America]].<ref name="Cast Away">{{cite magazine|title=Cast Away |last=Bernstein |first=David |url=http://chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2007/Cast-Away/index.php?cp=2&si=1#artanc |magazine=[[Chicago (magazine)|Chicago magazine]] |date=August 2007 |access-date=October 25, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029091018/http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/August-2007/Cast-Away/index.php?cp=2&si=1 |archive-date=October 29, 2012}}</ref> The one inviolable edict Braun made to Abrams was that the show's title must be ''Lost'', having conceived of the title and being angry at its change to ''Nowhere'' by Lieber.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/picking-tv-titles-friends-lost-examples-297288 |title=From 'Lost' to 'Friends,' The Strange Art of Picking a TV Title |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |author1=Rose, Lacey |author2=Guthrie, Marisa |date=March 6, 2012 |access-date=December 13, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107145352/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/picking-tv-titles-friends-lost-examples-297288 |archive-date=November 7, 2013}}</ref>

Although initially hesitant, Abrams warmed to the idea on the condition that the series would have a [[supernatural]] angle to it and if he had a writing partner.<ref name="EW" /><ref name="DT081405">{{cite news|last=Craig |first=Olga |title=The man who discovered ''Lost''&nbsp;— and found himself out of a job |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1496199/The-man-who-discovered-Lost---and-found-himself-out-of-a-job.html |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=August 14, 2005 |location=London |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217020230/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/1496199/The-man-who-discovered-Lost---and-found-himself-out-of-a-job.html |archive-date=December 17, 2009}}</ref> ABC executive Heather Kadin sent him [[Damon Lindelof]], who had long intended to meet Abrams as he wished to write for ''Alias''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thewrap.com/tv/article/damon-lindelofs-history-lost-show-he-longed-quit-31281 |title=Damon Lindelof's History of 'Lost' (A Show He Longed to Quit) |website=[[The Wrap]] |first=Tim |last=Molloy |date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=March 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305072543/http://www.thewrap.com/tv/article/damon-lindelofs-history-lost-show-he-longed-quit-31281 |archive-date=March 5, 2014}}</ref> Together, Abrams and Lindelof created the series' style and characters and also wrote a [[Bible (writing)|series bible]] that conceived and detailed the major [[Mythology|mythological]] ideas and plot points for an ideal four-to-five-season run for the show.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Jensen |first=Jeff |title=Stephen King meets the creators of ''Lost'' |url=https://ew.com/article/2006/11/24/stephen-king-meets-creators-lost/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 24, 2007 |date=November 24, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013071630/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C1562722%2C00.html |archive-date=October 13, 2007}}</ref><ref>Burk, Bryan, ''Lost Season 1 DVD'' (extras), [[Buena Vista Home Entertainment]], September 6, 2005.</ref> The novel idea of a story arc spanning several years was inspired by ''[[Babylon 5]].''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/01/babylon-5-turns-20-creator-j-michael-straczynski-reflects-on-the-shows-legacy.html |title='Babylon 5' turns 20: Creator J. Michael Straczynski reflects on the show's legacy |publisher=Zap2it |first=Andrea |last=Reiher |date=January 31, 2014 |access-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140203004106/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2014/01/babylon-5-turns-20-creator-j-michael-straczynski-reflects-on-the-shows-legacy.html |archive-date=February 3, 2014}}</ref> Because ABC felt that ''Alias'' was too [[serial drama|serialized]], Lindelof and Abrams assured the network in the bible that the show would be self-contained: "We promise ... that [each episode] requires NO knowledge of the episode(s) that preceded it ... there is no 'Ultimate Mystery' which requires solving." While such statements contradicted their true plans, the ruse succeeded in persuading ABC to purchase the show.<ref name="lussier20130920">{{cite web|url=https://slashfilm.com/leaked-lost-document-outlines-a-different-vision-of-the-show-for-a-devious-purpose/ |title=Exclusive: Damon Lindelof Explains the Truth Behind Leaked Early 'Lost' Document |work=/Film |date=September 20, 2013 |access-date=September 21, 2013 |author=Lussier, Germain |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130923101915/http://www.slashfilm.com/leaked-lost-document-outlines-a-different-vision-of-the-show-for-a-devious-purpose/ |archive-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref> The game ''[[Myst]]'', also set in a tropical island, was noted as an influence by Lindelof, as in its narrative, "No one told you what the rules were. You just had to walk around and explore these environments and gradually a story was told."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2007/03/19/lyst_cuse_and_lindelof_on_lost_1/ |title=Lyst: Cuse and Lindelof on Lost and Videogames |magazine=Time |first=James |last=Poniewozik |date=March 19, 2007 |access-date=March 4, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710084712/http://entertainment.time.com/2007/03/19/lyst_cuse_and_lindelof_on_lost_1/ |archive-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref>

Abrams created the sound opening of the show and its title card being inspired by ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Keveney |first=Bill |title=The many aliases of J.J. Abrams |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-01-04-abrams_x.htm |work=USA Today |access-date=December 27, 2012 |date=January 4, 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104153526/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-01-04-abrams_x.htm |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Malcom |first=Shawna |title=Lost Boss Tackles Star Trek Enterprise |url=https://tvguide.com/news/Lost-Boss-Tackles-37613.aspx |work=[[TV Guide]] |access-date=December 27, 2012 |date=August 11, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013211155/http://www.tvguide.com/news/Lost-Boss-Tackles-37613.aspx |archive-date=October 13, 2012}}</ref> He withdrew from production of ''Lost'' partway through the first season to direct ''[[Mission: Impossible III]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|title=Abrams makes 'M:I III' possible |first=Scott |last=Bowles |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-05-04-mi3-abrams_x.htm |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |location=McLean, Virginia |issn=0734-7456 |oclc=608153056 |date=May 5, 2006 |access-date=December 12, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130925134318/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2006-05-04-mi3-abrams_x.htm |archive-date=September 25, 2013}}</ref> leaving Lindelof and new executive producer Carlton Cuse to develop much of the overall [[Mythology of Lost|mythology of the series]] themselves.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Pearlstein |first=Joanna |date=April 19, 2010 |title=As Lost Ends, Creators Explain How They Did It, What's Going On |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |volume=18 |issue=5 |publisher=[[Condé Nast Publications|Condé Nast]] |editor1-first=Chris |editor1-last=Anderson |editor1-link=Chris Anderson (writer) |issn=1059-1028 |oclc=231770855 |access-date=December 13, 2011 |url=https://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/04/ff_lost/8/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111225002144/http://www.wired.com/magazine/2010/04/ff_lost/8/ |archive-date=December 25, 2011}}</ref> However, Abrams briefly returned to help co-write the third-season premiere along with Lindelof. The development of the show was constrained by tight deadlines, as it had been commissioned late in the 2004 season's development cycle. Despite the short schedule, the creative team remained flexible enough to modify or create characters to fit actors they wished to cast.<ref name="season1dvd">Abrams, J. J and Lloyd Braun, ''Lost Season 1 DVD'' (extras), Buena Vista Home Entertainment, September 6, 2005.</ref>

''Lost''{{'}}s two-part pilot episode was the most expensive in the network's history, reportedly costing between US$10 and $14&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite news|title=New series gives Hawaii 3 TV shows in production |last=Ryan |first=Tim |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2004/05/17/news/story7.html |work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |date=May 17, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106050950/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2004/05/17/news/story7.html |archive-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> compared to the average cost of an hour-long pilot in 2005 of $4&nbsp;million.<ref name="EIDC050405">{{cite press release|url=http://www.eidc.com/EIDC_Press_Release_050405.pdf#search=%22production%20cost%20of%20a%20television%20TV%20pilot%22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624213238/http://www.eidc.com/EIDC_Press_Release_050405.pdf |archive-date=June 24, 2008 |publisher=Entertainment Industry Development Corporation |title=EIDC Issues First Overview of Pilot Production Activity and Economic Impact |date=May 4, 2005 |access-date=September 18, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The world premiere of the pilot episode was on July 24, 2004, at [[San Diego Comic-Con]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Comic-Con 2004: Saturday's Programming |url=http://www.comic-con.org/cci2004/CCI04-ProgSat.shtml |publisher=Comic-Con |access-date=January 25, 2012 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209201928/http://www.comic-con.org/cci2004/CCI04-ProgSat.shtml |archive-date=February 9, 2007 }}</ref> ABC's parent company [[Disney]] fired Braun before ''Lost''{{'}}s broadcast debut, partly because of low ratings at the network and also because he had [[greenlight]]ed such an expensive and risky project.<ref name="DT081405" /> The series debuted on September 22, 2004, becoming one of the biggest critical and commercial successes of the [[2004 in television|2004 television season]]. Along with fellow new series ''[[Desperate Housewives]]'' and ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'', ''Lost'' helped to reverse the flagging fortunes of ABC,<ref>{{cite news|last=Bianco |first=Robert |title=A good season, with reason |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-04-26-tv-lookback_x.htm |work=USA Today |date=April 26, 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921062113/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2005-04-26-tv-lookback_x.htm |archive-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> and its great success likely caused the network to ignore that the show almost immediately broke Lindelof and Abrams' promises to it regarding ''Lost''{{'}}s plots.{{r|lussier20130920}}

=== Casting ===
Many of the first season roles were a result of the executive producers' liking of various actors. The main character Jack was going to die in the pilot, and the role was planned for [[Michael Keaton]]. However, ABC executives were adamant that Jack live.<ref name="DVD">{{cite video | title = Before They Were Lost | medium = Documentary | location = ''Lost: The Complete First Season'' | publisher = [[Buena Vista Distribution|Buena Vista Home Entertainment]]}}</ref> Before it was decided that Jack would live, Kate was to emerge as the leader of the survivors; she was conceived as a middle-aged businesswoman whose husband had apparently died in the crash, a role later fulfilled by the recurring character Rose. Dominic Monaghan auditioned for the role of Sawyer, who at the time was supposed to be a slick suit-wearing city con man. The producers enjoyed Monaghan's performance and changed the character of Charlie, a washed-up former rock star, to fit him. Jorge Garcia also auditioned for Sawyer, and the part of Hurley was written for him. When Josh Holloway auditioned for Sawyer, the producers liked the edge he brought to the character (he reportedly kicked a chair when he forgot his lines and got angry in the audition) and his [[Southern American English|southern accent]], so they changed Sawyer to fit Holloway's acting. Yunjin Kim auditioned for Kate, but the producers wrote the character of Sun for her and the character of Jin, portrayed by Daniel Dae Kim, to be her husband. Sayid, played by Naveen Andrews, was also not in the original script. Locke and Michael were written with their actors in mind. Emilie de Ravin, who played Claire, was cast in what was supposed to be a recurring role.<ref name="DVD" /> In the second season, Michael Emerson was contracted to play Ben ("Henry Gale") for three episodes. His role was extended to eight episodes because of his acting skills and eventually, for the whole of season three and later seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/tv/michael-emerson-takes-charge-of-others-in-3rd-season-of-lost-453117/ |author=Song, Jaymes |title=Michael Emerson takes charge of Others in 3rd season of 'Lost' |publisher=The Associated Press |date=October 3, 2006 |access-date=March 21, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729215525/http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/ae/tv/michael-emerson-takes-charge-of-others-in-3rd-season-of-lost-453117/ |archive-date=July 29, 2013}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
[[File:Jack Bender by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|alt=Jack Bender sitting at a microphone.|Jack Bender directed the most episodes of the series and also served as an executive producer.]]
''Lost'' was filmed on [[Panavision]] [[35mm format|35 mm]] cameras almost entirely on the Hawaiian island of [[Oahu]] given the easily accessible, wide diversity of filming locations. The original island scenes for the pilot were filmed at [[Mokulē'ia, Hawai'i|Mokulē'ia]] Beach, near the northwest tip of the island. Later beach scenes take place in secluded spots of the famous [[North Shore (Oahu)|North Shore]]. Cave scenes in the first season were filmed on a [[sound stage]] built at a [[Xerox]] parts warehouse, which had been empty since an [[1999 Honolulu shootings|employee mass shooting]] took place there in 1999.<ref>{{cite news| last=Veitch| first=Kristin| title=''Lost'' Secrets Found! |url=http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Kristin/Archive2004/041016.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041208152612/http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Kristin/Archive2004/041016.html|archive-date=December 8, 2004| publisher=[[E! Online]]|date=October 16, 2004}} Retrieved from [[Internet Archive]] on December 8, 2004.</ref>  In 2006, the sound-stage and production offices moved to the Hawaii Film Office-operated [[Hawaii Film Studio]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Nichols |first=Katherine |title=''Lost'' Home |work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/05/21/features/story01.html |date=May 21, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022021800/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/05/21/features/story01.html |archive-date=October 22, 2012}}</ref> where the sets depicting Season 2's "Swan Station" and Season 3's "Hydra Station" interiors were built.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ryan |first=Tim |title=Reel News |url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/2005/08/24/features/ryan.html |work=[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]] |date=August 24, 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106050624/http://archives.starbulletin.com/2005/08/24/features/ryan.html |archive-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref>

Various urban areas in and around [[Honolulu]] are used as stand-ins for locations around the world, including California, New York, [[Iowa]], Miami, South Korea, [[Iraq]], Nigeria, United Kingdom, Paris, [[Thailand]], Berlin, Maldives, and Australia. For example, scenes set in a [[Sydney Airport]] were filmed at the [[Hawaii Convention Center]], while a World War II-era bunker was used as both an [[Iraqi Republican Guard]] installation and a [[Dharma Initiative]] research station. Scenes set in Germany during the winter were filmed on Merchant St., with crushed ice scattered everywhere to create snow and Russian store and automobile signs on the street. Several scenes in the Season 3 finale, "[[Through the Looking Glass (Lost)|Through the Looking Glass]]", were shot in Los Angeles, including a hospital set borrowed from ''Grey's Anatomy''. Two scenes during season four were filmed in London because [[Alan Dale]], who portrays Widmore, was at the time performing in the musical ''[[Spamalot]]'' and was unable to travel to Hawaii.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/tubetalk/a128956/alan-dale-talks-lost-greys.html |title=Alan Dale talks ''Lost'', ''Grey{{'}}s'' |author=Wilkes, Neil |date=September 4, 2008 |work=[[Digital Spy]] |access-date=May 4, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213105014/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/tubetalk/a128956/alan-dale-talks-lost-greys.html |archive-date=February 13, 2010}}</ref> Extensive archives of filming locations are tracked at a repository at the ''Lost'' Virtual Tour.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lost Virtual Tour |url=http://www.lostvirtualtour.com/ |publisher=lostvirtualtour.com |access-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014084939/http://www.lostvirtualtour.com/ |archive-date=October 14, 2012}}</ref>

=== Promotion ===
During its six years of broadcasting, ''Lost'' developed an extensive collection of promotional tools ranging from the traditional promotions of the TV show made by the channel, to the creation of [[alternate reality games]], such as the ''[[Lost Experience]]''.<ref name="promotion">{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=63f38d78-25c7-4504-9cc9-ada1a3217116 |title='Lost' the game |publisher=[[Postmedia News]] |date=May 2, 2006 |access-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306190436/http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/story.html?id=63f38d78-25c7-4504-9cc9-ada1a3217116 |archive-date=March 6, 2014}}</ref> ''Lost'' showed innovation in the use of new advertising strategies in the sector and the transformation of the conventional devices used previously.

=== Music ===
{{Main|Lost Original Television Soundtracks|l1=''Lost Original Television Soundtracks''}}
''Lost'' features an [[incidental music|orchestral score]] performed by the [[Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra]] and composed by [[Michael Giacchino]], incorporating many recurring themes for subjects, such as events, locations, and characters. Giacchino achieved some of the sounds for the score using unusual instruments, such as striking suspended pieces of the plane's [[fuselage]].<ref>Giacchino, Michael, "Soundtrack of Survival: Composing for Character, Conflict & the Crash", ''Lost Season 4 DVD'' (extras), [[Buena Vista Home Entertainment]], December 9, 2008.</ref> On March 21, 2006, the record label [[Varèse Sarabande]] released the original television soundtrack for ''Lost''{{'}}s first season.<ref name="Soundtrack 1">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EHSVDM |title=''Lost'': Season 1 Original Soundtrack |website=Amazon |access-date=July 24, 2010}}</ref> The soundtrack included select full-length versions of the most popular themes of the season and the main title, which was composed by series creator J. J. Abrams.<ref name="Soundtrack 1" /> Varèse Sarabande released a soundtrack featuring music from season 2 of ''Lost'' on October 3, 2006.<ref name="Soundtrack 2">{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I2IQ9M |title=''Lost'': Season 2 Original Soundtrack |website=Amazon |access-date=July 24, 2010}}</ref> The soundtrack for season 3 was released on May 6, 2008; the soundtrack for season 4 was released on May 11, 2009; the soundtrack for season 5 was released on May 11, 2010; and the soundtrack for the final season was released on September 14, 2010. A final soundtrack, featuring music from series finale, was released on October 11, 2010.

The series uses pop culture songs sparingly, and has a mainly orchestral score (consisting usually of divided strings, percussion, harp, and three trombones). When it features pop songs, they often originate from a [[Source cue|diegetic]] source. Examples include the various songs played on Hurley's portable CD player throughout the first season (until its batteries died in the episode "[[...In Translation]]", which featured Damien Rice's "Delicate") or the use of the record player in the second season, which included [[Cass Elliot]]'s "[[Make Your Own Kind of Music (song)|Make Your Own Kind of Music]]" and [[Petula Clark]]'s "[[Downtown (Petula Clark song)|Downtown]]" in the second and third-season premieres respectively. Two episodes show Charlie on a street corner playing guitar and singing the [[Oasis (band)|Oasis]] song "[[Wonderwall (song)|Wonderwall]]". In the third season's finale, Jack drives down the street listening to [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]]'s "Scentless Apprentice", right before he arrives to the Hoffs/Drawlar Funeral Parlor, and in the parallel scene in the fourth season's finale, he arrives listening to "Gouge Away" by [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]]. The third season also used [[Three Dog Night]]'s "[[Shambala (song)|Shambala]]" on two occasions in the van. The only two pop songs that have ever been used without an on-screen source (i.e., non-[[diegetic]]) are [[Ann-Margret]]'s "Slowly", in the episode "[[I Do (Lost)|I Do]]" and "I Shall Not Walk Alone", written by [[Ben Harper]] and covered by [[The Blind Boys of Alabama]] in the episode "[[Confidence Man (Lost)|Confidence Man]]." Alternate music is used in several international broadcasts. For example, in the Japanese broadcast of ''Lost'', the [[Theme music|theme song]] used varies by season: season one uses "Here I Am" by [[Chemistry (band)|Chemistry]], season two uses "[[Losin']]" by [[Yuna Ito]], and season three uses "Lonely Girl" by [[Crystal Kay]].

===Allegations of toxic work environment===
In May 2023, [[Maureen Ryan]]'s book ''Burn It Down: Power, Complicity and a Call For Change in Hollywood'' cited claims made by cast member [[Harold Perrineau]] and writers [[Monica Owusu-Breen]] and [[Melinda Hsu Taylor]] of an alleged toxic and racist environment fostered by Lindelof and Cuse. Perrineau said he was fired by Lindelof after he asked about his character's death. In response to the allegations, Lindelof stated "my level of fundamental inexperience as a manager and a boss, my role as someone who was supposed to model a climate of creative danger and risk-taking but provide safety and comfort inside of the creative process—I failed in that endeavor".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Ryan |first=Maureen |date=May 30, 2023 |title='Lost' Illusions: The Untold Story of the Hit Show's Poisonous Culture |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2023/05/lost-tv-show-culture |access-date=May 31, 2023 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Damon Lindelof 'Shocked and Appalled' Over 'Lost' Racism and Toxic Workplace Allegations: 'I Failed' to Provide Safety and Comfort |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/lost-showrunners-racism-toxic-writers-room-damon-lindelof-1235628095/ |access-date=May 31, 2023 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> Recurring cast member [[Mira Furlan]] also recalled an abusive on-set experience in her memoir. She regarded the entire cast as complicit, with the exception of one main actress.<ref name=memoir>{{cite book |last=Furlan|first=Mira|author-link=Mira Furlan|date=July 29, 2023|title=Love Me More Than Anything In The World: Stories About Belonging|url=https://www.amazon.com/Love-more-than-anything-world-ebook/dp/B0CD63G17N|location=Kindle|publisher=Gajic & Furlan Enterprises, Inc. Kindle Edition|pages=679–680|isbn=}}</ref>

== Reception and impact ==
=== Critical reception ===
{{Television critical response
| rotten_tomatoes1 = 96% (46 reviews)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/lost/s01 |title=Lost: Season 1 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref>
| metacritic1      = 86 (27 reviews)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/lost/season-1/ |title=Lost: Season 1 |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref>

| rotten_tomatoes2 = 100% (17 reviews)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/lost/s02 |title=Lost: Season 2 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref>
| metacritic2      = {{N/A}}

| rotten_tomatoes3 = 75% (20 reviews)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/lost/s03 |title=Lost: Season 3 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref>
| metacritic3      = {{N/A}}

| rotten_tomatoes4 = 89% (27 reviews)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/lost/s04 |title=Lost: Season 4 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref>
| metacritic4      = 87 (12 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS4">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/lost/season-4/ |title=Lost: Season 4 |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref>

| rotten_tomatoes5 = 92% (24 reviews)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/lost/s05 |title=Lost: Season 5 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref>
| metacritic5      = 78 (17 reviews)<ref name="MetacriticS5">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/lost/season-5/ |title=Lost: Season 5 |website=Metacritic |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref>

| rotten_tomatoes6 = 69% (35 reviews)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/lost/s06 |title=Lost: Season 6 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=December 16, 2023}}</ref>
| metacritic6      = {{N/A}}
}}

''Lost'' has been described by numerous critics as being among the greatest television series of all time.<ref name="Time 100">{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/06/the-100-best-tv-shows-of-all-time/slide/lost-2/ |title=The 100 Best TV Shows of All-''TIME'' |first=James |last=Poniewozik |author-link=James Poniewozik |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=September 6, 2007 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022172014/http://entertainment.time.com/2007/09/06/the-100-best-tv-shows-of-all-time/slide/lost-2/ |archive-date=October 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://empireonline.com/50greatesttv/default.asp?tv=5 |title=Empire: Features |work=Empire |date=December 5, 2006 |access-date=July 24, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106185602/http://www.empireonline.com/50greatesttv/default.asp?tv=5 |archive-date=January 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=The New Classics: TV |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-tv |access-date=October 24, 2012 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=June 18, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020093840/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20207339%2C00.html |archive-date=October 20, 2012}}</ref> Bill Carter, television reporter of ''[[The New York Times]]'', defined ''Lost'' as "the show with perhaps the most compelling continuing story line in television history."<ref>{{cite news|last=Carter |first=Bill |title=Tropical Teaser: 'Lost' Clues Decoded |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/arts/television/30lost.html |access-date=October 24, 2012 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 30, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209072605/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/arts/television/30lost.html |archive-date=December 9, 2013}}</ref> ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' put the show on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, "Name another network drama that can so wondrously turn a ? into a !"<ref>Geier, Thom; Jensen, Jeff; Jordan, Tina; Lyons, Margaret; Markovitz, Adam; Nashawaty, Chris; Pastorek, Whitney; Rice, Lynette; Rottenberg, Josh; Schwartz, Missy; Slezak, Michael; Snierson, Dan; Stack, Tim; Stroup, Kate; Tucker, Ken; Vary, Adam B.; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Ward, Kate (December 11, 2009), "THE 100 Greatest MOVIES, TV SHOWS, ALBUMS, BOOKS, CHARACTERS, SCENES, EPISODES, SONGS, DRESSES, MUSIC VIDEOS, AND TRENDS THAT ENTERTAINED US OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS." Entertainment Weekly. (1079/1080):74-84</ref> In 2012, ''Entertainment Weekly'' also listed the show at #10 in the "25 Best Cult TV Shows from the Past 25 Years", with a hot-and-cold description: "''Lost'' was initially celebrated as a moving character-driven drama with a broad humanistic worldview that also presented itself as dramatic cryptography that demanded to be solved. The appeal narrowed as seasons progressed and the mythology became more complex, culminating in a still-debated finale that was deeply meaningful to some and dissatisfying poppycock to others."<ref>"25 Best Cult TV Shows from the Past 25 Years." ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. August 3, 2012, p. 39.</ref> In 2007, [[TV Guide]] ranked ''Lost'' as the #5 cult show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/top-cult-shows-40239/|title=TV Guide Names the Top Cult Shows Ever – Today's News: Our Take|publisher=TVGuide.com|date=June 29, 2007}}</ref> In 2013, TV Guide ranked it as the #5 sci-fi show<ref>{{cite journal|journal=TV Guide Magazine|title=Best Sci-Fi Shows|date=September 16–22, 2013}}</ref> and the #36 best series of all time.<ref>{{cite web|title=TV Guide Magazine's 60 Best Series of All Time |url=https://tvguide.com/news/tv-guide-magazine-60-best-series-1074962/ |work=[[TV Guide]] |first1=Bruce |last1=Fretts |first2=Matt |last2=Roush |access-date=October 19, 2015 |date=December 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003105507/http://www.tvguide.com/news/tv-guide-magazine-60-best-series-1074962/ |archive-date=October 3, 2016}}</ref> In September 2019, ''[[The Guardian]]'' ranked the show 71st on its list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 best TV shows of the 21st century |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |work=The Guardian |date=September 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101054025/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/sep/16/100-best-tv-shows-of-the-21st-century |access-date=November 3, 2019 |archive-date=November 1, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Season 1 ====
The first season received critical acclaim. ''[[USA Today]]'' said a "totally original, fabulously enjoyable lost-at-sea series", ''Lost'' had taken "an outlandish Saturday-serial setup and imbued it with real characters and honest emotions, without sacrificing any of the old-fashioned fun."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-09-21-lost-review_x.htm |title='Lost' finds fresh adventure in familiar story |work=USA Today |date=September 21, 2004 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |first1=Robert |last1=Bianco |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016221159/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2004-09-21-lost-review_x.htm |archive-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref> The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' praised the production values and said "it knows the buttons it wants to push (fear of flying, fear of abandonment, fear of the unknown) and pushes them, repeatedly, like a kid playing a video game."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-sep-22-et-brown22-story.html |title=Surviving The Fear Factor |date=September 22, 2004 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |author=Brownfield, Paul |work=Los Angeles Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110914125201/http://articles.latimes.com/2004/sep/22/entertainment/et-brown22 |archive-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> IGN noted that the first season "succeeded first and foremost in character development."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2008/11/26/lost-flashback-season-1-review |title=Lost Flashback: Season One |website=IGN |date=November 26, 2008 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502005401/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/11/26/lost-flashback-season-1-review |archive-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref> ''Lost'' season one was ranked number one in the "Best of 2005 TV Coverage: Critic Top Ten Lists" by Matthew Gilbert of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'', Tom Gliatto of ''[[People Weekly]]'', Charlie McCollum of the ''[[San Jose Mercury News]]'', and Robert Bianco of ''USA Today''.<ref name="M1">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/tv/lost/season-5/critic-reviews |title=Lost: Season 5 Critic Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224235631/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/lost/season-5/critic-reviews |archive-date=December 24, 2012}}</ref>

==== Season 2 ====
The second season received favorable reviews, but it was noted that the season "stumbled with some storylines going nowhere and some characters underutilized." [[IGN]] also noted the addition of [[Desmond Hume]] as a standout new character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ign.com/articles/2009/11/11/lost-flashback-season-2-review |title=Lost Flashback: Season Two |website=IGN |date=November 9, 2008 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006203027/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/11/11/lost-flashback-season-2-review |archive-date=October 6, 2013}}</ref> The ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' called Season 2 an "extended, mostly unsatisfying foray into deeper mythology with very little payoff."<ref name="Goodman, Tim">{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/tv/article/WANT-TO-GET-LOST-THERE-S-STILL-TIME-AS-SEASON-3230470.php |title=Want to get Lost? There's Still Time As New Season Starts |date=January 30, 2008 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |last=Goodman |first=Tim |work=The San Francisco Chronicle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023144525/http://www.sfgate.com/tv/article/WANT-TO-GET-LOST-THERE-S-STILL-TIME-AS-SEASON-3230470.php |archive-date=October 23, 2012}}</ref> After winning "Best Drama Series" for season one, ''Lost'' was snubbed by the Emmy Awards in Season 2. Nearing the end of the second season, ''USA Today'' listed the most popular fan theories during Season 2—the island as a psychological experiment, that the hatch had electromagnetic properties, [[string theory]] of time, and that everyone on the island had developed a "collective consciousness" that allowed them to appear in each other's past. One fan interview by ''USA Today'' said that "Real suspense comes from answers, not questions. Suspense comes not from wondering what's going on but from wondering what happens next. If you withhold answers, it becomes impossible to satisfy."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-09-lost_x.htm |title=Lost in 'Lost' |work=USA Today |access-date=February 5, 2012 |date=May 10, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121002114940/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-09-lost_x.htm |archive-date=October 2, 2012}}</ref>

==== Season 3 ====
The first block of episodes of the third season was criticized for raising too many mysteries<ref>{{cite news|last=Simunic |first=Steven |title=Why ABC's 'Lost' Is Losing It |url=http://archive.dailycal.org/article/23854/why_abc_s_lost_is_losing_it |access-date=October 24, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Daily Californian]] |date=March 15, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130223074144/http://archive.dailycal.org/article/23854/why_abc_s_lost_is_losing_it |archive-date=February 23, 2013}}</ref> and not providing enough answers.<ref>{{cite news|title='Lost': Yep, that's a cliffhanger |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2006/11/lost-yep-thats-a-cliffhanger.html |access-date=October 24, 2012 |publisher=[[Zap2it]] |date=November 8, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928060458/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2006/11/lost-yep-thats-a-cliffhanger.html |archive-date=September 28, 2013}}</ref>  Complaints were also made about the limited screen time for many of the main characters in the first block.<ref>{{cite news|last=Martin |first=Ed |title=Exclusive Interview! Lost Executive Producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse |url=http://www.mediavillage.com/jmentr/2007/01/31/jmer-lost-01-31-07 |access-date=October 24, 2012 |publisher=Jack Meyers Media Village |date=January 31, 2007 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930185508/http://www.mediavillage.com/jmentr/2007/01/31/jmer-lost-01-31-07 |archive-date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref>  Locke, played by Terry O'Quinn, who had tied for the highest second-season episode count, appeared in only 13 of 23 episodes in the third season—only two more than guest star M.C. Gainey, who played Tom. Reaction to two new characters, Nikki and Paulo, was generally negative, and Lindelof even acknowledged that the couple was "universally despised" by fans.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=''Lost'' roars back! See where season 3 goes from here |url=http://ew.com/article/2007/02/11/lost-roars-back-see-where-season-3-goes-here/ |access-date=October 24, 2012 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=February 11, 2007 |author=Jeff Jensen |author2=Dan Snierson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426221058/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20011203_3,00.html |archive-date=April 26, 2012}}</ref> The decision to split the season and the American time-slot switch after the hiatus were also criticized.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldman |first=Eric |title=Writers Strike: Should Lost Air This Season? |url=https://ign.com/articles/2007/11/07/writers-strike-should-lost-air-this-season |access-date=October 24, 2012 |website=[[IGN]] |date=November 7, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222061501/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/07/writers-strike-should-lost-air-this-season |archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Brownfield|first=Robin|title=Naveen Andrews: 'Lost' Should Start Earlier|url=http://syfyportal.com/news423466.html|access-date=October 24, 2012|publisher=SciFiWire|date=March 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105085054/http://syfyportal.com/news423466.html|archive-date=November 5, 2007}}</ref> Cuse acknowledged that, "No one was happy with the six-episode run."<ref>{{cite web |author=Ausiello, Michael |date=November 7, 2007 |url=https://tvguide.com/Ask-Ausiello/071107 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726152235/http://www.tvguide.com/Ask-Ausiello/071107 |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |title=Ausiello on ''Lost'', ''Buffy'', ''Heroes'', ''ER'' and More! |work=TV Guide |access-date=November 10, 2007}}</ref> The second block of episodes was critically acclaimed, however,<ref>{{cite news |last=Lachonis |first=Jon |title='Lost' – When is an Emmy Snub not a Snub? |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-when-is-an-emmy-snub-not-8505.aspx |access-date=October 24, 2012 |publisher=BuddyTV |date=July 20, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022024807/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-when-is-an-emmy-snub-not-8505.aspx |archive-date=October 22, 2012 }}</ref> with the crew dealing with problems from the first block.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Jensen |first=Jeff |title=Flash-Forward Thinking |url=http://ew.com/article/2007/05/31/lost-s3-lingering-questions-finale/|access-date=October 24, 2012 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=May 31, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018202146/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20040589%2C00.html |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref> More answers were written into the show,<ref>{{cite news|last=Pierce |first=Scott D. |title=Is 'Lost' found? |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660222952/Is-Lost-found.html |access-date=October 24, 2012 |newspaper=Deseret News |date=May 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927214229/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/660222952/Is-Lost-found.html |archive-date=September 27, 2013}}</ref> and Nikki and Paulo were [[Exposé (Lost)|killed off]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Mitovich |first=Matt |title=Lost Boss Explains Last Night's Double Demise |url=https://tvguide.com/news/lost-boss-explains-13850.aspx |access-date=October 24, 2012 |newspaper=[[TV Guide]] |date=March 29, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729213152/http://www.tvguide.com/news/lost-boss-explains-13850.aspx |archive-date=July 29, 2013}}</ref>  It was also announced that the series would end three seasons after the third season,<ref name="enddate">{{cite news|last=Adalian |first=Josef |title='Lost' set for three more years |url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/lost-set-for-three-more-years-1117964371/ |access-date=October 24, 2012 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 26, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805081957/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964371 |archive-date=August 5, 2011}}</ref> which Cuse hoped would tell the audience that the writers knew where the story was going.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ryan |first=Maureen |title='Lost' producers talk about setting an end date and much more |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/01/lost_producers_.html |access-date=October 24, 2012 |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=January 14, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023023731/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2007/01/lost_producers_.html |archive-date=October 23, 2012}}</ref>

==== Season 4 ====
[[Metacritic]] gave season four a weighted average of 87 based on 12 critical reviews,<ref name="MetacriticS4"/> For the first time since season one, ''Lost'' received an Emmy nomination for 'Outstanding Drama Series'. Tim Goodman of the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' said that the Season 4 episodes were "roller coasters of fast action and revelation" and that series was "back on track."<ref name="Goodman, Tim" /> In a survey conducted by ''TVWeek'' of professional critics, ''Lost'' was voted the best show on television in the first half of 2008 "by a wide margin", apparently "crack[ing] the top five on nearly every critic's submission" and receiving "nothing but praise."<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Krukowski|first=Andrew|title=Favorites Hold Fast|url=http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/07/favorites_hold_fast.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329094536/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/07/favorites_hold_fast.php|archive-date=March 29, 2013|access-date=October 24, 2012|magazine=TV Week|date=July 2008}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' said the show reveled in critiques of capitalism, using the fictional Mittelos Bioscience and the "malevolent British industrialist" character of Charles Widmore as examples. The critic also said that the show was "in the dark business of exploring just how futile the modern search for peace, knowledge, recovery or profit really is." The critic did go on to say that the series was not as "philosophically refined" as ''[[The Sopranos]]'' or ''The Wire'' but that it "has maximized the potential of narrative uncertainty and made it a beguiling constant."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/arts/television/29lost.html |title=Philosophy, Mystery, Anarchy – On Tv, All is 'Lost' |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 29, 2008 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |author=Bellafante, Ginia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229005043/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/arts/television/29lost.html |archive-date=December 29, 2011}}</ref>

[[File:Michael Emerson and Damon Lindelof at the 68th Annual Peabody Awards for Lost.jpg|thumb|Michael Emerson and Damon Lindelof at the 68th Annual Peabody Awards for ''Lost'']]

==== Season 5 ====
The fifth season once again received mostly positive critical reception. Season 5 was given a weighted average of 78 out of 100 by Metacritic.<ref name="MetacriticS5"/> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' said that "The ABC series remains one of primetime's most uncompromising efforts, and this year's latest wrinkle on flashbacks, flash-forwards and island-disappearing flashes of light does nothing to alter that perception."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/review/VE1117939349?refCatId=32 |title=Lost Season 5 review |magazine=Variety |date=January 15, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |author=Lowry, Bryan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516202034/http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117939349?refCatId=32 |archive-date=May 16, 2012}}</ref> [[Alan Sepinwall]] of ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'' said that season 5 may finally be "a day of reckoning between those viewers who embrace the show's science-fiction trappings, and those who prefer not to think about them." Sepinwall also related that "I loved every minute. But I'm also a geek who read [[Ray Bradbury]] and [[Isaac Asimov]] growing up."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/01/sepinwall_on_tv_lost_goes_time.html |title='Lost' goes time traveling for Season 5 |publisher=Newark Star Ledger |access-date=February 5, 2012 |author=Sepinwall, Alan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106130617/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/01/sepinwall_on_tv_lost_goes_time.html |archive-date=January 6, 2012|date=January 20, 2009 }}</ref>

Heather Havrilesky of [[Salon.com]] criticized the use of time travel, saying that "when a narrator brings magic or time travel or an act of God into the picture, then uses it without restraint, the story loses its anchor to real life." The critic also asked "Why does it matter what Locke and Richard Alpert and Daniel Faraday or anyone else does, when they all seem as clueless and unfettered from reality as we are as viewers? How can these characters have any concrete agenda or strategic approach or philosophical perspective on anything when the rug is pulled out from under them by another Act of God every few seconds?"<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2009/02/01/lost_4/ |title=I Like To Watch |work=Salon.com |date=February 1, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |author=Havrilesky, Heather |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121226082547/http://www.salon.com/2009/02/01/lost_4/ |archive-date=December 26, 2012}}</ref>

''[[The New York Times]]'' also commented that "what has been most dispiriting about the current season is the show's willingness to abandon many of the larger and more compelling themes that grounded the elaborate plot: the struggles between faith and reason; the indictments of extreme capitalism, the futility of recovery. All that remains is the reductively limned battle between fate and free will largely playing out, now, in Jack Shephard's belief that returning to the island is his Destiny."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/arts/television/13lost.html |title=Lost: Where It's 1977 and 2007 at the Same Time |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=May 12, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |author=Bellafante, Ginia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209052724/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/arts/television/13lost.html |archive-date=December 9, 2013}}</ref> ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' said of the fifth-season finale, "Me? I found the ending frustrating, but in a good way. This finale was entertaining as all get-out to me, and despite the occasional groaner moment, I think this may be Lost's most purposeful, surprising finale."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/lost-the-incident-1798206490 |title=Lost – "The Incident" |newspaper=The A.V. Club |date=May 13, 2009 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |author=Murray, Noel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201071000/http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-incident%2C27986/ |archive-date=February 1, 2012}}</ref>

==== Season 6 ====
Season six opened to much hype and curiosity. ''The A.V. Club'' asked, "I'm guessing that one of the biggest fears of Lost fans as we ride out this sixth and final season—bumps and all—is that we're going to come to the end and find a big nothing in return for all we've invested in these characters. We don't just need answers, we need justifications. Why has whatever happened, happened? Who has called this particular meeting to order, and does it really matter who showed up?"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/lost-la-x-1798164306 |title=Lost – "LA X" |newspaper=The A.V. Club |date=February 2, 2010 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |author=Murray, Noel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201070834/http://www.avclub.com/articles/la-x%2C37819/ |archive-date=February 1, 2012}}</ref> The episodes "[[Dr. Linus]]", "[[Ab Aeterno]]", "[[Happily Ever After (Lost)|Happily Ever After]]", and "[[The Candidate (Lost)|The Candidate]]" opened to highly positive critical reception while the third-to-last episode "[[Across the Sea (Lost)|Across the Sea]]" was the episode with the most negative reception.<ref name="Metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/feature/lost-finale-review-season-6-episode-17-18 |title=Episode Review: Lost "The End" |website=Metacritic |access-date=February 5, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210110829/http://www.metacritic.com/feature/lost-finale-review-season-6-episode-17-18 |archive-date=December 10, 2011}}</ref> The time spent at the Others' temple was criticized.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://entertainment.time.com/2010/05/23/lostwatch-all-of-this-matters/ |title=Review of Lost Series Finale |magazine=Time |date=May 23, 2010 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |author=Poniewozik, James |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203203512/http://entertainment.time.com/2010/05/23/lostwatch-all-of-this-matters/ |archive-date=February 3, 2012}}</ref> [[E!]] Online described the show as "lightning in a bottle" and picked it as "Top TV Drama of 2010."<ref>{{cite news|title=Top 10 TV Dramas of 2010 |url=http://www.eonline.com/photos/2693/top-10-tv-dramas-of-2010/103552 |access-date=October 24, 2012 |publisher=[[E!]] Online |year=2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114040647/http://www.eonline.com/photos/2693/top-10-tv-dramas-of-2010/103552 |archive-date=November 14, 2013}}</ref>

==== Series finale ====
The series finale opened to highly polarized critical and fan reception. According to Metacritic, "The End" received "generally favorable reviews" with a Metascore—a weighted average based on the impressions of 31 critical reviews—of 74 out of 100.<ref name="Metacritic" /> ''[[IGN]]'' reviewer Chris Carbot gave the finale a 10/10, tying it with the initial review of "[[Pilot (Lost)|Pilot, Part 1]]", "[[Through the Looking Glass (Lost)|Through the Looking Glass]]", "[[The Constant]]", and "[[There's No Place Like Home (Lost)|There's No Place Like Home, Parts 2 & 3]]" as the best-reviewed episode of ''Lost''. He described it as "one of the most enthralling, entertaining and satisfying conclusions I could have hoped for." Carbot also noted that the discussions about the episode may never end, saying "''Lost'' may be gone, but it will hardly be forgotten."<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|last=Carabott |first=Chris |url=https://ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/lost-the-end-review?page=3 |title=Lost: "The End" Review |website=IGN |date=March 29, 2010 |access-date=May 25, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104212654/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/lost-the-end-review?page=3 |archive-date=November 4, 2012}}</ref> Eric Deggans of the ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]'' also gave the finale a perfect score, stating "Sunday's show was an emotional, funny, expertly measured reminder of what Lost has really centered on since its first moments on the prime time TV landscape: faith, hope, romance and the power of redemption through belief in the best of what moves mankind."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/lost-finale-long-satisfying-trip-is-done/1097172 |title='Lost' finale: Long, satisfying trip is done |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |author=Deggans, Eric |access-date=May 24, 2010 |date=May 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526042331/http://www.tampabay.com/features/media/lost-finale-long-satisfying-trip-is-done/1097172 |archive-date=May 26, 2010}}</ref> Robert Bianco of ''[[USA Today]]'' rated the episode perfect as well, deeming the finale "can stand with the best any series has produced."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2010-05-24-lostreview24_ST_N.htm |title='Lost' finale: Redemption as 'The End' justifies the journey |newspaper=USA Today |author=Bianco, Robert |access-date=May 24, 2010 |date=May 25, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102105309/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2010-05-24-lostreview24_ST_N.htm |archive-date=November 2, 2012}}</ref> Hal Boedeker of ''[[Orlando Sentinel]]'' cited the finale being "a stunner."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2010/05/lost-so-ends-our-fantastic-journey-does-it-have-a-place-in-your-heart.html |title='Lost': So ends our fantastic journey – does it have a place in your heart? |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |author=Boedeker, Hal |access-date=May 23, 2010 |date=March 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524225903/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2010/05/lost-so-ends-our-fantastic-journey-does-it-have-a-place-in-your-heart.html |archive-date=May 24, 2010}}</ref>

''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' both reported that "The End" had received negative reviews and disappointed its viewers. Alan Sepinwall of ''[[Star-Ledger]]'' was less enthusiastic of the finale, stating "I'm still wrestling with my feelings about 'The End'... I thought most of it worked like gangbusters. ... But as someone who did spend at least part of the last six years dwelling on the questions that were unanswered—be they little things like the outrigger shootout or why The Others left Dharma in charge of the Swan station after the purge, or bigger ones like Walt—I can't say I found 'The End' wholly satisfying, either as closure for this season or the series. ... There are narrative dead ends in every season of 'Lost,' but it felt like season six had more than usual."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/lost-the-end-see-you-in-the-other-life-brother |title='Lost' – 'The End': See you in the other life, brother |work=HitFix |author=Sepinwall, Alan |access-date=November 16, 2010 |date=May 25, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114181430/http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/lost-the-end-see-you-in-the-other-life-brother |archive-date=November 14, 2010}}</ref> Mike Hale of ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave "The End" a mixed review, as the episode showed that the series was "shaky on the big picture—on organizing the welter of mythic-religious-philosophical material it insisted on incorporating into its plot—but highly skilled at the small one, the moment to moment business of telling an exciting story. Rendered insignificant ... were the particulars of what they had done on the island."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/arts/television/25lost.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |author=Mike Hale |title=No Longer 'Lost', but Fans are Still Searching |date=May 24, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107235827/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/25/arts/television/25lost.html |archive-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref> [[David Zurawik]] of the ''[[Baltimore Sun]]'' gave the episode a highly negative review, writing "If this is supposed to be such a smart and wise show, unlike anything else on network TV (blah, blah, blah), why such a wimpy, phony, quasi-religious, white-light, huggy-bear ending. ... Once Jack stepped into the church it looked like he was walking into a Hollywood wrap party without food or music—just a bunch of actors grinning idiotically for 10 minutes and hugging one another."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/zontv/2010/05/lost_finale_john_locke_terry_o.html |title='Lost' finale: Wondering where the wisdom was |newspaper=Baltimore Sun |author=Zurawik, David |access-date=May 24, 2010 |date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901070718/http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/zontv/2010/05/lost_finale_john_locke_terry_o.html |archive-date=September 1, 2010 }}</ref>

=== Ratings ===
''Lost'' aired on the [[American Broadcasting Company]] (ABC) from September 22, 2004, to May 23, 2010. The pilot episode had 18.6&nbsp;million viewers, easily winning its 9:00 pm timeslot, and giving ABC its strongest [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]] since 2000 when ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?]]'' was initially aired—beaten only the following month by the premiere of ''[[Desperate Housewives]]''. According to ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', "ABC sure could use a breakout drama success, as it hasn't had a real hit since ''[[The Practice]]''. ''Lost'' represents the network's best start for a drama with 18- to 49-year-olds since ''[[Once and Again]]'' in 1999, and in total viewers since ''[[Murder One (TV series)|Murder One]]'' in 1995."<ref>{{cite news|first=Rick |last=Kissell |title=ABC, Eye have quite some night |url=https://variety.com/2004/tv/news/abc-eye-have-quite-some-night-1117910869/ |work=Variety |date=September 25, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210034958/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117910869 |archive-date=February 10, 2012}}</ref>

For its first season, ''Lost'' averaged 16&nbsp;million viewers, ranking 14th in viewership among prime-time shows and 15th among the eighteen to forty-nine-year-old [[demographic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060306113629/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937471|archive-date=March 6, 2006|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 27, 2005|title=Final audience and ratings figures|access-date=October 23, 2012}}</ref> Its second season fared equally well: again, ''Lost'' ranked 14th in viewership, with an average of 15.5&nbsp;million viewers. However, it improved its rating with 18- to 49-year-olds, ranking eighth.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529003429/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002576393 |archive-date=May 29, 2006 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=May 26, 2006|title=2005–06 primetime wrap}}</ref> The second-season premiere was even more viewed than the first, pulling in over 23&nbsp;million viewers and setting a series record.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a24619/us-ratings-lost-premiere-draws-23-million.html |title=US Ratings: ''Lost'' premiere draws 23&nbsp;million |first=Neil |last=Wilkes |publisher=Digital Spy (UK) |date=September 23, 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929221653/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a24619/us-ratings-lost-premiere-draws-23-million.html |archive-date=September 29, 2012}}</ref> The third-season premiere brought in 18.8&nbsp;million viewers. The seventh episode of the season, back from a three-month hiatus, saw a drop to 14.5&nbsp;million. Over the course of the spring season, ratings would plunge to as low as 11&nbsp;million viewers before recovering to near 14&nbsp;million for the season finale. The ratings drop was partially explained when [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen]] released [[Digital video recorder|DVR]] ratings, showing ''Lost'' as the most recorded series on television. However, despite overall ratings losses, ''Lost'' still won its hour in the crucial 18–49 demographic and put out the highest 18–49 numbers in the 10:00&nbsp;p.m. time slot ahead of any show on any network that season. The fourth-season premiere saw an increase from the previous episode to 16.1&nbsp;million viewers,<ref name="season 4 ratings" /> though by the eighth episode, viewers had decreased to a series low of 11.461&nbsp;million.<ref name="season 4 ratings">{{cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-season-4-suffers-ratings-17888.aspx |title='Lost' Season 4 Suffers Ratings Decline |publisher=BuddyTV |date=March 24, 2008 |access-date=July 24, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524154926/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-season-4-suffers-ratings-17888.aspx |archive-date=May 24, 2010}}</ref> A survey of 20 countries by ''Informa Telecoms and Media'' in 2006 concluded that ''Lost'' was the second most popular TV show in those countries, after ''[[CSI: Miami]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5231334.stm |date=July 31, 2006 |title=''CSI'' show 'most popular in world' |work=BBC News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070902205017/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5231334.stm |archive-date=September 2, 2007}}</ref> The sixth-season premiere was the first to climb in the ratings year-over-year since the second season, drawing 12.1&nbsp;million viewers.<ref name="The Live Feed">{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/fans-rediscover-lost-premiere-ratings-53056 |title=Fans rediscover 'Lost' as premiere ratings climb |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227080111/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/live-feed/fans-rediscover-lost-premiere-ratings-53056 |archive-date=February 27, 2014}}</ref>
<section begin=ratings />{{Television ratings graph
| title       = Lost
| country     = US
| color1      = #C5C9D4
| color2      = #D38233
| color3      = #0C5829
| color4      = #00549A
| color5      = #69D0E3
| color6      = #000000
| average     = y
| bar_width   = 5
| x_intervals = 5
| y_intervals = 2
| refs        = 
|-
<!-- S01E01 -->| 18.65
<!-- S01E02 -->| 17.00
<!-- S01E03 -->| 16.54
<!-- S01E04 -->| 18.16
<!-- S01E05 -->| 16.82
<!-- S01E06 -->| 16.83
<!-- S01E07 -->| 18.73
<!-- S01E08 -->| 18.44
<!-- S01E09 -->| 17.64
<!-- S01E10 -->| 17.15
<!-- S01E11 -->| 18.88
<!-- S01E12 -->| 21.59
<!-- S01E13 -->| 20.81
<!-- S01E14 -->| 19.69
<!-- S01E15 -->| 19.48
<!-- S01E16 -->| 17.87
<!-- S01E17 -->| 19.49
<!-- S01E18 -->| 18.85
<!-- S01E19 -->| 17.75
<!-- S01E20 -->| 17.12
<!-- S01E21 -->| 17.20
<!-- S01E22 -->| 17.10
<!-- S01E23 -->| 18.62
<!-- S01E24 -->| 20.71
<!-- S01E25 -->| 20.71
<!-- S01_AV -->| 18.39
|-
<!-- S02E01 -->| 23.47
<!-- S02E02 -->| 23.17
<!-- S02E03 -->| 22.38
<!-- S02E04 -->| 21.66
<!-- S02E05 -->| 21.38
<!-- S02E06 -->| 20.01
<!-- S02E07 -->| 21.87
<!-- S02E08 -->| 19.29
<!-- S02E09 -->| 21.54
<!-- S02E10 -->| 20.56
<!-- S02E11 -->| 19.13
<!-- S02E12 -->| 19.05
<!-- S02E13 -->| 18.74
<!-- S02E14 -->| 18.20
<!-- S02E15 -->| 16.43
<!-- S02E16 -->| 15.30
<!-- S02E17 -->| 16.21
<!-- S02E18 -->| 16.38
<!-- S02E19 -->| 15.68
<!-- S02E20 -->| 15.56
<!-- S02E21 -->| 16.35
<!-- S02E22 -->| 14.67
<!-- S02E23 -->| 17.84
<!-- S02E24 -->| 17.84
<!-- S02_AV -->| 18.91
|-
<!-- S03E01 -->| 18.82
<!-- S03E02 -->| 16.89
<!-- S03E03 -->| 16.31
<!-- S03E04 -->| 17.09
<!-- S03E05 -->| 16.07
<!-- S03E06 -->| 17.15
<!-- S03E07 -->| 14.49
<!-- S03E08 -->| 12.84
<!-- S03E09 -->| 12.95
<!-- S03E10 -->| 12.78
<!-- S03E11 -->| 12.45
<!-- S03E12 -->| 12.48
<!-- S03E13 -->| 12.22
<!-- S03E14 -->| 11.52
<!-- S03E15 -->| 11.66
<!-- S03E16 -->| 12.09
<!-- S03E17 -->| 12.08
<!-- S03E18 -->| 11.86
<!-- S03E19 -->| 12.33
<!-- S03E20 -->| 12.11
<!-- S03E21 -->| 12.32
<!-- S03E22 -->| 13.86
<!-- S03E23 -->| 13.86
<!-- S03_AV -->| 13.75
|-
<!-- S04E01 -->| 16.07
<!-- S04E02 -->| 15.06
<!-- S04E03 -->| 13.62
<!-- S04E04 -->| 13.53
<!-- S04E05 -->| 12.85
<!-- S04E06 -->| 12.90
<!-- S04E07 -->| 11.87
<!-- S04E08 -->| 11.28
<!-- S04E09 -->| 12.33
<!-- S04E10 -->| 11.14
<!-- S04E11 -->| 11.28
<!-- S04E12 -->| 11.40
<!-- S04E13 -->| 12.20
<!-- S04E14 -->| 12.20
<!-- S04_AV -->| 12.73
|-
<!-- S05E01 -->| 11.66
<!-- S05E02 -->| 11.08
<!-- S05E03 -->| 11.07
<!-- S05E04 -->| 10.98
<!-- S05E05 -->| 9.77
<!-- S05E06 -->| 11.27
<!-- S05E07 -->| 9.82
<!-- S05E08 -->| 10.61
<!-- S05E09 -->| 9.08
<!-- S05E10 -->| 8.82
<!-- S05E11 -->| 9.35
<!-- S05E12 -->| 8.29
<!-- S05E13 -->| 9.23
<!-- S05E14 -->| 9.04
<!-- S05E15 -->| 8.70
<!-- S05E16 -->| 9.43
<!-- S05E17 -->| 9.43
<!-- S05_AV -->| 9.97
|-
<!-- S06E01 -->| 12.09
<!-- S06E02 -->| 12.09
<!-- S06E03 -->| 11.05
<!-- S06E04 -->| 9.82
<!-- S06E05 -->| 9.95
<!-- S06E06 -->| 9.29
<!-- S06E07 -->| 9.49
<!-- S06E08 -->| 8.87
<!-- S06E09 -->| 9.31
<!-- S06E10 -->| 10.13
<!-- S06E11 -->| 9.55
<!-- S06E12 -->| 9.48
<!-- S06E13 -->| 9.53
<!-- S06E14 -->| 9.59
<!-- S06E15 -->| 10.32
<!-- S06E16 -->| 10.47
<!-- S06E17 -->| 13.57
<!-- S06E18 -->| 13.57
<!-- S06_AV -->| 10.85
}}<section end=ratings />''Lost'' gained renewed popularity after becoming available on streaming platforms like [[Hulu]] and [[Netflix]]. [[Nielsen Media Research]], which records streaming viewership on U.S. television screens, estimated that the series was watched for 678 million minutes from July 29 to August 4, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hailu |first=Selome |date=August 29, 2024 |title=Nielsen Streaming Top 10: 'Prison Break' Makes No. 5 After Netflix Debut, 'House of the Dragon' Leads the Chart |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/nielsen-top-10-ratings-streaming-1235693657/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Rick |date=August 29, 2024 |title=Streaming Ratings: No Originals Make Overall Top 10 for First Time Ever |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/streaming-ratings-july-29-aug-4-2024-1235987097/ |access-date=September 8, 2024 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Awards and nominations ===
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Lost|l1=List of awards and nominations received by ''Lost''}}
Capping its successful first season, ''Lost'' won the [[57th Primetime Emmy Awards#Outstanding Drama Series|Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/abc-television-network-scores-six-emmy-wins-sunday-night-more-than-any-other-broadcast-network-bringing-abcs-emmy-total-to-a-broadcast-network-topping-16/ |title=ABC Television Network Scores Six Emmy Wins Sunday Night, More Than Any Other Broadcast Network, Bringing ABC'S Emmy Total to a Broadcast Betwork—Topping 16 |publisher=[[The Walt Disney Company]] |date=September 19, 2005 |access-date=March 6, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417215256/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0%2C%2C20045108_20045120_20047384%2C00.html |archive-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> and J. J. Abrams was awarded an Emmy in September 2005 for his work as the director of "Pilot." Terry O'Quinn and Naveen Andrews were nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category.<ref name="emmys" /> ''Lost''  swept the guild awards in 2005, winning the [[Writers Guild of America Awards 2005]] for Outstanding Achievement in Writing for a Dramatic Television Series,<ref name="WGA">{{cite news|url=http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517|title=Awards Winners|access-date=October 17, 2007|publisher=[[Writers Guild of America]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412082516/http://www.wga.org/awards/awardssub.aspx?id=1517|archive-date=April 12, 2006}}</ref> the 2005 Producers Guild Award for Best Production,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.producersguild.org/pg/awards_a/awards2006.asp |title=Producers Guild Awards 2006|access-date=March 6, 2008|publisher=[[Producers Guild of America]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080217023518/http://www.producersguild.org/pg/awards_a/awards2006.asp |archive-date = February 17, 2008}}</ref> the 2005 Director's Guild Award for Best Direction of a Dramatic Television Program,<ref name="dgaawards05">{{cite web |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/01/11/nominees-for-outstanding-directorial-achievement-in-television-categories-of-dramatic-series-night-comedy-series-musical-variety-daytime-serials-and-childrens-programs-for-2004-17536/20050111dga01/ |title=Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television categories of Dramatic Series Night, Comedy Series, Musical Variety, Daytime Serials and Children's Programs for 2004 |access-date=March 8, 2008 |date=January 11, 2005 |publisher=Directors Guild of America}}</ref> and the [[12th Screen Actors Guild Awards|2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards]] for Best Ensemble Cast.

[[File:Michael Emerson SDCC 2013.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.9|For his portrayal of [[Ben Linus]], Michael Emerson received many awards and nominations, including winning a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] in 2009.]]

It was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Drama Series three times (2005–2007), and it won the award in 2006.<ref name="Globes">{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/film/26051 |title=Lost |access-date=October 25, 2012 |publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014064202/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/film/26051 |archive-date=October 14, 2012}}</ref> In 2006, Matthew Fox and Naveen Andrews received Golden Globe nominations for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama|Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series]]<ref name="Globes" /> and [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actor]]<ref name="Globes" /> respectively, and in 2007, Evangeline Lilly received a nomination for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama|Best Actress in a Television Drama Series]].<ref name="Globes" /> ''Lost'' was nominated for the 2005 [[BAFTA Award|British Academy of Film and Television Award]] for Best International.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bafta.org/television?year=2006 |title=Television nominations 2006 |access-date=March 2, 2008 |publisher=[[British Academy of Film and Television Arts]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923113532/http://www.bafta.org/television?year=2006 |archive-date=September 23, 2012}}</ref> In 2006, Jorge Garcia and Michelle Rodriguez took home [[ALMA Awards]] for Best Supporting Actor and Actress, respectively, in a Television Series.<ref name="ALMA06">{{cite news|url=http://www.almaawards.com/2006-winners.html|title=2006 Award Winners |access-date=March 4, 2008|publisher=[[National Council of La Raza]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080229045708/http://www.almaawards.com/2006-winners.html |archive-date = February 29, 2008}}</ref> It won the [[Saturn Award]] for Best Television Series in both 2005 and 2006.<ref name="Saturn">{{cite news|url=http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html#television |title=Saturn Awards – Past Winners |access-date=March 2, 2008 |publisher=The Saturn Awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210040426/http://www.saturnawards.org/past.html |archive-date=February 10, 2005}}</ref> In 2005, Terry O'Quinn won a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a television series, and in 2006,<ref name="Saturn" /> Matthew Fox won for Best Lead Actor.<ref name="Saturn" /> ''Lost'' won consecutive Television Critics Association Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Drama, for both its first and second seasons.<ref name="TCA Win">{{cite news|url=http://www.tvcritics.org/tca/node/154|title=Past winners of the TCA Awards|access-date=March 6, 2008|publisher=[[Television Critics Association]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080220094717/http://tvcritics.org/tca/node/154 |archive-date = February 20, 2008}}</ref> Consecutively as well, it won in 2005 and 2006 the [[Visual Effects Society Award]] for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program.<ref>{{cite web|title=3rd Annual VES Awards |url=http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards/previous/3rd-annual |publisher=Visual Effects Society |year=2005 |access-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208104029/http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards/previous/3rd-annual |archive-date=February 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=4th Annual VES Awards |url=http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards/previous/4th-annual |publisher=Visual Effects Society |year=2006 |access-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410055109/http://www.visualeffectssociety.com/ves-awards/previous/4th-annual |archive-date=April 10, 2012}}</ref>  Malcolm David Kelley won a [[Young Artist Award]] for his performance as Walt in 2006.<ref name="YAA">{{cite news|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms26.htm |title=26th Annual Winners and Nominees |access-date=March 6, 2008 |publisher=Young Artist Awards |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304222052/http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms26.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2008}}</ref>

In 2005, ''Lost'' was voted ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''{{'}}s Entertainer of the Year. The show won a 2005 Prism Award for Charlie's drug storyline in the episodes "Pilot", "House of the Rising Sun", and "The Moth."<ref name="Prism">{{cite news|url=http://prismawards.com/winners/|title=Prism Awards Winners|access-date=April 12, 2008|publisher=Entertainment Industries Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430101138/http://www.prismawards.com/winners/|archive-date=April 30, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2007, ''Lost'' was listed as one of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine's "100 Best TV Shows of All-''TIME''."<ref name="Time 100" /> The series was nominated for but did not win a Writers Guild Award and Producers Guild Award again in 2007.<ref name="WGA07">{{cite news|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2006/12/13/2007-writers-guild-awards-television-and-radio-nominees-announced-23095/20061213wga01/|title=2007 Writers Guild Awards Television & Radio Nominees Announced |access-date=December 13, 2012|publisher=Writers Guild of America}}</ref> In June 2007, ''Lost'' beat out over 20 nominated television shows from countries all over the globe to win the Best Drama award at the [[Monte Carlo Television Festival]]. In September 2007, both Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn were nominated for an [[59th Primetime Emmy Awards|Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]], the award going to O'Quinn.<ref>{{cite news|title='Lost' star Terry O'Quinn wins best supporting drama actor Emmy |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/articles/story.php?s=1012950 |access-date=October 24, 2012 |newspaper=[[United Press International]] |date=September 16, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114014011/http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/articles/story.php?s=1012950 |archive-date=November 14, 2013}}</ref> ''Lost'' was again nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at the [[60th Primetime Emmy Awards]] in 2008. The show also garnered seven other Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Michael Emerson.<ref name="emmys" /> It won a [[Peabody Award]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/lost |title=Lost |publisher=The Peabody Awards |date=May 2009 |access-date=September 22, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924042235/http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/lost |archive-date=September 24, 2014}}</ref> In 2009, ''Lost'' was again nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, as well Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Michael Emerson at the [[61st Primetime Emmy Awards]], of which the latter won.<ref name="emmys" />

In 2010, the sixth and final season was nominated for twelve Emmy Awards at the [[62nd Primetime Emmy Awards]], including Outstanding Drama Series; Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, for Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof for the show's series finale, "The End"; Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, for Matthew Fox; Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, for Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn; and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, for Elizabeth Mitchell. It won only one Emmy (Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing) out of its twelve nominations for a series total of 11 wins and 55 nominations in its six-year run.<ref name="EMMY2010">{{cite news|title=Who scored the most Emmy Award nominations |date=August 26, 2010 |url=http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2010/07/who-scored-the-most-emmy-award-nominations.html |publisher=The Envelope Forum, [[Los Angeles Times]] |access-date=July 8, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711135555/http://goldderby.latimes.com/awards_goldderby/2010/07/who-scored-the-most-emmy-award-nominations.html |archive-date=July 11, 2010}}</ref>

In 2010, [[Kristin dos Santos]] of [[E! Online]] ranked ''Lost'' the best TV series of the past 20 years.<ref>{{cite web|title=And the Best TV Series of the Past 20 Years Is.... |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/183402/and-the-best-tv-series-of-the-past-20-years-is |publisher=E! Online |first=Kristin |last=dos Santos |date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=June 15, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409043935/http://www.eonline.com/news/183402/and-the-best-tv-series-of-the-past-20-years-is |archive-date=April 9, 2016}}</ref> In 2013, the [[Writers Guild of America]] ranked ''Lost'' No. 27 in its list of the 101 Best Written TV Series of All Time.<ref>{{cite web|title='101 Best Written TV Series Of All Time' From WGA/TV Guide: Complete List |url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[PMC (company)|PMC]] |access-date=June 4, 2013 |date=June 2, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607063617/http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/wgas-101-best-written-tv-series-of-all-time-complete-list/ |archive-date=June 7, 2013}}</ref> In 2014, the series was nominated for the [[TCA Heritage Award]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2014/05/27/tca-nominations-true-detective-starts-awards-season-fight/ |title=TCA nominations: 'True Detective' starts awards season fight |first=James |last=Hibberd |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 27, 2014 |access-date=May 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106162952/http://www.ew.com/article/2014/05/27/tca-nominations-true-detective-starts-awards-season-fight |archive-date=November 6, 2015}}</ref> In 2016, ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' ranked it the fourteenth best science fiction television show ever.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Adams |first1=Sam |last2=Collins |first2=Sean T. |last3=Fear |first3=David |last4=Murray |first4=Noel |last5=Scherer |first5=Jenna |last6=Tobias |first6=Scott |title=40 Best Science Fiction TV Shows of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/40-best-science-fiction-tv-shows-20160526 |access-date=May 26, 2016 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=May 26, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527141422/http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/40-best-science-fiction-tv-shows-20160526 |archive-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref>

=== Fandom and popular culture ===
As a mainstream [[cult television]] show, ''Lost'' has generated a dedicated and thriving international [[fan (aficionado)|fan]] community. ''Lost'' fans, sometimes dubbed ''Lostaways''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050207/news_lz1b7lost.html |title=Sites in the news: Lostaways |date=February 7, 2005 |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |access-date=October 24, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016120555/http://www.utsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050207/news_lz1b7lost.html |archive-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref> or ''Losties'',<ref name="ABCpress20050512">{{cite press release|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/05/12/abc-television-and-creation-entertainment-bring-the-official-lost-fan-club-and-special-events-to-cities-around-the-world-18356/20050512abc01/|title=ABC Television and Creation Entertainment bring the Official ''Lost'' Fan Club and Special Events to Cities Around the World|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]| date=May 12, 2005| access-date=August 29, 2006}}</ref> have gathered at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] and conventions organized by ABC<ref name="ABCpress20050512" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159667,00.html |title=''Lost'' Fans Hold Convention for Show |first=Don |last=Kaplan |date=June 15, 2005 |publisher=Fox News Channel |access-date=August 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060925022111/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C159667%2C00.html |archive-date=September 25, 2006 }}</ref> but have also been active in developing many fan websites, including [[Lostpedia]] and forums dedicated to the program and its related incarnations. Because of the show's elaborate mythology, its fansites have focused on speculation and theorizing about the island's mysteries, as well as on more typical fan activities, such as producing [[fan fiction]] and videos, compiling episode transcripts, [[shipping (fandom)|shipping]] characters, and collecting memorabilia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/10/Floridian/Web_ensnares__Lost__s.shtml |title=Web ensnares ''Lost'' souls |first=Colette |last=Bancroft |date=January 10, 2006 |work=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |access-date=August 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618061752/http://www.sptimes.com/2006/01/10/Floridian/Web_ensnares__Lost__s.shtml |archive-date=June 18, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/03/AR2005120300089.html |title=''Lost'' Fans Find A Niche on the Internet |first=Frank |last=Ahrens |date=December 4, 2005 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 29, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103003239/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/03/AR2005120300089.html |archive-date=November 3, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2002730079_lostgame10.html |title=Fans play TV series ''Lost'' like an interactive video game |first=Jennifer |last=Buckendorff |date=January 10, 2006 |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |access-date=August 29, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019112300/http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2002730079_lostgame10.html |archive-date=October 19, 2012}}</ref>

Anticipating fan interest and trying to keep its audience engrossed, ABC embarked on various cross-media endeavors, often using new media. Fans of ''Lost'' have been able to explore ABC-produced tie-in websites, tie-in novels, an official forum sponsored by the creative team behind ''Lost'' ("The Fuselage"), "[[mobisode]]s", podcasts by the producers, an official magazine, and an [[alternate reality game]] (ARG) "[[The Lost Experience]]."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2006-07-23/online-extra-network-finds-marketing-paradise-with-lost |title=Network Finds Marketing Paradise with ''Lost'' |first=Tom |last=Lowry |date=July 24, 2006 |work=BusinessWeek |access-date=August 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140128004105/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2006-07-23/online-extra-network-finds-marketing-paradise-with-lost |archive-date=January 28, 2014}}</ref> An official fanclub was launched in the summer of 2005 through Creation Entertainment.<ref name="ABCpress20050512" />

Due to the show's popularity, references to it and elements from its story have appeared in [[parody]] and popular culture usage. These include appearances on television, such as on the series ''[[Fringe (TV series)|Fringe]]'', ''[[Will & Grace]]'', ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', ''[[30 Rock]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|last=Itzkoff |first=Dave |title=Was That a 'Lost' Reference on '30 Rock'? |work=[[The New York Times]]: Arts Beat |date=November 5, 2010 |url=http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/was-that-a-lost-reference-on-30-rock/ |access-date=May 8, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709185828/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/was-that-a-lost-reference-on-30-rock/ |archive-date=July 9, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Scrubs (TV series)|Scrubs]]'', ''[[Modern Family]]'', ''[[Orange Is the New Black]]'', ''[[Community (TV series)|Community]]'', ''[[The Office (American TV series)|The Office]]'', ''[[Family Guy]]'', ''[[American Dad!]]'', ''[[The Simpsons]]'', ''[[Futurama]]'', ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'' (under the sketch parody title "Late"), and ''[[The Venture Bros.]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liquidgeneration.com/TV-Shows-that-Mention-Lost |title=TV Shows that Mention Lost |publisher=Liquid Generation |date=March 3, 2011 |access-date=September 19, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610181930/http://www.liquidgeneration.com/TV-Shows-that-Mention-Lost |archive-date=June 10, 2012}}</ref> ''Lost'' is also featured as an [[Easter egg (media)|Easter egg]] in several video games, including ''[[Dead Island]]'', ''[[Half-Life 2: Episode Two]]'', ''[[Fallout 3]]'', ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', ''[[Just Cause 2]]'', ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'', [[Grand Theft Auto V]], and ''[[Singularity (video game)|Singularity]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/lost-references-in-video-games |title=LOST References In Video Games |publisher=UGO.com |author=Basile, Sal |date=November 3, 2011 |access-date=September 15, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106210128/http://www.ugo.com/games/lost-references-in-video-games |archive-date=January 6, 2012}}</ref> Similarly, several songs have been published whose themes and titles were derived from the series, such as [[Moneen]] ("Don't Ever Tell Locke What He Can't Do"), [[Veil of Maya]] ("Namaste"), [[Cosmo Jarvis]] ("Lost"), [[Senses Fail]] ("Lost and Found" and "All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues"), [[Gatsbys American Dream]] ("You All Everybody" and "Station 5: The Pearl"), and [[Punchline (band)|Punchline]] ("Roller Coaster Smoke"). [[Weezer]] named their eighth studio album [[Hurley (album)|''Hurley'']] after the character, with a photo of actor [[Jorge Garcia]] on the cover.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spinner.ca/2010/08/09/weezer-hurley-album-cover/ |title=Weezer Reveal 'Hurley' Album Cover – Exclusive |author=Reilly, Dan |publisher=Spinner |date=August 9, 2010 |access-date=September 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016155417/http://www.spinner.ca/2010/08/09/weezer-hurley-album-cover/ |archive-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref>

After the episode "[[Numbers (Lost)|Numbers]]" aired on March 2, 2005, numerous people used the eponymous figures ([[4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42|4, 8, 15, 16, 23, and 42]]) as lottery entries. According to the ''[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]'', within three days, the numbers were tried over 500 times by local players.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/opinion/columnists/whispers/s_345213.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051226232804/http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/opinion/columnists/whispers/s_345213.html|archive-date=December 26, 2005|title=No winning ticket found with ''Lost'' numbers|work=[[Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]]|date=June 19, 2005|access-date=October 23, 2012}}</ref> By October 2005, thousands had tried them for the multi-state [[Powerball]] lottery.<ref>{{cite news|last=Serpe |first=Gina |url=http://eonline.com/news/50930/lost-numbers-lose-millions |title=''Lost'' Numbers Lose Millions. |publisher=E! Online |date=October 20, 2005 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114000021/http://www.eonline.com/news/50930/lost-numbers-lose-millions |archive-date=November 14, 2013}}</ref> A study of the [[Quebec Lottery]] showed that the sequence was the third most popular choice of numbers for lottery players, behind only the [[arithmetic sequence]]s 1–2–3–4–5–6 and 7–14–21–28–35–42.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kim, Susanna |date=March 29, 2012 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/mega-millions-strategies-chance-leading-jackpot/story?id=16020106&page=2 |title=Mega Millions Winning Strategies Not In Your Favor, Say Mathematicians |publisher=ABC News |access-date=March 29, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330021952/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/mega-millions-strategies-chance-leading-jackpot/story?id=16020106&page=2 |archive-date=March 30, 2012}}</ref> The issue came to attention after a Mega Millions drawing for a near-record US$380,000,000 jackpot on January 4, 2011, drew a series of numbers in which the three lowest numbers (4–8–15) and the mega ball (42) matched four of the six numbers. The No. 42 is also the "Mega Number" in Hurley's "Mega Lotto" ticket. The players who played Hurley's exact combination won $150 each (or $118 in California).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/9436739 |title=2 winners for $380M lottery sold in Wash., Idaho |work=The Guardian |author=Bonner, L. Jessie |date=January 5, 2011 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114002300/http://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/9436739 |archive-date=November 14, 2013}}</ref>

=== Influence ===
''Lost'' has been cited as a key influence on several of its contemporaries.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/best-influential-tv-shows-series/ |title=The 10 Most Influential TV Series of All-Time |website=Screen Rant |first=Andy |last=Crump |date=May 11, 2015 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701045429/http://screenrant.com/best-influential-tv-shows-series/ |archive-date=July 1, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11624531/How-Lost-created-a-new-kind-of-television.html |title=How Lost created a new kind of television |work=The Telegraph |first=Chris |last=Taylor |date=May 23, 2015 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917102029/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11624531/How-Lost-created-a-new-kind-of-television.html |archive-date=September 17, 2016}}</ref> The [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] series ''[[FlashForward]]'' was heavily compared to ''Lost'', because of its similar use of [[nonlinear narrative]] and mysteries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/influence-of-lost/2009/09/30/1253989943992.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 |title=Influence of Lost on drama's new wave |work=The Age |first=Michael |last=Idato |date=October 1, 2009 |access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2009/sep/29/flashforward |title=FlashForward – TV Review |work=The Guardian |first=Sam |last=Wollaston |date=September 29, 2009 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819153648/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2009/sep/29/flashforward |archive-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref> The [[NBC]] series ''[[Heroes (American TV series)|Heroes]]'' drew comparisons to ''Lost'' during its run, because of some similarities such as its [[ensemble cast]]. [[Damon Lindelof]] was involved in the early stages of the creative process of ''Heroes'', as he was friends with ''Heroes'' creator [[Tim Kring]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2007/03/04/its_all_connected/?page=2 |title=''Heroes'' conspiracy theory isn't ''Lost'' on series' fans |work=The Boston Globe |first=Joanna |last=Weiss |date=March 4, 2007 |access-date=May 27, 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731235650/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2007/03/04/its_all_connected/?page=2 |archive-date=July 31, 2009}}</ref> Ever since its premiere, ''[[The 100 (TV series)|The 100]]'' has been compared to ''Lost'' because of its similar setting and the importance of survival in its story.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Adams |first=Sam |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/40-best-science-fiction-tv-shows-20160526 |title=40 Best Science Fiction TV Shows of All Time |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=June 2, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602030204/http://www.rollingstone.com/tv/lists/40-best-science-fiction-tv-shows-20160526 |archive-date=June 2, 2016}}</ref> The [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] comedy ''[[Wrecked (American TV series)|Wrecked]]'' has been defined as a [[parody]] of ''Lost'', because of its very similar premise and multiple references to the drama.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/wrecked/s01/ |title=Wrecked: Season 1 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=June 20, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614161346/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/wrecked/s01/ |archive-date=June 14, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvguide.com/news/tbs-funny-wrecked-is-lost-with-laughs/ |title=TBS' Wrecked Is Lost With Laughs |work=TV Guide |first=Tim |last=Surette |date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616061938/http://www.tvguide.com/news/tbs-funny-wrecked-is-lost-with-laughs/ |archive-date=June 16, 2016}}</ref>

[[Adam Horowitz]] and [[Edward Kitsis]], former writers of ''Lost'', created the fantasy series ''[[Once Upon a Time (TV series)|Once Upon a Time]]'', which has also been compared to ''Lost''. Even though their series started after ''Lost'' ended, they conceived it in 2004.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2010/10/exclusive-lost-exec-producers-horowitz-kitsis-sell-pilot-to-abc.html |title=EXCLUSIVE: 'Lost' exec producers Horowitz, Kitsis sell pilot to ABC |date=October 28, 2010 |last=Levine |first=Stuart |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=August 2, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624022220/http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2010/10/exclusive-lost-exec-producers-horowitz-kitsis-sell-pilot-to-abc.html |archive-date=June 24, 2011}}</ref> Damon Lindelof was involved in the development of their series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/02/01/lost-writers-once-upon-a-time-among-abc-pilot-orders|title=Lost Writers' Once Upon a Time Among ABC Pilot Orders |first=Eric |last=Goldman |website=IGN |date=February 1, 2011 |access-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115211349/http://tv.ign.com/articles/114/1147128p1.html |archive-date=November 15, 2011}}</ref> Despite the comparisons and similarities to ''Lost'', the writers intended the shows to be very different from each other. To them, ''Lost'' concerned itself with redemption, while ''Once Upon a Time'' is about hope.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://io9.com/5850277/in-once-upon-a-time-all-of-your-favorite-fairy-tale-characters-are-trapped-in-maine |title=On the TV show Once Upon a Time, all of your favorite fairy tale characters are trapped in Maine |first=Kaila |last=Hale-Stern |publisher=[[io9]] |date=October 16, 2011 |access-date=January 4, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219015200/http://io9.com/5850277/in-once-upon-a-time-all-of-your-favorite-fairy-tale-characters-are-trapped-in-maine |archive-date=December 19, 2011}}</ref> As a nod to the ties between the production teams of ''Once Upon a Time'' and ''Lost'', the former show contains [[Mythology of Lost|allusions to ''Lost'']]. For example, many items found in the ''Lost'' universe, such as [[Apollo Candy|Apollo candy bars]], [[Oceanic Airlines]], [[Ajira Airways]], the TV series ''Exposé'' and MacCutcheon Whisky can be seen in ''Once Upon a Time''.<ref name="Paleyfest2012">{{cite interview |subject=[[Robert Carlyle|Carlyle, Robert]]; [[Josh Dallas|Dallas, Josh]]; [[Ginnifer Goodwin|Goodwin, Ginnifer]]; [[Adam Horowitz (screenwriter)|Horowitz, Adam]]; [[Edward Kitsis|Kitsis, Edward]]; [[Jennifer Morrison|Morrison, Jennifer]]; [[Lana Parrilla|Parrilla, Lana]]; Pearlman, Steve; [[Raphael Sbarge|Sbarge, Raphael]] |interviewer=Matt Mitovich |title=Paleyfest 2012: A Conversation with the Cast and Creators of ''Once Upon a Time'' |type=Panel |url=http://www.hulu.com/watch/338438/once-upon-a-time-a-conversation-with-the-stars-and-creators-of-once-upon-a-time |location=Beverly Hills |date=March 4, 2012 |access-date=March 5, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120313053033/http://www.hulu.com/watch/338438/once-upon-a-time-a-conversation-with-the-stars-and-creators-of-once-upon-a-time |archive-date=March 13, 2012}}</ref>

Both during and after ''Lost''{{'}}s run on ABC, its success led to dozens of new shows attempting to enter the same "mystery-driven sci-fi" genre as networks sought to cater to viewers' evolved affinity and demonstrated loyalty to this specific subset of drama.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=Nathan |date=January 4, 2021 |title=10 Shows Heavily Inspired By Lost (That Were Actually Pretty Good) |url=https://screenrant.com/best-shows-inspired-by-lost/ |access-date=November 20, 2022 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2018, NBC introduced ''[[Manifest (TV series)|Manifest]]'', a show about the mysterious disappearance of a commercial passenger jet. While the show's preview and pilot alone sparked media coverage highlighting the show's central mystery to be seemingly the same as that of ''Lost'', subsequent seasons have furthered controversy around the extent of key similarities. Noted parallels include the passengers' collective experience of [[Time travel|displacement in spacetime]], the acquisition of [[Supernatural power|supernatural abilities]] and [[Spontaneous healing|medical phenomenons]] post-disappearance, the use of [[Flashback (narrative)|flashback/flashforward]] sequences to expose dark secrets harbored by passengers, the revelation of unusually high levels of [[Degrees of separation|interconnectedness]] between the lives of passengers, the polarized beliefs held by passengers regarding [[Science versus religion|science versus faith]] as a means to explain their shared experience in different ways.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farley |first=Rebecca |title=Why "Manifest" Might Be The Next "Lost" |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/09/210874/manifest-nbc-show-like-lost |date=September 25, 2018 |access-date=November 20, 2022 |website=Refinery29 |language=en}}</ref> Season 4 of ''Manifest'' reveals a plot twist suggesting the passengers were in some way chosen, prompting critics to point out this same key plot twist introducing [[predestination]] was featured in ''Lost''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raymond |first=Charles Nicholas |date=October 21, 2022 |title=Manifest Season 4 Is Copying A LOST Twist |url=https://screenrant.com/manifest-season-4-plane-disappearance-lost-show-copy/ |access-date=November 20, 2022 |website=Screen Rant |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== ''Getting Lost'' ===
An [[Independent film|independent]] [[documentary film]] about the development and cultural impact of ''Lost'' titled ''[[Getting Lost (film)|Getting Lost]]'' premiered on September 22, 2024, which marked the 20th anniversary of the original series' [[Pilot (Lost)|premiere]]. The film is directed by Taylor Morden, and features interviews with the cast and crew of the show, along with members of the fan community. It also addresses the allegations of a toxic work environment that were revealed during the film’s production in 2023.<ref name="CB">{{Cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/getting-lost-documentary-about-hit-tv-show-announces-cast/ |title=Getting Lost: Documentary About Hit TV Show Announces Cast |date=July 16, 2024 |website=[[ComicBook.com]] |access-date=August 23, 2024 }}</ref>

Canadian movie theater chain [[Cineplex Entertainment|Cineplex]] will release ''Getting Lost'' in theaters on November 3 and 6, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cineplex.com/movie/getting-lost |title=Getting Lost |website=Cineplex |access-date=September 24, 2024}}</ref>

== Distribution ==
=== Online ===
In addition to traditional terrestrial and [[satellite television]], ''Lost'' is available from various online subscription services, including [[Amazon Prime Video]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003U53I3I/ |title= Lost Season 1, Ep. 1 "Pilot Part 1" |website= Amazon |access-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> [[Hulu]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/hulu-lost-exclusive-streaming-rights-netflix-1202653091/ |title=Hulu Nabs 'Lost' Exclusive Subscription Streaming Rights From Netflix |work=Variety |first=Todd |last=Spangler |date=January 4, 2018 |access-date=January 4, 2018}}</ref> on [[Disney+]] outside of the US via [[Star (Disney+)|Star]] and on [[Netflix]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a35288566/watch-lost-on-disney-plus/ |title=Lost is coming to Disney+ – here's how to watch |work=Digital Spy |first=Joe |last=Draper |date=February 8, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2021}}</ref> It was one of the first series issued through [[Apple Inc.|Apple]]'s [[iTunes Store]] beginning in October 2005.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2005/10/12/disney-abc-and-apple-announce-deal-to-sell-tv-shows-online-hits-to-include-desperate-housewives-lost-and-thats-so-raven-19488/20051012abc03/ |title=Disney, ABC & Apple Announce Deal to Sell TV Shows Online; Hits to Include "Desperate Housewives", "Lost" and "That's So Raven" |publisher=ABC |date=October 12, 2005 |access-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> On August 29, 2007, ''Lost'' became one of the first TV programs available for download in the UK iTunes Store.<ref>{{cite press release|publisher=Apple |date=August 29, 2007 |url=https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/08/29Apple-Announces-Hit-Television-Programming-Now-Available-on-the-iTunes-Store-in-the-UK.html |title=Apple Announces Hit Television Programming Now Available on the iTunes Store in the UK |access-date=September 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025052404/http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2007/08/29Apple-Announces-Hit-Television-Programming-Now-Available-on-the-iTunes-Store-in-the-UK.html |archive-date=October 25, 2012}}</ref>

In April 2006, [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] announced that ''Lost'' would be available for free online in streaming format, with advertising, on ABC's website, as part of a two-month experiment of future distribution strategies. The trial, which ran from May to June 2006, caused a stir among network affiliates who were afraid of being cut out of advertising revenue. The streaming of ''Lost'' episodes direct from ABC's website was only available to viewers in the United States due to international licensing agreements.<ref>{{cite news|first=Joshua |last=Chaffin |author2=Aline van Duyn |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/341d65ba-c894-11da-b642-0000779e2340.html#axzz26ZswlycN |title=Disney's ABC to offer TV shows free on web |work=Financial Times |date=April 10, 2006 |access-date=September 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022152847/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/341d65ba-c894-11da-b642-0000779e2340.html |archive-date=October 22, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|publisher=ABC|date=April 10, 2006|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2006/04/10/disney-abc-television-group-takes-abc-primetime-online-offering-hit-shows-on-abccom-during-may-and-june-21039/20060410abc01/|title=Disney-ABC Television Group Takes ABC Primetime Online, Offering Hit Shows on ABC.com During May and June|access-date=September 15, 2012}}</ref> In 2009, ''Lost'' was named the most-watched show on the Internet based on viewers of episodes on ABC's website. The [[Nielsen Company]] reported that 1.425&nbsp;million unique viewers have watched at least one episode on ABC's website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/lost_snl_greys_tops_in_online.php |title=''Lost'', ''SNL'', ''Grey's'' Tops in Online Viewing, Nielsen Says |author=Whitney, Daisy |work=TVWeek |date=February 12, 2009 |access-date=February 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214000450/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/lost_snl_greys_tops_in_online.php |archive-date=February 14, 2009 }}</ref>

=== Home media ===
The first season of ''Lost'' was released under the title ''[[Lost  season 1#DVD release|Lost: The Complete First Season]]'' as a [[widescreen]] seven-disc [[DVD region code#1|Region 1]] DVD [[box set]] on September 6, 2005, two weeks before the premiere of the second season. It was distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment. In addition to all the episodes that had been aired, it included several DVD extras, such as episode commentaries, behind-the-scenes footage and making-of features as well as [[deleted scenes]], deleted flashback scenarios, and a [[blooper]] reel. The same set was released on November 30, 2005, in [[DVD region code#4|Region 4]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/lost-season-1/246654 |title=Lost – Season 1 |publisher=JB HI FI |access-date=August 18, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711052115/http://www.jbhifionline.com.au/dvd/dvd-genres/drama-romance/lost-season-1/246654 |archive-date=July 11, 2012}}</ref> The season was first released split into two parts: the first twelve episodes of season 1 were available as a widescreen four-disc Region 2 DVD box set on October 31, 2005, while the remaining thirteen episodes of season 1 were released on January 16, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000DN5W9I/ |title=LOST – The Complete First Season |date=January 16, 2006 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=August 18, 2012}}</ref> The DVD features available on the Region 1 release were likewise split over the two box sets. The first two seasons were released separately on [[Blu-ray Disc]] on June 16, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lost-Seasons-1-and-2-on-Blu/11440 |title=Lost DVD news: Seasons 1 and 2 Announced for Blu-ray Disc |author=Lambert, David |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD |date=March 6, 2009 |access-date=March 6, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090309235536/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lost-Seasons-1-and-2-on-Blu/11440 |archive-date=March 9, 2009}}</ref>

The second season was released under the title ''[[Lost season 2#DVD release|Lost: The Complete Second Season – The Extended Experience]]'' as a widescreen seven-disc Region 1 DVD box set on September 5, 2006. The sets include several DVD extras, including behind the scenes footage, deleted scenes, and a "''Lost'' Connections" chart, which shows how all of the characters on the island are inter-connected.<ref>{{cite news |author=Lacey, Gord |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lost/5583 |title=Lost – More info on Season 2 |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD |date=May 2, 2006 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914050547/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lost/5583 |archive-date=September 14, 2012}}</ref> Again, the season was initially delivered in two sets for Region 2: the first twelve episodes were released as a widescreen four-disc DVD box set on July 17, 2006, while the remaining episodes of season 2 were released as a four-disc DVD box set on October 2, 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000FVQN5U/ |title=Lost – Season 2 |date=October 2, 2006 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=August 18, 2012}}</ref> The set was released in Region 4 on October 4, 2006.

The third season was released under the title ''[[Lost season 3#DVD release|Lost: The Complete Third Season – The Unexplored Experience]]'' on DVD and Blu-ray in Region 1 on December 11, 2007.<ref name="3DVDBluRay">{{cite news |title=''Lost'': Disney Lowers List Price of ''Lost'' Season 3 on Hi-Definition Blu-Ray Discs |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lost-Season-3-Bluray-Price-Change/8109 |publisher=TVShowsonDVD |date=September 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206052911/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lost-Season-3-Bluray-Price-Change/8109 |archive-date=December 6, 2007}}</ref> As with seasons 1 and 2, the third season release includes audio commentaries with the cast and crew, bonus featurettes, deleted scenes, and bloopers. The third season was released in Region 2 solely on DVD on October 22, 2007, though this time, only as a complete set, unlike previous seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000RHKG6E/ |title=Lost – Season 3 |date=October 22, 2007 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=August 18, 2012}}</ref>

The fourth season was released as ''[[Lost season 4#DVD release|Lost: The Complete Fourth Season – The Expanded Experience]]'' in Region 1 on December 9, 2008, on both DVD and Blu-ray Disc.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD |date=April 25, 2008 |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lost-Season-4/9460 |title=Lost DVD news: Announcement for Lost – The Complete Fourth Season: The Expanded Experience |access-date=June 8, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611072224/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/lost-season-4/9460 |archive-date=June 11, 2008}}</ref> It was released on DVD in Region 2 on October 20, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001BJARYI |title=Lost – Season 4 |date=October 20, 2008 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=July 24, 2010}}</ref> The set includes audio commentaries, deleted scenes, bloopers, and bonus featurettes.

The first three seasons of ''Lost'' have sold successfully on DVD. The season 1 box set entered the DVD sales chart at number two in September 2005,<ref>{{cite news|last=Mahan |first=Colin |title=Lost reigns supreme on DVD |url=http://www.tv.com/news/lost-reigns-supreme-on-dvd-6306/ |access-date=October 24, 2012 |publisher=[[TV.com]] |date=September 13, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107141832/http://www.tv.com/news/lost-reigns-supreme-on-dvd-6306/ |archive-date=November 7, 2012}}</ref> and the season 2 box set entered the DVD sales chart at the number one position in its first week of release in September 2006, believed to be the second TV-DVD ever to enter the chart at the top spot.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lost: Season 2 Tops this Week's DVD Sales Chart |url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/lost-season-2-tops-this-weeks-dvd-sales-chart |access-date=October 24, 2012 |work=MovieWeb |date=September 14, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131115144435/http://www.movieweb.com/news/lost-season-2-tops-this-weeks-dvd-sales-chart |archive-date=November 15, 2013}}</ref> The season 3 box set sold over 1,000,000 copies in three weeks.<ref>{{cite news|title=North American Domestic DVD Sales Chart for Week Ending Dec 23, 2007 |url=https://the-numbers.com/dvd/charts/weekly/2007/20071223.php |access-date=October 24, 2012 |publisher=The-Numbers.com |date=December 24, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728135201/http://www.the-numbers.com/dvd/charts/weekly/2007/20071223.php |archive-date=July 28, 2012}}</ref>

Both the season 6 box set and the complete series collection contained a 12-minute epilogue-like bonus feature called "[[The New Man in Charge]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvguide.com/News/Lost-Hurley-Ben-1019000.aspx |title=Lost DVD Will Feature Bonus Hurley-Ben Scene |work=TV Guide |first=Kate |last=Stanhope |date=May 26, 2010 |access-date=October 25, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017231426/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Lost-Hurley-Ben-1019000.aspx |archive-date=October 17, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lost-Season-6-and-The-Complete-Collection/13833 |title=Lost – Press Release Brings Final Contents, Packaging for Season 6 and Complete Collection on DVD, Blu |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD |first=David |last=Lambert |date=May 28, 2010 |access-date=October 25, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015115455/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Lost-Season-6-and-The-Complete-Collection/13833 |archive-date=October 15, 2012}}</ref> The season 6 DVD set entered the DVD sales chart at the number one position in its first week of release in September 2010 boasting strong sales in the DVD and Blu-ray format for the regular season set as well as for the series box set.<ref>{{cite news|title=Final "Lost" season turns up at No. 1 on DVD chart |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/industry-us-dvd-idUSTRE6810J320100902 |work=Reuters |access-date=September 25, 2010 |date=September 2, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121224184449/https://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/02/industry-us-dvd-idUSTRE6810J320100902 |archive-date=December 24, 2012}}</ref>

== Other media ==
The characters and setting of ''Lost'' have appeared in several official tie-ins outside of the television broadcast, including in print, on the Internet, and in short videos for mobile phones. Three [[novelization]]s have been released by [[Hachette Books#Hyperion Books|Hyperion Books]], a publisher owned by [[Disney]], ABC's parent company. They are ''Endangered Species'' ({{ISBN|0-7868-9090-8}}) and ''Secret Identity'' ({{ISBN|0-7868-9091-6}}) both by Cathy Hapka and ''Signs of Life'' ({{ISBN|0-7868-9092-4}}) by Frank Thompson. Additionally, Hyperion published a [[metafictional]] book titled ''Bad Twin'' ({{ISBN|1-4013-0276-9}}), written by Laurence Shames,<ref>{{cite news|last=Zeitchik |first=Steven |url=https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/inside-move-it-s-a-shames-1200337522/ |title=Inside Move: It's a Shames |work=Variety |date=June 18, 2006 |access-date=June 19, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011102556/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117945504?categoryId=14&cs=1 |archive-date=October 11, 2011}}</ref> and credited to fictitious author "[[Gary Troup (Lost)|Gary Troup]]", who ABC's marketing department claimed was a passenger on Oceanic Flight 815.

Several unofficial books relating to the show have also been published. ''Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide'' ({{ISBN|1-55022-743-2}}) by Nikki Stafford and published by [[ECW Press]] is a book detailing the show for fans and those new to the show. ''What Can Be Found in Lost?'' ({{ISBN|0-7369-2121-4}}) by John Ankerberg and Dillon Burrough, published by Harvest House is the first book dedicated to an investigation of the spiritual themes of the series from a Christian perspective. ''Living Lost: Why We're All Stuck on the Island'' ({{ISBN|1-891053-02-7}}) by J. Wood,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gcpress.com/lost/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080804000429/http://www.gcpress.com/lost/|archive-date=August 4, 2008 |title=Living Lost: Why We're All Stuck on the Island |publisher=Garrett County Press |access-date=July 24, 2010}}</ref> published by the Garett County Press, is the first work of cultural criticism based on the series. The book explores the show's strange engagement with the contemporary experiences of war, (mis)information, and terrorism and argues that the audience functions as a character in the narrative. The author also writes a blog column<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.powells.com/blog/author/joley-wood/ |title=''Lost'' blog by J. Wood |publisher=Powells.com |access-date=July 24, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903093341/http://www.powells.com/blog/author/joley-wood/ |archive-date=September 3, 2011}}</ref> during the second part of the third season for [[Powell's Books]]. Each post discusses the previous episode's literary, historical, philosophical, and narrative connections.

The show's networks and producers have made extensive use of the Internet in expanding the background of the story. For example, during the first season, a fictional diary by an unseen survivor called "Janelle Granger" was presented on the ABC web site for the series. Likewise, a tie-in website about the fictional [[Oceanic Airlines]] appeared during the first season, which included several [[Easter egg (virtual)|Easter eggs]] and clues about the show. Another tie-in website was launched after the airing of "[[Orientation (Lost)|Orientation]]" about the Hanso Foundation. In the UK, the interactive back-stories of several characters were included in "Lost Untold", a section of [[Channel 4]]'s ''Lost'' website. Similarly, beginning in November 2005, ABC produced an official [[podcast]], hosted by series writers and executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. The podcast typically features a discussion about the weekly episode, interviews with cast members, and questions from viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/index?pn=podcast |title=Lost: Podcasts |publisher=ABC |access-date=July 24, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811055443/http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/index?pn=podcast |archive-date=August 11, 2009}}</ref> [[Sky1]] also hosted a podcast presented by [[Iain Lee]] on their website, which analyzed each episode after it aired in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sky1.sky.com/the-lost-initiative |title=The Lost Initiative from Sky1 HD |publisher=Sky1 |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813213502/http://sky1.sky.com/the-lost-initiative |archive-date=August 13, 2012}}</ref>

The foray into the online realm culminated in the ''[[Lost Experience]]'', an Internet-based alternate reality game produced by Channel 7 (Australia), ABC (America), and Channel Four (UK), which began in early May 2006. The game presents a five-phase parallel storyline, primarily involving the Hanso Foundation.<ref>{{Cite press release |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2006/04/25/abc-television-network-united-kingdoms-channel-4-and-australias-seven-network-to-launch-global-interactive-lost-experience--21154/20060425abc01/ |title=ABC Television Network, United Kingdom's Channel 4 and Australia's Seven Network to Launch Global Interactive "Lost Experience" |publisher=ABC |date=April 25, 2006 |access-date=October 25, 2012}}</ref>

Short mini-episodes ("[[mobisode]]s") called the ''Lost Video Diaries'' were scheduled for viewing by [[Verizon Wireless]] subscribers via its V-Cast system but were delayed by contract disputes.<ref>{{cite news | first=Andrew and Jesse Hiestand | last=Wallenstein | title=ABC, unions reach deal on cell phone TV shows | agency=Reuters | date=April 25, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite press release| url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20060424abc03 | title=Disney-ABC Television Group's Touchstone Television Finalizes Agreements to Partner with Guilds on "''Lost'' Video Diaries", Original Mini-Episodes Inspired by the Emmy Award-Winning Series for Mobile Distribution | publisher=ABC |date=April 24, 2006 | access-date=October 30, 2006}}</ref> The mobisodes were renamed ''[[Lost: Missing Pieces]]'' and aired from November 7, 2007, to January 28, 2008.

=== Licensed merchandise ===
<!-- [[Lost: The Official Magazine]] redirects here -->
In addition to tie-in novels, several other products based on the series, such as toys and games, have been licensed for release. A video game, ''[[Lost: Via Domus]]'', was released to average reviews, developed by [[Ubisoft]], for [[game consoles]] and home computers,<ref>{{cite web|title=Ubisoft and Touchstone Team Up to Create "Lost" Video Game |url=http://www.ubi.com/us/news/info.aspx?nid=3957 |publisher=[[Ubisoft]] |access-date=October 24, 2012 |date=May 23, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516161328/http://www.ubi.com/US/News/Info.aspx?nId=3957 |archive-date=May 16, 2013}}</ref> while [[Gameloft]] released Lost: The Mobile Game for mobile phones and [[iPod]]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gameloft's Lost Housewives |url=https://ign.com/articles/2006/08/15/gamelofts-lost-housewives |access-date=October 24, 2012 |website=[[IGN]] |date=August 14, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222061457/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/15/gamelofts-lost-housewives |archive-date=February 22, 2014}}</ref>  Cardinal Games released a ''Lost'' board game on August 7, 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boardgames.about.com/od/lostboardgame/a/description.htm |title=Lost – The Board Game |publisher=About.com |access-date=October 23, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121118161157/http://boardgames.about.com/od/lostboardgame/a/description.htm |archive-date=November 18, 2012}}</ref> TDC Games created a series of four 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles ("The Hatch", "The Numbers", "The Others", and "Before the Crash"), which, when put together, reveal embedded clues to the overall mythology of ''Lost''. Inkworks has published three sets of ''Lost'' [[trading card]]s, ''Season One'', ''Season Two'', and ''Revelations''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://inkworks.com/products/lost/lost1preview/lost1set.html |title=Lost: Season One Preview Set |publisher=Inkworks |access-date=July 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100610075749/http://inkworks.com/products/lost/lost1preview/lost1set.html |archive-date=June 10, 2010}}</ref> In May 2006, [[McFarlane Toys]] announced recurring lines of character [[action figures]]<ref>{{cite news|first=William |last=Keck |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-23-lost-toys_x.htm |title=These characters are toying with us |work=USA Today |date=May 23, 2006 |access-date=June 20, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023175432/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-23-lost-toys_x.htm |archive-date=October 23, 2012}}</ref> and released the first series in November 2006, with the second series being released July 2007. Furthermore, ABC sold a myriad of ''Lost'' merchandise in their online store, including clothing, jewelry, and other collectibles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abctvstore.seenon.com/index.php?v=lost|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913055717/http://abctvstore.seenon.com/index.php?v=lost|archive-date=September 13, 2008 |title=LOST: Apparel, Collectibles, Jewelry, Games & More |publisher=ABC |access-date=July 24, 2010}}</ref> In October 2010, [[DK Publishing]] released a 400-page reference titled ''The Lost Encyclopedia'', written by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry. The book compiled information from the TV show producers "writers bible", listing nearly every character, chronological event, location, and plot detail of the series, filling in the gaps for die-hard fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dk.com/us/9780756665944-lost-encyclopedia/ |title=Lost Encyclopedia |publisher=DK Publishing |access-date=January 4, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114120241/http://www.dk.com/us/9780756665944-lost-encyclopedia/ |archive-date=January 14, 2015}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Clear}}
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{sister project links|d=Q23567|n=no|b=no|c=Category:Lost (television programme)|wikt=no|v=no|voy=no|s=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|display=''Lost''}}
* {{IMDb title|0411008|Lost}}

{{Lost (TV series)|state=expanded}}
{{Lost episodes}}
{{Navboxes
| title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Lost|Awards for ''Lost'']]
| list =
{{EmmyAward DramaSeries}}
{{GoldenGlobeTVDrama}}
{{Producers Guild of America Award for Best Episodic Drama}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Network Television Series}}
{{ScreenActorsGuildAwards EnsembleTVDrama 2000–2009}}
{{TCA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Drama}}
{{TCA Award for Outstanding New Program}}
{{Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Dramatic Series}}
}}
{{Navboxes
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{{J. J. Abrams}}
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