Lost full-series DVD set: Character Timelines

In honor of Lost’s return, this week’s free idea is for J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Jeffrey Lieber. No, I’m not pitching my theory of what’s really going on. This idea is for the inevitable full-series DVD set.

If you don’t watch Lost, stop reading now, splash some water on your face and go tell your boss you’re feeling sick. Really sell it, because you’ve got work to do. There’s no hope of catching up by tomorrow’s premiere, but you could tackle the 98 episode binge by next Tuesday. I envy your journey, for I long to watch Lost again, for the first time.

If you must read on, I’ll try to avoid revealing much.

For years, the writers have ignored criticism that even they were making it up as they went along. They’ve always claimed to have a plan, saying that by the end, they’ll fill in the timeline. Assuming their narrative brilliance is confirmed, it’ll be time to show it off on the DVD set. That is why I bestow upon the creators of Lost, this idea.

Character Timelines. Let us pick a character and watch the entire series, in order, from their perspective.

We’ve grown accustomed to scenes from the island being interrupted by snippets from different periods in characters’ lives. With the whole story told, we can remix the footage to show the characters from a unique new perspective, their own. Watching their chronological, uninterrupted timelines will give fans a brand new Lost experience.

Watching each character’s pre-island life in order will give a new context for their island experience, but that’s just the teaser. For many characters, this will begin as children.

Even more interesting will be seeing the island through the lens of a single character. A crux of the show is that nobody ever tells each other anything. Ever. Information is only shared with the audience. Watching only the scenes of a chosen character, the audience will only know what that character knows.

There will be dozens of new ways to enjoy Lost. To watch a show about the mysteries of the island, select John Locke. To watch a show about love squares and triangles, select Kate Austin. If you love to read, select Sun or Jian.

Without these Character Timelines, I’ll never buy the DVD set. I’ve already seen it. But if they’re included, I’ll be calling in sick the week it comes out.

Until next week,
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Jonathan Rozen