"Lost" outline leaked.
#1
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
"Lost" outline leaked.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3967988.html
It's a very interesting read; make sure you download the pdf at the end of the article.
The original outline/writer's guide, seemingly written after the pilot was filmed but before the season one was written, is a very different creature from what the series eventually became.
Some things are still there, like the "hatch" and "others," and even some things that later showed up like the submarine and people parachuting onto the island.
There's barely any mention of flashbacks, which eventually became a huge part of the show, and it seems most of the story time was to have centered around survival and the characters adapting to their new situation. Walking Dead without the zombies.
It also seems that the original plan for the "monster" was that it was some sort of security system protecting either parts of the island or certain things hidden there, and that it was indeed some sort of machine, some kind of cousin to The Prisoner's Rover.
Of the thirty 'stories' briefly outlined, very few of them made it to screen, though bits and pieces are recongnizable.
One thing caught my eye, though:
Well, that's one thing that didn't change through over the series' six year run...
It's a very interesting read; make sure you download the pdf at the end of the article.
The original outline/writer's guide, seemingly written after the pilot was filmed but before the season one was written, is a very different creature from what the series eventually became.
Some things are still there, like the "hatch" and "others," and even some things that later showed up like the submarine and people parachuting onto the island.
There's barely any mention of flashbacks, which eventually became a huge part of the show, and it seems most of the story time was to have centered around survival and the characters adapting to their new situation. Walking Dead without the zombies.
It also seems that the original plan for the "monster" was that it was some sort of security system protecting either parts of the island or certain things hidden there, and that it was indeed some sort of machine, some kind of cousin to The Prisoner's Rover.
Of the thirty 'stories' briefly outlined, very few of them made it to screen, though bits and pieces are recongnizable.
One thing caught my eye, though:
The beauty of this long and storied past is that one thing has nothing to do with the other - there is no "ulltimate Mystery" which requires solving.
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
I remember a bunch of writers ended up abandoning the show because ABC wanted a never ending series rather than a show with an actual conclusion in mind. It seems there was a lot more to which objected.
#3
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_3967988.html
It also seems that the original plan for the "monster" was that it was some sort of security system protecting either parts of the island or certain things hidden there, and that it was indeed some sort of machine, some kind of cousin to The Prisoner's Rover.
It also seems that the original plan for the "monster" was that it was some sort of security system protecting either parts of the island or certain things hidden there, and that it was indeed some sort of machine, some kind of cousin to The Prisoner's Rover.
#4
DVD Talk Hero
Thread Starter
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
Yes, The Smoke Monster I believe was originally supposed to be a "security system". It was referred to as a security system a couple of times once specifically by Juliet & again by Ben I believe. It was obvious the writers didnt know which direction to go with it so they turned it into something that made no sense whatsoever at the end.... just like the rest of the show.
As late as season two, you can still sort of see that they were setting "The Others" up to be the Dharma Initiative people, with Mr Friendly wearing a fake beard held on with Dharma brand theatrical glue, and Mr Friendly quoting Alvar Hanso.
#5
DVD Talk Hero
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
David Fury pretty much revealed this lack of a plan and final strategy from the very beginning, after he left the show. He said almost everything was being made up as they went and that many of the supposed connections within episodes were being thrown in with no ultimate direction.
It did work for five magical seasons, it's too bad they punted on a coherent solution in season six.
It did work for five magical seasons, it's too bad they punted on a coherent solution in season six.
#6
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
Yeah I haven't really thought about this show much since it concluded. I enjoyed it as it aired, but the ending was very disappointing.
I guess I didn't need a single explanation for everything, and I would have been okay with some loose ends if the conclusion was at least marginally satisfying on its own terms. As it was, I just thought it was awful and pretty much ruined the whole series. The entire final season was pretty much incoherent.
I guess I didn't need a single explanation for everything, and I would have been okay with some loose ends if the conclusion was at least marginally satisfying on its own terms. As it was, I just thought it was awful and pretty much ruined the whole series. The entire final season was pretty much incoherent.
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
If "the monster" was part of a security system, why did it kill the pilot (or was it the co-pilot) and leave most everyone alive and able to wander around the island? Allow strangers to stick to the beach but kill those entering the forest.
I guess that's why I'm not a Hollywood writer
I guess that's why I'm not a Hollywood writer
#8
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
Great show that could not deliver what was a great setup
It failed miserably ...
It could have been one of the all time greats
Instead it's just an also ran...
It failed miserably ...
It could have been one of the all time greats
Instead it's just an also ran...
#9
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Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
The first five seasons are still great in my opinion. The season five final was perfect.
It also began that whole trend of big concept network shows (leading to Heroes, and all that other crap) so it's definitely made a name for itself, even if the finale disappointed.
It also began that whole trend of big concept network shows (leading to Heroes, and all that other crap) so it's definitely made a name for itself, even if the finale disappointed.
#11
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
The first five seasons are still great in my opinion. The season five final was perfect.
It also began that whole trend of big concept network shows (leading to Heroes, and all that other crap) so it's definitely made a name for itself, even if the finale disappointed.
It also began that whole trend of big concept network shows (leading to Heroes, and all that other crap) so it's definitely made a name for itself, even if the finale disappointed.
#12
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
The closest thing I can compare Lost to is a Stephen King novel. Great until the last 100 pages where the ending ruins the entire thing.
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Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
Another Lost thread? OK.
Lost changed television forever. It inspired writers from one of the best shows in the last decade. All kind of shows, not just sci-fi.
Some seasons were almost perfect, some others weren't that great. Last season sucked is the consensus. I think people is split in the finale, I actually liked the final episode.
Lost changed television forever. It inspired writers from one of the best shows in the last decade. All kind of shows, not just sci-fi.
Some seasons were almost perfect, some others weren't that great. Last season sucked is the consensus. I think people is split in the finale, I actually liked the final episode.
#16
DVD Talk Hero
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
I had no problem with the finale, and actually a good chunk of the final season wasn't that bad - it was a fun adventure - I think people just had too lofty of expectations for the outcome.
The brothers storyline, the light, and the whole episode with Allison Janney was just awful.
I mentioned this the other day in another thread, but I had a couple friends who hated the finale, and while discussing it kept bringing up that they were dead the entire time on the island. I honestly have no idea how anyone interpreted the finale like that, unless they just skimmed over the final 15 minutes.
It was a tremendously ambitious series and it largely pulled it off, I hope in 10 years they decide to touch up the CG and re-release it on whatever collectible format is available. Will probably be ready to watch it again by then, maybe. Maybe not.
The brothers storyline, the light, and the whole episode with Allison Janney was just awful.
I mentioned this the other day in another thread, but I had a couple friends who hated the finale, and while discussing it kept bringing up that they were dead the entire time on the island. I honestly have no idea how anyone interpreted the finale like that, unless they just skimmed over the final 15 minutes.
It was a tremendously ambitious series and it largely pulled it off, I hope in 10 years they decide to touch up the CG and re-release it on whatever collectible format is available. Will probably be ready to watch it again by then, maybe. Maybe not.
Last edited by RichC2; 09-24-13 at 08:32 AM.
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
It does seem like the Purgatory scenario was a guiding endgame for Lost's writers for a couple of seasons. It was only when the entire fan community guessed it that they deviated from using the concept.
#19
DVD Talk Hero
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
The purgatory scenario was the entire fan community's guess from the get go.
#20
DVD Talk Godfather
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
Yeah, that was pretty much the theory from the pilot.
Lost drove 90 yards down field for the winning touchdown and fumbled on the 10 yard line. That being said, I did like the sideways 'purgatory' flashes of season 6, it was everything else island related that was just pointless and unwatchable.
Lost drove 90 yards down field for the winning touchdown and fumbled on the 10 yard line. That being said, I did like the sideways 'purgatory' flashes of season 6, it was everything else island related that was just pointless and unwatchable.
#21
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
Sometimes the obvious answer is the best one. So what if everyone figured it out. It would have been better than what they did where that ridiculous island was real and the normal life they entered later wasn't.
#22
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
I mentioned this the other day in another thread, but I had a couple friends who hated the finale, and while discussing it kept bringing up that they were dead the entire time on the island. I honestly have no idea how anyone interpreted the finale like that, unless they just skimmed over the final 15 minutes.
1 People in general are stupid
2 How many people do you actually think sit through an entire TV show and put their full attention on it? Most people will mess around with their phones, ipads, etc while watching TV taking their attention away from whats going on.
I had a BIG problem with the finale. I was never into a show as much as I was with Lost (except maybe for The Sopranos), but for me, the finale killed the entire show. The entire flash sideways thing with them all dead and meeting each other in "the afterlife" to "move on" was ridiculous and had nothing to do with the story at all. It was filler and a manipulative way to end the show with some drama. So many plotholes in the last episode. Desmond was in the ditch where the light was, they had to pull him up with a rope to get him out. Then Jack somehow gets out by himself which leads to him giving Hurley the magical drink of water so he would become the islands protector. When Jacob made Jack the protector, he went through a ritual talking in a foreign language going through some kind of speech. When Jack did it, he took an empty bottle, filled it from the stream and said "drink this". I can come up with a lot more but i blocked this show out.
#23
Moderator
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
That document seems more in line with the "everything will have a scientific explanation" claim they were making during season 1.
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
I think the LOST finale works simply because they didn't do a checklist of explanations, but instead went for something emotional.
Then again, I also love The Sopranos finale for similar reasons. I like series that don't feel the need to wrap everything in a bow for their viewers.
Then again, I also love The Sopranos finale for similar reasons. I like series that don't feel the need to wrap everything in a bow for their viewers.
#25
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Re: "Lost" outline leaked.
I think the LOST finale works simply because they didn't do a checklist of explanations, but instead went for something emotional.
Then again, I also love The Sopranos finale for similar reasons. I like series that don't feel the need to wrap everything in a bow for their viewers.
Then again, I also love The Sopranos finale for similar reasons. I like series that don't feel the need to wrap everything in a bow for their viewers.