I don't think it was a character-driven show at all. Sure, there was some character development there, but the driver of the show was the mystery of the island. Almost everything that happened was based on the characters either trying to find out the mystery or trying to get off the island.
Not every episode moved the Island plot forward, but every episode did center around a specific character's past or future. To me, that made it more about the characters than anything else.
I like good writing. I really like shows that have a good story with a bit of clever humor. Whether that involves character development doesn't matter to me. Action is irrelevant to me.
So, you're not looking for good characters. See, was that so hard to admit?
I did enjoy watching Lost, however. I kept watching to see what was so special about the island.
That's my point. You're not into characters. That's okay, too. It's just that LOST was very much about the characters, even to the point of sacrificing plot progression. I think that's part of what angered and annoyed the Island viewer camp.
But it was a soap opera, the way it was presented, just a rather unique one. The characters so often left thoughts unsaid and actions undone, that they didn't accomplish anything in regards to their relationships with the other characters. Their individuals stories didn't move along at a normal pace, thus leaving the audience hanging on the cliff, so they'll tune in next time to see when such and such will finally happen. It's a typical soap opera device.
So, was 24 defined as a soap opera, then? To me, it seems to be the guiltiest party on TV if "tune in next week" hooks are the signs of soap.
I also enjoyed Battlestar Galactica... another show that has been maligned with the "soap opera" claim at times. I'll give you this: both LOST & BSG had undesirable love triangles in certain seasons. (Apollo/Starbuck/whats-his-face, Jack/Kate/Sawyer) THOSE, I can agree with as soapy and annoying moments. Stupid, plot-harming love melodrama. Would I then characterize the whole show as that, though? Nah. The respectable and significant romances we saw, Desmond/Penny and Adama/Roslin, were to each show's benefit, IMO.
The sword might be grateful to the forge fire, but never fond of it.
This message last edited by Zalis on 15/03/2011 at 08:36:02 PM
Is there such a thing as a bad episode of Lost?
- 11/03/2011 02:09:14 AM
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I ask you the opposite, is there such thing as a good one? I personally think not. *NM*
- 11/03/2011 02:42:18 AM
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the finale *NM*
- 11/03/2011 02:46:53 AM
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I wasn't exactly thrilled the first time around, but I'm hoping it'll be better this time. *NM*
- 11/03/2011 02:55:35 AM
229 Views
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. *NM*
- 12/03/2011 05:32:29 PM
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the start of the second season was so bad I didn't make it through more than three episodes. *NM*
- 11/03/2011 06:28:11 AM
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Is that the tail section series? I was okay with those. *NM*
- 12/03/2011 06:07:32 PM
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the what? *NM*
- 12/03/2011 11:13:47 PM
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The series of episodes that focused on the survivors from the tail section of the plane. *NM*
- 13/03/2011 02:50:29 AM
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I too stopped after the first few eps of Season 2. But honestly, I "lost" interest after they killed
- 15/03/2011 07:25:16 AM
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The one with Jack getting his tattoo is not that interesting
- 11/03/2011 10:49:08 AM
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Yeah, that one. The Nikki & Paulo one, too.
- 11/03/2011 02:43:31 PM
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LOL. Nikki and Paulo were annoying introductions when trying to worm their way into the main group.
- 12/03/2011 06:09:09 PM
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The whole show was basically a soap opera, so by definintion, no episodes were good. *NM*
- 11/03/2011 03:22:37 PM
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Character-driven shows are not necessarily soapy.
- 11/03/2011 08:45:52 PM
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I disagree with your premise.
- 12/03/2011 06:06:21 PM
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Re: I disagree with your disagreement
- 15/03/2011 08:34:53 PM
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I am thinking about watching the whole series
- 11/03/2011 03:49:58 PM
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Sure. The benefit is that you have no commercials, no week/season breaks and can skip at will. *NM*
- 11/03/2011 08:47:18 PM
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In truth the final two seasons are a bit meh, but as a whole it's among the best shows on TV. *NM*
- 11/03/2011 10:53:27 PM
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A few.
- 11/03/2011 08:47:07 PM
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The Dark Charlie episodes really alienated some fans, I think. *NM*
- 12/03/2011 06:10:49 PM
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It all fell apart for me somewhere in the last season, and I just didn't want to finish it
- 14/03/2011 09:40:20 AM
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