# At what point should I stop watching 'Lost'. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 14, 2009, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767 "2009-06-14T22:22:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Caricci](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Caricci](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caricci)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/21 "2009-06-16T17:08:03Z")
I loved the Hurley fixes the van episode even before it meant something! The one that, so far, has done nothing to advance the story is the Nikki and Paolo one. You can skip that one. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/22 "2009-06-16T19:59:21Z")
> [@Caricci](#): > > I loved the Hurley fixes the van episode even before it meant something! > > The one that, so far, has done nothing to advance the story is the Nikki and Paolo one. You can skip that one. Yeah. I just saw a repeat of that one the other night and thought, “Who the hell are these two people?”. ---
**Author:** ![randwill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@randwill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/randwill)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2009, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/23 "2009-06-16T23:39:15Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > Yeah. I just saw a repeat of that one the other night and thought, “Who the hell are these two people?”. They were con artists. That was the season when everybody was either a con artist or a con victim. ---
**Author:** ![mshar253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@mshar253](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mshar253)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2009, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/24 "2009-06-17T00:05:43Z")
> [@randwill](#): > > They were con artists. That was the season when everybody was either a con artist or a con victim. Not necessarily. Jack remained a moron. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/25 "2009-06-18T22:51:09Z")
p.s. As an Atheist and general cynic; It annoys me that… they’ve ended up continuing to press that button. They already know the ‘quarantine’ was a deception. And if ‘something bad happens’ if you don’t press the button why isn’t the software programmed to automatically ‘press the button’ at the required time? And if it is not automated doesn’t that suggest that it is a rather lame ‘test’ of human character that anyone who can read a book without sounding out the words would be able to see right through!? For og sake forget the damn button. Another reason it annoys me is that I thought Lock was an awesome dude until the button showed him to be a ‘faith’ person. Again, Atheist speaking, that doesn’t sit well with me. ---
**Author:** ![PetW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@PetW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PetW)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/26 "2009-06-22T02:07:05Z")
It’s really hard to not post anything to prevent spoilers, so I won’t. But it is amusing to hear your thoughts as you go through the episodes for the first time. Keep posting! ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/27 "2009-06-22T17:49:13Z")
> [@PetW](#): > > It’s really hard to not post anything to prevent spoilers, so I won’t. But it is amusing to hear your thoughts as you go through the episodes for the first time. Keep posting! Seconded all around. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/28 "2009-06-29T00:33:08Z")
I never saw your reply until now. Anyway. I’ve now seen all of season 3. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Maybe that’s because I’m watching them back-to-back The last episode I watched was ‘Meet Kevin Johnson’ (S4e8) For a good many of these episodes I’ve been half believing Ben when he says he’s one of the good guys. (I also consider him one of the best portrayals of ‘evil-son-of-a-bitch’ that I’ve ever encountered on film) If I were one for wearing hats I’d take the one I’d be currently wearing off to the writers of this show. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/29 "2009-06-29T00:39:31Z")
> [@Caricci](#): > > I loved the Hurley fixes the van episode even before it meant something! > > The one that, so far, has done nothing to advance the story is the Nikki and Paolo one. You can skip that one. I love how Hurley eventually uses the van to become a hero. I think Hurley is an ‘awesome dude’. Ironically: I was about to post that the one episode in series 3 that I didn’t much enjoy was the nikki and paulo one. I found both of them unlikeable. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/30 "2009-06-29T00:57:28Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > I was about to post that the one episode in series 3 that I didn’t much enjoy was the nikki and paulo one. I like that one, even though it feels kind of out of place with the rest of LOST. > [@](#): > > I found both of them unlikeable. I think that was the point. Hence, the way the episode ended. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/31 "2009-06-29T03:09:24Z")
> [@Caricci](#): > > The one that, so far, has done nothing to advance the story is the Nikki and Paolo one. You can skip that one. Agree completely. That should have been a Twilight Zone episode, or an Alfred Hitchcock short, or maybe a twisted O. Henry story. > [@Lobsang](#): > > p.s. As an Atheist and general cynic; It annoys me that… they’ve ended up continuing to press that button…And if it is not automated… I removed the spoiler box because I don’t think this is a secret anymore. Anyway, I never understood why they have this computer but never figured out how to write a program that would re-execute every 108 minutes… :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/32 "2009-06-29T15:31:25Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Agree completely. That should have been a Twilight Zone episode, or an Alfred Hitchcock short, or maybe a twisted O. Henry story. > > I removed the spoiler box because I don’t think this is a secret anymore. Anyway, I never understood why they have this computer but never figured out how to write a program that would re-execute every 108 minutes… :rolleyes: Being a programmer this was the first thing I thought. But I quickly realized it was a test. It had to be a human because the human was the one being tested. If you did anything else on the computer (such as try to programm it to press it’s own damn button) bad things would happen. ETA: I feel like they didn’t finish that story off properly. I wanted to know exactly what the failsafe did. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/33 "2009-06-29T16:31:30Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > Being a programmer this was the first thing I thought. But I quickly realized it was a test. It had to be a human because the human was the one being tested. If you did anything else on the computer (such as try to programm it to press it’s own damn button) bad things would happen. > > ETA: I feel like they didn’t finish that story off properly. I wanted to know exactly what the failsafe did. The thing is, I don’t think they are finished with that story. If you haven’t made it through Season 5 yet, you’ll see what I’m talking about. One thread they did seam to drop, is what “Marvin Candle” said in that missing piece of film they finally spliced together: That no one should attempt to use the computer for any communication, whatsoever. Then, Michael went ahead and IM’d with his son. There never seemed to be any consequence of that. Unless, that’s what led to the evil chain reaction with Michael and his subsequent behavior in getting his son back… but that seems like a stretch, because he was already hellbent on saving him, no matter the cost. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/34 "2009-06-29T16:38:05Z")
cmyk: > [@](#): > > That no one should attempt to use the computer for any communication, whatsoever. Then, Michael went ahead and IM’d with his son. There never seemed to be any consequence of that. Unless, that’s what led to the evil chain reaction with Michael and his subsequent behavior in getting his son back… but that seems like a stretch, because he was already hellbent on saving him, no matter the cost. I thought the point of that was that the computer network was compromised by the Others (who we now know the Dharma folk called “Hostiles”) and the consequence of communicating with it would be detection/capture by the Others. Which we know to be true, because using it as such led Michael right into being captured by them. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/35 "2009-06-30T00:11:04Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > Being a programmer this was the first thing I thought. But I quickly realized it was a test. It had to be a human because the human was the one being tested. If you did anything else on the computer (such as try to programm it to press it’s own damn button) bad things would happen. I don’t understand why DHARMA set it up in the first place to require human intervention. (Flight 815 had a spinal surgeon, a con man, and a torturer, but AFAIK no programmers ;)) Also, they visited the idea that it was a test, when they saw the video giving instructions to people who would observe the people in the Swan but when Locke and Desmond decided to let the timer expire, at the last minute Desmond suggested it was the observers being tested, not the people in the Swan. Then all hell started breaking loose, clearly showing it was necessary. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2009, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/36 "2009-06-30T00:21:52Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > I don’t understand why DHARMA set it up in the first place to require human intervention. (Flight 815 had a spinal surgeon, a con man, and a torturer, but AFAIK no programmers ;)) > > Also, they visited the idea that it was a test, when they saw the video giving instructions to people who would observe the people in the Swan but when Locke and Desmond decided to let the timer expire, at the last minute Desmond suggested it was the observers being tested, not the people in the Swan. Then all hell started breaking loose, clearly showing it was necessary. In answer to your second spoiler… It was already my assumption that **both** were being tested. Along with that is the idea that desmond could still be mistaken/unaware as he is afterall a test subject (which to this day I still believe him to be) edit: In fact I have for a long time believed that everyone involved in the ‘dharma initiative’ has been a test subject… or a plant by another, more serious company. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/37 "2009-07-03T16:55:24Z")
I am now fully up-to-date with Lost. When does season six start? ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/38 "2009-07-04T12:42:28Z")
> [@Lobsang](#): > > I am now fully up-to-date with Lost. > > When does season six start? January, not sure the exact date. ---
**Author:** ![mshar253](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@mshar253](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mshar253)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2009, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767/39 "2009-07-04T18:34:25Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > January, not sure the exact date. Last year I think it started the first week of February, but yeah, regardless, it’s very early-2010. Any thoughts on the show? I think we enjoyed your commentary on the show as you watched it. Were you satisfied that they stopped pushing the button, like you suggested? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/at-what-point-should-i-stop-watching-lost/499767.md?page=1)