Lost - Season 5 [DVD]

I have never enjoyed Lost so much since season 1.

Finally, in season 5 we are treated with revelations about the islands history that reveal a few surprises. The relation between Ben, Charles Widmore and the Island is revealed through the various flashes. Flashbacks and flashforwards are now used in a completely different way to reveal the struggle of our Losties who have changed in many ways since the first season. The mechanism in which this is done may confuse people, but just bare in mind that this show introduced an evil pillar of smoke in the first season, that sounds like a machine and blows up trees!

Top notch acting from all concerned but Michael Emerson (Ben) and Terry O'Quinn (Locke) in particular since they, in my opinion, portray the most interesting characters. I find Kate and Jack quite boring, although they are more interesting than usual this season.

The only gripe I have with this season, is that it did not reveal much (outside of character development) about a certain organisation that I wish to know more about.

The season finale of this season is the best of of them all so far. Finally, after the events that take place, we are given a real clue to what is really going on.

My warning to newbies to Lost, treat Lost like a book, a journey! Do not watch season 5 unless you have seen all previous seasons, it will ruin the experience!

It had seemed like the writers had backed themselves into a corner. Still so many unanswered questions lying in the past, but they had largely moved away from heavy exposition and the flashback device. Their answer was brilliant: to make some of the characters live their way through these missing pieces of the puzzle.

Time travel is an element that has been progressively introduced since Desmond's 'flashes' in season three, through to dislodged consciousness in season four, and now to physical displacement in season five. Those that have said it's been introduced out of the blue simply haven't been paying attention: it's been on the cards for a while, and neatly solves the narrative puzzle facing the writers.

The acting is to the usual high standard with some standout performances from Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson. The plot twists and turns, but the constant revival and resolution of previous elements (some stretching back to the first series) reassures the viewer that this rollercoaster has a sense of direction. Excellent use of sound helps cement a solid experience, and whilst the music offers nothing revolutionary, it's recurring melodies help tie the new elements back to existing themes with familiar musical cues and motifs.

What of the story itself? Characters previously mentioned only in name are now fleshed out to a satisfying level (most notably Jacob and Radzinsky). Furthermore, we begin to properly grasp the nature of the Dharma Initiative, see Ben have a chilling encounter with the monster, and watch the writers move all the pieces into place for the final series. Overall, this is gripping stuff. Just one word to the wise: the ending is perhaps the most ambiguous cliffhanger in television history (it's well executed, but it'll have you racking your brains for the next 8 months).

The episodes have been fantastic, but the one thing I can't make a comment on this early are DVD extras. This is well worth your money, and a must-buy for any fans of the mythology.

Roll on season six, and to quote Charles Widmore: 'there is a war coming'.

WOW is the best way to describe Season 5 of Lost.

Every episode of this season is brilliant it is more consistent than the previous couple of seasons that although I still thought were brilliant they did feel like the odd episode was below the usual standard of this ground breaking show.

For those of you who have been desperate for answers they come thick and fast in this series. We find out much more about the history of the island, the DHARMA initiative, the smoke monster and the mysterious Jacob.

The season finale is particularly good and leaves you desperate for the start of Season 6.

I love having the group split in two with the people that escaped and people that stayed and seeing how their stories all begin to merge together. Brilliantly acted and superbly written as with every season of lost.

If your a lost fan this is a must watch season and will leave you craving for more more more.