Seems like every other person I know is sick these days, and I'm no exception. I spent the Halloween weekend sweaty, sneezy, and shivery. No parties, no appetite, and no end of misery as the Yankees took two World Series games here in Philadelphia. (But, as of this writing, the Series isn't over yet!) And since I'm the type of guy who likes to lock the doors and hibernate near my TV (and computer) when I don't feel good, I needed something ... long to watch. Not even something along the lines of the Lord of the Rings extended trilogy would fit the bill -- and so I looked to some TV entertainment to keep me company.

Fortunately I noticed that Netflix's "watch instantly" department was offering the first four seasons of LOST, and that seemed like a pretty solid fit. I'd already seen the first season during its original broadcast run, and while I didn't dislike the series, I felt that it fell prey to that oldest of "serialized" problems: Basically, that everything I was watching was a loooooong trip through Act II. In other words, the show was piling up more vague questions than satisfying answers, and I (often) got the impression that the writers were spinning their wheels in between the juicier plot points ... which, in my opinion, were fairly few and far between.
So after three days of LOTS of LOST, I'm just getting ready to start in on Season 3, and I'm glad I gave the series a second chance. Because even if my aforementioned gripes are accurate, the simple truth is that LOST is a pretty unique beast. It's a sci-fi soap opera full of surprisingly layered characters, several unexpected plot diversions, and a canny sense of smarts. The writers might have to spin those wheels in a few episodes, but I respect a show that all but demands you see every episode to know what's going on.

I'll stop back again after I finish seasons 3 and 4, plus I'm told season 5 hits DVD in December and that the sixth (and final) season will start rolling in January. Knowing that there's actually a finish line on the horizon makes my LOST marathon feel a little more exciting ... plus I really want to know if Kate's gonna pick Jack, Sawyer, or some other ridiculously photogenic he-man castaway.

But I'd like to ask the hardcore LOST lunatics, the ones who've been there from day one and never miss an episode, a few questions:

1. Who's your favorite character?
2. Which "character backstory" did you find the most (or least) compelling?
3. Do you think the series does a good job of setting up its mysteries? How about paying them off?
4. Which of the five seasons has been your favorite? Which one's been the lamest?
5. Will I enjoy S3 and S4 as much as I dug the first two?
6. If you spoil anything from season 3 on, what would you prefer I beat you with? A bat or a club?