Dec 27 2007 08:53 PM ET

I just caught up on 'Lost' in 8 minutes and 15 seconds

13032__josh_lGiven up on Lost? Regretting it, now that the writers’ strike is on, and now that the season 4 premiere on Jan. 31 is just around the corner? Missing Sawyer (Josh Holloway, pictured)? Then head over to abc.com and click "Catch up on Lost" to watch a video that recaps the entire series (à la the seven-minute Sopranos) in eight minutes and 15 seconds. (Get it? 8:15?) I haven’t watched the show in… a while, and I found the narration easy to follow and surprisingly entertaining. Sample: "They see Jack play football with Mr. Friendly. Mr. Friendly throws like a girl."

Two questions: Do you think someone who’s never seen the show would be able to keep up? (If such a person is reading this, try it and report back.) And do you Doc Jensen-types endorse the recap, or has a vital piece of info gone missing?

Comments (1-30) of 102 Add your comment

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  • Orlando (SF)

    first one here

  • Orlando (SF)

    first one here

  • Ceballos

    Like the “Sopranos” vid, this is pretty decent, but, personally, I’m the type of guy who feels he has to has watched every full episode with his own eyes to feel fully caught up. Still, if people watch the video and feel like they’re caught up enough to start watching the show, then that’s fantastic…that’s potentially one more person to discuss the show with.
    With that, I’m sneaking out of my office a bit early for the day…don’t let them keep you there too late Mandi.

  • Jonathan F.

    8 minutes and 15 seconds may be pushing it a little, but hey – whatever gets this show the viewers it deserves.
    And was that the most entertaining mini-recap ever or what?

  • Jonathan F.

    note to Orlando (SF):
    grow up.

  • Aleks

    I guess it could work. I think a full-blown clip show an hour before the premiere would be perfect for anyone wanting a crash course (no pun intended).
    Most people hate clip shows because they preempt new episodes, but I like them because they let me jump into a show that I may have forgotten about or have missed for a few weeks.

  • Nick

    hahahah thanks for posting Mandi! that was great and a wonderful recap before the premiere

  • Frank

    They had nothing about Locke, his dad, and Sawyer on the island. Nothing about the numbers. Anything that was related to backstory was left out.

  • Frank

    They had nothing about Locke, his dad, and Sawyer on the island. Nothing about the numbers. Anything that was related to backstory was left out.

  • Angela

    I think it might be vital to know Michael killed Ana Lucia and Libby.

  • Courtney

    I’m fairly certain they do a recap on abc.com before every season. At least we don’t have to suffer through an hour-long rehash this time around. Hopefully the 8:15 will pique interest for new potential Losties, who will then increase our numbers come January 31.

  • Diana

    I noticed there was nothing on Michael murdering Ana Lucia and Libby. I thought that was odd.

  • Dayzd n Confused

    I couldn’t understand the last sentence of the recap. Did she say, “Some will live, some will die” OR “Some will leave, some will not”
    ????????
    Both could mean wildly different directions for the show…..

  • jmiklane

    The show looks ridiculous and stupid based on the recap. It’s my favorite show, but you definitely need to see the whole thing not only to be emotionally invested in the characters, but to understand the stuff that looks ridiculous on surface level (Others in suburbia? computer that saves the world?)

  • Anonymous

    it makes lost look like a complete joke and is so stupid

  • Valerie

    Ok. So, I never watched an episode of Losst before, and that recap was CONFUSING ! It did get curiosity, though, but made the show sound a little bit like it was “jumping the shark” every other week.
    With the writer’s strike, I might join in even if I don’t get half of what was said. It’s either that or some crappy reality show, I guess !

  • Laura

    I’m a new potential Lostie. I have not watched the recap…the impression I’m getting is I would be better off catching up on the DVDs. I’m fortunate in that I never watched the show and I never really followed it, so I think there’s a pretty good chance that I’m basically unspoiled. I want to stay that way, so I’m not watching it.

  • john t.

    i’m a huge fan of the show…and i personally found the recap hilarious! don’t be too serious people. loosen up a bit.
    however..what i found more interesting was the 1:45 preview vid of the new season. haven’t seen that before.

  • Laura

    I think that for a huge Lost fan, the recap was for the most part hilarious. For someone wanting to join the show? Maybe not the best introduction.
    I personally loved it. Jack meets Kate. Kate stitches up Jack. They bond.
    I laughed SO hard throughout all of it!

  • love

    Good resap!!!.I miss Lost and miss Skate even more!!!!!

  • Ames

    I personally don’t understand the notion that you must watch every single episode of a show before starting to watch a new season. I know so many people who like the same shows I do, but I’m not allowed to talk about them b/c they still need to watch season 1 on DVD. But the never do! It’s a TV show! You’re going to be able to figure out what’s going on.

  • Dude

    The recap is definitely cool for people who want to “recap” if they’ve watched all 3 seasons casually and just want to refresh their meories. But for a new fan, it’s not a proper intro at all. Moe like one big spoiler, that ruins loads of big moments in a split second and kills 90% of the appeal.
    And to AMES: As far as not having to see every episode because “its a TV show, you’ll figure out what’s going on” goes… for comedies like Seinfeld or Friends that start and finish storylines in one episode its fine. Or even Dramas like House that start and finish a case (for the most part) you can see them scattered or miss a few. But with Lost, it’s just continuous, like one long 20-hour movie. And missing an episode or two can totally throw you off, and the missing pieces will hurt your appreciation and understanding of the show.

  • Gus

    I had a coworker who has never seen Lost watch and he said “Frankly, unless you have a photographic memory (which I don’t) I think it’s almost pointless. There are too many people and subplots to know what is going on. All I gleaned is they are on a freaky island and freaky stuff happened. The fat kid ran someone over with a hippy van. It kind of makes me want to watch it when it’s over and all the seasons are on DVD.”

  • Gus

    I had a coworker who has never seen Lost watch and he said “Frankly, unless you have a photographic memory (which I don’t) I think it’s almost pointless. There are too many people and subplots to know what is going on. All I gleaned is they are on a freaky island and freaky stuff happened. The fat kid ran someone over with a hippy van. It kind of makes me want to watch it when it’s over and all the seasons are on DVD.”

  • TheBookPolice

    Oh for crying out loud. People who don’t watch the show say it’s too deep and serious for them to get into halfway through. So ABC does them a solid and makes a quick, light, humorous recap that gives them almost everything they need to know going forward. And then they complain that it seems too glib and goofy. OY.

  • Andie

    Loved the recap, so funny. But I think it’s better as a refresher and a little comedy for the existing fans, not so much for potential new fans. But, there is another recap show right before the premiere. I really hope, with the strike and lack of new shows, that all of the people who have ever been interested in Lost but afraid to jump in and be totally confused really give it a shot. And I think this is a perfect jumping in point. Yes, a LOT has happened in the past 3 years, but as of last season’s finale, the show is going in a totally new and very exciting direction. I think the recap would fill you in sufficiently, and you can go back to the DVDs as you like.

  • Andie

    One more thing. To everyone who watched Season 1 and loved it but gave up during Season 2 or early Season 3: Come back! The second half of Season 3 and especially the last few episodes were seriously so mind-blowingly good! Ever since they were able to say exactly how many episodes there will be they have been able to really roll out the action. Considering the set end date, plus the development in the finale, this season and the rest of the series is pretty much guaranteed to be out-of-this-world amazing. I promise!

  • annie

    I agree with all those existing fans who L-O-V-E-D Lost in 8:15!! I’ve watched it a few times since I first found it this past weekend, and find it soooo funny, in the manner of Carlton and Damon’s podcasts. I think it’s missing some important things (example: Claire and Jack’s connection) from the backstories, so for the most part it shouldn’t be the only way new Lost fans get into the show. But that was a seriously hilarious video!

  • Donna

    I’m an existing fan and I loved it. But I think it’s geared towards us existing fans. If you really want to watch Lost you have to watch all the episodes on DVD to catch up.

  • if you’re new don’t watch the recap…

    …Rent the DVD’s instead! The recap is 8 minutes of spoilers if you haven’t seen the show. If you want to enjoy everything that is Lost you have to watch every episode. It’s worth it!!!

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