We are hours away from the arrival of the third episode of Lost’s last season, a Kate-centric affair entitled “What Kate Does.” That’s right, you heard me: third episode. Even though this is only week two, last week’s two-hour premiere counted as two episodes. Which means that after tonight, we will already be finished with 1/6th of the season. Holy Smokey! And it feels like the season only began last week. Wait…what?!

My mind is still reeling — in a good way — from what we got out of “LA X.” The premiere inspired a wide range of reactions — mostly positive, but with varying degrees of confusion (from severe frustration to just-rolling-with-it) or interest in the parallel world storyline the show has introduced this season, tracking the lives of a group of familiar characters who are actually profoundly different than the castaways we know, alterna-world people who landed safely in Los Angeles instead of crashing on an Island which, in their world, is actually sunk. One of my fave Lost bloggers, a very astute and very creative fellow who goes by the handle Fishbiscuit, has posted an insightful, well-researched and somewhat mixed assessment of “LA X.” I encourage you to read it. I don’t share his opinion, but I respect — and am greatly entertained — by his engagement.

Here within the halls of EW, our contingent of Lost fans had a variety of different reactions, too. Periodically through the season, I’m going to be sharing their thoughts with you, so that together, we might be able to reflect back the Lost community’s varied responses to the final year of the show. Perhaps one of these fine folk speak for you. Consider: (Read full post)

Warning, SPOILERS ahead. If you haven’t seen the season premiere of Lost yet, you might not want to continue past the jump yet. Lost fans who have now seen the premiere can read ahead for some explanation from Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof. (Comments are likely to be full of spoilers also, you’ve been warned again.) (Read full post)

Notepad? Check. Pencil? Check. Dharma jumpsuit? Errr… no, I don’t wear that at all while I watch Lost! Why would you think that?! (Totally check.) The two-hour season premiere of the final season is minutes away for some, hours away for others. Will Jughead reboot time? Will Fake Locke make Ben start killing, like, everyone on The Island, not just statue-inhabiting demi-gods with weaving hobbies? The answers (hopefully) are forthcoming. Here are some ideas for your final prep. First, there’s one scene you need to see from the very first episode of Lost (the pilot; season 1); check it out here, with some interesting commentary by Lost exec producer Damon Lindelof. Second, I had a Lost conversation today with New York Magazine’s Emily Nussbaum, in which we discuss loving Lost -- and being occasionally frustrated by it. You can find that discussion here. But before you do that: have you ever wanted to see Dan Snierson’s celebrity interview techniques in action? Let’s just say the man knows how to get an intimate profile. Or does? Check out the season premiere of “Totally Lost” (below) for illumination. Also check it out for the teases, analysis, and guest appearances by Terry O’Quinn, Michael Emerson, and the Man In Black himself, Titus Welliver.

By the way, by all means use the message boards below as your virtual hang-out while watching Lost. Also, make sure you come back to the site immediately following the show tonight (wherever you are watching) — I’m going to have something that I think you’ll want to read, like, IMMEDIATELY. I’ll have a recap for you tomorrow morning — and then tomorrow at noon PST/3 p.m. ET, I’ll be spending an hour responding to you on Twitter @ewdocjensen.

Getting psyched!

Last week, Lost fans took on a mighty foe that threatened the on-time arrive of the show’s Feb. 2 premiere and won! That dragon: President Obama’s State of the Union address. Fans made their voices heard with Tweets and petitions, and the president made like Neville Chamberlain and, like, totally caved! That’s right, Lost fans: We were the ones that influenced President Obama’s decision-making, and don’t let anyone (more reasonable and informed) tell you otherwise!

Having cowed the White House, Lost fans have now taken on a new mission. But I worry that we’re facing a more powerful foe than even the Commander In Chief. For who can dare sway the indomitable will of… The Walt Disney Company! Here’s the deal: Lost fans think that Disney, which owns Lost, should create a Disney attraction. Specifically, they think the company’s Imagineers should renovate Tom Sawyer Island (which no one really gives a flying Huck Finn about, anyway) and turn into…The Island. Just imagine: Interactive Dharma Stations! Jacob’s Haunted Shack! Michael’s Exploding Raft! Leslie Artz’s Insect House! PLUS: Animatronic polar bears, boars and Hurley birds! An all-you-can-eat buffet at the Dharma Palette Drop! And do you dare journey into The Temple’s ancient crack and confront your inner demons within…Smokey’s Court of Judgment?!? (Read full post)