Lost - The Complete Fourth Season Reviews

• Excellent Season

  
  By A3RF46CL8GDIN8 on 2008-05-17
  This seasons twists and turns have renewed my interest and respect for Lost. There were no fillers due to the (mostly planned) reduced episode count and even with the writer's strike it was a solid season. There were really only 2 hours lost to the writer's strike anyway, which ABC has stated they will "give back" by giving 1 extra hour to the next 2 seasons. The quality of the show this season more than made up for the reduced episode count.
  
  It was interesting in the final show of the 3rd season to see Jack's focus change (seen in a flash forward) from getting off the island to getting back on it. This season was spent giving a set up to the reason why without really answering the question but creating enough suspense to make it worth finding out...next season I hope. This season is about who gets off the island (the Oceanic 6, as they're called) and how, and a bit about what they're going to do back in the real world. A few other people also get off the island but they aren't included in "the Oceanic 6" and you'll also get a partial reason why by the last episode, as well as finding out who was in the coffin in the final episode of the 3rd season that had Jack so upset (but not why or how.) Jack finally finds out who Claire is to him, but we still don't know what actually happened to her. Ben's character becomes more complex, as we start to see how he manages to go from outcast to leader and gets people to do what he wants (such as Locke, Sayid, and even Jack,) even if they are uneasy in their association with him. Clearly some other Oceanic refugees have escaped the island but we don't know how yet, and it doesn't seem like the "Oceanic 6" are necessarily even aware of them.
  
  Another interesting addition this season is the newcomers, the "freighter folk," who may as well be the new "others." Some are decent people and some are evil, and one will be familiar face from previous seasons. Speaking of "the others," who they are, where they came from, and what is their nature became a new set of unanswered questions this season. I wasn't thrilled with Rosseau's or her daughter's storylines, but it seems what happened was done in order to develop Ben's character.
  
  What is planned for extra features is below, it is subject to change since it wasn't released yet. If you want to see more info for yourself on planned extras, run a search for TV shows on DVD, you should be able to find the site I got my info from.
  
  Features:
  
  Lost Bloopers
  Oceanic Airlines Safety Guide
  The Lost Flashbacks
  Audio Commentaries
  Deleted Scenes
  Lost on Location - Go on location with the cast and crew of Lost for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of some of Season Four's hottest episodes.
  Freighter Folk (working title) - Where did the folks on the freighter come from? Get to know them and find out what the show runners looked for in new cast members.
  Transforming Hawaii (working title) - From the deserted beach to urban Los Angeles, Hawaii serves as a global backdrop for the excitement and intrigue of Lost. Join the small army of technicians that transforms Hawaii to the Island as they go about their duties.
  Gun Tracking (working title) - Lost features a formidable array of firearms Get real life gun profiles and find out what it's like working with so much firepower.
  The Music of Lost (working title) - The Honolulu Symphony performs Michael Giacchino's award-winning score live for the first time ever. Witness the power of the show's many musical themes as well as its innovative use of instruments-and learn how music affects the production, from writing to directing.
  
  I recommend this season for anyone who ever enjoyed this show. You won't feel the writer's strike when watching the DVDs.
  
  

• Back on top

  
  By AJKWF4W7QD4NS on 2008-05-30
  Lost has had its up's and down's, particularly during a sub-par second season and a drawn out third season, but after the jaw-dropping ending of the third season, Lost is back on top. For those that haven't seen some of the episodes featured in the fourth season of Lost, be warned that some spoilers are ahead here. With rescue seeming to be in sight, things get even more complicated as a group of strangers (Jeremy Davies, Ken Leung, Rebecca Mader, and Jeff Fahey) make their way to the island, and they're not all there to save anyone. Adding to the problem is the freighter boat out at sea which Sayid (Naveen Andrews) and Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) arrive to, where they get a big surprise (which wasn't a big surprise to viewers of the show) as Michael (Harold Perrineau) returns, and he's working for Ben (Michael Emerson). With Ben and Locke (Terry O'Quinn) warning Jack (Matthew Fox) that they can't leave the island, everything comes to an explosive season-ending climax involving a murderous commando (Kevin Durand), more light ends up getting shed on Lost's mythology as well. Now mixing both flashbacks and flash-forwards, we learn that at least six of the Oceanic survivors make it off the island: Jack, Kate (Evangeline Lilly), Hurley (Jorge Garcia), Sayid, Sun (Yunjiin Kim), Claire's (Emilie de Ravin) baby Aaron, and naturally, Ben. The season-ending shocker promises that things are only going to develop further, as there are only two seasons of the show left to go. Even though more characters were introduced (and at times it felt as if more time was focused on Sayid and Desmond's time on the ship than necessary), the way that Lost managed to juggle all these characters this season is something extraordinary. And while favorites like Jack and Sawyer (Josh Holloway) felt as if they took a step back, both have some great moments here as well. Most importantly however is that this season of the show firmly re-establishes the series as a spectacular mystery-thriller that will have you drooling to see what happens next. Even though the show briefly came to a stop thanks to the writer's strike, Lost never missed a beat this season. Needless to say, if you gave up on Lost in the past, now has never been a better time to get re-acquainted with the series, as things seem to promise to only get better from this point forward. As corny as it may sound, getting Lost has never been so enjoyable.
  
  

• Lost in sheer television ecstasy

  
  By AV5G37VFE5NVD on 2008-05-31
  *Possible spoilers within. Additionally, don't read this if you haven't seen the third season of "Lost."*
  
  "Lost" closed its third season with a moment of sheer creative brilliance. There are moments that make one gasp. It takes some craftiness to make these moments satisfying, but even as early as its first few scenes, "Lost" had secured itself as the supreme ruler of gasp moments. Then there are moments that change one's perception of everything -- and these are few and far between. But no moment has ever been quite like that final scene of "Lost"'s third season. "Lost" is about a group of people who survive a plane crash and need to get off the bizarre island they've crashed on. Yet in that series-altering, mind-boggling moment, we found out we were wrong. The series wasn't about getting off the island. It was about the island itself. How did we know that? Because the final scene was a flashforward.
  
  And guess what? THEY GET OFF THE ISLAND.
  
  So where does the show go from here?
  
  That brings us to Season Four. "Lost" has always been a superb show, but within Season Four, it enters the ranks of the all-time television elite. People, this is one of the finest seasons of television I have ever seen. As ever, I'll try to convey some of the wonder I experienced watching this season within this review - but you really have to see it for yourself.
  
  Last year ABC made a deal with the show's brains, Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, that ensured they would be able to tell the entire "Lost" story. That was a step forward for the TV biz, an industry which has been changing more and more as of late. The deal states that "Lost" will air six seasons, with the final season airing in 2010. Initially, each season would contain 16 episodes. Then the WGA strike hit. Due to the strike, the season wound up with 14 episodes; the remaining 2 episodes will wind up as the 17th episodes of Seasons Five and Six. In the case of "Lost," the strike was a great thing. More so than any other season of the show, Season Four has a straight story to tell. Over the season's 14 episodes, that story is told fast, vividly, and without a wasted moment. We wouldn't have had that if the strike hadn't forced the writers to pack everything in a little. Kudos to the WGA for that.
  
  Speaking of storytelling, wow. Joss Whedon is the greatest writer the television industry has ever seen, and I don't think even he could tell a story like this. Lindelof and Cuse are among the most creative visionaries the medium has ever had. They continue to take us to places that one could never imagine. Most importantly, because they have now successfully planned many of the show's central storylines, one knows that they aren't just pulling these shocks out of a hat - it's all part of the plan. The rest of the writers deserve a ton of credit as well. They have done a fantastic job of fleshing out characters and storylines convincingly and naturally. The show has no shortage of character development; as usual, one can expect to be pretty surprised at where some of these guys wind up and what they do by the season's end. Above all else, though, "Lost" moves along its storylines at such a roaring pace that no series could hope to compare. My one complaint about the WGA strike: certain topics which the writers had hoped to tackle by the season's end, like the curious case of Marvin Candle/Edgar Hallowax or the four-toed statue, are still wide open. But that's a small complaint. The writing hasn't been this good since Season One.
  
  It's no surprise, then, that Season Four produced some of the series' finest episodes. There isn't a bad episode in the season. The fierce pace of the season ensures that the lesser episodes are only the ones where the pace lets up (though even then, the show is moving much faster than any other on TV). The least of the bunch are the sixth and tenth episodes of the season, "The Other Woman" and "Something Nice Back Home," respectively. Every episode is so high in quality that each deserves to be mentioned here. I won't do that. What I will do is mention the cream of the crop: episode 5, "The Constant." If you haven't heard about it already, "The Constant" is the best episode of the entire show, as well as one of the finest episodes of television in history. The storyline involves Desmond (the utterly magnificent Henry Ian Cusick) becoming unstuck in time (think "Slaughterhouse-Five") and flashing between 2004 and 1996. Desmond must find a way to become fastened to 2004 again before the strain of the time travel becomes too much and he dies. The acting is extraodinary, the writing ingenious, and the directing -- something "Lost" gets too little attention for -- is absolutely top-notch. "Time" magazine (how's that for ironic?) compared "The Constant" to "No Country for Old Men" in an attempt to figure out whether movies or television were superior. They concluded that, thanks to pieces like "The Constant," television was far superior. Brother, if you haven't yet seen "The Constant," you are in for one heck of a treat. It is affecting and powerful in ways one would never have dreamt television could be before recent times.
  
  Cusick, who should already have won an Emmy, is definitely eligible for one after his turn in that episode. He's not alone, either. The Emmys are about as sensible as the Oscars ("Buffy" never won a THING!), but come on -- if these actors don't win anything next time 'round, a serious crime will have been committed. First up: Michael Emerson. Emerson has been one of the show's greatest delights since his first appearance midway through Season Two. He brings the marvelously weasely character of Ben Linus to life in a way that no other actor ever could. His greatest turn is in the Ben-centric episode "The Shape of Things to Come" (which, by the way, is a series highlight). Thanks to Emerson (and almost solely so), Ben is as fascinating as any character on television today. There are moments when he is as cruel and evil as a human being could be, but somehow we understand him, and we understand that deep down, he is good. He is fighting for what he believes, no matter the cost to anyone. It's hard to explain this.
  
  Easier to explain: the greatness of Matthew Fox. Just how great is Matthew Fox? Jack has had his ups and downs, but Fox has been consistently great. This season, though, Fox hits an all-time high. He is spectacular. Desperate Island Jack only gives Fox so much to do, but Future Off-Island Jack opens all sorts of doors for Fox's acting. Jack's torment is palpable. You can taste it, you can see it. It's heartbreaking. It takes a truly talented actor to pull that off, especially considering that Off-Island Jack is the exact opposite of Island Jack, the version which Fox typically plays.
  
  Honorable mentions: Naveen Andrews, who is fascinatingly complex in one of the season's most intriguing episodes, "The Economost." Yunjin Kim gets chances to shine in flash-forwards, and shine she does. Evangeline Lilly does some of her best work on the show, particularly in the flash-forwards. And last but certainly not least, Alan Dale is truly menacing as Charles Widmore. Widmore was a charmingly Scrooge-ish character in his previous two appearances on the show, but this season we become aware of just how integral he is to the series' mythology. Dale is a perfect fit for so deviously sophisticated a character.
  
  But wait - there's more. The members of Widmore's freighter team are each played by knockout actors. Jeremy Davies, the greatest character actor in the business, is just incredible as the wacky, eccentric scientist Daniel Faraday. Supporting him are Ken Leung as the wisecracking psychic Miles, who will no doubt prove important in the future, and Rebecca Mader as the mysterious Charlotte. Jeff Fahey is a real pleasure as pilot Frank Lapidus, who may be the most humanistic character on the entire show. Finally, Kevin Durand. This guy is a killer. Well, he's a killer actor, but his character is one of the most frightening, eerie, and downright nasty villains to hit the small screen.
  
  The crew behind the camera does not get enough attention. "Lost" is beautifully shot and the directing is the best on television. Jack Bender, possibly the series' most-used director, is particularly great. This season, though, it's Michael Giacchino who really shines. Giacchino's music elevates television scoring into a place it hasn't been since Angelo Badalamenti composed the music for "Twin Peaks." His music truly enhances the series. It can be ghastly, it can be tense, it can epic, and it can be emotional, but the one thing it is always is beautiful. Just give him his Emmy now.
  
  At the season's end, we still don't know where "Lost" will go next. The three-part finale is a monumental affair, offering twists and turns that are astounding even by this series' high standards. What it doesn't offer is much of a clue where the series is headed -- and as far as I'm concerned, that's a good thing. That will be important for keeping the show in our head as we endure the strenuous eight month wait for the series to return. It's worth waiting for, though. Television storytelling has rarely been so grandly-plotted or clearly-executed as in "Lost"'s spectacular fourth season. Impeccable in every way, Season Four of "Lost" is the medium at its peak. I cannot wait to see where it goes next.
  
  

• Less episodes should equal less cost...

  
  By A2CK21R3RFWJY3 on 2008-06-03
  I love LOSt and think this season was as good as it's ever been. However, as we are receiving a third less episodes in this set than we have in the previous three, why can't they knock 33% off the price as well?? I get really irritated with the inconsistencies of TV shows on DVD (1/2 seasons of Entourage for full price??? 10 30 minute episodes of Curb Your enthusiasm cost more than 25 episodes of The Office??).
  
  So, I know I'm going off on a tangent a bit but I feel compeleed to gripe that fewer episodes should be reflected in the cost!
  
  

• 10 less episodes, same hefty price

  
  By A3FVWH9369IUKK on 2008-07-01
  This season was ten LESS episodes than the last. Yet the price tag is still the same. You do the math. It's a major rip off.
  
  EDIT: The amazon pre-order price dropped $10. Which makes me happy.
  
  
• A few more bricks in the wall...
  By A1DQZBHEU98PBT on 2008-07-09
  Season 4 of LOST finally begins giving us some solid answers to questions that were plaguing us. We also begin seeing "the future" vs. the past for the characters. This season really renewed by love for LOST, which after season 3 I was beginning to wonder where this was going. With Season 4, you'll have a much better idea where this is headed.
  
  Season 4 also introduces us to some new and interesting characters. We also see some old familiar faces. With each episode this season gets better and better. Season 4 is a thrill-ride, a nail-biter. The acting gets even better. Yes, it's a shortened season, but I think even still this may be the best season since the first. If you don't want to pay the cost to buy this DVD, rent it from your video store. Either way, this is a great season that you don't want to miss out on!!
  
  
• Price
  By A1UFJB6DT4GH1I on 2008-05-26
  I loved this season and cannot wait to buy it. However, I just have to say that I think it is absolutely ridiculous that season 4 has about 12 less episodes than the other seasons due to the writer's stike, but it still costs the same amount. Does anyone else think that is a total rip-off!
  
  
• LOST.... loses it!
  By A20U54S8PC1291 on 2008-06-07
  In my opinion, if someone compiled a list of the top ten drama TV series of all time, LOST would rank in the top THREE. The first season delivered a quality of writing, acting and overall execution not seen in most big budget Hollywood movies, let alone a weekly series. While it did falter for an episode or two within the following two seasons, there is no denying that LOST always quickly recouped and delivered enough substance and sheer brilliance to draw the viewer back into the "zone". The fact that such a high level of output was consistently maintained for THREE YEARS is an astonishing achievement. Another astonishing, and quite unfortunate achievement is how a series of this stature could be reduced to comic book schlock within a very short period of 14, poorly conceived and written "season four" episodes.
  
  Here's what I used to tell people who had never seen lost....
  
  "If you have avoided LOST on the assumption that it's sci-fi nonsense, or a simple survival tale, you have judged incorrectly. The character depth is remarkable, the acting superb, and the plot is MIND BENDING. If you're a viewer who enjoys sitting back and watching a series such as "24", thinking that you've reached the pinnacle of quality television, I urge you to watch the first few episodes of LOST. You'll never look at another TV show in quite the same way."
  
  After watching the poorly written and executed season four, I can no longer make such a bold statement. In an effort to wrap up some of the mystery surrounding the first three seasons, the writers have chosen a direction that places character depth secondary to silly sci-fi nonsense. A truly powerful and unique human drama filled with mystery and intrigue has been reduced to entertainment for simpletons.
  
  > SPOILER WARNING <
  Do not read beyond this point if you don't want basic plot points revealed.
  
  Within the first three seasons, we were all treated to various "mysteries", that may or may not have had "sci-fi", "scientific", or "spiritual" tinged answers. Each new mystery was carefully constructed and thoughtfully intertwined with the development of each individual character. The perfectly balanced combination of mystery and character development became the CORE of Lost. Unfortunately, within season four, heavy handed writing destroys most of the fragile plot line developed within the first three seasons. Even the plot structure is discarded in a few episodes. Season four hits the viewer between the eyes with nonsense and outlandish situations, which are almost entirely devoid of mystery.
  
  Ghosts? Yes, they exist. Time travel? Yes, not a problem. Time/Space travel? Of course! Oh, and the mysterious "smoke monster" can be controlled from a hidden room (Jeeez, how pathetic)! The island can be "moved" by turning a big wheel (of course). Let's also throw in an old as dirt plot device (like trying to disarm a bomb before it explodes), and then throw in some Rambo-like soldiers as bad guys (to get more action into the series)! Characters became CARICATURES as the center of attention shifts to a silly comic book "war" between "Ben" and Charles Widmore (who are perhaps a couple of time/space travellers).
  
  For a while, I was concerned that the resolution of LOST might ultimately disappoint by being a bit too reminiscent of various movie plot lines (Vanilla Sky, the Fountain, Dark City, What Dreams May Come, Twelve Monkeys, etc.). But now, if the series proceeds in the direction that season four has laid out, LOST isn't even in the league of many of those films. Instead, we might end up comparing it to something of the ilk of Highlander. Sad indeed!
  
  I'm sure that lots of viewers have simply given up on the series after the silly revelations of season four. I'm still looking forward to season five, but am less than hopeful that the writers can fix all that they have destroyed. Instead of thoughtful, well written character development intertwined with just the right amount of mystery, I'll be expecting more dumb action scenes and silly comic book plots.
  
  How the mighty fall.
  
  JM
  
  P.S.
  
  Of course, many viewers might choose to think of season three as the END of the series. The rest, might be better off left to the imagination of the viewer (which might provide a far more interesting conclusion). I'm also sure that many fan-fiction writers can come up with something much more pleasing.
  
  
  
• How can you review before you view?
  By A1NSGA7A3JU376 on 2008-05-16
  How can a customer have *reviewed* this item when it won't even be available until 12/2008? Yes, I will be buying this when it becomes available, but that is because I love the TV show. I have no idea what the discs will look like, play like, or even extras to name a few. Besides, suppose these discs aren't ready for sale on time? Suppose they aren't released at all? Unlikely, sure (and I don't want that), BUT - you can't review something you don't have.
  
  
• Perhaps the best season so far!
  By A2996RENU49PUJ on 2008-05-30
  Last night, the season finale of the fourth season of Lost ended. The fourth season was cut down in size from the 16 episodes that were supposed to have been made from the writer's strike. I can say that it was hard to top this season.
  
  Lost continues to be the best television show ever to grace television screens. Twists and turns in every direction. People who complain about not getting answers should watch the season finale, "There's no Place Like Home."
  
  Performances: Michael Emerson continues to be the best character on the show, reaching his acting peak in,"The Shape of Things to Come." Severel new characters were introduced this season, the standouts being Jeremy Davies as Daniel Faraday, Jeff Fahey as Frank Lapidus, and Kevin Durand as Martin Keamy. Henry Ian Cusick, Terry O'Quinn, Matthew Fox, Naveen Andrews. Ther list goes on and on.
  
  Plot: The main plot of this season was the rescue of the Oceanic 6 from the Island. We learned through flashforwards the things that occured to the Oceanic 6 when they returned to the real world. This plot is ended by the end of the season, although now they have another mission: return to the Island. The other plot arc this season was a freighter that supposedly came to rescue the Islanders. Over time, they learn the true mission of the Freighter people: kill everyone on the Island.
  
  Music: The music continues to be breathtaking. Michael Giachinno is a genius when it comes to emotional scores. I have to give a shout out to the "Dharmacide" piece. It plays when Ben goes to tell his daughter goodbye in this season's episode, "The Shape of Things to Come." another new theme was introduced in the season finale, it plays when the Oceanic 6 return to the real world and see their family memebers.
  
  Overall, this is one of the greatest seasons of television ever.
  
  
• "Lost" has, once again, been found in this extremely polished and consistent fourth season.
  By A2DX4VBI2L4GMX on 2008-06-03
  "Lost" has always been an amazing show. I remember being blown away when I first saw the pilot episode, a few years back. However, the show's formula (the flashbacks) slowly became stale over the course of Lost's first three seasons. By the end of season 3, all of the main characters' back stories had been told. Many complained that some of the later episodes, had redundant flashbacks. A lot of people started to lose interest in the show. "Where could it go from here? Will they ever get rescued?" The season three finale answered these questions with it's mind blowing reveal; the flashforward. From that moment on, Lost would forever be changed.
  
  Season Four feels very different from the other three seasons. The first three seasons, focused on a group of survivors and their adventures on the island. The episodes focused on "flashing back" to each character's past to develop each of their personalities and character traits. Season Four does have some flashbacks, but most of season four is spent on flashforwards. Instead of learning about each character's past, you learn about certain characters' futures. This is an interesting idea. However these flashforwards aren't nearly as deep and thought provoking as the flashbacks were. Also the story no longer completely focuses on the island and the people on it, but we are introduced to people from the outside world. This premise scared me at first but it turned to out be intriguing and breathed new life into the series.
  
  Season Four is, without a doubt, the best season of "Lost" thus far. A big reason for this could be the fact that Season Four feels so new and fresh, as opposed to the staleness of some of the ladder seasons. But the real reason season four is so superb is due to the consisent quality of all the episodes in the season. Seasons 1, 2 and 3 all had their great episodes...but there were also some mediocre episodes and filler story lines. That's not to say Season Four is without it's fair share of filler and mediocre episodes, but there are more "good" episodes than "bad".
  
  Many fans complained that the first three seasons took far too long to answer their questions and that the show lingered on certain plot points for far too long (the hatch story line...I'm looking at YOU). Season Four gets right to point. The pace is, for the most part, a lot faster than the previous three. You won't get every answer you want but you will get a lot of questions answered. Certain episodes in this season will absolutely blow your mind (The Constant, Shape of Things to Come, and the finale come to mind). Most of the other episodes are also very good. There are only two "bad" episodes that I can think of, but even they are extremely entertaining.
  
  The new characters are very interesting and intriguing. I'd say the freighter folk are a lot more interesting that the tallies and the others ever were. Some of them are good and some are bad. They're all entertaining characters and are well acted. The mystery behind why the freighter is there and what the people on the freighter plan to do with the people on the island, will keep you guessing and keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire season. The season finale of this season is what makes this season so superb. If you thought Season Three's finale was mind blowing...think again!
  
  Overall, season four is by far the best and most consistent season of Lost's entire run thus far. Season Four, while short, covers a lot of ground and brings up lots of mysteries that will keep you guessing. Season Four has made Lost fresh again. If you liked the previous three seasons, buy this set. If your not into Lost yet, buy the first season and give it a shot. Lost truly is one of the best shows on television. And after viewing season four, I continue to believe and understand why.
  
  
• LOWER THE PRICE!
  By AQYIAAQBEGVO6 on 2008-06-24
  They have to charge less when they are short 10 episodes! This is not fair.
  
  
• Bottom line = $$$$
  By A3UXDDCY67GKS1 on 2008-08-20
  Great season, but charging the same amount (Nearly $40) for only 14 episodes is highway robbery.
  
  Not-to-mention that you can watch it online for free.
  
  In this age of illegal (though easy) downloads, I've paid for the previous 3 seasons, and was looking forward to this one, but not at this price.
  
  Fair is fair.
  
  
• More Island Hijinks, now with 50% less island!
  By A3IXPFN5DU9Z9L on 2008-09-09
  I hesitated before writing this review because there are only two types of people in this world: those that love LOST and those that hate it.
  
  Fans of the show (who collectively refer to themselves by the unimaginative moniker 'losties') will not need to read any review to know that this box set will eventually be nestled between the green box for season three and the mystery color box for season five. (As with all things LOST, the potential color of the season five box set is fiercely debated, although there is a general consensus that dinosaurs will be involved.)
  
  On the other hand, the 'Lost haters', as they are affectionately called, will berate anyone who deigns to spend 40 dollars and untold hours on a Television show that, in their opinion, is worthless tripe. However, these people will still devote several hours of their time to writing reviews about how bad LOST is and how everyone who likes it should be tortured and imprisoned.
  
  So, this review is not for those two groups, both of whom made their final decision 4 seasons ago, somewhere around the time the plane crashed on the island. No, this review is for the tiny minority of you who have not been exposed to the LOST phenomenon and have yet to form an opinion you will soon be forced to defend bitterly, and sometimes with violence. You are, in a way, the all important swing voters in a deeply polarized intellectual battle.
  
  The forth season of LOST promised a faster pace and more answers than previous seasons, and for the most part it kept that promise. Of course, the events of season 4 created more new mysteries than were put to rest, and ensured that no one could possibly predict where the series was heading.
  
  For fans there were enough jaw dropping moments and gratifying resolutions to make this an instant five-star rating. For haters there may be enough answers to bring a few back into the warm embrace of the losties.
  
  For the uninitiated: Call in sick for a week and buy enough canned food and bottled water so you don't have to leave your house for 6 days. Buy seasons 1-3 and watch every episode, every disc, back-to-back, only pausing to eat and use the restroom. Do not try to sleep.
  
  On day 5 collapse in bed and sleep for 48 hours. Now that you're all caught up, you're ready to purchase season 4.
  
  
• Lost its edge a bit.
  By A2PV6GK1HV54Y9 on 2008-06-15
  Lost: The Complete Fourth Season slipped in terms of storylines and the introduction of new characters. Lost is at its best with the original cast, everyone seems to hate new additions and I hate to say it but so do I. Of all the episodes from season 4, I only enjoyed half of them, maybe less. I really like this show so that's why I give it 4 stars, hopefully next season will really hit the mark. Buy this if you are a super-fan of this show, enjoy!
  
  
• It's About "Time"
  By AP3B615GM191G on 2008-06-13
  Though shorter than the previous three seasons of the show (partly due to starting in January, and partly due to the writer's strike), the fourth season of LOST is just as compelling as ever.
  
  In reference to the main "mythology" plotlines, for the first time this season the real possibility of rescue is touched on. Also, a dramatic shift (as a result of the Jack vs. Locke feud) is made in the way the castaways are aligned on the island, and as a result we learn that perhaps Ben Linus has not always been the leader of the Others. Finally, picking up on a seemingly forgotten plot thread of a past season, this season really delves into the notion that the perception of time on the island is not the same perception of time in the outside world.
  
  As for the more personal, dramatic storytelling that LOST has become known for, this season picks right up where season three's shocker ("we have to go back, Kate!) left off, flashing forward into the future instead of back to the past. By doing this, the writers/producers were able to keep the dramatic stories fresh, essentially revealing the future location of certain "Losties" and then filling in the gaps as to how/why he/she ended up at that point.
  
  To conclude, the fourth season of LOST keeps up the show's high-quality tradition of mind-bending plots (this season is heavy on those with the time-altering angle), action/adventure, and compelling drama. By the season finale, when the person in the coffin is revealed (and you will be dying to know how he/she ended up there), the show will have taken on almost a completely new "real time" (perhaps episodes will now flashback from the future?!). Let's just say that it will be a long wait until next January, when the fifth season hits ABC.
  
  
• Addictive Series with FANTASTIC Re-Watch Value!
  By AGHVQ841IR6GO on 2008-07-08
  Lost literally has everything, from suspense to humor to drama to science fiction to romance to DEEP characterizations of all of the lead cast. But the absolute best attribute to LOST for DVD buyers is its AMAZING re-watch value. After watching through the first four seasons of LOST, you can go right back to the first episode and start watching again and pick up so many clues and pieces you NEVER picked up on the first viewing...
  
  Season Four does not disappoint. In my opinion, this season was amazingly tight. In spite of fewer episodes, the episodes that exist pack more of a punch. Personal favorites of this season include: The Constant, Ji Yeon, and the ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE The Shape of Things to Come. Rounding the season is a fabulous three part finale There's No Place Like Home.
  
  In spite of a writers strike, the team on LOST held their act together, kept the pace tight, and drove the story toward the final two seasons (5 & 6) in a story that has a definite beginning, middle and end.
  
  
• EXPAND YOUR IMAGINATION!
  By AFEN54UGJQOK9 on 2008-07-08
  What I think that keeps me hooked on this show, more than any other TV show I've ever watched is the fact that alot of it has to do with your own imagination. Much in the way that the original Twilight Zone could at times, only I think Lost may even do it better. Some things in this season especially, I will say, are only as real (or unreal) as you want them to be. Much of the premise is left widely to interpretation, especially in this season, where the pacing of the show has changed a bit. We now have almost no sense of what "real" time actually is, and can see into the future time events of our characters, as well as the past. As one reviewer already explained, the issue with time is a lot more relevant now, then it had been before, as it seems that things that happen outside of the island, happen at a different time pace than things on the island.
  The season is very short (14 episodes) and in those fourteen episodes we span about seven days on the island (real time [?]) we cover clips that span the survivors rescue from the island, to about three years in the future (which is 2007, since real time events all take place in 2004) and the flashback sequences continue to become more tripped out and frenetic as they go, a steady pace that has been rising since the first season. We get one flashback that may not actually be a flashback at all, one flashfoward that is actually a flashback, and a time line that is now more of an explosion and dissaray of time all together. What exactly is time anyway?... I don't think our magic island really cares about all that.
  
  People on Lost island start having some weird dreams... and i gotta tell ya, as a viewer of the TV show, I had one or two weird dreams about the show myself, as it is completely in my head. Which is a little F'd up. But the show still RULES, and as far as i am concerned, the best TV drama ever created (sans MAYBE the Twilight Zone) Expand your imagination peeps.
  
  
  
• Bigger and better than ever
  By A3JLOIXFM75QNV on 2008-08-04
  I didn't think Season 3 was as bad as some people claim it is. It's Lost and I love it, no matter what. But wow. Season 4 just kicked some major booty. Absolutely everything you could ever ask for in a show is within this Season. Not since the first Season has Lost been THIS good. The only downside is the fact that it is not as long as the other seasons.
  
  There are surprises and twists galore. The characters old and new are interesting and engaging. The actors all do a fantastic job, it's just so obvious that they enjoy working on this show. The story line can get a tad confusing a times, but it really does come together (for the most part). Yes there are more questions, even though some have been answered. But that is why this show really grips people. There are so many emotions packed into the season, each episode is a practical cliffhanger and teaser to the next one. It's almost mind-consuming.
  
  The mysteries and intriguing and you WANT to watch every single episode, because if you miss even one, you're basically screwed and out of the loop. I really can't say enough about this show. And it really does appeal to alot of different people and age ranges. It's great to watch it on DVD so you're not dealing with the commercials. Less tention and waiting that way. Easily, the best show out there.
  
  
• $59.99 for only 14 episodes??? Rip-off.
  By A13D4E28S63SYF on 2008-08-05
  Amazon states that the list price is $59.99. That is the same as previous "Lost" seasons, which contained 24 episodes each. So why should "Lost - Season 4" cost $59.99 for only 14 episodes? Rip-off. "Season 4" was excellent and proved "Lost" still had some legs, but what's the point in ripping off loyal Lost viewers? No wonder there was a writer's strike last year. Not only does Hollywood rip off its writers/creators, but it also rips off its viewers/customers. Let's hear it for the writers who fought back the bloated Hollywood monster.
  
  
• blu-ray vs. reg dvd
  By A17KEB68KKFUQG on 2008-08-29
  So long as you own a blu-ray dvd player or a playstation, you need not waste money on blu-ray movies. I repeat, you need not waste money on blu-ray movies so long as you own a blu-ray dvd player. There is NO difference in picture quality between a regular dvd and a blu-ray dvd when played on a blue ray dvd player or on a playstation. However, they is a major difference in picture quality when comparing regular DVD's played on standard DVD players and blu-ray movies played on blu-ray players.
  Such is the case w/ Lost season 4. Why pay double the price for Blu-ray? If you already own a blu-ray DVD player or a playstation, don't bother w/ the blu-ray version. That's because blu-ray players UPGRADE regular DVDs to the point that they look imperceptibly alike even on high-def, flat-screen televisions. In my opinion, there is no discernible difference between blu-ray discs and standard discs when played on blu-ray players.
  
  
• show stinks
  By A255WWD1MHMTDM on 2008-10-29
  look i love this show but let me ask why is it released in every country but here? i know its about the christmas relase so they can make more money. but for petes sake get it together man and relase it in sep or oct. these ppl ruin everything good.
  
  
• Another winning season
  By A3T3USBHXZ5Q7F on 2008-06-03
  LOST is one of the best shows (if not the best) on television currently; I love the characters, the story continues to go into new and exciting places and it's the only show where I'm DYING to see what happens next. Seasons 1-3 were superb and 4 is no exception. Great new characters are introduced (Miles, Daniel) and more questions are answered but the mystery is still enticing. Glad to see some old characters return and the death of some was sad to see. Can't wait for Season Five to find out what happens next...
  
  
• Nonsense, and Complete Nonsense
  By A229FP9601CFNR on 2008-06-09
  Let's see how many loose ends we can create and never explain....that's seems to be the driving force behind this show. I expect the ending will be something like Jack wakes up and the whole thing was a dream.
  
  Good grief, this show is ridiculous.
  
  
• A Really Good Season (Some Spoilers)
  By A2A6NH6DPE0VXR on 2008-07-21
  Lost season 4 has many twists and turns. It's episodes are done pretty smart. We learn that 6 passengers got off the island by flash forwards instead of flashback. The season just leads to a brilliant conclusion of how they actually got off the island and what happened to the people that didn't. In no way is this the season though since it still raises many questions in the finale and through-out the season.
  
  Sine season 3 ended with Jack calling a freighter to come rescue them eventhough Locke and Ben warned him that it would be a huge mistake. What do they know though,...Jack's a Doctor and Doctor's know everything due to years in college lol. But the all mighty brainiac does bring some harm to the island. Since one of the freighter guys is a big military nut that has been hired to bring Ben off the island. He doesn't care who he kills to succeed in his mission. So no, he can careless about rescueing them off the island.
  
  Kevin Durand has been seen in movies like 3:10 to Yuma and Wild Hogs but it's in Lost that he really shines as the military nut. Hell he would have been an awesome Punisher for Punisher 2! The other new cast members who are familiar from many movies are good as well. Jeff Fahey of Lawnmower Man and of Planet Terror does some of his better work as well as a helicopter pilot for the freighter guys. Ken Leung (X-Men 3) is perfect as a wiseass who has the ability to talk to the dead. His character is pretty interesting and I hope they do more with him in season 5. Jeremy Davies (Saving Private Ryan) is another familiar face as a brainy guy who basically just wants to do...brainy stuff on the island lol. His brains can help sometimes and he seems pretty harmless but you never know when he's being honest to the castaways.
  
  Due to the season of being cut down due to the strike, we don't even get a Sawyer flashback. He is still however used well through-out the season and still one of the cooler guys of the show. The show still delivered a pretty solid season. It answers many questions while also being one of the more thrilling and unpredictable seasons. I'll also say that we find out who's in the coffin and many of us were dieing to know after season 3. Of course, I'm not going to give away who it is though. We also get the reappearnce of a familiar face and I'll give you a hint, he used to scream "WALT!" lol.
  
  
  
• Why the wait?
  By A1AF1XEBOP78OQ on 2008-07-21
  I agree with others, this past year was a great season, despite the strike. My problem is the huge delay in getting this. We should not have to wait until December for a show that ended in May. Before last year, previous seasons were released in August. Why the big delay?
  
  
• Season 4 without a shadow of a doubt - Delivers
  By A36JS1LY0ARDI0 on 2008-09-13
  The fourth Season of LOST was almost 'lost' due to the writers strike. After that ended the writers, actors, directors and everyone else that works on this fantastic show rallied up together once more and delivered us a second half of a season for the ages! Simply awesome. I think for the first time on the show, you can kind of see where this show is heading... but with still all the mystery surrounding the island!
  
  I think the price of the set should be like $30 though. Not nearly as many episodes as other seasons, but there will still be tons of extra features to hold us over etc. and I'll still be buying the set either from here or another store on release date!
  
  Season 4 of LOST is the GREAT!!!
  
  
• Hidden Special features
  By A3LXK1XK32ZLGF on 2008-10-07
  This is not as much a reveiw as it is a tip.On seasons 1-3 (and i would assume season 4)on disk 7 go to all the menues 1 at a time and go left and right a few times and it will take the little dot to a spot where there is no words and then hit enter its that way on most every menue.
  
  its preatty neat
  
  
• M. Guthrie: Extract Head
  By A2AFNHHA0LMMQO on 2008-05-21
  M. Guthrie, as a true "fan of the show" you would know that there are two seasons left. It will be 6 seasons. Maybe YOU should do some research before you start talking down to others. Seriously, get a life.
  
  This season has been great, and I will definately be picking up this DVD set. Awesome!!
  
  
• Price
  By A1SMS6VSKB3R72 on 2008-05-28
  Don't get me wrong I love Lost; I've bought all previous seasons, and I'll buy the next ones.
  
  We need to notice that season 4 has been great but also has been shorter (only 14 hours/episodes, only 5 discs), so is not fair it cost the same than a full 24 episode season.
  
  So, I totally agree with A. McDaniel: it is a total rip-off!
  
  Is there anything we can do?
  
  
  

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