A few weeks ago we started watching Lost (season one) on DVD. I was nervous at first because I try hard not to get sucked in to new TV shows. I only watch a few on a regular basis and as much as I might like a particular show (Seinfeld, King of the Hill, Queer as Folk), I’m always glad to see it go. I guess it’s like I get that time back rather than having to schedule a block of TV watching into my life. The best way to watch a show is after it’s been canceled as I learned when a friend loaned us Freaks and Geeks on DVD. The series was fantastic, and more importantly, safely cancelled.
So we started watching Lost, knowing that one day we’d catch up and ourselves become trapped on the island. Still, we recklessly blazed through season one (like Locke through the jungle), sometimes putting away three or four episodes in an evening (the way Charlie once put away heroin), and then the first part of season two that we had hoarded (like Sawyer stashing supplies in his tent) on our DVR. It was kind of like watching a very cool movie that didn’t end, and now I’m hooked (like Jack pushing that damn button that doesn’t do anything). As of last weekend, we’re caught up so now it’s no longer like a movie. It’s TV, albeit very good TV.
Later we’ll be watching last night’s episode on DVR, but we will have to wait a WHOLE WEEK before we can find out what happens. And what if next week is a rerun? It could be weeks before we find out what happens! We’ve been spoiled by DVD and a backlog of DVR. For all our new technology, I still can’t escape watching regular TV programs. Oh well. I guess there are worse fates (okay last one – like Hurley winning a cursed lottery) than this.
James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.
I think its one of the best shows on TV these days……Have hard time predicting the next scene…that’s good……..
Very true. I just learned next week is a re-run, but it’s one that I haven’t seen. I guess I’ll chalk it up to good clean living.