Season Six

Finding Lost: The Unofficial Guide #5

by Nikki Stafford

? “Nikki Stafford is a godsend to Lost enthusiasts in particular and TV lovers in general. I’ve written about TV for several years, and have always valued her opinion and insights on all things television.” ― Amanda Cuda, Connecticut Post Author Nikki Stafford has established herself in the Lost fandom through her comprehensive episode analysis, which have helped thousands of viewers watch the show with a deeper understanding season after season. This final installment of the Finding Lost series ties together all of the pieces from season one to the end, showing the beginnings of each plot line and tracing its development throughout the series. This season six book includes analyses on the war between good and evil and how it’s been epitomized in the black and white themes, and will provide possible explanations for many of the questions that have remained remain unanswered at the end of the series. The book will be filled with sidebars offering summaries for many of the show’s ongoing mysteries, and chapters on the show’s literary precursors, Stephen King’s The Stand and Milton’s Paradise Lost . Stafford takes an in-depth look at the alternate timeline offered in the show’s final season and compare it to the original timeline that played out in the first five seasons. Including exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of the filming of the season six episodes on location in Hawaii, Finding Season 6 is the only book Lost fans will need when the screen goes dark (or light) one final time.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Pop Culture

319 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't read any of Nikki Stafford's books on LOST before this one, but now I'm considering buying the rest of her LOST guides. Not only does she give an excellent synopsis of each episode, she discusses cultural references and literature that is relevant to the series. Since this was the final season, she had the benefit of seeing how everything turned out, which she didn't have in earlier books, but I trust her insights about earlier seasons would still be valuable. She writes in an accessible, almost conversational style, which makes discussions of some of the more difficult concepts in LOST easier to grasp. I would recommend this to anyone who wants a more complete understanding of LOST, especially as a companion guide to those watching for the first time.

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband and I have watched this show from beginning to end many times. Even though it first aired in September of 2004, we didn’t jump on the Lost bandwagon until sometime in 2011 or 2012 when I got a free trial of Hulu. We thought we’d try it and we binged the first season. It was another couple of years before we continued watching it. Of course the show ended in 2010, but we’ve never been current with shows on television.

Every time we watch it, we discuss the ending for several days. We go back and forth with what was real, what wasn’t, who lived, who died, etc, but we never come to any definitive conclusion because that ending was whacked! I thought this guide would help sort some stuff out for us, but it didn’t.

I like certain aspects of this book series. It gives highlights and bloopers, stuff to keep your eye out for, and it breaks down each episode. But it didn’t help me sort out all the different timelines of the show and what was what.

The part of the book I liked the least were the expositions of other books. These included books like Paradise Lost by John Milton, or The Stand by Stephen King. There was even one about Fear and Trembling by Søren Kierkegaard! It was to show the parallels between these works and the television show. To me, it was stuff I didn’t care about. Parallel or not, it was boring and I skipped a lot of them. Those expositions took up a lot of real estate in this book. 😑

I guess if you’re a die hard Lost fan, this series of books might be worth the read. To me, I just liked certain parts of the book and could’ve done without the rest. I didn’t get the answers I was looking for.

[Marina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Several of my good friends had been at me for some time to watch LOST - somehow I had missed the show when it was originally broadcast. Since I trust these friends implicitly when it comes to movie and TV recommendations (we share a common interest in myth and pop culture), I knew I had to give LOST a try eventually. I nagged at my husband enough that he bought me season 1 last year for my birthday - and although he kept harping that we already had too much TV to watch, we popped it in the DVD player right away. By the time we wrapped up the pilot we were hooked and we watched the entire series in about 2 months (even popping out to the store late at night to pick up the next season because we couldn't wait the few days it would take to put it on hold at our library). Even though he was skeptical, it impacted my husband even more so than myself, and we both count it at the top of our favourite TV shows. In fact, my husband got the blu-ray set for Christmas and we've already rewatched the entire series a second time.

One of the things we love about the show is its multi-layer storytelling, and we've enjoyed endless talks and debates about what was going on each episode. However, one thing was missing. Because we watched the series so much later than everyone else, no one we know was into talking about it and having the same types of discussions we were having with each other! While my husband now starts every conversation with someone he hasn't seen for a while by finding out if they are a Lostie, I've been wishing I'd caught the show when it was originally on TV so I could tune in each week with the rest of the internet.

Thankfully, I found out about Nikki Stafford's Finding LOST series through a mutual friend. In what may be the beginning of a birthday trend, my husband got me the full set of books for my birthday and after reading the first one (covering season 1 and 2), I can say my wish has virtually come true!

Nikki has the book well written and beautifully organized. Each episode is broken down with a summary as well as commentary. I particularly loved the Did You Notice? and Any Questions? section of each episode summary - there are so many things I've missed even after watching the series twice, and I'm already looking forward to going through each episode again with Nikki's guide in hand. In between the episode guides are various segments profiling the actors and summing up some of the books that are featured in the show. After reading Nikki's commentary on how these books add to our understanding of the show, I'm tempted to start my own LOST book club!

Of course the highlight of this particular edition is the discussion of the series finale. Like myself, Nikki loved the finale and found it moving and beautiful - just as I did! In fact, I couldn't believe after watching the finale for the first time that so many people hated it so much - to me it was the absolutely most perfect ending imaginable. I heartily enjoyed reading Nikki's interpretation of the finale - and even if you hated it, I would suggest reading Nikki's comments to get a deeper understanding of it.

So, if you are a fan of LOST, I can't recommend this book enough. You're sure to find tidbits you didn't already know! And I for one am thrilled to have found a fellow Lostie to enjoy the series with. Thank you, Nikki

[Tintinrulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Water-cooler discussions, personal and community theorising (after researching every episode) - that was a huge part of what made this particular TV series so special. The story had the potential to branch off in any and all directions and because of this, some of our theories really did take us further down the rabbit hole. And it was awesome.

Now we arrive at Season 6. Expectations are ridiculously high. No doubt Season 6 is a good season, but it's flawed. Those flaws are only exemplified by the fact that we want all the answers and "LOST" can't possibly deliver the goods to everyone. I had a few niggles myself, with the finale the first time through, as I wanted more of the mythology addressed. For my third watch through, I fully adjusted my expectations and I come away rather satisfied.

Take heart: The many questions (both big and small) "LOST" posed and that apparently were left unanswered are all there, you just have to look harder.

In short, the "Finding LOST" series is like one huge water-cooler discussion. As such, it adds enormously to the reader's enjoyment. This book covers the sixth and finale season. I highly recommend it.

*BOOM* LOST

9.5/10

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Nikki for coming along with me (though her books) on my Lost rewatch. The episodes, seasons, and series add a whole took on more meaning, and I loved having Nikki's thoughts to accompany me on my journey. Highly recommend the entire series for any Lost fan, especially if you are thinking about a rewatch.

[Tim LeBon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished re-watching the whole of Lost with family member now old enough to watch it!
Absolutely fantastic the second time round and Nikki Stafford's companions to the series add an extra dimension to the real enthusiast/devotee/obsessive (delete as appropriate).

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second time through LOST, the first following along with Nikki's books. What an incredible series.

[Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd like to read the other five.