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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that the show often repeats the chilling and dramatic scene of the airplane right before its crash -- parts detach; the plane's front and back end split; passengers panic and some die. The scene is used as a frame of reference as we learn more about the characters, but is no less daunting even when seen multiple times. The series can be aggressive with some violent scenes including post-crash injuries, fatalities, kidnapping and fights, main characters being killed off -- a trend that will continue as the show progresses. In the flashbacks we see drinking, and one character is a heroin addict. There is kissing and some sexual activity implied -- including between step-siblings. One main character is an unwed mother, and most of the characters have dark secrets in their past (including murder).

Parents may want to discuss the crash with younger viewers -- the realistic depiction of the flight going down may scare kids who must travel by airplane. Death and disaster are prominent themes within the series as castaways struggle for survival. The mystery of the island and the embedded clues are a big part of the show, and sharing theories about the happenings on the show can be a fun way for kids and parents to share the viewing experience. Families might also want to talk about the idea of fate, which plays a pivotal role on the show: Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jill Hipps

Take a couple handfuls of survivors -- some family, mostly strangers -- crash them onto an island with a traumatic plane wreck, and give them little sign of hope, a mystery in the jungle, and no sign of rescue; add a pinch of Gilligan's Island, a smidge of Survivor, a sprinkle of grownup Goonies, a dab of 24, and a generous serving of originality to taste. This is what being LOST is all about.

Each episode adds a building block to the mystery surrounding the survivors. Viewers are slowly introduced to the past of each character with flashbacks to what led them onto the fictitious Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 and eventually, to the island. Slowly, we discover their fate was no accident, and there are connections between the remaining passengers.

The blend of mystery and drama is enthralling and tends to overshadow any violence that occurs along the way. The storyline was strongly built over the first season; love triangles are in place, a pregnant survivor gives birth to the beginning of the first generation of the island, a mysterious hatch is found and opened (though the discovery of what or who is inside will have to wait until season 2); a polar bear is discovered to be living and terrorizing the sunny isle; and finally, the survivors have discovered they are not alone.

The series delivers a range of characters including Dr. Jack, who collected the prescription meds from the luggage, made supply carts out of snack carts, and bandages out of clothing. A married couple, Sun and Jin, only one of whom speaks English, have caught fish for food, assisted in making a boat, and planted a garden from passion fruit seeds. A former Iraqi soldier, Sayid, has attempted to repair a radio signal with some success while Boone, the resident boar-hunter, finds solace in the unknown.

The interlocking puzzle of characters, secrets, and endless discoveries can make for an enticing family drama. Lost could be considered the television version of a board game. There are compelling questions left at the end of each episode, and vast amounts of room for interpretation. Parents may find there is plenty of room to discuss serious issues of death and loss, but the overall mystery and weekly disclosure of "clues" presents an opportunity for light-hearted conversations with teens: What do you think is on the island? How do you think the survivors are connected? And most importantly, after a cliffhanging season finale, what do you think is in the hatch?

There are a few websites that offer fun, interactive ways for families to discover hidden clues and share ideas of what might happen next week/season, including www.oceanicflight815.com and abc.go.com/primetime/lost.

Fans may also enjoy other fantasy-themed shows like NBC's Heroes and ABC's Invasion.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Kissing and some sexual activity implied -- including between step-siblings. Unwed mother is main character.
Violence Many wounded/dead. Main character found hanging from tree; man sucked into the plane's propeller; post-crash injuries including bloody cuts and gashes; bloody dead bodies; shooting; kidnapping; arson; murder. We see blood from surgery as well.
Language An occasional "hell" or "damn".
Message
	Social Behavior Adjusting to life on the island brings to mind "survival of the fittest." As the series progresses, there is unity among survivors -- they work together for food, shelter, support, through language barriers and in attempts to get off the island.
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Drinking, heroin addiction.

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