Lost

TV review by Jill Murphy, Common Sense Media
Lost Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Excellent, sometimes scary drama for fearless families.

ABC Drama 2004
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Parents say

age 13+

Based on 59 reviews

Kids say

age 12+

Based on 197 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know Lost is a complex action/sci-fi drama includes many startling, sometimes violent sequences -- starting with the chilling airplane crash that kicks off the first episode (and is revisited more than once). Other potentially upsetting scenes include injuries, fatalities, kidnappings, shootings, and fights. Important characters are threatened and sometimes killed. Characters are shown drinking (particularly in flashback sequences), and one character is a heroin addict. There's kissing and some sexual activity, though nothing too sensitive is shown. Most of the characters have dark secrets in their past, including murder.

Community Reviews

Samantha16lyn33
Samantha16lyn33 Adult
November 27, 2021
age 18+

All Over the Place

Sometimes while your really interested in something going on within the show, the new episode bounces to something entirely different. They need to know how to take the screen time away from the less like characters
Ann M.
Ann M. Adult
April 17, 2021
age 14+

Our pandemic series

This series was our perfect pandemic show in spring/summer 2020 -- it caught our mood, was deeply engrossing for our 14-year old son, and ended up being a good series for the three of us to watch together. We found ourselves spending our days discussing the dilemmas and situations in the show -- the characters accompanied us on many pandemic family walks. Yes there is violence, but the characters and situations are so interesting and complex and entangled that the point is never the violence, but rather the moral challenges of survival and community. There is also some sex but much more about love and its complications amidst stress and difficulty; the sex is never exploitative or for its own sake, and it's actually surprisingly rare. You are much more compelled by the relationships and the way they move back and forth. It ended up being a wonderful series to watch with our teen when we ourselves were cut off from the outside world.
See all 59 parent reviews

What's the Story?

LOST is what happens when you take a couple of 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. Then add a pinch of Gilligan's Island, a smidge of Survivor, a sprinkle of grown-up Goonies, a dab of 24, and a generous serving of originality to taste. Each episode adds a building block to the mystery surrounding the survivors. Viewers are slowly introduced to each character's past via flashbacks to what led them onto the fictitious Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 -- and, eventually, to the island. Slowly, viewers discover that the characters' fate was no accident, and there are connections between the remaining passengers.

Is It Any Good?

The show's interlocking puzzle of characters, secrets, and endless discoveries make for an enticing family drama. Lost could be considered the TV version of a board game. There are compelling questions left at the end of each episode and vast amounts of room for interpretation. The blend of mystery and drama in Lost is enthralling and tends to overshadow the violence that occurs along the way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about death and disaster, which are prominent themes in Lost. Is the show optimistic or pessimistic? Are the characters intended to be role models?

  • Talk about the idea of fate, which plays a pivotal role on the show. Do you believe everything happens for a reason?

  • 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 teens and parents to share the viewing experience.

  • How do the characters on Lost demonstrate courage and teamwork? Why are those important character strengths?

TV Details

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