The Hidden Vault: Unearthing 10 Mind-Blowing Lost Plot Lines That Would Have Rewritten History

Summary

Lost experienced setbacks in its initial blueprint, sparking varied responses from viewers and leaving certain inquiries unanswered. Navigating the intricacies of producing a television series spanning six seasons poses a significant test.

Jack's character was originally intended to perish in the pilot episode. However, due to the availability of the actor, the plan underwent a change. The gripping and intense interactions between Jack and Locke became instrumental in crafting some of the finest dramatic moments on the show.

Initially, Kate was envisioned as the leader of the survivors. Unfortunately, a shift in the storyline resulted in her being left with restricted storylines. This change garnered criticism for portraying her as immature.

The unfolding of the show revealed that Lost was not initially planned from start to finish, leading to significant changes in its earlier ideas. Throughout its six seasons, Lost captivated its audience by introducing new mysteries while they were still trying to solve old ones. When the series concluded, the response was divided, as certain unresolved questions left viewers with mixed feelings.

Regardless of personal opinions, it is undeniable that many of Lost's original plans did not come to fruition, and the show suffered as a result. Running a TV show for six seasons poses numerous challenges, and various unavoidable factors hindered Lost's progress. While certain changes had a negative impact on the show, other writing decisions actually benefited the series.

10 Jack Was Supposed To Die In The Pilot

Jack Shepherd, the protagonist of Lost, captivated audiences from the start of the show until its climatic conclusion. Interestingly, J.J. Abrams initially intended for Jack to meet his demise in the pilot episode, aiming to astonish viewers with an early plot twist. Prior to Matthew Fox stepping into the role, Michael Keaton had expressed interest in portraying Jack. However, when the decision to keep Jack alive was made, Keaton's interest waned as he preferred not to commit to a full television series. While Jack may not have always been the most beloved character in Lost, his presence remains essential to the series, particularly due to his intricate relationship with Locke, which contributes to some of the show's most compelling dramatic moments.

9 Kate Was Going To Be The Leader

Instead of the original plan for Kate to become the leader of the survivors, Jack unexpectedly continued to be the main character on the show. Consequently, Kate did not assume a prominent leadership role as initially intended. As a result, Kate faced extensive criticism during the run of Lost, as it appeared that she had little significance in the narrative. Even the actress, Evangeline Lilly, admitted to finding Kate exasperating after a certain point. Kate ultimately became primarily known for her romantic entanglements with Jack and Sawyer, leading to further criticism of her immaturity and propensity for causing unnecessary problems.

8 Claire Was A Surrogate Mother

Originally intended to serve as a surrogate mother for her two friends, Claire's narrative took a different turn, leading her to conceive her own child, who was then planned for adoption. This shift in the storyline is discussed in the season one DVD extras, indicating a change that occurred early in the production process. While both scenarios would have ultimately presented Claire with the choice of becoming a mother, surrogacy would have heightened the show's exploration of philosophical questions surrounding destiny. In the series, Claire experienced internal conflict regarding her desire to keep her baby. If she had been a surrogate mother, this conflict may not have arisen organically, instead being imposed upon her by external circumstances.

7 Ben And Desmond Were Limited Roles

In season 2 of Lost, two standout characters, Benjamin Linus and Desmond Hume, were introduced. Interestingly, these characters were initially intended to appear in only three episodes each, as revealed by the Official Lost Podcast. However, both the characters and the actors received an overwhelming positive response from the audience. As a result, Ben made a comeback for an additional five episodes in that season, while Desmond returned as the central figure in the season 2 finale's flashbacks. These flashbacks also brought forth the introduction of Penny and Charles Widmore, who would later play significant roles. The ability of episodic television to adapt to audience reactions during the course of a season is undeniably a valuable asset.

6 Nikki And Paulo Had A Bigger Storyline

Nikki and Paulo made their debut in season 3 of Lost, with the notion that they had been part of the survivors' camp all along. Unfortunately, this addition stirred up a negative reaction among fans who felt it was unnecessary. While season 3 introduced compelling characters like Juliet, Nikki and Paulo faced widespread disdain and were swiftly eliminated from the show. Although there were initially grand plans for their storyline, their final appearance came in the form of the flashback episode called "Exposé," which portrayed their gruesome fate of being buried alive.

5 The Heart Of The Island Was Going To Be A Volcano

In the extras of the third season DVD, the producers of Lost discussed the episode titled "The Man Behind the Curtain." This particular episode reveals Ben's upbringing for the first time. During the DVD commentary, the creators revealed that the island's volcano played a significant role. Initially, the original plan was for the Heart of the Island, the cave emitting a glowing light where the Smoke Monster is formed, to be located within the volcano. Additionally, the volcano was intended to serve as the setting for the final showdown between Jack and the Man In Black, with magma erupting around them, reminiscent of epic scenes in Lord of the Rings or the Star Wars prequels. Unfortunately, this spectacle could not be realized primarily due to budget constraints.

4 More Flashbacks Were Planned

As the flashbacks of older characters grew tedious, Lost introduced new characters to unveil their backstories. Unfortunately, Season 4 of Lost was cut short due to the 2007-08 writer's strike, resulting in the condensation of the science team's flashbacks (Daniel, Miles, and Charlotte) into a single episode. It was also revealed in the Official Lost Podcast that there had been plans for a Rousseau flashback. Although Daniel and Miles had their flashbacks in Season 5, Charlotte and Rousseau never had the opportunity to share theirs.

3 Eko Was Supposed To Be End Game

Introduced from the tail-section of Oceanic 815, Mr. Eko emerged as one of the most captivating characters. Initially intended for a four-season run, actor Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje opted to depart the show. Originally envisioned as the protagonist with psychic abilities, this narrative was later transferred to Desmond. In season 2, Eko's supernatural gifts were hinted at when he foretold Ana Lucia's fatal gunshot wounds. The character was meant to embark on a multi-season journey of spiritual exploration, ultimately assuming great significance within the island's mythology and storyline.

2 The Smoke Monster Was Originally Mechanical

The show's biggest enigma, both before and after its true form was revealed, was

1 Walt Was Important

. Initially, all that was known about it was its peculiar mechanical sound, which intrigued audiences. Eventually, it was unveiled as a swirling black smoke, and later identified as the Man in Black. Originally conceived as a mechanical creation by the Dharma Initiative, this idea added a captivating blend of science fiction to the mythical creature's already mesmerizing allure.

In Lost, a widely known inconsistency arises from the portrayal of Walt, who initially held great significance in season 1 but gradually faded away from the show's narrative. Although the specifics of Walt's intended storyline remain undisclosed, the first season established his character with the prospect of developing supernatural abilities. Unlike conventional shows where each season represents one year, Lost compressed the events of its first four seasons into approximately one hundred days. Unfortunately, the actor portraying Walt, Malcolm David Kelley, experienced a substantial growth spurt between seasons, posing challenges in reintroducing him as a regular character in the early seasons due to his significantly altered appearance, no longer appearing as a 10-year-old.