The One Unforgettable Character That Stole the Spotlight in Lost's Finest Episodes

Summary

Lost's strong episodes are dominated by one surprising character, whose stories outshine the rest and elevate the later seasons.

The audience strongly connected with the shipwrecked survivor's unique perspective and well-crafted backstory on the Island. However, Lost failed to utilize this character effectively in its final season, possibly contributing to the decline of the show.

Lost gained immense popularity during its original run from 2004 to 2010, with one character emerging as the standout force behind the iconic TV show's strongest episodes. Despite the divisive reception to the series finale and its failure to tie up all loose ends, the JJ Abrams mystery epic continues to captivate audiences with its exceptional storytelling and ability to create suspense and fascination. Even over a decade since its conclusion, Lost remains a cherished show of its time, with numerous episodes earning widespread acclaim throughout its six seasons.

Interestingly, many of these acclaimed episodes shine a spotlight on a specific character who manages to overshadow the rest of the Lost cast, despite not being one of the primary protagonists. This character's narratives surpass the individual storylines of the show, intertwining seamlessly with the overarching plot threads and transforming them into the most captivating figure of the series. While some argue that Lost's peak was reached in its pilot episode, this character significantly elevates the show from its second season onwards.

Desmond Has More Great Episodes Than Any Other Lost Character

The majority of episodes in Lost focused on a different character each week, and the best stories of the show often revolved around Desmond. Notably, the season 2 opener "Man of Science, Man of Faith," the season 2 finale "Live Together, Die Alone," and the season 4 episode "The Constant" are frequently ranked as some of the greatest episodes in TV history. These episodes are all highly regarded on IMDb, and they all have one thing in common: a significant focus on Desmond. What makes this even more impressive is that Desmond wasn't a main or original character in Lost, making his impact all the more remarkable.

Desmond Hume makes his first appearance in Lost during season 2, but he quickly became a beloved fan-favorite due to his engaging storyline. Desmond had already been stranded on the Island for three years before the other characters arrived, giving him a unique perspective within the Lost ensemble and allowing him to have a distinct role in the overall story. Lost dedicated significant time to developing Desmond's character and delving into his backstory, which deeply resonated with viewers and unexpectedly provided the show with an emotional core separate from Jack, Kate, and the rest of the main group.

Lost's Best Episodes Prove Season 6 Wasted Desmond

Unfortunately, Lost mishandled Desmond's direction in season 6, causing Henry Ian Cusick's character to fade into the background. This was a significant disappointment and may have contributed to Lost's gradual decline. Since his introduction in season 2, Desmond had been crucial in holding the story together, but when the writers downplayed his importance in the broader narrative, Lost suffered. Ruining Desmond in its later seasons was one of the show's biggest mistakes, leading to a less compelling storyline.

It is particularly perplexing that many of Lost's most celebrated episodes revolved around Desmond, which makes his diminished role in season 6 and to a lesser extent, season 5, even more puzzling. While Desmond did not completely disappear from Lost, he was not given the same level of significance as in seasons 2-4. Looking back, it becomes apparent how much the greatest episodes of Lost relied on Desmond and how poorly the character was utilized in the later seasons.

Sources: IMDb