Lost (TV Series) (Blu-ray)

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The transfer is not perfect, but "Lost" is easily the best looking television show I´ve yet to see on any of the high definition formats. It exceeds "Heroes," "Battlestar Galactica" and "The Sopranos." The image is rock steady and strongly detailed. The lush background of the Hawaiian island where the show is shot looks aboslutely incredible. You can count the different colored hairs of Jack´s salt and pepper scruff. The various hatches and others sets look stunning. Even the hokey special effects of Locke battling a (minor spoiler) jungle creature hold up in this extrememly detailed high definition transfer. Coloring is very strong and the palette is as lush as the jungle locations and perfectly saturated. Black levels are strong and shadow detail is nothing less than impressive. There is a minor amount of film grain in some shots and a very minor amount of edge enhancement in a few overly contrasted scenes, but these minor gripes are quite minimal.

Sound:

I want to know how the producers of "Lost" got away with the worst title sequence in television history. However, from the moment the letters L-O-S-T spiral across the screen, it is apparent that the Uncompressed PCM 5.1 and English Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes are nicely done, though the PCM is clearly superior. You can hear the haunting notes of the title card move from front to rear and the sound is sharp and clean. Environmental and ambient sound effects are stunning in "Lost" and considering this is a show where ´whispers´ can sometimes be heard giving hints of clues, sound is very important. You can easily hear birds, the sounds of wind moving through the trees and the odd mechanical stylings of Smokey. John Locke blows stuff up in season three and each and every explosion is bombastic and powerful. Dialogue is spot-on perfect in clarity and the musical score is very nicely handled by the mix. As was the case with the visuals, "Lost" is a top notch presentation of a television show on video, although "Battlestar Galactica" has some very nice sounding moments and is a stronger overall soundtrack with its more aggressive sound design.

Extras:

The Blu-ray release of "Lost" features a few supplements that were not contained with the DVD release of season three. First and foremost is a feature called Season Play. This feature claims that it will allow viewers to activate the feature and that it will help the viewer keep track of what episodes they have watched and which particular episode is next in their list to watch the show in its proper order. It did not appear that Season Play would maintain a bookmark if you stopped watching mid-episode, but I managed to get it to work on my Playstation 3, but not on my Samsung BD-P1400. I imagine this is one of those interactive features that are clunky for some machines, but it is an interesting concept that will probably be overlooked by most.

After the Season Play, a number of exclusive materials are provided. When the disc boots up, a Blu-ray Introduction by Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof praising the viewers decision to purchase the Blu-ray release and they state how this is the definitive method of watching their show. The most intriguing bonus feature is called Access Granted and this is an interactive experience that helps uncover some of the details and secrets of "Lost." Cuse and Lindelof provide a number of answers and go into details about some of the rabbid fan-based speculation that surrounds a number of topics and the show. This feature does take some time to get completely through all of the segments and casual fans will learn a lot from this feature, but nothing new is provided to the hardcore among us. Blu-Prints: The Sets of Season 3 (16:31) is a very nice feature that offers up tours of many of the familiar sets from season three. Some little details are pointed out from set pieces and I enjoyed this a good deal. Finally, the little video that sweeped the Internet by storm, The Orchid Instructional Film (2:10) is included. All I´m going to say is "What is up with the rabbits?"

The first disc of seven for the third season of "Lost" contains for the episode "A Tale of Two Cities a Commentary by Executive Producer Damon Lindelof and Actor Elizabeth Mitchell. This was the season premiere episode of season three and the very first episode featuring the lovely Elizabeth Mitchell. The commentary track was light-hearted and didn´t delve too deeply into any important secrets regarding "Lost," but the two share a few nice anecdotes and talk about a few deleted moments and provide a few nuggets of things you may have missed while watching the television show. Lindelof is an entertaining personality, but he shares his time with Mitchell. This was a fun and somewhat informative commentary track that nicely began the extra offerings for "Lost."

The second DVD provides a threesome for the episode "I Do." The Commentary by writer/producer Carlton Cuse, Actor Evangeline Lilly and Actor Josh Holloway finds one of the show´s creators mixing it up with Kate and Sawyer as they discuss the pivotal episode that reveals Kate actually loved somebody in a previous life. The tone for this second commentary is again relaxed and Josh Holloway is just as funny out of character as he is as Sawyer. The actors talk about what it is like to work with one another and make as many jokes as they can through the scenes. Cuse comes across a little monotone in his delivery, but he does create a very nice commentary and dominates much of the conversation, but the three play nicely off of each other. My only question is where was Matthew Fox in this little commentary love triangle?

The third disc did not contain a commentary, but on the fourth DVD you can view the episode "Expose" with Commentary by Co-Executive Producers / Writers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. The menu to select this commentary was not the easiest to view, and this "B Team" commentary is not nearly as exciting as the previous two commentary tracks. Kitsis and Horowitz are far dryer in delivery during their commentary. They do not joke around very much compared to the previous two tracks and as an example of their humor; they provide a definition for ´digging´ during the opening moments of the commentary. This is a nice listen for fans, but those who are not completely in love with "Lost" (as I am) may want to skip this particular commentary track. They provide nice details, but this is a dry listen. It is nice the writers voice is heard, but where is Terry O´Quinn and Matthew Fox?

The fifth disc contains the last and best commentary of the set for the episode "The Man Behind the Curtain." This Locke featured episode was disappointing for not including Terry O´Quinn, but the Commentary with Co-Creator/Executive Producer Damon Lindelof, Executive Producer Carlton Cuse and Actor Michael Emerson features the Cuse/Lindelof team that has delighted fans with their weekly podcasts and my second favorite actor of the show; Michael Emerson. Cuse and Lindelof feed off of each other and their friendship is very much apparent. I would have done anything for an Emerson and O´Quinn partnership for a commentary, but this is a fun, informative and outstanding commentary track. The three keep things light-hearted, but a good deal of information is dropped from the threesome.

The seventh DVD contains nothing but bonus materials. The only problem with the disc is the menu system, which is meant to be immersive and not intuitive. The first remote press brings you into Sawyer´s cage. Instead of being rewarded with a fish biscuit, you are provided options for the Lost Book Club (8:12), Cast in Clay: Creating the Toys of Todd McFarlane (5:12) and The Next Level: Inside the Video Game (4:06). The "Book Club" feature discusses the importance of the books shown in the show and the obscure references throughout the show. Everything is a hint on "Lost" and this helps others realize they need to pay attention to the books. Michael Emerson lends his time, so you know this is worth looking at. The toy feature isn´t bad, but it is about toys and conventions. "The Next Level" is a tease at the upcoming video game. I just hope it comes out for the Xbox 360. I need my "Lost" achievements.

The top right video screen delivers the viewer into a maintenance room. Clicking the walkie-talkie brings up choices for Lost: On Location (58:13), Crew Tribute with Evangeline Lilly (7:19) and Lost in a Day (25:33). "On Location" is the meatiest of the supplements beyond the commentary tracks. It delivers information on nine episodes from Season Three and they can be played independently or collectively with a "Play All" feature. Each featured episode finds the actors providing insight into their characters and the episodes. This really was interesting and shows how much fun the cast and crew have in making this show. The "Crew Tribute" found Kate showing various crew members and giving them a few moments of fame to thank them for working on the show. "Lost in a Day" details one day (fourteen hours to be exact) among the cast and crew of "Lost." Seven episodes were featured and this little half hour feature shows how much work goes into the show. It was very interesting and I highly recommend watching it.

The bottom left monitor goes to a computer in a medical lab. Toggling the button highlighting the computer monitor brings up The World of the Others (14:12), Terry O´Quinn: Throwing from the Handle (1:41) and a Blooper Reel (6:25). "The World of the Others" takes a brief look at the ´Others´ and the little community detailed during the entire season and especially during the first six episodes. This was a nice little feature, but it only delayed my viewing of "Throwing from the Handle." At just under two minutes, I was disappointed in length, but I did enjoy watching the legendary Terry O´Quinn discuss knife throwing. The dollar trick was impressive. The bloopers were only better than average because they dealt with "Lost." Otherwise, they were typical blooper fare.

The center monitor on the bottom jumps to some communication equipment, which in turn brings up a menu for The Lost Flashbacks, Deleted Scenes (17:20), Sneak Peeks and the Orchid Instructional Film (2:10) that created quite a fervor when it debuted a few months ago. The "Flashbacks" are for three episodes: Further Instructions: Locke Escapes (1:27), The Glass Ballerina: Funeral Scene (:37) and Expose: People Can Change (3:35). These are additional flashback scenes that were not seen during the show and one features Locke. The nine deleted scenes can again be played separately or collectively. These are a must watch for "Lost" fans as a few very good details are contained within them. The "Super Powers, Dude" and "Journey to Jacob´s Place" are both huge. Skip the "Sneak Peeks" and watch the "Orchid" film. It is unusual and you´ll wonder about the rabbits.

In conclusion, the supplements are very nice. The commentary tracks are limited and my Christmas wish of a Locke and Ben commentary didn´t happen. In fact, there were no Terry O´Quinn commentary tracks. This made me sad. However, the supplements were pretty good and not nearly as confusing as the "Lost Connections" from Season Two in DVD navigation. I wish the show´s Podcasts were included, or some more deleted scenes. There are no doubt Easter Eggs within the seven DVDs of the set, but revealing them spoils the fun of Easter Eggs and I´ll leave that up to you, the reader, to find them.

Closing Comments:

The show took a new direction and I can´t wait to see where it goes next. The concept of a flash-forward, which was introduced in a show-changing sequence during the season three finale, to coincide with the now familiar flashbacks is only going to add new threads of storytelling to the fourth season (which currently seems shortened to eight episodes because of the writers´ strike). The island has a plan for Locke and I feel his actions in the finale were only the start of many great things. I didn´t get around to shaving my head for the season premiere of season four this year, and I continue to take my enjoyment of "Lost" a bit far, but this Blu-ray release only adds to my excitement.

The high definition release has near pristine visuals and a very strong sounding PCM sound track. There are a number of Blu-ray exclusive features that make this a worthwhile upgrade over the standard DVD release. This is a nice package and all fans of "Lost" should have it on their bookshelves if they have not already purchased the DVD. I eagerly anticipate the releases of the first two seasons onto the Blu-ray format so that I may enjoy their high defintion visuals. This is the best show on television, bar none and now "Lost" is the best television show on Blu-ray and HD-DVD combined. In fact, this may be the finest single season release of a television show on any home video format.

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