Lost

Aside from Jack Bauer's harsh interrogation techniques, few things are more torturous than waiting for new episodes of Lost.  The show ends each season with a nail-biting cliffhanger, then disappears for months while fans go crazy with speculation.  The wait can be rather maddening, but it's something we've grown accustomed to over the years.  Lost is one of the most addictive shows on television, so maybe it's natural that we go through painful withdrawal symptoms while waiting for new episodes to return.

It's been ages since the season 4 finale left our minds spinning, but the wait for Lost season 5 is nearly over.  The series returns to ABC on Wednesday, January 21 at 8pm, kicking off with a one-hour recap special followed by a two-hour premiere.  Lost will then settle into its new time slot of Wednesdays at 9pm for the remainder of season 5.

One of the biggest questions surrounding Lost season 5 is how it'll be structured.  Season 4 of the series featured both flashbacks and flash forwards, but now that the Oceanic 6 are off the island that may no longer be the case.  We know the series will continue playing with time in some way, but executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse aren't revealing how.

Aside from a few exceptions, Lost always does a great job at introducing new characters.  A few new cast members will be appearing on the show in season 5, including:

•  Reiko Aylesworth (24) will play Amy, a professional businesswoman with a love of nature who is also looking for Mr. Right.

•  Zuleikha Robinson (New Amsterdam) will play Illeana, a European femme fatale who's both smart and incredibly dangerous.

•  French actor Said Taghmaoui will play Caesar, a dangerous and extremely intelligent man with a dark past.

The other important bit of casting news is that Michelle Rodriguez will be returning for the second episode of the season.  There's no word on why the very dead Ana Lucia will be making an appearance, but it could be in a flashback or as a manifestation of the smoke monster.

The first promo for Lost season 5 has also popped up online, which you can see below.  Much of it is comprised of season 4 footage, but the new clips we see are all extremely interesting.  There are glimpses of Hurley with a pistol, Sayid kicking ass like he's Jason Bourne, Sun locked in a room against her will, Kate packing heat and running off with Aaron, and a shirtless Jack talking to Ben.  We also see some of the folks on the island, as well as one quick flash of the Dharma Initative logo.



Lost season 5 will air Wednesdays at 9pm on ABC, beginning January 21.  The 17-episode season will likely air uninterrupted and wrap up at the beginning of May.


- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Writer
Source: ABC
(Image courtesy of ABC)