When Lost was first imported to our shores by Channel Four back in 2005 it came with a blaze of hype and publicity. Not only was it the most expensive TV production ever (the feature-length series opener alone cost a reported $10m), but it had received rave reviews in the US where the first season had been a huge success. 6 million British viewers tuned in to find out what all the fuss was about on it's debut (which was scheduled next to another now defunct TV phenomenon). The series quickly attracted a dedicated fanbase returning each week to follow the story of the survivors of Oceanic flight 815 on the dark and duplicitous Island.
Fast forward five years though, through another five seasons that posed more questions than they could answer, and 9 out of ten Lost viewers had dropped out; only 600,000 watched the season 6 finale on Sky One earlier this year. But the enigmatic nature of the show, which drove so many viewers away also meant that those who remained with it were all the more fanatical.
Ultimately, the Sixth Season did a good job of putting the major mysteries to bed, even if things got more than a little far-fetched along the way. The historical episodes showing Richard Alpert's introduction to the island, and Jacob and his brother's 'formative' years interrupt the momentum of the series a little but they are essential for completing the story. The final scenes are a satisfying emotional end to the Lost saga.
If you were one of those that dropped out along the way, then now is the time to pick up the Lost: The Complete Seasons 1-6 box set, and pick up wherever you left off, safe in the knowledge that most of your questions will be answered.
If all that philosophical mumbo-jumbo isn't your thing though, you might prefer a couple of hours of a buffed-up Jake Gyllenhal running and jumping around killing bad guys in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. There's little point analysing Prince of Persia beyond that, apart from to watch out for yet another evil uncle, this time in the form of a sinister Ben Kingsley, and Popsiculture favourite Gemma Arterton as the beguiling Princess Tamina. Prince of Persia is a beautiful looking movie, so Blu-ray is probably the way to go.
Other notable new releases include Steve Carell and Tina Fey's Date Night, the first series of Glee (which I remain gleefully ignorant of), and the critically acclaimed I Am Love.
And there are some interesting Blu-ray re-releases around from Studio Canal including Mulholland Drive, which will be just as frustrating in HD, and Jeunet & Caro's Delicatessen which will be even more magnificent. And there's a real classic as well in the form of The Third Man on Blu-ray. Ah, I can hear the high definition zither now.
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