LOST is a show that continually impresses me on a number of levels. One of those levels is its characters. We are continually introduced to a number of new characters as LOST continues to flourish as a television show. I think the only time they intriduced a character badly to the show was in the case of Nikki and Paulo (who we won’t talk about), but every other time has been gold.

So who are my favorite characters on the TV show, LOST?

READ ON!

1. John Locke

John Locke is probably one of the most evolved characters in the show’s 4-year history. Throughout much of the first season, you never knew what he was up to. He had this overwhelming faith in the island and its power as it had healed him. Then in the second season, that faith in the island’s mysterious hatch and the arrival of Ben caused him to lose his faith in the island. Then, throughout the third season, that faith was set back on track with the discovery of Jacob and the Others and now we are on right on track with him in the fourth season as leading a group of the 815 survivors that split off. I think there is something about Locke that is interesting to watch onscreen. I don’t know what it is. It’s awesome. He just brings something fresh to the table, and his flashbacks are some of the most interesting that we’ve had on the show. He also seems to be the Chosen One of the Island, and will no doubt be staying on that island until the day he dies. One thing that contributes to Locke’s interest as a character is Terry O’Quinn’s performance as Locke. He is able to portray all the right emotions and has played out that great evolution that Locke has undergone ever since he came to the Island perfectly. No wonder he won an Emmy . . .

2. Benjamin “Ben” Linus

The character of Benjamin Linus has been an interesting one on LOST, as he was not supposed to last very long. He was originally supposed to have a three-episode stint as the character of “Henry Gale” but the performance of Michael Emerson was so riveting that LOST producers decided to keep him on for more episodes and he lasted until the end of the season. Then, he was made the leader of the Others in season 3 and his character has continued on into season 4. His is another character that I think is amazing to watch onscreen. He is truly creepy and Mr. Emerson really brings something to the role that is just wow. I also think that his character’s proficiency to lie, and manipulate other of the survivors is interesting, and Emerson pulls this off so well. Another thing I think is interesting is the backstory of Ben Linus and how he became the leader of the Others, how he wiped up out the DHARMA Initiative members on the island, and so much more. You know there is so much that Ben knows about the island, and I hope that he reveals it all before series’ end.

3. Desmond Hume

Desmond Hume is another character that just kind of appeared into the series. When he makes his debut in season 2, I must confess that I expected Desmond to be the bad guy of that season. But I was wrong. He is not a major force in much of season 2, as he introduces the purpose of the hatch to Locke and Jack and then kind of disappears for almost a season. It was not until his first flashback episode, “Live Together, Die Alone” that I started to like Desmond. I started to realize that Desmond may be more connected to the goings-on of this island than anyone of his could’ve realized. I also thought the way tat he integrated himself into the main cast, as well. I also think the character of Desmond has a lot of heart. In fact, most of his episodes have caused me to choke up a little. That comes from his scenes with Penelope Widmore, his girlfriend, whose family I think is also connected to the island. I think Henry Ian Cusick delivers those scenes very well. He really brings a sense of charisma and charm to the role, that seems to make him more likable than he otherwise would’ve been.

4. Juliet Burke

This is another character that I find very interesting to watch onscreen. I think the character of Juliet has such depth that we know not of. It’s actually hard to believe that Juliet was not in the original cast of characters from the beginning of this show, because she integrates herself into the cast so well and has such great rapport with the rest of the cast. Another I thing I think Juliet has going for is, like Ben, you have no idea what is going on in her head. Is she good or bad? I think that is due mostly to the performance of Elizabeth Mitchell in this role that makes her so riveting to watch. I think her character journey on this show has also been fun to watch. Seeing her transition from that mysterious woman of the Others into this woman who is fighting so hard to get off the island. I think her relationship with Jack is very interesting because he had changed her and caused her to want to leave the Others and go to the beach and find a way to get off the island. I also think Juliet has a genuine connection with Jack and it is amazing to watch onscreen. I think their relationship is very interesting. Also, what will be interesting is Juliet’s future on this show, as she does not get off the island.

5. James “Sawyer” Ford

Sawyer is probably one of the most complex characters on this show. I think it is probably the most interesting to watch. You know, like Locke, he has daddy issues and that he basically devoted his whole life to conning so he can find the man who conned his family and kill him. But what about Sawyer makes him so intriguing? Well, Sawyer, like I said, is very complex. There are sometimes when you hate Sawyer (the time when he manipulated everyone to get the guns) and times when you love him (when Sawyer reveals to Kate his connin’ past). But, I think all those times you are just drawn to this character. I also think Josh Holloway adds a spice to the role that might’ve not been there before had he not been casted. The anger and southern “drawl” really gave the character some great legs to stand on. One episode that comes to mind for Sawyer when he really shined was the Brig when he confronted the man responsible for the mess he called his life. His acting and vulnerability in the episode was what really stuck out to me. It was awesome! Though, with the Oceanic Six about to be revealed, is Sawyer oen of them? Going on his current status, I’d say not. But what does this island hold for Sawyer? And better yet, the future?

6. Hugo “Hurley” Reyes

Hurley is another interesting character to watch onscreen. In the first few episodes, Hurley is very much a comic relief of the island. But in the episodes that focus around him, he seems to be a very caring and driven character that just makes him lovable. Of course, he has that teddy bear thing going on too. I think Jorge Garcia really delivers this role and it almost seems tailor-made for him. I think Hurley has jus the right amount of drama, comic relief, and heart that makes him almost the “constant” of the island. I think he’s a special kind of character and the reason he came to the island was basically the island. Like I said, he is the constant of the main castaways. But what does the future hold for Hurley, especially since that Hurley is revealed as one of the Oceanic Six?

7. Mr. Eko

I think one of the beauties of LOST is the ability to fully paint their characters through their flashbacks. One character that benefited from this kind of storytelling was the character of Mr. Eko. From the moment he was introduced, he had this air of mystery about him. We did not know about him, but through his flashbacks, he was able to be painted in a redemptive state. I loved his character journey where he was a faithless man and progressed nicely into a faithful man, who was willing to show that faith by offering to push the button in the hatch. But I think the pinnacle of the evolution for Eko was in his judgment-episode entitled, “The Cost Of Living,” as he finally contended with the demons of his past and was able to move forward to the next life. It was really quite moving. Also, the performance of Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje really contributes to this, and really is able to play off this wonderfully unique character. This character was able to bring a degree of faith to the castaways, that was not otherwise there, and he was my favorite character of the tail-section survivors that were introduced.

8. Jin Soo-Kwon

This character was really fun to watch. In the beginning of the show, he was sort of an outsider to the main cast. But as there grew to be understanding and unity between all the survivors, he really began to be integrated into the group, and felt like part of the team. He seemed to be like an everyman, especially with the character of Sawyer. I really dig Jin’s interaction with Sawyer. It’s really interesting. As for me, it wasn’t until season 2, I believe, that Jin really came into his own as a character. Unlike Eko, where I loved his character because of his flashbacks, and although I think the flashbacks can be boring but I still like them. I think Jin’s character progression mostly comes in the form of his one true love: Sun. His love for Sun is responsible for man of the changes in his life, notably his change of affluence off the island, and his language change on the island. He really loves Sun and it shows in everything he does. I think Daniel Dae Kim really makes the role interesting, as if you watch him in other things, he usually plays the sly one, but in LOST, however, he plays, who at the heart this vulnerable man, and willing to do anything for the one he loves. He really is a pure character.

9. Jack Shephard

One can’t talk about LOST without mentioning the de-facto leader of the castaways, Dr. Jack Shephard. I think his character definitely evolved in this series, and kind of a reverse way. I think when he came to the island, he was a very strong character. He was willing to do anything to make sure everyone was safe on the island, but throughout the course of the series, the island has gotten the better of him, and he is willing to do anything to get off the island. I think this evolution definitely caught up to him by season three. One thing I liked about Jack’s flashbacks is he was a constant strong character, despite his daddy issues. I think Jack’s constant frustration in the island has to be due to his “Man of Science” mentality. He doesn’t really have a lot of faith so that contributes to his faithlessness in the island. I think Matthew Fox plays this kind of everyman character. I really can’t wait to see what the future has in store for our “doc,” especially since we know he gets off the island. That character evolution only continues when he gots off the island. But what new kind of storytelling does LOST have for Jack? I personally can’t wait to see where this character goes in the future.

10. Daniel Faraday

Now I understand that this character is a new character to the LOST cast, but this character has completely won me over. He really is an idiot-savant kind of character, and he is surrounded in mystery and questions as most new LOST characters have. There’s not much to say about Mr. Faraday yet, but I can only hope that we’ll get more answers about him soon. I do think that Jeremy Davies does not play that kind of neurotic kind of character really well. I think his performance is what sells the character. In fact, I will not be surprised that Mr. Faraday becomes a series regular in the future, as theres lots of potential ground to be covered with this character. Only up from here, friends . . .

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Penelope Widmore

Michael Dawson

Libby

Matthew Abaddon