Examines the mysteries, plotlines, and characters of the popular ABC network series, "Lost," and explores the spiritual and philosophical concerns of the show.

What can Christians learn from one of the most popular TV series of all time? In its first season, LOST averaged 15.5 million viewers per episode. The show features a cast that struggles with the eternal issues of identity, conflict, relationships, and spirituality. Though the show does not have a Christian foundation or theme, there is much believers can learn about social and cultural attitudes and perspectives through its episodes--such as... the selfish bent of human nature the darkness of evil the hunger people have for acceptance and success the realization of our need for God the hope for a positive future Many of the problems and difficulties of everyday life are captured succinctly in LOST--making it a useful "point of reference" for understanding how different people view issues of a spiritual nature. Ankerberg and Burroughs offer practical suggestions for Christians who desire to talk effectively to others about the various themes in the show.

Over 50 contributors ask and answer all your questions in this ultimate eBook compendium of everything related to the most iconic and ‘talked-about’ series in Television history. Each Chapter and Guide is made up of multiple associated articles from the likes-of award-winning sci-fi authors David Brin and Peter Watts, academics including Dr Kristine Larsen and Alan Shapiro, Lost community leaders such as Jon Lachonis, news producers, comedy writers … and professional and lay bloggists who spawned a revolution in television criticism. Just the ‘Ending’ chapter alone has over 30 articles, opinions and insights to further challenge your perspective. The sumptuous Episode Guide is a definitive resource of over 350 articles with at least two reviews of each episode as well as synopses, tidbits and a comprehensive archive of intertextual references within each episode. Other chapters include; - Cast and Characters which gives an incite to the characters role in the overall drama … as well provide juicy titbits about the actors careers; - Mythology,' which includes posts on the Smoke Monster, DHARMA, the Frozen Donkey Wheel, and how religion was reflected on the series; - Philosophy, ranging from scholarly but accessible posts on the philosophy and philosophers referenced in the show, to a post on how the series affected one writer's personal philosophy; - Structure, including discussions on the flashback/forward/sideways, the DHARMA stations, and a physicist's explanation of the science of time travel; - Interviews with the showrunners and writers throughout the lifetime of the series. and much much more.

The Meaning of Video Games takes a textual studies approach to an increasingly important form of expression in today’s culture. It begins by assuming that video games are meaningful–not just as sociological or economic or cultural evidence, but in their own right, as cultural expressions worthy of scholarly attention. In this way, this book makes a contribution to the study of video games, but it also aims to enrich textual studies. Early video game studies scholars were quick to point out that a game should never be reduced to merely its "story" or narrative content and they rightly insist on the importance of studying games as games. But here Steven E. Jones demonstrates that textual studies–which grows historically out of ancient questions of textual recension, multiple versions, production, reproduction, and reception–can fruitfully be applied to the study of video games. Citing specific examples such as Myst and Lost, Katamari Damacy, Halo, Façade, Nintendo’s Wii, and Will Wright’s Spore, the book explores the ways in which textual studies concepts–authorial intention, textual variability and performance, the paratext, publishing history and the social text–can shed light on video games as more than formal systems. It treats video games as cultural forms of expression that are received as they are played, out in the world, where their meanings get made.

Once confined solely to literature and film, science fiction has emerged to become a firmly established, and wildly popular, television genre over the last half century. The Essential Science Fiction Television Reader provides insight into and analyses of the most important programs in the history of the genre and explores the breadth of science fiction programming. Editor J. P. Telotte and the contributors explain the gradual transformation of the genre from low-budget cinematic knockoffs to an independent and distinct televisual identity. Their essays track the dramatic evolution of early hits such as The Twilight Zone and Star Trek into the science fiction programming of today with its more recent successes such as Lost and Heroes. They highlight the history, narrative approaches, and themes of the genre with an inviting and accessible style. In essays that are as varied as the shows themselves, the contributors address the full scope of the genre. In his essay "The Politics of Star Trek: The Original Series," M. Keith Booker examines the ways in which Star Trek promoted cultural diversity and commented on the pioneering attitude of the American West. Susan George takes on the refurbished Battlestar Galactica series, examining how the show reframes questions of gender. Other essays explore the very attributes that constitute science fiction television: David Lavery's essay "The Island's Greatest Mystery: Is Lost Science Fiction?"calls into question the defining characteristics of the genre. From anime to action, every form of science fiction television is given thoughtful analysis enriched with historical perspective. Placing the genre in a broad context, The Essential Science Fiction Television Reader outlines where the genre has been, where it is today, and where it may travel in the future. No longer relegated to the periphery of television, science fiction now commands a viewership vast enough to sustain a cable channel devoted to the genre.

Lost's Buried Treasures is the ultimate unauthorized guide to the ideas that have influenced the show and its writers.