DVD Review: Lost, Season 5

DVD reviews piss me off.

Okay, I acknowledge the fact that this is an act of digging my own grave. It was my own goddamn idea to write a DVD review, despite the fact that I despise the very idea DVD reviews. So here I am, reviewing Lost's Season 5 DVD box set and shaking my head in dismay.

Should I even bother discussing Lost's content? I think we can all wholeheartedly agree that Season 5 of Lost was among the best goddamn seasons of Lost—nay, of fucking television in general—that it had ever been my pleasure to watch. It not only delved deeper into the character stories we have already grown to love, but it also touched on such nerdy issues as time travel, and it did so in a manner that anyone could appreciate, scientists and grandmothers alike.

Fuck, though! This is a DVD review, not a Lost review, so nothing that I have already described really matters that much. Yeah, the content of the actual episodes towers above most television in general, but what about the rest of the DVD?

It would be kind of sad that someone would buy the whole of Season 5 without being at least a little curious as to what Season 5 was all about. Those who have witnessed the first four seasons will appreciate this. Those who are buying it simply for a friend or relative, then damn, you have a chance to get involved in one of the most thrilling TV series of our decade.

How are the special features? More importantly, does it matter at all? When I got this DVD box set, I appreciated it for what it was—a legal way to catch up with Lost because it starts up again in February. I had not considered what special features were on the DVDs.

Trust me, it's not a lot. There's a few bullshit documentaries, such as: the cameras following around the dude that plays Richard Alpert; a series of behind-the-scenes in which the cast describes how they shot the toughest scenes this seasons; a short description on the methods that our scriptwriters use so that we don't blow our brains out with all these story devices.

Interesting? Sure, I suppose. But does this really add to the enjoyment of the series? I would say no. I realized this as I watched a short doc on how they filmed the scene in which Sawyer, Juliet, et al, were canoeing out in the stormy seas. When the behind the scenes shots showed me that they shot that scene in a pool on a sunny day, then it kind of ruined the sense of mystery and awe that the show had built around that set piece. Now whenever I see that scene, I'll notice how the cast pussied out when shooting the scene. I hate how the DVD altered how I perceive the Lost saga. Kinda ruins the TV magic of it all.

So, does this DVD set really matter? Meh, I guess. If all you want if the episodes in full, go to hulu.com. Every episode ever is still available there. If you want extras beyond the episodes that brought us to that thrilling hydrogen bomb cliffhanger, then you'll get but a taste of what you were looking for. If you are looking to see some episodes in high-quality video formats, and you don't give a shit about what is happening online or what bullshit the DVDs can give you, well then, I suggest you pick up this box set.