While some viewers love the science fiction strangeness that has become central to the show, this aspect of the show has alienated others and led to a steady drop in ratings since the first season. Yet, one of the best aspects of the television series Lost often gets overlooked by both fans and critics of the series. In this battle of faith and science between compelling characters, the musical score stands out as a gem when compared to most other television shows.
Unlike most other television shows, which rely on synthesized music to provide the musical score, Lost employs a live orchestra to play the music for each episode. Much in the way that movies are scored, the orchestra on Lost will sit down with the music and play it along with a playing of the episode with a conductor trying to get the orchestra to play in such a way to meet the dramatic swings of each episode. So, the drama of Lost is enhanced by the excellent music matched with it.
Although some sound effects are repeated to great success, such as the trombone growl that often represents that something strange or crazy is about to happen, it is the sweeping orchestration of such scenes as the launching of the raft in season one or the takeoff of the helicopter in season four that really pull at the heartstrings.
Lost also excels at using recorded popular music to enhance the shows mythology and character development. For instance, in a strange moment in the second episode of season five, Hurley is listening to the song "Dream Police."
Other shows do use live orchestras, but not to the same result as Lost (Family Guy is unfortunately the other major example of a show using a live orchestra). So, while the characters and stories of Lost will continue to bring me back week after week, the music takes my devotion to the series to the next level.
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