Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for ABC’s Lost.
ABC’s Lost was an emotional roller coaster during its six-year run, and whether tears of joy or tears of sorrow, the science fiction drama left a strong impact on its audience. From beginning to end, Lost provided viewers with enough storylines, drama, twists, and turns that provoked its audience to think about their stance on themes of faith, science, loyalty, love, and friendship. One of the best shows of all time, Lost‘s best moments felt like a genuine triumph while its lowest moments felt like complete and utter despair.
In addition to its themes and tropes that would primarily resonate with North American audiences, Lost achieved international fame partially because its diverse cast of characters aided immensely in representing different worldviews accurately. While this is a more standard practice today, this was beneficial to Lost because audiences worldwide could connect better with more culturally specific themes such as race and multiple religious practices. Irrespective of Lost‘s divisive ending, the show as a whole left its mark for its challenging themes, realistic depictions of human nature at its most animalistic, and ability to tug at viewers’ heartstrings effectively.
15 The Pilot Episode
The beginning of everything
Lost‘s famous pilot episode played with the audience’s emotions as it was hard-hitting, came at viewers fast, and barely gave anyone a chance to process what was going on. After surviving a plane crash, Jack runs toward the voices of people screaming and crying and discovers that he isn’t the only survivor. Audiences might not catch it upon first viewing, but the emotional aspects of the scene lie in the characterization of Jack, as the protagonist doesn’t hesitate to put himself in harm’s way to help others – something that would later become crucial to his character.
14 Kate Opening Up To Jack About The Toy Plane
An emotional Lost reveal
Jack and Kate’s romance in Lost is one of the worst in the show largely because of the characters’ lack of chemistry. Despite this, they’ve had a few emotional moments that resonated with viewers. In the season 1 episode, “Whatever the Case May Be,” Kate is seen desperately trying to retrieve a mysterious silver case from Sawyer – and after making a deal with Jack to share its contents with him, he helps her get it. The emotion lies in the fact that the toy plane was a memento from Kate’s childhood friend, and one of the last vestiges of her life before the crash.
13 Alex’s Death
One of Lost’s saddest deaths
Similar to Jack, Alex was one of the show’s most-liked characters because of her selflessness and willingness to go the extra mile to help others in a crisis. Furthermore, Alex vouched for her adoptive father Ben when Locke was about to kill him for shooting Charlotte, thus reinforcing her ability to see the good in things even during the worst of times. These admirable traits, made it truly distressing when she was unceremoniously shot in the head by the mercenary Keamy after Ben chose to leave the island instead of coming to her aid.
12 The Exodus
One of Lost’s best arcs
Although Michael was among one of Lost‘s most hated supporting characters, his relationship with his son Walt was one of the few redeemable qualities of an otherwise selfish character. Nevertheless, “The Exodus (Parts 1-3),” sees Michael, Walt, Jin, and Sawyer attempting to flee from the island via a makeshift raft – and for a brief moment, it appears as though they’ll succeed. However, after a group of pirates shoots Sawyer and kidnaps Walt, they blow up the raft thus leaving Michael, Jin, and Sawyer adrift – all of this tense action occurs at the end of the first season effectively ending it on a highly emotional note.
11 Charlie’s Sobriety
Charlie’s character was a highlight of the show
Charlie was well-received by viewers because of his amiable personality and friendship with the equally likable Hurley. Despite this, one of his darkest demons was his crippling heroin addiction – a habit he’d developed well before the events of the show. However, after Locke took it upon himself to guide the young man away from the drug, an even stronger and brighter side of Charlie shined. This newfound lease on life struck a chord with audiences because addiction is a very real thing, and the writers’ decision to clean Charlie up no doubt resonated with viewers.
10 Libby Preventing Hurley From Jumping Off A Cliff
Lost handled this moment with care
Libby coming to Hurley’s rescue was an emotional moment for viewers because Hurley was someone who always looked after others and was something of a gentle giant despite his imposing presence. Moreover, feelings of self-loathing can be relatable for many people, and Lost handled it with care and accuracy. Hurley’s girlfriend Libby preventing him from taking his own life was powerful because it displayed how strong the characters’ bond was regardless of their circumstances.
9 Hurley Mourning Libby
A tear-jerking Lost scene.
Once again displaying the quality of writers in Lost‘s writer’s room, Libby rescuing Hurley convinced audiences that there was hope for the couple, however, Michael accidentally killing Libby prevented their relationship from truly blossoming. While Libby’s death was unexpected, it appropriately established that Hurley would have to once again overcome a major hurdle moving forward, and it cemented the idea that nobody was truly safe. While Hurley would eventually recover from his loss, it was still really tough seeing him mourn the love of his life.
8 Locke Losing A Kidney Because Of His Father’s Deception
Locke was always a fascinating character
The heavily religious John Locke worked as a perfect foil to the scientific and data-driven Jack. While the rivalry between Jack and Locke arguably elevated the show, it also firmly reminded viewers how important Locke’s faith was to him. That’s why it was particularly soul-crushing when it was revealed in the season 1 episode “Deus Ex Machina” that Locke was tricked into donating one of his kidneys to his adoptive father under the pretense of love and divinity. Even despite the tragedies seen throughout the show, this reveal felt particularly cold.
7 Boone’s Death
Lost wasn’t afraid of killing popular characters
Boone was one of Lost‘s more popular characters as he was supportive and loyal throughout his life. Furthermore, his apprenticeship under Locke made for some genuinely insightful conversations and thought-provoking moments fairly early into the show. Despite being a part of season 1’s main cast, Boone was killed off halfway through the season after sustaining serious injuries from a great fall. This was a game-changer for TV back in 2004 as audiences were used to the leads somehow surviving anything the show threw at them. Boone’s death was shocking and a reminder that Lost wasn’t like most other shows.
6 Penny And Desmond Reconnecting
Penny and Demmon’s journey was quite convoluted
Desmond and Penny’s relationship was one of the show’s best as the characters’ chemistry and genuine feelings for one another was a beacon of hope in the otherwise challenging show. Despite the tumultuous nature of their romance, viewers constantly rooted for them as Desmon’s life was particularly sad to watch spiral out of control. With his ability to mind travel to different periods while physically being elsewhere was a trip, it was heartwarming to see that the constant in his life and the one person capable of keeping him grounded was Penny.
5 Jack Meeting Everyone In The Afterlife
Confusing yet emotional
Lost’s controversial ending remains divisive even to this day. Despite its feel-good vibes, some felt like it was a cop-out in the same lane as the often derided just a dream trope. However, looking at the ending from the perspective of Jack, the ending works incredibly well. In the flash-sideways, the central characters reunite in a church and audiences are given a glimpse of what could have been for them had things worked out differently. Hate it or love it, it can’t be denied that the ongoing debates regarding “The End” make it one of the most memorable in TV.
4 Charlie’s Sacrifice
One of the best Lost episodes
Charlie’s “Not Penny’s Boat” is considered Lost‘s biggest moment as it perfectly outlines the futility of the character’s situation on the island. Regardless of knowing this, it was a true character-defining moment for Charlie when he decided to sacrifice himself to save his loved ones’ lives anyway. It was especially emotional for Charlie as his backstory was tragic, and he was one of the characters to undergo the most character development. Nevertheless, Charlie’s death via drowning was heroic and whether sad or happy tears, is easily one of the show’s most emotional moments.
3 Claire’s Apology To Her Comatose Mother
Claire’s character delivered a strong scene
Even though Claire’s heartfelt apology to her mother occurs in a flashback, it is still among one of the saddest moments in the show. While Claire was behind the wheel, she and her mother got struck by a truck while arguing, thus being responsible for her mother’s comatose state. Feeling guilty, Claire blames herself for the situation and struggles with issues of worth and self-confidence throughout Lost. This moment is rough because of its real-life implications and acts as a staunch reminder to cherish our loved ones without feeling overly preachy.
2 Jin and Sun’s Final Moment Together
Jin and Sun didn’t have a happy ending
Jin and Sun were one of the best couples in Lost as their relationship was the most authentic. After being separated multiple times throughout the show, Jin vows to never leave Sun’s side after settling down in the same period. Despite their initial language barrier, Jin and Sun endeared themselves to the other survivors and effectively proved their loyalty to the group’s cause. In the season 6 episode, “The Candidate,” Jin and Sun drown together after Jin refuses to leave his wife to drown in the sinking submarine. Tough as it is, it solidified Jin as being one of the show’s most honorable characters.
1 Vincent Lying Next To Jack As He Dies
Lost’s final shot
After the long and arduous task as the protector, Jack meets his end via stabbing wounds from the show’s Man in Black, and seemingly resigns himself to his fate. After kissing Kate goodbye and ensuring that the next flight makes it to its destination, Jack lies down and slowly awaits the cold and lonely embrace of death. However, Vincent approaches the dying man and lies next to him in a scene that mirrors Lost‘s beginning. The scene offers some reprieve for the audience as the heroic Jack didn’t die alone, but the circumstances are no less among Lost‘s most heartbreaking.
