We're starting this week off by putting our 16 questions to Jo Garfein. Jo is a self-confessed 'pop culture sponge' who has been writing about Lost extensively for several years on her spoiler-free site, Get LOST with JOpinionated. She is also a freelance entertainment writer covering a wide variety of TV shows and movies on her pop culture site. Prepare to be jealous, Lost fans: this week Jo will be one of the lucky ones attending the Lost Season 6 Premiere on Waikiki Beach! You can follow Jo (and beg her to hide you in her suitcase!) on Twitter here.
Q: How long have you been watching Lost?
A: I started watching Lost when it debuted on 9/22/04, and was very impressed by the production value of the Pilot. Intrigued by the various plot points, I stayed tuned but certainly had no idea how phenomenal it would turn out to be.
Q: How did Lost get its polar bear claws into you? What about it got you hooked?
A: While most people were floored by Walkabout, I fell in love with the next episode – White Rabbit. Jack and Christian Shephard’s complicated relationship is illuminated, and I’m a sucker for Alice in Wonderland allegories.
Q: Favorite character?
A: Favorite male - Sayid, favorite female - Juliet.
Q: Least favorite character?
A: I’m going to face outrage from many but it has always been Kate (and it has nothing to do with either Sawyer or Juliet). To each their own.
Q: Favorite episode or season?
A: Flashes Before Your Eyes holds a special place in my LOST heart, as does Season 5.
Q: Least favorite episode or season?
A: Season 1, Homecoming.
Q: Are you Team Jack or Team Locke?
A: Team Locke from the beginning.
Q: If you had to be one of the following, which would it be and why: an 815 survivor, an Other or a member of the Dharma Initiative?
A: I would be a pre-purge Other, enjoying Latin lessons and therapy sessions from the comfort of my cute little yellow bungalow in paradise.
Q: Which character’s demise were you most upset to see happening?
A: Without question, I am still unable to even think about Juliet’s death without tearing up. Utterly heartbreaking.
Q: Tell us a bit about your site, Get LOST with JOpinionated.
A: During the first 2 seasons, my friends and I could not wait to get together to discuss the show. Then one of them asked me to start writing down my crazy theories so she could forward them to her friends, and the rest is history. The support of my readers and the vast online LOST community has been tremendous and overwhelming, and I will be forever appreciative of them. After LOST ends, I will keep my LOST site up and running with news.
Q: What are you favorite online Lost communities, blogs, podcasts, etc.?
A: DocArzt.com and LongLiveLocke.com are good friends with excellent sites, and the two podcasts I enjoy are Jay & Jack and The Transmission. I have never really been a forum or message board person.
Q: Tell us something interesting/scary/amusing/downright weird about how your time in the Lost fan-verse has changed your life.
A: The people who watch LOST share and speak a common language, and I have made some incredible friends through my site and social media networking. Last year I had the opportunity to experience three very surreal LOST events; the first was standing in New Otherton watching them film the 100th episode (The Variable) in Hawaii, the second was sitting in a corner trading theories with Sterling Beaumon (Young Ben) at LOST Weekend in LA, and the third was spending the night in line with fellow fans for the LOST panel at Comic-Con. On all three occasions, I thought “this is exactly where I want to be.”
Q: You’re in an elevator with someone who has never seen as much as a second of Lost. You got on in the lobby and you’re both headed to the fifteeth floor. How do you convince them to buy and watch all the DVDs before the elevator gets there?
A: You know what you’ve missed out on? LOST is the best television drama series in history; six seasons of sci-fi tinged adventurous mystery and romance, chock full of literary, historical and biblical references, set on a remote island populated by ridiculously attractive people.
Q: Has watching Lost sparked any creative inspiration in your life, i.e. writing, media, art, etc.?
A: The last five years have absolutely fueled my creative fire, and the thought-provoking nature of LOST has been a fantastic source of inspiration. Without a doubt, the show has been a catalyst for me on many levels.
Q: How do you plan on combatting PLDS (Post Lost Distress Syndrome) or do you think we’re all destined to end up continously re-watching our Lost: The Complete Series Ultimate Box Set for the rest of our lives?
Having just completed a major rewatch of all five seasons, I don’t think I will be doing so again for a few years! Many people seem genuinely concerned about my well being once LOST ends, but I’m honestly going to be fine. I’m thrilled to see such a stellar series end on a high note rather than linger on.
Q: What do you think will be Lost’s legacy?
A: LOST will live on for many years on DVD/Blu-ray as the most addictive and intelligent television series in modern history. I strongly believe that LOST has changed the television landscape forever, and that the interactive and online community elements of the show will be both analyzed and emmulated for years to come.
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Thanks so much Jo for participating and have a fantastic time in Oahu!
