Matt Murdick should be applauded and not just because he (a) agreed to our interrogation and (b) is behind the Keys to LOST Podcast, but because the first episode of Lost he ever saw was Flashes Before Your Eyes. Confusing for some of us who've been watching since the very beginning, this Desmond-centric, time-traveling Season 3 episode (number 57, if you're counting) must have been a complete brain ache for a Lost virgin, but instead of abandoning it Matt made it his mission to catch up. Now along with Leslie Santi, Matt, a keyboardist, pontificates about Lost both in blog and podcast form with a special emphasis on Giacchino's tremendous score. You can also follow Keys to LOST on Twitter.
Q: How long have you been watching Lost?
A: The first episode I ever watched was Flashes Before Your Eyes. I loved the Desmond character but was thoroughly confused so I immediately went out and bought the first and second season DVDs and watched them. I then caught up with Season 3 online and joined the show in it’s regular airing by Left Behind. As a musician I rarely watched any weekly television but was totally hooked and this show up until this year has been one of only two shows that I watched regularly.
Q: How did Lost get its polar bear claws into you? What about it got you hooked?
A: Walkabout – Locke’s back story and the fact that he had been in a wheelchair was definitely the episode that sealed the deal for me.
Q: Favorite character?
A: Tough question! Locke for his tragedy, Sawyer for his overall growth, Ben for his intrigue.
Q: Least favorite character?
A: Never been a huge Ana Lucia or Shannon fan. (I just don’t even count Nikki and Paulo)
Q: Favorite episode or season?
A: Season 1 is my favorite for sure. Favorite episode thus far- the Constant. It has so much in it with the time traveling, the Desmond Penny story, I think it’s just awesome.
Q: Least favorite episode or season?
A: Stranger in a Strange Land is my least favorite ep. I wasn’t a huge fan of Season 4.
Q: Are you Team Jack or Team Locke?
A: As much as I love Locke, I’m on Team Jack.
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: An 815 survivor. Then I only have to deal with my own baggage, rather than the baggage of a whole culture.
Q: Which character’s demise were you most upset to see happening?
A: Locke – that was just heart breaking to me.
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[/caption]Q: Tell us a bit about your site/blog/podcast, i.e. why you started it, how it runs, your post-season 6 plans for it, etc.
A: The Keys To LOST podcast is hosted by a couple of musicians (myself and Leslie Santi) and the focus of our show is analysis of the show itself, and of the show’s musical score, as composed by Michael Giacchino. Our blog is http://keystolost.blogspot.com . We actually got a fairly late start at the podcast (the end of Season 5) so there will continue to be some analysis of the music of past episodes after the series concludes.
Q:What are you favorite online Lost communities, blogs, podcasts, etc.?
A: The community is so full of fantastic blogs, podcasts, and forums that I find it impossible to single out a select few favorites. It’s such a knowledgeable and creative community that I think you can find something great at any blog or podcast you run across.
Q: Tell us something interesting/scary/amusing/downright weird about how your time in the Lost fan-verse has changed your life.
A: Nothing scary really. I am always humbled by the fact that people listen to our podcast and send in feedback, asking our opinions of their thoughts. Fans have great thoughts about the show and I love having my mind stretched by thoughts that expand or totally contradict my own.
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: I think you would have to spend the majority of the trip figuring out which aspect of the show would appeal to them most – mystery? Relationships? Sci-Fi? There’s something for everyone. I have in fact convinced someone to start the series on a short plane ride before.
Q: Has watching Lost sparked any creative inspiration in your life, i.e. writing, media, art, etc.?
A: What I love most about doing our podcast is that I get to apply a couple of college classes that I took a long time ago. One is Commercial Music (a class explaining how certain phrasing and orchestration creates emotional or psychological effect), and the other being Film Scoring. As far as inspiration for other creative endeavors, I did run a play by E-mail RPG for a while, based on LOST, which was a lot of fun. I may consider doing that again after the series concludes.
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?
A: I think there will still be plenty to talk about regarding LOST once the series concludes, but other than a few more episodes covering the music of LOST, I hope to be able to let the podcast itself go.
Q: What do you think will be Lost’s legacy?
A: I think one of the landmarks of this show has been, and will be for years to come, its narrative style. This mosaic concept of narrative is very creative and well done.
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Thank you so much Matt from everyone at the LOSTBlog.com!
