In all the years that I've been watching TV (and that's saying something) I have to tell you that I've never had a show make me actually stand up and pace before. When you had "Charlie" hanging, I was screaming inside my head (ok, a little outside my head too. S'ok, the kids didn't hear me, but I did scare the hell out of my cats... and my husband :devil:) "what are they doing?? the director *promised* they wouldn't kill Dom... oh, crap! what a better way to sucker us in, then to tell us they aren't going to kill him and *then* knock him off... those lousy rotten ratbasta**s"... Matt and Evangeline's reaction were completely believable. They sold the concept 100%. Coupled with the ominous bell, sounding in the background (ala "for whom the bell tolls") I was devastated. I even jumped on line real quick, to check with my east coast buddies to see what was up. I don't think I started breathing for like 10 minutes after he "came back". LOST like no program I've ever seen, and I'm the original TV kid. I *LOVE* this show!!!

I do wonder, since it's been said you don't have a book mapped out on each of the characters, do you shape their destination or does JJ still have the majority input. And if given a choice, which character's story line would you like to be involved in developing? I know you must have an incredible demand on your time, and will understand if you don't have an opportunity to respond, but I'd like you to know the generosity you've shown in participating in this message board is deeply appreciated.

Kerry =)

thank you for watching and for your kind words about the show.

we all work as a team on shaping the direction of the show - with jj, damon and carlton as the arbiters of what becomes canon, what gets to go on the screen etc. most of the big ideas come from the top, the triumvirate i just described, buit many come out of the writers' room as we go about the task of crafting the overall story. we do not have a book mapped out for all of the characters, but we have stories, themes and plans that we have developed for them, which we adopt, adapt and improve upon as we work on the individual episode ideas... we have a plan for everything, but we also have wiggle room to change as we discover what works and what doesn't...

With all that you have on your plate, that you take the time to answer our questions, is truly remarkable.

I like the idea of wiggle room. wiggle room can be good. ;)

(this last episode between Boone and Shannon was a mind blower. I mean that in a good way. :) Each new piece to the puzzle makes us hungry for the next course. LOST is like a banquet, best enjoyed slowly, over a period of time. I'm in no hurry to see the rescue boat.)

Kerry =)