Looking at season 3 so far, JJ Abrams hasn't written anything yet. When was the last time he wrote one? Will he ever jump back on?

Yes, the next episode he writes will include William Shatner and Tom Cruise as a tie-in to the new Star Trek movie he is writing/directing :)

He Co-wrote the Season 3 premiere "A Tale of Two Cities" with Damon Lindelof. No idea when he'll do another if he does one at all...

This confused me....I mean, wasn't Lost supposed to be JJ's baby for the long haul? What made him leave?

I think JJ was approached because he had a current working company producing Alias for ABC. Jack Bender came from Alias. I think this has always been Damon's baby he just didn't have the clout that JJ did.

JJ often gets too much credit for Lost. When in fact it is Damon and Carlton who deserve it. Sure, JJ came up with the idea to make Lost this weird different sow with mysterious elements as opposed to a scripted survivor that ABC wanted but it is Damon who has been handling the show since 5-6th episode of S1

As far as I know, he didn't leave. He's a creator of the series. That doesn't mean that he *has* to write any of the episodes. I'm sure that he does get the urge from time to time (hence, "A Tale of Two Cities") but it's not a requirement. He's got an entire team of fantastic writers to do that job for him. He's got other projects on his plate aside from "Lost". I'm sure he's doing what he can to continue to bring us what is, in his (and many others' eyes, a brilliant series.

JJ often gets too much credit for Lost. When in fact it is Damon and Carlton who deserve it. Sure, JJ came up with the idea to make Lost this weird different sow with mysterious elements as opposed to a scripted survivor that ABC wanted but it is Damon who has been handling the show since 5-6th episode of S1Actually, Lloyd Braun who was at ABC at the time approached JJ with the idea.

Actually, Lloyd Braun who was at ABC at the time approached JJ with the idea.

Yeah, but I think he's saying that even though Braun had the idea of a show like Castaway, it was J.J's idea to make it a mystery in which, as J.J. put it, "the island is a character itself."

I think that JJ is more or less the curator of the story. JJ has created this magnificent story, start to finish. However it is his writers job to tell that story in the form of episodes. Its pretty much like writing a book, and having someone turn it into a periodical.

I think it's true though that the writers that are working on the episodes every day are the most important to the show. J.J. may have created Lost, but the rest of the team is now making it last. They are the heroes of the show,they are doing a fantastic job and get less credit for it.

Which is the bigger mystery? The creation of LOST, or the show itself?

My understanding is that JJ sort of consults and keeps his toe in the pool, but he's a busy guys these days and a feature film career awaits.

Lets all hope if LOST ends with a theatrical feature film that JJ will direct it.

I really can't believe you guys are not talking about Carlton's contributions to LOST, or Jack Bender. It's not a 1 man show here. Carlton and Damon are not even in Hawaii.