Lost Smoke Monster

Since the pilot episode the Lost Smoke Monster has been unquestionably the most curious and inexplicable character on the popular ABC program Lost.

As writers of the television show enter the final season of Lost knowing it is scheduled to air in 2010 they are aware that fans are anxious to see how the normally very clever writing staff will logically explain the presences of the omnipotent supernatural being that is known by many names including: The Monster, Smoke Monster, and Smokey. Regardless of what name it is called the fact remains that the mysterious creature is one of the principal mysteries of the show Lost. Having appeared in only fourteen episodes through the first five seasons, viewers know very little about this curious oddity that seems to have a substantial role in the big picture. The minimal screen time has resulted in a miniscule amount of information being understood about this creature that curiously seems to only come out during the day (likely a complete coincidence).

To audiences watching at home the monster most often is seen as a creature with the physical appearance of a free flowing cloud of black smoke. The versatility of the smoke allows the creature the dynamic properties of being able to (1) quickly zip around the island through the air, (2) seamlessly pass right through and around physical objects, and when necessary (3) harness an amazing amount of physical strength that is literally capable of pulling large trees out of the ground by their roots. The Smoke Monster has revealed that it can take on other forms including most notably the likeness of human beings. Finally, in addition to the physical attributes just described the unusual being has cerebral powers that include projecting images from the past of an individual if it so chooses - seemingly getting inside the minds of people.

While the specific purpose, role, and origin of the mysterious creature is still almost entirely unknown it is safe to say that based on limited information revealed during season 5 of Lost the beast appears to be some sort of island arbitrator that judges what is just on the island. To what degree specific characters have in depth knowledge about the Smoke Monster is in many respects a mystery. Benjamin Linus though does at least appear to be a character that can summon the strange floating mist during times of island crisis.

While many theories abound regarding the Smoke Monster perhaps the most common on the figurative eve of the final season is that the strange smoke has been on the island for a very long time (centuries or possibly even thousands of years) and serves as a guardian of sorts to watch over and protect the island. While this may be the commonly accepted position going into season 6 when all of the large questions will be answered if the history of the show Lost has taught us anything it is that just when the majority of fans think they have the story figured out the producers pull the rug right out from under them and force loyal fans to reevaluate their assumptions and hypotheses.

Aside from the extreme level of mystery and dramatically unique physical attributes the most distinct facet of the Smoke Monster character is that it polarizes hardcore fans of the show Lost more than any other aspect of the series. The divide amongst fans is largely due to the fact that such a mystical being is widely believed to be unexplainable by science and physics. For many loyal followers of the program part of the appeal is the logic behind the solutions to many of the mysteries of the island. Even though most audiences are unable to completely grasp a majority of the scientific explanations the show presents there is a reasonable amount of comfort in believing that seemingly magical issues such as time travel and having to push a button every hundred and eight minutes to save the world can be explained with string theory and unique electromagnetic properties. The scientific curiosity of regular viewers seems to have continued to mount with each passing season.

The writers of the television show Lost insist that they have had the same ending to the show in mind since the very beginning. As fans around the globe patiently await the ultimate finale the heightened curiosity regarding the resolution of the multitude of questions relating to the Smoke Monster is on the forefront of the minds of many devoted fans. If the Smoke Monster has truly been part of the master plan from the very beginning as the writers claim then there must surely be a logical explanation to the role the seemingly mythical creature plays in the climax of the story line. Exactly how that logical explanation will be framed is a mystery to possibly all of the millions of Lost fans around the globe. Regardless of how the final season closes it is already safe to say that after six years the Smoke Monster is without a doubt the best kept secret in primetime television character history.

Jeff is a devout fan of the show and will continue to appreciate the genius of the series long after the Lost final season is ancient history. In preparation for season 6 Jeff has created Lost season synopsis write ups to refresh his memory and to make sure he has not forgotten or overlooked any critical details.