Review: 'Lost' Seasons 1 and 2 on Blu-ray

Thanks to the powers that be both here at Zap2it and over at ABC, I managed to snag early copies of the new Blu-ray versions of the first two seasons of "Lost." When I learned I'd be getting these in the mail, I sat out on my porch for days, anxiously awaiting their arrival and taking glee in telling kids to get off my damn lawn. And when they finally arrived, I tore the package open with the glee only matched by Ralphie unveiling his Red Ryder BB gun in "A Christmas Story."

But are these worth your hard-earned dollar? Let's find out. How? Not through some long-winded review, but a concise FAQ that should hope clarify things.

So what did you get in the mail, exactly?

One Blu-ray set of each season, available for the first time ever.

Have they ever released other series in Blu-ray?

Yup, they released Seasons 3 and 4 already, simultaneously with the normal DVD set.

I'm a technophobe. What the heck is Blu-ray?

Blu-ray is to DVD what high-definition television is to standard definition, essentially. The difference, especially in programming such as "Lost," is astounding.

How would you compare the difference?

Imagine you're like me, and need glasses to see more than a foot in front of your face. OK? Now, imagine watching the show without your glasses on. That's standard def. Put your glasses on, and you get high-def. Or, put more crudely: standard def is what happens when you sneeze something fierce on a high-def feed.

So, the difference in picture is night and day?

Today, absolutely. What you'll find should you buy these sets is that certain aspects of Season 1 look pretty grainy when pushed into the high-definition realm. By the time you get to Season 2, you'll see such graininess go away almost completely. However, you'll see certain scenes in Season 1 look slightly off, especially those in low light.

I've seen early episodes of "Lost" in high-def in syndication. Why would I buy these?

Because the Blu-ray versions are a step up from high-def feeds on your cable box. These are literally the best way to see these episodes. And this is coming from someone who hates the improper use of the word "literally."

Like when people say, "I am going to literally die if I don't get some taquitos soon?"

Exactly.

So the picture's a big improvement, if a bit spotty in Season 1. What about the sound?

Here's where the set will blow your mind. If you have a surround sound speaker system set up, crank these discs up. You'll hear things you didn't even know within the mix. The Island, in particular, comes alive with the ambient noise suddenly pumping through the miraculous sound mix.

What scenes did you instantly fire up to see in high-definition for the first time?

The pilot's opening sequence. Claire's creepy dream in "Raised by Another." The raft successfully launching near the end of Season 1. Des making his own kind of music. The monster scanning Eko. Locke during lockdown. The sky turning purple.

Did you cry like a baby once again while watching Vincent run into the water after Walt?

Cried like four babies watching a movie marathon involving "Steel Magnolias," "The Notebook," "A Walk to Remember," and "Beaches."

Most striking image in high-def?

Every salt-and-pepper hair in Henry Gale's stubble. Sounds weird, but that's what stood out.

So, what super cool awesome new extras did ABC put on these puppies?

None.

Say wha'?

Seriously, there are no new features. Everything's the same as the standard def sets, from commentaries to extras.
 
Well, at least they pumped these up to high-def presentation, right?

Nope. Well, not entirely: they are now widescreen, but it's easy to see the seams in the transfer to make them widescreen. In some ways, ABC was hampered by the source material here. Unlike the episodes themselves, these extras weren't filmed cinematically. But it's something to consider if you're double-dipping and expecting new features.

Is ANYTHING different in terms of presentation?

A few of the menus have some bells and whistles. My favorite is the menu that descends down the hatch while Jack and Locke peer anxiously down the newly created entrance.

So, should I buy them?

Well, all depends on you having a Blu-ray player. I would say that if you're a hard-core "Lost" fan with some disposable income on your hands, I'd sink my cash into a player and all four seasons in this format. It's the only series that justifies the upgrade, in my opinion. You just can't imagine the difference in quality. It's like driving in a mud-caked car your whole life then emerging from a car wash and suddenly seeing the world as you should have all along. But keep in mind the aforementioned upgrade (player plus four seasons) will set you back a good $400-$600.

Final verdict?

I'm not sure I even need to give anyone the hard sell. If you're a completist, such as myself, you're already going to buy these. If you already own these sets on DVD and don't own a Blu-ray player, know that you're missing out on superior sound and picture but nothing in terms of content. The show holds up in both formats, but truly shines on Blu-ray. The lack of new features is disappointing, but I'm here for the story, not high-def bloopers. And the story is stronger, cleaner, and sounds better than ever in this format.

Ryan also posts every 108 minutes over at Boob Tube Dude. He invites you to join the hundreds already in Zap2It's Guide to Lost Facebook group. He also encourages you to subscribe to the Zap2It's Guide to Lost Twitter feed.