Anyone out there who hasn't heard about Lost?  Lost is one of my favorite shows. The biggest complaint about this engaging series seems to be that people have trouble following the confusing subplots and mysteries that draw me to this show.

Lingering questions always occupy my mind.  What really happened to Oceanic Flight 815?  4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42-do the numbers mean anything? Is there a curse attached to them?  Where are they? Does anyone know they are missing? Is this an experiment? Who are the Others and what do they want?

If the mysteries of the island weren't enough of a draw, there is a web of complex characters to concentrate on from week to week. John Locke, for instance, saved his estranged father's life thinking this would serve to start a father-son bond. Not only did they not bond, but he lost the love of his life in the process.

Later, Locke becomes paralyzed. After the plane crash, Locke gets up slowly and walks away. The audience knows that he is moving slow to test his once useless legs. The other survivors think he is simply dazed from the crash.

With his new found freedom, Locke quickly becomes the well-respected hunter/provider of the group by using his knife collection to hunt boar. Locke is also the voice of reason, the father figure of the group. Sometimes he offers unwanted advice but the other survivors have , over time, come to respect him enough to listen. Though he had problems with Michael for befriending Walt.

Terry O'Quinn plays Locke to the hilt. From the happiness at a possible relationship with his father to the gut-wrenching emotion at being played by him and losing Helen. Even when O'Quinn is playing the kind, father figure, the audience gets a glimpse of Locke's inner turmoil.

Another great character is Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox). A brilliant surgeon in his old life, he was forced to make the tough decision to turn in his father (also a surgeon) for operating on a patient (who died) while drunk. He chose to do what was right though it ruined his relationship with his father.

On the island, Jack has become the reluctant leader of the survivors. Using the skills from his former life, he was able to help the injured after the crash. From then on everyone sees him as the man with the answers. Jack always tries to do what is right for everyone.

Not everyone agrees with his decisions though. Sawyer is jealous of Jack's roll as leader so he does what he can to stir things up, such as: taking control of the medicine and weapons. Ethan got on Jack's bad side when he kidnapped Claire and left Charlie for dead. No matter the problem, Jack seems to come out on top.

My favorite character is Henry Gale. When Henry was first questioned, one could believe he truly was an innocent victim. Even when doubts emerged, Henry helped Locke when he was caught underneath the hatch door. Henry could have escaped instead. But doubt goes out the window when he calmly talks about sending Ana-Lucia into an ambush and in the next breath asks innocently for milk for his cereal. Michael Emerson plays Henry Gale with chilling perfection.

I find myself eager for each new episode hoping for some little tidbit of information. Or even a new mystery to ponder. The formula for this show is both original and intriguing. It keeps the fans wanting more.

A new show worth checking out this fall is Jericho. This show went to air on September 20th, so here's the buzz. A mushroom cloud from an apparent nuclear explosion is seen on the horizon in Jericho, Kansas. The town becomes isolated from the world and chaos results from the townspeople's fear.

A glare from the explosion causes a school bus to crash. Jake (Skeet Ulrich) rides into town just in time to help the victims. His father, Johnston Green (Gerald McRaney), the mayor of Jericho, isn't happy to have his son return. Gray Anderson (Michael Gaston) is the self-loving adversary to Mayor Green. Dale Turner (Erik Knudsen) is the 16 year old kid who may end up helping the town.

Are they alone? Are there survivors out there? Watch Jericho Wednesdays this fall to find out. Let's keep this show from becoming the next Invasion.