Unearthed Treasures

As you read these words, it will be only a matter of days before the fourth chapter of Lost's six-season arc smashes its way onto our screens. Excited? Agreed. we've all got goosebumps.

Co-Executive Producers ADAM HOROWITZ & EDDY KITSIS are here to talk about our cover stars and what we can expect from them when the new season begins.

Season four is so close we can almost feel the island's humidity once more. Let's talk about the characters this issue focuses on, starting with Mr. Benjamin Linus.
Adam Horowitz: One of the biggest things about Ben - and one of the most exciting things for us as writers - is that as much we think we've explained about Ben, there's a lot more to talk about and reveal. Now, obviously we can't tell you what those things are yet [smiles]! But, to us, his actions are always very interesting, and the motivations behind them are even more intriguing. We're really looking forward to revealing that.
Eddy Kitsis: The history of Ben also tells us a bit of the history of the island, in the sense that when we had Ben's flashback in The Man Behind the Curtain, we actually got to see Dharma in action. We even got to see how Dharma was 'extinguished.' Through Ben we almost get to tell one small part of the island's story.

Alex really came into her own in season three. How do you feel she's mixed things up on the show?
EK: She definitely added more fuel to the fire of Lost in the sense that she finally got to meet her mom! I think what's fascinating about Alex is that she - like all teenagers - feels like their parents don't understand them. Now, she's just discovered her father isn't even her father. She was beginning to resent Ben because of his treatment of Karl, so it was great to watch her play that out towards bringing her to the point of meeting her real mom. And in turn, for Rousseau, that's pretty significant - coming face to face with her daughter after 16 years!

The last we saw of Desmond, he had to sadly watch Charlie die. Where do you think Desmond is at, mentally, after the developments Naomi brought to the island?
EK: Desmond got as close to Penny as he ever has on the show so far! He literally saw her! If it wasn't for Charlie's heroics, he might've also been able to talk to her. I think that is going to renew a bit of his hope, his faith, and at the same time, the minute he saw the picture of him that Naomi brought to the island - whether he believes it now or not - at that moment he wanted to believe that they'd sent Penny for him. That ultimately, Penny has still been looking for him. We saw that at the end of season two when she said, "If you have enough money you can find anyone." So I think he was hoping for that. But, Charlie writing 'Not Penny's boat' on his hand is going to make him really sceptical. He's going to be coming into the new season wanting answers.

At this point, in what way has working on season four been a different experience for you and the other writers/producers?
EK: It's actually given us more time. Not having to put episodes on in September/ October, it gives us more time in post-production and we can have them ready to air just how we want them. For us, it's really exciting to be able to tell a story without going off the air. Last year we knew we were going to do six episodes and then take a break, so we designed the season's stories that way. What's great about now is that we're powering ahead.
AH: On a bigger viewpoint, knowing there are only 48 episodes to go, we can attack them all. Of course, we have to attack season four first, and its episodes individually, but we now have the luxury of looking at the whole thing too.

Has there been any cries of, "Please, please let me write that one" as you're locking off this season's scripted twists and turns?
AH: It think we always try to make sure every episode has what we call 'Writers' Envy' - so that after breaking the outline, everyone in the room wants to write it. That's always our goal.

This article appears courtesy the official Lost Magazine. The official companion to TV's most compelling show, Lost Magazine brings you the latest interviews, theories, character diaries, and exclusive input directly from Co-Creator Damon Lindelof. Plus, receive a stunning poster of the Swan Hatch as used to build the set when subscribing online HERE