Lost is (to me) mostly about a bunch of pretty people wandering around looking for a cohesive plot

That's it exactly! With rain. I just quietly snicker at the remembered snark.

Nice Lost ep description/commentary here:

[link]

I’ve long contended that the writers of Lost use the show as the world’s most expensive message board, employing its very text to address fan concerns and critiques, often in the body of the same story that’s causing consternation. Apparently some of the writers have been known to blog, and executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse conduct regular podcasts on ABC’s website where they clear the air, but I’ve never quite seen the point. When you watch Lost you almost always have a pretty good idea of where everyone stands.

To wit, Lost doesn’t just name check the pop culture phenomena that has inspired and co-exists with it (most recently evident in the episode where Sawyer has to go around being nice to everyone or else he’ll be “voted off the island”). Occasionally, it seems to step outside of itself and offer reassuring nods to its viewership—no doubt one of the most savvy audience in all of television—that it has at least anticipated their eventual complaints. Arguably, that’s not quite as impressive when you consider how many corners the show has written itself into over the years, but they do say admitting you have a problem is the first step.

Okay, this is bugging the crap out of me.

Who is the older, Irish actress with white hair. She's been in everything...oh lawd...what is her name? Not Finola...Fiona something?

Anyway, what is she doing in the photo on Big!Brother's desk? Has she appeared in a past episodes playing someone's mum or granny?

Fionnula Flannagan. I don't know what sorts of parts she usually plays but she was in Lost before playing the clerk in the jewelry shop where Desmond went to buy an engagement ring.

Good catch -- I knew we were supposed to notice the photo, the way the camera lingered, but I didn't connect the dots.

She's the one that appeared to Desmond to tell him about his psychic powers, right?

Exactly! Now I remember, they walked in that park just as the scaffolding went down. Right. Okay. So, she tells Desmond he has a destiny and Big!Brother leads Desmond to Penny. Hm.

The last episode of Lost had it's first ratings climb in months - hurray! I'm also in the reading Buffistas then watching Lost club. I mostly then end up watching the episode and sniggering at things people have said the entire time, but still, it's 400% more enjoyable.

I'm, like, the only guy here who still generally likes it and finds crazy new developments interesting, aren't I?

P-C, don't feel alone. I still like the show actually. I complain about it, but I still like it.

I don't know if I feel the crazy new developments are interesting. I'm coming from a cautious place.

Well, there's also the fact that all the recent interviews with Carlton and Cuse seem to point to the fact that they'll be Answering Questions and all that good business, and I think they've been making good on that promise for the last few episodes. It sounds like they've taken the fan frustration to heart.