LOST is one of the greatest shows of all time. The combination of mystery, rich characters, mythological themes, biblical themes, and excellent presentation are unparalleled. THE STAND, based on the novel by Stephen King (a huge LOST fan), aired as a TV miniseries in 1994. LOST ‘powers that be’ have all stated they are big Stephen King fans and have even cited THE STAND as a prevailing influence.

I just watched THE STAND. The effects and score are quite dated, and there are some very cheesy moments. Overall I found it quite entertaining. I was surprised at how many similarities there were to LOST.

If you haven’t seen THE STAND, LOST, or either one, you might not want to read the following list.

1. The war between Good and Evil = The war between The Losties and The Others.
2. Gary Sinise = Jack. Molly Ringwald = Kate. Larry Underwood = Sawyer and Charlie.
3. God sends 4 from the Good side to see The Devil = Jacob has 4 from the Losties come to see The Others
4. One of these 4 is sent back to tell of what happened (Gary Sinise, Hurley)
5. Gary Sinise is injured and left behind to die in a pit, then resurrected by Abigail. Locke is shot by Ben and left to die in a pit, then resurrected by Jacob/Cerberus/The Island.
6. In THE STAND there is concern about the baby’s not being immune to the flu and dying. In LOST mothers keep dying in the third trimester. Apparently a vaccine is required to save the baby and enable it to survive.
7. One of the final scenes in THE STAND, the one in which Larry Underwood and the… other guy, are about to be crucified + dismembered… reminds me of the scene in LOST where Locke’s dad is tied up in front of The Others.
8. Holy crap that’s Bernard!

I’m sure I missed some. This is not a criticism of LOST or THE STAND, I think LOST is amazing and THE STAND is just one piece of work that influenced it. And the execution, context, characters etc. make LOST completely original. One week until Season 4…