The TV Addict (left) with J.J. Abrams
While J.J. Abrams may be far removed from the day-to-day operations of LOST, of this he is sure. Setting an end date was the best thing to happen to the show since the arrival of one Benjamin Linus.
“Damon [Lindelof] and Carlton [Cuse] basically insisted on it,” said Abrams of the then unheard of end date that the talented twosome affectionately referred to as ‘Darlton’ negotiated with the top brass at ABC. “Knowing that the show is going to end on its own terms means there will be a sense of inevitability, not a sense of a series reacting to a marketplace or viewership. I’m thrilled about is seeing billboards touting ‘The Final Season’.”
So to are 10 to 15 millions fans, who have anxiously been counting down the return of the most addictive show on television since May’s finale that ended with a quite literal bang. And just what does Abrams think the fan reaction will be to the final season?
“Mind-bending, amazing, intricate, and unexpected,” are just a few of the superlatives the visionary showrunner threw out. “When we started the show, we didn’t know where we were going exactly. And to see where we are and what they [Damon and Carlton] have created is insanely gratifying and something nobody could have predicted at the beginning. To see what Damon and Carlton have done is amazing and consistent with their unbelievable track record.”
Strong words from the man who knows a thing or two about amazing television (See: FELICITY, ALIAS and FRINGE). Unfortunately, outside of promising that, “I believe it will be a satisfying ending,” praise for team ‘Darlton’ is about all Abrams would spill at the recent Television Critics Association Press Tour. Well, that and that he wouldn’t be adverse to see his other network show, FRINGE, emulate LOST’s six year plan.
“I think it would be wonderful and I don’t think you can go wrong when you know exactly where the story is going to go,” said Abrams. “If FRINGE is lucky enough to continue going, I do think that at a certain point it would be a really smart thing to start to say, ‘OK, let’s figure out what the actual date is so we sort of know how far we should push things’.” 
