A clap of thunder sounds in the distance as rain moves over the mud caked floor. Thin rays of sunlight spill from an overcast sky, washing across the lush jungle that surrounds the cage-like compound in which Kate Austin and Sawyer remain imprisoned.

The earth pulses with tension as Sawyer kneels amongst the mire, eyes alight with the knowledge that in mere seconds, he may die. Focused on the grime at his feet, he ignores the gunman at his side, thoughts blind to the 9mm aimed to his temple.

Lost opens its midseason premiere, riddled with mystery and suspense. The show picks up in the same instant it left off with in late Nov. 2006, and brings an end to another of its signature cliffhangers.

Located on an island in the middle of the south Pacific, Lost features motley characters stranded together after surviving a violent plane crash. Each character has a story to tell, their complicated background revealed during their own flashback episode.

As the show progresses, the characters are faced with new dangers. They are determined to be rescued from the island, but must first unfold its secrets and will soon discover that they are not alone.

Plagued by a group dubbed “the others”, the survivors of flight 815 struggle to not only to return home, but evade this mysterious group. However, they are blind to the inevitable truth that they will never escape without interaction with them.

Throughout its three seasons, Lost has been nominated for countless awards and has brought home many of them. The actors and creators of the show have also been awarded for their talent in the construction of every episode.

The best aspect of Lost in my eyes is the number of famous novels, plays and movies that inspire its creators. Familiar plots can be spotted throughout the show, many times with direct references from the characters.

The complexity of the characters also draws me to the show. Every week, a different character is featured in the flashbacks, which pieces together a puzzle that appears to connect all the survivors of flight 815.

Because of its late time slot at 10 P.M. on Wednesday nights, I would recommend Lost to any mature audience. Due to violence and adult content, I would not suggest the show for young children.