"Lost": So. Good. So Good!

(Flickr parody by robleto.)

“Lost” returned with a bang this week — a big, messy, time-travelly bang that set up a whole new twist to the show’s topsy-turvy plot line. By officially exploring the concept of time travel, “Lost” is fully embracing its inner geek — and that’s a good thing. There’s still enough to the relationships on “Lost” that viewers allergic to sci-fi still have plenty of reason to tune in. But given where the “Lost” storyline has gone over the past few seasons, the show was going to have to, at some point, get a little more geeky to solve its mystery.

For a thorough recap of the show and a take on what it all means, I now direct you to Entertainment Weekly’s Jeff Jensen, who has the lowdown on the premiere here.

"Lost" in San Luis Obispo

They’re getting a bit creative in the window of Tom’s Toys in San Luis Obispo. Above, a re-creation of the “Lost” Flight 815 crash (via Playmobil toys), complete with polar bears.

Below, the toymeisters take “Jump the Shark” literally.

Maria’s Thursday Three

(Flickr pic by ruimin84.)

1. The Walt Disney Concert Hall Rooftop: Add this to your list of free things to do in L.A. The roof is a pleasant spot to spend some time on a weekend, as you’re surrounded by beautiful trees and plants, a mosaic flower fountain and a children’s amphitheater. With benches and small tables scattered around, I’m always thinking about going there with a picnic lunch.

2. The Black Apple: One of my favorite artists from Etsy is The Black Apple’s Emily Martin. She captures a perfect blend of melancholy and groove in her art. Consider getting this print or this one.

3. “Lost”: It was satisfying seeing Desmond make contact with Penny, despite that crazy radioactive time travel plot bend. Do Sun and Jin round out the Oceanic Six? And are Desmond and baby Aaron the seventh and eight survivors? Does evil Ben count?

Maria’s Thursday Three

(Flickr pic by ruimin84.)

1. The Walt Disney Concert Hall Rooftop: Add this to your list of free things to do in L.A. The roof is a pleasant spot to spend some time on a weekend, as you’re surrounded by beautiful trees and plants, a mosaic flower fountain and a children’s amphitheater. With benches and small tables scattered around, I’m always thinking about going there with a picnic lunch.

2. The Black Apple: One of my favorite artists from Etsy is The Black Apple’s Emily Martin. She captures a perfect blend of melancholy and groove in her art. Consider getting this print or this one.

3. “Lost”: It was satisfying seeing Desmond make contact with Penny, despite that crazy radioactive time travel plot bend. Do Sun and Jin round out the Oceanic Six? And are Desmond and baby Aaron the seventh and eight survivors? Does evil Ben count?

Yes, I Have Seen Tonight’s "Lost" Episode…

… and yes, it is awesome. As others have said, the season 3 finale wasn’t a fluke. For those of you who thought “Lost’s” best days were behind it: Oh, you couldn’t have been more wrong.

For starters, tonight you’ll find out more about who managed to get off the island. And how it affected them. You’ll see how the castaways react when confronted with the news that the “rescuers” may not be rescuers at all. And you’ll see how everyone takes the news about the demise of Charlie.

But watch it for yourself. Tonight at 9 p.m. on ABC.

Scenes from the Strike Front, Day Three

I hit the big showrunner picket early this morning at Disney’s front Alameda gate in Burbank… talk about a who’s who of TV executive producers.

Finally, a positive development to come out of the writers strike: A kumbayah moment between Monday night 8 p.m. rivals “Chuck” (Josh Schwartz, center) and “How I Met Your Mother” (Craig Thomas, left, and Carter Bays, right).

Winner, best sign of the morning’s picket, goes to “Lost” exec producer Carlton Cuse.

“Private Practice” exec producer Marti Noxon notes that “fake doctors” support the WGA.

“Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane. Can you imagine how much that picket sign would fetch on EBay?! Hope he held on to it.

“The Riches” creator Dmitry Lipkin has a “Norma Rae” moment.

One of the most interviewed showrunners at the strike line: “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry.

The scene this morning: Chock full o’ showrunners at Disney.

Scenes from the Strike Front

Jay Leno and striking scribe at NBC

Jay Leno visits NBC, bearing Krispy Kremes this morning

Leno meets the cameras at NBC’s Bob Hope Drive. Leno said it was too soon to tell what will happen with “The Tonight Show” – dark for the time being – if a strike drags on. “We’ll take it one day at a time,” he said.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus lends her support at Warner Bros. “My husband is a member of the WGA and I’m a member of SAG, so I’m here in solidarity,” she said.

Toddler gets into the act at NBC

Picketers, carrying a mix of old and new WGA On Stike signs, at Warner Bros.

Strikers stock up on snacks and water at Warner Bros.

Big crowd at Disney, where “Lost” exec producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse were among the writers marching outside.

For more details, check out Variety’s strike blog here, and full coverage here.

Also, check me out talking about the strike tonight on ABC’s “World News with Charles Gibson.”

Scenes from the Strike Front

Jay Leno and striking scribe at NBC

Jay Leno visits NBC, bearing Krispy Kremes this morning

Leno meets the cameras at NBC’s Bob Hope Drive. Leno said it was too soon to tell what will happen with “The Tonight Show” – dark for the time being – if a strike drags on. “We’ll take it one day at a time,” he said.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus lends her support at Warner Bros. “My husband is a member of the WGA and I’m a member of SAG, so I’m here in solidarity,” she said.

Toddler gets into the act at NBC

Picketers, carrying a mix of old and new WGA On Stike signs, at Warner Bros.

Strikers stock up on snacks and water at Warner Bros.

Big crowd at Disney, where “Lost” exec producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse were among the writers marching outside.

For more details, check out Variety’s strike blog here, and full coverage here.

Also, check me out talking about the strike tonight on ABC’s “World News with Charles Gibson.”