What is it I'm missing?

[haldoor]

How do people know what episode of Lost they're watching, and remember the titles six month later, anyway? Huh, huh, huh? Does everyone go to Lost-media.com each week before the episode to find out the name or what?

I can barely remember my own name some days (this is the famous MOAG, but even so...). I swear, they do not have titles on any episodes I've seen, nor numbers of episodes. So when I'm reading fic or entries whereby people say "spoilers through... blah blah blah" I have no idea whatsoever what they're talking about unless they say 3.11 or whatever. For the first time ever in my life I actually know a) what season of a series I'm watching (apart from the obvious first season of something) and b) what episode number I'm up to. Seriously. It's the first time it's actually mattered.

Oh, and actually what does "through" mean in that context? it's such an Americanism. I assume it means "all the way to the end of this episode I am naming" but I'm not 100% on that, it may only mean up to the beginning of the episode... any help?

None of this is intended as a criticism at all, I'm just genuinely confused! I'm a simple Kiwi lass who needs help understanding the American mysteries! (you'd never guess I actually lived there for five months once upon a time, would you?).

So, please help if anyone knows. I'll give you my first-born. No, I won't, her father would never forgive me! a fic of your choice if the answer makes sense!!! (and Heroes, just so we know I'm not missing anything, quite clearly says the chapter - ep# - and title of each episode at the beginning, so there!)

PS: another poll coming soon - I haven't forgotten the idea of reviewing the shows/movies/happenings around me, it's just on hold for a bit while I sort out the rest of Life's Questions. Dunno why I try though, we all know The Answer is 42.

Comments

[eponine119.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think people go off to Lost Media or some other site and read episode titles and then use/remember them. I can't remember any of the titles from this season at all, though I'm okay on the earlier ones. And 3x11 doesn't help me much either, cause I'm way worse at counting than I am at remembering. ;)

"Through X episode" would mean "through the end of X episode," I believe. "Up to X episode" would mean "up to the beginning of X episode, not having seen X episode yet." But since it's a spoiler warning, you couldn't really go, "Spoilers up through when Boone dies" or "The only spoiler is, you have to know the hatch exploded" because...that would spoil you.

Most American TV tends to keep the episode titles "secret" -- they have titles but they're not shown on the screen. Back in the days before the internet, sometimes you could get them from the TV listings in the paper, sometimes not.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Well, this another of those mysteries, evidently... I mean what is the point of keeping episode titles a secret? I don't quite understand that! I come from a world where if it's got a title, you use it! Mind you, not that I remember them anyway! I guess it's one of those things I'm just gonna learn to live with. I have no idea on titles, except for the odd one here or there where I've made a note of it because I've looked up several things from that particular episode, or it's one of Sawyer's that I've just picked up on and, obscurely for me, remembered!!!

And the through thing: we would say "through TO the end of episode X" which is where I lose it with Americanisms! Kiwis tend to have English language habits generally (tho' we have a few of our own *grin*) and "through anything" without use of the word "to" means something passes through something else like "a ball passes through a hoop" but if we're using it in the above context about a show or a happening, we always have the word "to" (like "the cowboys will be here through to the end of March") in the sentence. Hence my confusion! Thanks for helping ease my confusion just a little (if not completely!) *hugs*

I'd write you a fic, but I dunno if you're interested! ;-)

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

And I fully understand why they don't say things like "up to when Boone dies", I do! I just wondered how it is everyone knows this stuff before the episode was even out! And I too am hopeless with numbers, like I say, this is the first time I've ever paid attention to where the show was so I wouldn't read fics/spoilers ahead of time! Not been into any show's fandom before this, so it's all new! *more hugs*

[mistry89.livejournal.com]

Boone dies!!!

oh no ......

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

*looks shocked* I'm sooooooooooooooo sorry!

[mistry89.livejournal.com]

:)

[eponine119.livejournal.com]

I don't know that the titles are secret, more like for a long time they only served one purpose -- for the writers of the show to keep things straight, and they figured there was no reason for the viewers to know them. Or else we just like to make things more complicated than they really are. *nodsnods*

"through TO" -- interesting. Yes, Americans tend to drop words that don't seem necessary (and then add other ones, like "in THE hospital").

I would love a fic, but don't feel obligated! It wasn't that hard a question, was it? :D

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Ah well, who the hell knows, except the damn writers? Never mind, no biggie, just one of those mysteries I always wondered about when people are posting reviews (or more amusingly) writing about an upcoming episode!

Yes, American is an interesting language, but then so are many versions of English. I'm sure heaps of people wouldn't have a clue what Kiwis are saying half the time! ;-)

Ah, fic... hmmm, shall have to dedicate one to you at some point, perhaps, but no, nothing springs to mind right now (having enough problems getting the ones written I've already started, to be honest! Dunno why I make such rash promises really! ;-) But yes, I will dedicate one in the future when you least expect it, perhaps! (since you wrote that gorgeous one off my lost_hohoho prompt, I've kinda felt it would be nice!) Don't hold your breath though!!!

[lostjane.livejournal.com]

I didn't even notice people using the word "through". No clue what it means. And I know they don't put titles on the episodes of Lost, (I don't think?) so I just assumed people went to the website beforehand to see the preview and it's named. Or afterward to discuss it. Mysteries.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed, mysteries upon mysteries! Now eponine119 has been kind enough to help me with this one, it's left me with another mystery: Why do they have names if they don't use them? *sigh* How complicated these Americans can be, and they forget the rest of the world needs explanations! Why, oh, why? I know, I should just say "42" and nod wisely! *shakes head in wonder yet again*

[lostjane.livejournal.com]

Hmm. I think eponine119 had a great answer to that question.

I don't have any answers for you, but remember when Justin Timberlake looked like THIS (http://spectacle.provocateuse.com/images/spectacles/justin_timberlake_01.jpg)?

[lostjane.livejournal.com]

Crap! That didn't work!

http://spectacle.provocateuse.com/show/justin_timberlake

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

HA! I'm sorry, but I didn't know he used to look like that! In fact, before he was in the papers for singing, I had no idea who he even was, and I still don't even think I know any of his songs! Still, that's a damned funny pic! *snigger* How eighties is that!?!

[lostjane.livejournal.com]

My sisters used to like him when he was in n*sync (sp?) and we used to call him Macaroni Hair! hahaha!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

He was in N'sync or whoever they are? ah... I had no idea, honestly. My knowledge of boy bands evidently needs beefing up.

[rainweaver13.livejournal.com]

LOST has episode titles?

*blinkblink*

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Alright... I'm not the only one then. Phew.

[msb66.livejournal.com]

I too have had problems with the episode numbers (I had no idea they were titled as well). I can only just keep up with the plot without having to count what episode I am on...

So where are you up to now in NZ? And I want word description of what happened last - not an episode number! I think we are still ahead of you a few episodes. The last couple for us have returned to the main group and I feel I have "settled down" again now.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Ah, good, it's not just me! I think I kinda landed in amongst a bunch of even bigger fanatics than me, that's half of my problem! I keep having to skip their entries on my flist because they're talking about an spisode I haven't seen! It's not a bad thing altogether, I just feel a little guilty that I don't comment on their entries much, but overall, it's not that much a biggie - I was just curious!


We just had the one where Sawyer & Kate finally got off the island in Alex's boat with her boyfriend Karl. It was Juliet's flashback and her ex-hubby got hit by a bus! Freaked me a bit, even though I suspected it was coming! I just didn't expect it right THEN! Nearly spilled me tea!!!

[jhobbit.livejournal.com]

Well love, I wasn't too aware of the Lost episodes having titles although I have seen some listed in TV Guide and so forth with a title. Never thought about it too much actually. I tend to go more with the idea of this and such happened in this episode rather than a title.

Love, here's an American dictonary meaning for through: 1.In one side and out the other side of; from end to end of. 2.in the midst of; among. 3. by way of. I would say in this context, the first definition applies.
I have to say I got a laugh from the replies here, especially the non American ones. But that's the way it is, what's normal in one place is unusual somewhere else. Keeps us interested and smiling at one another, doesn't it?

I do love that Heroes has both the number and the name of each episode at the beginning of each one, helps a lot.

*squish*

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

YAY! I'm with you on that, as I'd have no way to remember episode titles of all these things, even if I knew them (and I mean other shows too, not just Lost, cos some of them do have titles!).

Thanks for the dictionary meaning! I'm sure ours says something similar, it's just kinda rules of speech to go with the words that is interesting! And you are right, it is what keeps us smiling! I'm learning every day, I know this!

Yes, I agree on Heroes, and while I'll never remember long-term, at least if someone says where are you up to, I can say we just saw Chapter 8 or whatever!

*squishes back*