BoingBoing comments on NY magazine's observation that Lost doesn't work because you won't see a "solution" to the central issue.
This is true, of course. But it's a lot more pandemic than they point out.
(1) Alias, created by Lost creator JJ Abrams, suffered from the same issue. The "Rimbaldi" arc was dragged on endlessly, with many variations, and no resolution. It was bad for the series.
(2) Smallville has perennially suffered from a weak overarcing plot. They've progressed from "Meteor freak of the week" syndrome, but ultimately, the three most interesting plots - Clark/Lex, Clark/Lana, and Lex/Lionel, have made no progress. Clark and Lana have waned and are slightly more hostile, Clark and Lex are on the rocks, but have been off and on throughout the series, and Lex and Lionel are STILL toying with each other and squabbling over control of Lex Corp and various advanced technologies.
Of course, X-files is probably the best example. There WAS an overarcing plot, but it should have been resolved. Lots of side plots and unrelated episodes are fine when you have rich characters to explore, but eventually, audiences want resolutions. Where's the drama that literally ties off all the plot lines in a pretty bow? Does that mean the show has to end, or can the characters then begin a new arc?
Dramas built on long term plots should have arcs to resolve them, and a schedule for it. And they should stick to them.
I'm watching the excellent Heroes, and hoping it does not succumb to this disease; it had better not.
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