You know what’s great about “Lost”? OK, one of the many things that’s great about “Lost”? It’s such an international stew of various ethnicities. And on this show, that’s really no big deal.
Last night’s jaw-dropping new ABC episode (SPOILERS AHEAD) had a thrillingly meaty “flash-forward” for Sayid, played by Indian-Brit Naveen Andrews. Our favorite Iraqi ex-“torturer” seems fated, upon his return as the fourth revealed member of the “Oceanic Six,” to become some kind of besieged assassin for baddie (or is he?) Ben.
The episode “The Economist” (“He’s not really an economist”) also continued the storyline for mysterious new “psychic” helicopter arrival Miles, played by Chinese-American Ken Leung. And let’s not forget two other longtime Asian-ethnicity cast members, South Korea-born Daniel Dae Kim and Yunjin Kim.
Four Asian actors prominently featured on one show? That’s gotta be some kind of record.
“Lost” also has several key black performers in not-quite-departed ex-regulars Harold Perrineau (Michael) and Malcolm David Kelley (Walt), plus Marsha Thomason (“Las Vegas”) as this season’s is-she-really-dead mercenary Naomi. You can probably add Lance Reddick (“The Wire”) to the list as the forbidding airline “lawyer” in recent flash-forwards, who looks to be around for awhile.
And how about Jorge Garcia (Hurley/Hugo) and the underused Nestor Carbonell (never-aging “Others” mastermind Richard)?
As for last night’s episode, if you missed it, or just loved it lots, you can read a concisely detailed recap here. And/or you can watch it here.
[Above: Ken Leung, Evangeline Lilly, Naveen Andrews in ABC photo from Feb. 14, 2008 episode of "Lost."]