This past week one of my favorite television shows, Lost, ended its fifth and penultimate season. I am sad to say that I was not completely satisfied by the finale. Judging by the show’s ratings I may not be alone in my dissatisfaction. As analyzed in a previous posting the show seems to have  ‘lost’ audience during its run, perhaps as its storyline has become more convoluted and difficult to follow.

Unfortunately, the ratings did not improve during the last episodes of this season. This season’s finale, with an average audience of 9.27 million, set a new record low for any Lost season finale. At 9.27 million viewers it is less than half of what the first season’s finale attracted in May 2005, when the show’s audience was ascending rather than the pursuing the current course. This season’s finale also marks the fourth lowest audience for any Lost episode to date. Not a great way to finish. It may be comforting then that the series will conclude next year with its sixth and final season.