There was a time when "science fiction," or sci-fi, was the exclusive domain of Trekkies and Star Wars "Force" fanatics. Sci-fi was so taboo that people kept their interest in these TV shows and films to themselves. Talking about sci-fi was relegated to comic conventions, Dungeons & Dragons sessions, and World of Warcraft gatherings. Then came Lost. It was a show that was inherently sci-fi, yet it also transcended the genre in many ways.

Lost had everything sci-fi skeptics typically loathe, including a fantastical monster, time travel, and immortals. These things just don't exist in the reality we've come to know. However, these traditional sci-fi archetypes were secondary to something much more profound on Lost: relationships. In true Character Approved fashion, the story of Lost was also about finding the humanity in life and developing strong connections between people. From the moment we as viewers found ourselves on the Island, we were thrust into a mystery of connectivity. Who were these people and how were they related? Each week on Lost we learned a little more about the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. And every so often, the creative team of J.J. Abrams, Damon Lindelof and Jeffrey Lieber would add a touch more of the unimaginable world of sci-fi to the story.

The story was the essence of six degrees of separation. The Lost series finale said it all. The flash forwards and flashbacks were over. Now, it was time for six seasons of relationship-building to come together through the unique bond of love. Sayid, Sawyer, Hurley, Claire, Jack, the Kwons, Kate and the rest of the Oceanic survivors were reunited with their loved ones. For a brief moment, fans forgot about answering the mysteries of Lost and rejoiced in the strong human connections that had been made.

Lost may be over, but its legacy continues on. Some people argue that the 13.5 million viewers who watched the season finale can't compare to numbers brought in by shows like Seinfeld, Friends and M.A.S.H. --which all topped 50 million viewers for their finales. I beg to differ. The number was a profound statement on the genre of sci-fi. Thanks to Lost, sci-fi is no longer considered taboo. Instead, it has become weekly water cooler and dinner party conversation fodder. Sci-fi fans are no longer restricted to the esoteric convention and game gathering. Now, you can walk around and proudly say, "That's right--I like sci-fi." And you won't be alone: Earlier this month, Lost earned 12 Emmy nominations, including a nomination for Outstanding Drama.

[Image: ABC]