Lost was a great show not only because of its intriguing mysteries but because of the brilliant characters at the heart of the story. In fact, this is often the defense of the finale - “Yeah, maybe the on-island stuff was wonky and disappointing, but at least the character moments were satisfying!” And that is certainly the case.
The show contained its fair share of odd relationships (Sayid and Shannon, anyone?), but for the most part, the character work was exceptional. Whether it be romantic relationships, platonic ones, brotherly ones, or rocky “I don’t really trust you” ones, the relationships were second to none.
These are the ten best.
Sawyer & Kate
Sawyer and Kate were always a sort of “meh” couple. They certainly had their moments (the drinking game is especially electric), but their relationship also tended to drag and grow boring. The show even acknowledged this later on, and we were happy to see Sawyer finally reject Kate in season six. But for the first three seasons or so, Skate was a great couple. They found kindred spirits in each other, and their outlaw lifestyles gave them a certain electricity and unpredictability to the whole proceedings. They weren’t perfect, but they were certainly better than Kate and Jack.
Bernard & Rose
Okay, call us crazy, but we love Bernard and Rose. We know they’re not everyone’s favorite, and we get that. But man are they ever cute. Perhaps we love them so much not because of who they are, but what they represent. Rose has cancer, but she finds a new lease on life when she lands on the magical island. She intuitively knows that her cancer is gone. This raises an interesting philosophical question - would you stay behind and live on the island cancer-free, or would you return to society and risk the return of cancer? It’s a good question, and the show responds to it in touching ways.
Hurley & Charlie
Hurley and Charlie were always the “fun” of Lost as the two bros who provided much of the series’ comedic relief. As such, they don’t really share a deep personal bond like some of the others on this list. But when it comes to sheer camaraderie and mindless fun, there’s no beating Hurley and Charlie.
Despite Hurley’s general friendliness, it is Charlie who takes the strongest liking to him. And when Charlie dies, it is Hurley who tells Claire. It’s a great summation of their brotherly bond.
Sun & Jin
Sun and Jin remain one of the most realistic married couples ever put on television. Yes, they are in the midst of a deliriously fantastical tale, but their individual story is heartbreaking and wonderfully complex. They both love each other dearly, but a lack of communication has significantly impacted their relationship. Sun refused to tell Jin about his mother and her act of blackmail, and Jin refuses to tell Sun about his job with her father - a predicament he is in due to Sun’s blackmailing. It’s brilliant stuff, and they made us cry on more than one occasion.
Sawyer & Jack
This is certainly not a romantic pairing, but a brilliant one nonetheless. You couldn’t get any more different than Sawyer and Jack. One is an outlaw who gives the finger to the rules and mostly acts on his own selfish desires, and the other is a prim and proper, morally straight doctor who does everything he can to help the group. And it is this dichotomy that results in many juicy pieces of drama and conflict. That said, they still find time to help each other, such as the wonderful moment in which Sawyer tells Jack about his meeting with Christian.
Desmond & Charlie
Speaking of bro-y but kinda problematic bonds, we have Desmond and Charlie, a pairing that provides a lot of drama (and tears) in season three. Charlie finds a friend in Desmond thanks to his personality and their shared interests, but much of their bond concerns Desmond’s precognition and his constant visions of Charlie’s death. It creates some great drama (Will Desmond misdirect and sacrifice Charlie to save Penny?), and the “Not Penny’s Boat” scene remains a perfect example of brotherly love.
Sawyer & Juliet
Are you starting to see why Sawyer is such a beloved character? While Sawyer and Kate are cute (or, at least, were cute), nothing compares to Sawyer and Juliet. The two made for a weirdly compelling and unpredictable couple, and their relationship provided much of the heart of season five.
In a season so busy with time-hopping, time travel, and atomic bombs, we’re glad they still found time for Suliet. And come on, who didn’t cry during the finale’s vending machine scene?
Locke & Jack
One of the best non-romantic pairings of the show is that of Locke and Jack. Their personal beliefs often clash, and they provide the show’s main philosophical theme concerning faith and science. Locke is “The Man of Faith,” the one who believes in the island, its properties, and the castaways’ destinies on it. Jack is “The Man of Science,” the one who believes there is a rational explanation for everything and who refuses to answer to Locke’s “outlandish” theories. Of course, it eventually gets more complicated than that, and it makes for tantalizing viewing.
Locke & Ben
While Locke and Jack are certainly cool, the best non-romantic pairing of the show is that of Locke and Ben. Without question. Locke and Ben’s rocky relationship spanned from season two to five, and the two served as perfect foils for each other’s plans and ambitions. While they were fierce rivals and enemies (Ben killing Locke and all), there was also an undercurrent of respect and admiration for each other’s intelligence and fortitude. It’s telling that Locke’s big finale scene is with Ben instead of Jack.
Desmond & Penny
“Penny, you answered. You answered, Penny!” Those words alone are enough to get the tears flowing. Any respectable Lost fan should tell you that Desmond and Penny are the heart of the show. Their chemistry is second to none, their storyline is exciting and touching, and they provide some of the most beautiful sequences of the show. Desmond meeting Penny at the monastery (and later in the stadium), Desmond reading Penny’s note in the hatch, the famous phone call in “The Constant” - it’s all great stuff. And we cry every single time.
