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The typical A-Team. The quintessential team consists of Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Locke and Sayid. Ana-Lucia is seen as the Tallie equivelent of an A-Team member.
The A-Team, minus Sayid, discuss a response to the attack on Sun
An A-Mission refers to a mission of the Lost A-Team, which usually includes a combination of Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Locke and Sayid. The term was dubbed by Charlie (a frequent mission-goer who, in his own opinion, falls short of being a member of the A-Team) ("Everybody Hates Hugo") and later referenced by Sawyer("Exposé"). For this article, Charlie's definition will be the one that is used. To be considered an A-Mission, at least one member must be present for the entirety of the mission.
However, for the purposes of this article, an A-Mission is defined as a quest which departs from the main body of the survivors, and involves either rescue, assistance to another, or betterment of the survivor community as a whole. Therefore, missions such as when Sawyer went hunting for the boar or tree frog do not fall on the term A-Mission as these were personal quests.
The storyline of Lost can be summarized by describing the A-Missions, as they tend to occur at major plot junctures. Furthermore, one of the members of a team has often been the focus of that episode's flashback; thus characters who participate less often in such A-Teams also seem to have fewer flashback episodes.
In addition to storyline principles demonstrated through A-Missions, character traits become increasingly visible. Jack's de facto leadership is seen as many of the missions are conducted under his leadership. Charlie's self-destructive tendencies show up in the way his frivolous conversation causes other members to leave him behind. Kate's "born to run" mentality is also visible, seeing as she has gone on the most missions, vastly more then her colleagues.
The architecture of the Lost storyline can be viewed as the consequences of events set in motion with A-Missions.
In Season 1, the main goal of the storyline is to illustrate that the Island is a mysterious place, and that the survivors will be there indefinitely. The first two A-Missions, "Finding the Cockpit" and "Sending a Transmission" thus establish the main premise of the entire story to come. "Hunting Boar" further reinforces the plotline of survival, but also sets the context for the discovery of the Hatch, which is the central mystery of the first season, and a central element of the second.
Interpersonal conflicts then escalate into the sabotage of "Triangulating the French Transmission", as well as danger from Ethan Rom in "Searching for Charlie and Claire" and "Trapping Ethan". Ethan's existence introduces the wide-open possibilities of plotlines involving other people on the Island, although these possibilities are not deeply explored until the end of Season two, and provide the segue into Season three.
"Triangulating the French Transmission" also introduced a third presence on the Island, the character of Danielle Rousseau, and the tragic story of her child Alex, as clarified in "Rescuing Aaron". Their story is intertwined with the Others, and leaves open the possibility of a future reunion between mother and daughter, either in the latter half of Season 3, or later. Thus the themes that carry the storyline into seasons two and three, and perhaps beyond, are already established through the A-missions of season one.
The explicit bridge into the themes of season two is provided by "Journey to the Black Rock", which enables "Opening The Hatch", as well as "The Raft", which introduce the Tailies and the Others. Whereas the first season's A-missions set the context of survival on the mysterious island, the new themes of the Hatch interior, the Tailies, and the Others all become central to the story of the second season.
Relation to Lost storyline: This was the first A-Mission, or quest, by the survivors, and continued the pilot episode's introduction of Jack's character as a leader-type, as well as the thread of his relationship with Kate. The unusual nature of the Island was introduced, through the Monster and the pilot's explanations of how they had crashed. The success of the mission also directly set the stage for the next mission, "Sending a Transmission".
Mission: To tell the outside world where they are.
Corresponding O-Mission: None
Corresponding F-Mission: {{{F-mission}}}
Background: The transceiver needed to be taken to higher ground to acquire a better signal.
Discoveries: Danielle's transmission, and the fact is has been on a loop for 16 years, polar bear
Relation to Lost storyline: This mission introduces Sayid as a character with useful technical skills, and moved Shannon's character beyond simple whining to someone with skills, but laden with insecurities, themes that largely remained undeveloped until her final swan-song episode, "Abandoned". Danielle and her storyline were also introduced, and served as the first indication that other individuals had been on the Island. This was also the example of A-mission participants withholding knowledge from the larger group (that someone else had been stranded for at least sixteen years without rescue.) They also found out that at least one polar bear lived on the Island, until Sawyer killed it when the bear tried to attack the survivors.
Background: Locke offered his hunting skills and knives.
Discoveries:Locke saw the Monster, which he later described to Jack as "beautiful".
Relation to Lost storyline: This mission marked the first preparation for the possibility that rescue was not coming. Locke was also established as an authority with a surprising set of skills for survival in the outdoors.
Mission: To find out were the Radio Tower is located.
Corresponding O-Mission: None
Corresponding F-Mission: {{{F-mission}}}
Background: Previously, the French woman's transmission had been discovered; finding its transmission source would help their efforts to attract rescue.
Discoveries: A saboteur existed
Relation to Lost storyline: The sabotage marked the first example of the survivors' conflict with one another during an A-mission.
Searching for Charlie and Claire
Searching for Charlie and Claire
Outcome:Half-accomplished; rescued Charlie, but not Claire.
Background: Claire, now returned, was set up as bait as an attempt to flush out Ethan Rom.
Discoveries: Ethan appeared to have above-average strength.
Relation to Lost storyline: The abrupt conclusion sets up Claire's later mission in "Maternity Leave". This mission wraps Claire's storyline as well as Ethan's until well into the next season.
Note: This is the only mission in which all A-Team Members were present.
Background: Hurley, wanting to gain more information on the Numbers, goes on a mission to gain a battery from Danielle. Due to his mysterious actions Jack, Sayid, and Charlie recruit themselves to join with him.
Relation to Lost storyline: The pattern of Charlie's ineffectual or counterproductive role in missions, as seen in "Finding the Cockpit" and "Trapping Ethan" continues here. If the battery for the raft's radar had not been gained then the Rafties may never have encountered the Others and so Walt may not have been taken.
Background:Locke and Boone search for the beechcraft airplane that Locke saw in one of his visions.
Discoveries: The presence of the beechcraft aeroplane.
Relation to Lost storyline: Locke and Boone trek into the jungle to find a plane that Locke saw in one of his visions. Boone went into the plane to make a Mayday signal that was heard by Bernard on the otherside of the island, but his presence in the aeroplane resulted in him falling to the cause of his death.
Mission: To get dynamite, in order to blow open the Hatch exterior.
Corresponding O-Mission: None
Corresponding F-Mission: {{{F-mission}}}
Background: Jack's desire to get the survivors into a safe area (namely the Hatch) was impossible without a means to open the thick door that held the Hatch shut.
Discoveries: The Black Rock was actually an old slave ship, that had also crashed on the Island.
Relation to Lost storyline: This mission sets up the transition to Season 2 by enabling the mission "Opening the Hatch". Other themes continue to develop: Jack's over-protectiveness of Kate, Jack's conflict with Locke, Locke's second encounter with "the Monster", and Hurley's marginalization by the other characters.
Background:Danielle, half-crazy from the kidnapping of her daughter, kidnapped Claire's infant, thinking she could trade him to the Others.
Discoveries: Charlie found heroin from the drug smugglers' plane. Charlie and Sayid found the origin of the pillar of smoke but with no tracks around it.
Relation to Lost storyline: The heroin provides for future plotlines for Charlie, but more importantly Danielle's character is developed further, setting the stage for the later introduction of Alex.
Season Breakdown
Season 1 - Percentage Successful
55.5% (5/9)
Season 1 - Percentage Half-accomplished
22.2% (2/9)
Season 1 - Percentage Failed
22.2% (2/9)
Season 2
The beginning of Season 2 ties up the transition from Season 1. The mission "Journeying by Raft" is the aftermath of the previous season's encounter with the Others, and also serves to introduces the Tailies, who are featured centrally in Season 2. Furthermore, Walt's abduction from the raft already sets the stage for the transition to Season 3 via Michael's attempt to rescue Walt in the mission "Hunting Michael" as well as Michael's acts of betrayal and murder in the mission "Rescuing Walt".
Also "Opening The Hatch" concludes the transition to begin Season 2, as it introduces not only the Hatch, but also Desmond, Kelvin, and the DHARMA Initiative. It also opens the Season's escalation of Jack and Locke's differing viewpoints of science vs. faith, explicitly mentioned in the title of the season's opener, and provides the background for another transition into Season 3 with Locke's crisis of faith which develops into the destruction of the Hatch. The same story thread continues into Season 3's A-mission "Saving Mr. Eko" as Locke prepares to develop into a new leadership role.
Dealing with the discovery of the man who calls himself Henry Gale and the mysteries of the DHARMA Initiative are central to the mid-season missions "Claire's Search" and "Henry's Balloon". As Henry is revealed to be an Other, "Going to the Line" brings back Michael, and "Hunting for Henry" results in the discovery of the Pearl station. Michael's return sets the stage for the season finale and transition into Season 3 with "Rescuing Walt", a plot thread that goes all the way back to Walt's abduction in the first season's mission "The Raft". "Rescuing Walt" also opens new possibilities for the third season's plotlines by removing the characters that had been central to the A-Missions of the first two seasons: Jack, Kate, and Sawyer, as well as Jin, Sun, and Sayid in their pursuit. The season ends as the stage is set for an introduction into the home of the Others.
Background:Michael spent most of his time during Season 1 building a raft. The first was secretly destroyed by Walt, while the second was successfully built. The appearance of Black Smoke, in addition to Danielle's warnings, prompted a quick departure.
Relation to Lost storyline: This journey marked the transition away from Season 1, introducing themes that would predominate in Season 2. The Others finally appeared, and the aftermath set in motion the coming plotlines with the Tailies and the later mission to Rescue Walt.
Relation to Lost storyline: In conjunction with the raft mission, the opening of the Hatch marked the transition from the previous season by introducing new plot elements that would predominate in Season 2: The Numbers, the DHARMA Initiative, the gun safe, the Others, faith vs. science, and the growing divergence of interests among the survivors.
Relation to Lost storyline: This was the first encounter of the Others with the main body of survivors. The interaction of the A-Team members with the Others is the opening act of later interactions in the next Season. Kate disappointed Jack, another recurring theme.
Mission: To determine the truth of Claire's memories of her abduction, vaccine, and the mysterious new hatch. Danielle also searched for hints of her daughter.
Discoveries:The Staff station is discovered, as well its contents such as the fake beard.
Relation to Lost storyline: This is a conspicuously "all-girl" plotline, joining Sun's bonding with Kate and Shannon. However both "all-girl" plotlines are unrelated and each stands isolated and undeveloped in the overall Lost storyline. Claire has relatively few flashbacks, so this episode is a key in the development of her story.
Background: To convince his captors of his truthfulness, Ben (then, AKA Henry) drew a map to a balloon that was mentioned in his story.
Discoveries: Balloon; the prisoner's tale about being Henry Gale was false; the real Henry Gale's grave, and the lack of his wife's. The real Henry Gale's wallet, driver's license and letter on a $20 bill
Relation to Lost storyline: Ben's identity as an Other is finally resolved. The recurring theme of Charlie tagging along with an A-team largely ineffectually, such as in "Finding the Cockpit" and "Getting a Battery", continues.
Relation to Lost storyline: The return of Michael leads to a chain of events that develops into the transition to Season 3's storyline of many of the A-team being held captive by the Others.
Hunting for "Henry"/Searching for the "?"
Hunting for "Henry"/Searching for the "?"
Outcome:Half-accomplished; Locke and Eko didn't catch "Henry", but they found the "?" and The Pearl station.
Relation to Lost storyline: Locke's crisis of faith begins in this mission and sets the stage for the culmination of Season 2 via his decisions that lead to the destruction of the Swan.
Rescuing Walt
Rescuing Walt
Outcome:Half-accomplished; Walt got off the Island but Jack, Kate, and Sawyer were captured
Background:Michael, returning from his leave (See: Michael Hunt), explained that he has seen the Other's camp. Michael convinced some of the survivors to come with him on a third attempt to rescue Walt. However, Jack and Sayid know that Michael is in some way deceiving them.
Relation to Lost storyline: This A-Mission marks the transition from Season 2 to Season 3, bringing the storyline of the survivors into the land of The Others. The departure of the normal A-Team leaders (Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Sayid) as well as other main cast such as Michael, Jin, and Sun, creates a new dynamic among the survivors, enabling Locke to assume more authority, and allowing the space to eventually introduce two new main cast, Nikki and Paulo.
Season Breakdown
Season 2 - Percentage Successful
37.5% (3/8)
Season 2 - Percentage Half-accomplished
25% (2/8)
Season 2 - Percentage Failed
37.5% (3/8)
Season 3
As before, this season opens by continuing the plotlines that wrapped the previous season. Sayid, Sun, and Jin continue their pursuit of Jack, Kate, and Sawyer in "Ambushing the Others", while Locke deals with the aftermath of his crisis of faith in "Saving Mr. Eko" as he prepares to become a leader, thereby introducing three new characters in "The Pearl Revisited": Nikki, Paulo, and Mikhail.
Following the transformative pattern of each of the previous seasons, these early Season 3 A-missions are likely setting the stage for the Season 3 finale and the transition into what may be a very different focus for Season 4's storylines.
More A-missions led by Locke are indicated, and presumably Desmond's new role as main cast will involve him in future A-missions of his own. Sayid, Sun, and Jin remain in the midst of their own mission. "The Great Hydra Island Escape" provides the basis for another possible mission involving the captive survivors, and the fate of Michael and Walt still remains shrouded. With most of the original A-Team scattered, Nikki, Paulo, Charlie, Claire, and Hurley are possible contributions to A-mission team members for the rest of the season.
Halfway through the season the A-Team takes an aggressive stance toward the Others after Jack is lost in "The Great Hydra Island Escape". Through a three part aggressive campaign to rescue Jack, many discovering about the Island have been made (Including The Flame, Mikhail Bakunin, and the Barracks). Also noted is the aid of Danielle in this campaign in hopes to reunite with her daughter, Alex.
Background: The 'Rescue Walt' party did not go to the black smoke, created by Sayid, as planned. Sayid then decides that he wishes to capture three others.
Discoveries: The Others somehow approached the sailboat from the oceanside (the submarine). The Others knew Sun's full name. Sun was able to kill Colleen.
Relation to Lost storyline:Desmond's sail boat being taken by The Others presumably sets up later plot elements to come in the latter portion of Season 3. Similarly, the existence of a possible second craft, the Galaga, is revealed in the aftermath of this mission.
Background: Inspired by a vision, Locke prompted Charlie to help him discover the location of Mr. Eko and accomplish Boone's orders to save Mr. Eko's life.
Discoveries: Polar bear cave, imploded Swan station, mysterious Pearl Shirt.
Relation to Lost storyline: With Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Sayid absent, there is a leadership vacuum, and especially after his recent visions, Locke begins to confidently assume the mantle of leader. However first he must rescue Eko to atone for his most recent mistake, when he had doubted faith, resulting in the destruction of the Hatch.
The Pearl Revisited
The Pearl Revisited
Outcome:Half-Accomplished, Pearl monitor feeds were patched out of a new location (which revealed Mikhail), but was not used to locate the prisoners. Eko was found, but was soon killed.
Background:Locke, remembering the Pearl, and attempting to find Eko, got a new A-Team of sorts together to venture after Eko.
Discoveries:Mikhail, monster's shape shifting ability, Yemi's body missing.
Relation to Lost storyline: Mr. Eko's storyline ends with this mission, and three new characters are introduced, Nikki, Paulo, and Mikhail. Locke continued to emerge as a new leader.
Background:Sawyer was about to be executed, but Jack turned Ben's surgery into a hostage situation, and attempts to set up Sawyer and Kate's escape. However they had recently learned their prison was on a separate island, whereas Jack does not yet know.
Discoveries:Room 23, Alex's relationship with Karl and Ben.
Relation to Lost storyline: Jack takes Ben's life hostage after cutting his (Ben's) kidney sack. Kate and Sawyer, aided by Alex, get a boat in exchange for Karl's rescue. Picket catches the four (Sawyer, Kate, Alex, and Karl) on the beach but is killed by Juliet.
Relation to Lost storyline: Sayid, Locke, Kate, and Rousseau head north and discover The Flame. The A-team encounters Mikhail and Bea Klugh. Locke enters numbers into a computer. Sayid finds a map to The Barracks. Mikhail shoots Bea dead. The Flame detonates as a result of Locke's entering numbers.
Mission: 1) Follow the DHARMA Cabling Map to The Barracks 2) Overcome the Sonic Fence to gain access to the Barrack grounds.
Corresponding O-Mission: None
Corresponding F-Mission: {{{F-mission}}}
Background:Sayid, having discovered the DHARMA Cabling Map, sets his team's sights on a place of interest: The Barracks.
Discoveries: The sonic fence surrounding The Barracks; Jack seemingly happy in captivity
Relation to Lost storyline: The A-Team, Rousseau, and Mikhail encounter a large sonic fence that surrounds The Barracks. Locke pushes Mikhail through the fence, causing Mikhail to suffer a cerebral hemorrhage. The rest of the team surmount the fence and approach the Barracks to see Jack playing football with Tom.
Rescuing Jack Part III: The Barracks
Rescuing Jack Part III: The Barracks
Outcome:Half-Accomplished; While they succeeded in getting Jack back, it made sure he didn't get off the Island and Locke apparently joined the Others.
Relation to Lost storyline: While Kate and Sayid attempted to extract Jack they were discovered and taken captive. Meanwhile, Locke furthered his own motives to destroy the Other's submarine with the seemingly 'unwilling' aid of Ben. Jack's ticket off the Island was lost, the A-Team was captured, and Locke discovered his father's presence on the Island. Later all of the Others, except Juliet, left the Barracks. Jack made his way back to the beach with Kate, Sayid, and Juliet. Locke had also gone with the Others.
Background: Jack opens up to the camp about his plan to end the Others once and for all, explaining that Danielle has visited the Black Rock and returned with a large amount of dynamite. Jack explains that, with the dynamite, they will "blow them all to hell".
Relation to Lost storyline: While the others go to the radio tower or the Looking Glass, Sayid, Jin, and Bernard prepare to ambush the Others at camp. All ten of the attacking Others were killed.
Contacting Naomi's ship
Contacting Naomi's Ship
Outcome:Half-Accomplished; The signal was disabled, Naomi's boat was contacted, Mikhail was killed, Bonnie was killed, Greta was killed, but Naomi and Charlie died.
Mission: To shut down the radio tower and the Looking Glass to contact Naomi's ship.
Corresponding O-Mission: none known
Corresponding F-Mission: {{{F-mission}}}
Background: Sayid thinks if he is able to shut down Danielle's distress call that he could contact Naomi's ship, but Juliet says that there is also the Looking Glass, which Ben uses to block all other signals from the island.
Relation to Lost storyline: While Sayid, Jin, and Bernard wait for the Others to come, Charlie and Desmond go on a suicide mission to shut down the Looking Glass, while the rest of the survivors go to shut down the radio tower.
