Lost
The past few weeks, Lost has really been delivering consistently, week in week out. Every episode ends with me sitting there with an utterly shocked expression on my face (surely I shouldn't be surprised anymore?), absolutely stunned.
Also, Lost is one of those programmes where sound and music is a cornerstone. Often, near the end of an episode, there will be a scene of sadness or poignancy and the music will be playing - lots of slow strings to capture the mood as you may well imagine. The scene comes to a close, the straws draw out in one final note that is held for longer than the others. The note reaches about the point where you'd expect it to end... but gradually, gradually the camera begins to pan, to zoom, to move slowly. The long note starts climbing up in pitch, suddenly there's something on the screen that is a complete twist and the music is there, there inside you, seizing your quiet security and delving into the comfort zone, twisting its way into your brain with that high pitched note. All the sentimentality drains away. You stiffen, your jaws clenches, you probably stop breathing or blinking and oh-my-god-that-cannot-be-happening reaction kicks in. All within the space of about five seconds and a change in pitch.
Of course, you're too concerned with the plot development to really care about the music, but as you watch Lost more and more, you begin to spot the change in pitch and anticipate the big twist or revelation. Of course, then you're all the more aware of that note and the tension just about quadruples.
Also, Lost is one of those programmes where sound and music is a cornerstone. Often, near the end of an episode, there will be a scene of sadness or poignancy and the music will be playing - lots of slow strings to capture the mood as you may well imagine. The scene comes to a close, the straws draw out in one final note that is held for longer than the others. The note reaches about the point where you'd expect it to end... but gradually, gradually the camera begins to pan, to zoom, to move slowly. The long note starts climbing up in pitch, suddenly there's something on the screen that is a complete twist and the music is there, there inside you, seizing your quiet security and delving into the comfort zone, twisting its way into your brain with that high pitched note. All the sentimentality drains away. You stiffen, your jaws clenches, you probably stop breathing or blinking and oh-my-god-that-cannot-be-happening reaction kicks in. All within the space of about five seconds and a change in pitch.
Of course, you're too concerned with the plot development to really care about the music, but as you watch Lost more and more, you begin to spot the change in pitch and anticipate the big twist or revelation. Of course, then you're all the more aware of that note and the tension just about quadruples.