Fake it 'til you make it

A newbie's guide to Lost: 10 ways to bluff through the season premiere

Kate, it's time to decide. Hottie number 1 or hottie number 2 — it's not thatdifficult.
Shirtless Sawyer with Juliet, who may or may not be dead

The last season of Lost has finally arrived and if you haven't been following the series, the premiere will make no sense to you. Just missing one episode puts you way behind—and it's nearly impossible to catch up. But if you have been watching the series since the beginning, as we have, Tuesday night's premiere is the biggest thing since the mystery of who shot J.R. Ewing during the heyday of Dallas.

Avid fans are obsessive about the series, so if you happen to be watching the show with some diehards, here's a "cheat sheet" that will get you through the night—and maybe even impress the faithful.

Before we get started, a few points to remember:

Lost fans pay attention to every detail— silence is absolutely golden.
When engaging a fan in conversation, "I don't know," "That always confused me," or "I'm still working on my theory" are perfectly valid answers to ANY question. Everyone has a theory, everyone has an interpretation, but no one really knows the answer to anything.

This being the case, here are 10 talking points to throw out into the Lost-verse that should establish you as a Lost veteran.

1. "Whatever happened to the polar bears?"

2. "It's a shame they killed off Libby."

*bonus points: "I don't understand why everyone hated Ana Lucia. I found her really complex and interesting."

3. "I wonder what's gonna happen to Claire."

4. "Who are the true protectors of the island, the Dharma Initiative or The Others?"

5. "What's the deal with the smoke monster, anyway?"

If you want to take it to the next level, here are some more complicated routines to perform.

6. You have two options — straight-laced Jack, or sexy, shirtless Sawyer. Pick one, and then say, "I just think Kate belongs with ________." You're sure to get strong opinions from everyone in the room.

7. Jacob has been a mysterious presence on the island since almost the beginning. In last season's cliffhanger, he was revealed as a deity-like figure and possibly killed. Initiate a comparison between Jacob and Christ.

*bonus points: Compare John Locke, who has been killed and come back to life, to the anti-Christ. People may argue he's actually the Christ character.

8. A main mystery of Lost is how the characters travel through time and space. Throw out, "Do you think its possible for them to change the future?" They wouldn't be Lost fans if they didn't care about this sort of thing.

9. Some of the characters have names that mirror a philosopher or theologian. If you're a philosophy buff, point this out and then open up discussion on their beliefs.

John Locke (philosopher John Locke)
Desmond David Hume (philosopher David Hume)
Dr. Charlotte Staples Lewis (theologian C. S. Lewis)

*Bonus points: Miles Straum is named to remind viewers of a "maelstrom."

**Extra bonus points: Penelope Widmore, wife of Desmond Hume, reminds us of Penelope from Homer's Odyssey. She too spends years waiting for the return of her love.

10. If you're into fashion, you can attempt a conversation on Lost styles. This topic may be a little tricky to maneuver, but here are some pointers:

Kate — always has a tank top, or rolled up short-sleeved shirt which is usually wet or damp.
Sawyer — most likely to be shirtless or almost shirtless.
Jack — never shirtless. Loves button-ups.
Juliet — Loves Old Navy styles (she may be dead though).
John Locke — cargo or khaki pants with an earth-toned t-shirt, tucked in.

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weekend event planner

Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

Courtesy of Don Toliver

Don Toliver will perform at the Toyota Center on Thursday, May 14.

Bowls! Bowls! Bowls!

The annual Empty Bowls Houston event is just one of many things Houstonians can dip into (sorry) this weekend. We got a few musical events, from a hometown rap star headlining the Toyota Center to a spring concert from the Treble Choir of Houston, as well as some interesting stage productions. This weekend also offers a fashion show, two crawfish collabs, and a belly flop contest.

And always remember: If your family tree forks, you might be a redneck.

Thursday, May 14

Asia Society Texas presents Runway to Asia
Runway to Asia honors Asian and Asian American innovators on the global fashion scene. Presented in partnership with Fashion Presenter Tootsies, this second year of Runway to Asia will spotlight the talent of international fashion designer Bach Mai, a Vietnamese American artist born and raised in Houston. Guests will enjoy lunch and a fashion experience blending cutting-edge designs with a celebration of artistry, passion, and journeys. 11:15 am.

Party on the Plaza: Galactic featuring Jelly Joseph
Party on the Plaza will feature an evening of funk, soul, and Gulf Coast grooves led by New Orleans collective Galactic featuring Jelly Joseph, a band steeped in the unique sounds of their city. Known for pushing the boundaries of funk with influences spanning jazz, rock, and soul, Galactic brings its electrifying live show to downtown Houston, alongside local favorite Bayou City Funk, with their horn-driven blend of blues, jazz fusion, and high-energy rhythm. 7 pm.

Don Toliver in concert
Don Toliver is one of Houston’s own. Signed to Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Records, the psychedelic rap star has been crushing it as of late. Earlier this year, he dropped his fifth album Octane, which became his first number-one album on the Billboard 200 chart. All 18 tracks have also charted on the Billboard 100. Most recently, he brought the house down as a headliner at Rolling Loud Orlando. And, now, he’s coming home to do the same thing over at Toyota Center. 7:30 pm.

Friday, May 15

Empty Bowls Houston Preview Party
Empty Bowls Houston, one of Houston’s best-loved grassroots fundraising events, will return for the 20th year on Saturday. At the Empty Bowls Houston Preview Party, attendees can enjoy light bites, beer and wine, live music, and have the first opportunity to see and purchase the array of handmade bowls for the event. There will also be a pottery throwdown event with local potters. BTW, all of the ticket sales ($50) and bowl sales will benefit Houston Food Bank. 6 pm.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents Our Land
Filmmaker Lucrecia Martel (The Headless Woman) explores the 2009 murder of Javier Chocobar, a member of Argentina’s Indigenous Chuschagasta community, who tried to defend himself and his community from being forcibly evicted by a local landowner and two former police officers. The documentary triangulates the murder trial, the lives of Chocobar and the Chuschagasta people, and the colonialist legacy of land and property theft across Latin America. 7 pm (5 pm Sunday).

The Ensemble Theatre presents Who All Over There?
When Dean, a young professional, and Danya, an aspiring singer, go on a refreshingly candid first date, they keep it real about the dynamics of a potential interracial relationship. As they grow comfortable in their budding love, the real world brings a whirlwind of inflammatory race relations, opinionated family and friends, and troublesome pasts. This production shines a light on the story of what happens when cultures clash in the name of love in today’s times. Through Sunday, May 31. 7:30 pm (2 & 7:30 pm Saturday; 3 pm Sunday).

Theatre Suburbia presents An Evening of Favorite Carol Burnett Skits
The Carol Burnett Show entertained audiences for more than a decade and was celebrated for its humor and chemistry among the cast members. It has been recognized as one of the greatest television shows of all time, influencing future comedy programs. This weekend’s two shows will be the last chance to catch Theatre Suburbia’s tribute to a beloved part of television history, featuring a variety of favorite sketches. 8 pm.

Saturday, May 16

Alley Theatre presents Dear Alien
After captivating audiences nationwide with her what-if Shakespearean scenario Born with Teeth, playwright Liz Duffy Adams returns to the Alley in her thought-provoking world premiere, Dear Alien. An isolated advice columnist races the clock to make one last deadline before facing financial ruin. In this existential comedy, we ask ourselves: What will we do when it all becomes too much? Through Sunday, May 31. 2 & 8 pm Saturday (7:30 Thursday; 8 pm Friday; 2 & 7 pm Sunday).

River Oaks Theatre presents Steal This Story, Please! With Amy Goodman and Carl Deal Live
Journalist Amy Goodman has reported some of the most consequential stories of our time. Steal This Story, Please! is a gripping portrait of the trailblazer whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. From the frontlines of global conflicts to the organized chaos of her daily news show Democracy Now!, Goodman broadcasts stories and voices routinely silenced by commercial media. Goodman and director Carl Deal will be around for a post-screening Q&A. 3:45 & 7 pm.

Heidi Vaughan Fine Art presents “Vivian Wise: Growing Up Wise” opening reception
Heidi Vaughan Fine Art will present an exhibition of paintings, photographic image transfers, assemblage sculptures, poetry, and original music by artist/poet/songwriter Vivian Wise. This exhibition marks a turning point for Wise, who was once bedridden for 198 days and diagnosed with seven autoimmune diseases a decade ago. She returned to what she loved most: poetry, visual art, and songwriting. She credits all three disciplines as the reason she is still creating ten years later. Through Saturday, June 20. 5 pm.

Little Woodrow’s Tomball presents Belly Flop Contest
Little Woodrow’s in Tomball is making a big splash this summer with a high-energy belly flop competition. Participants will showcase their best flop and compete for prizes including a wrestling-style championship belt and cash — $500, $150, and $50 for the first, second and third-place winners, respectively. Flops will be judged based on splash size, wow factor, and creativity. Contestants are encouraged to register in advance for the competition but can sign up at the event. The $10 entry fee will be donated to a local fire department. 6 pm.

Sunday, May 17

Best Regards and Hot and Buttered present Crawfish Sundays
Heights cocktail lounge Best Regards is teaming up with Hot and Buttered for a two-part crawfish collab this spring. Expect Hot and Buttered's signature boiled crawfish, seasoned in-house across a spice spectrum from mild to "lip burn," paired with craft cocktails – Frozen Paloma, Crawfish Bloody Mary, Blood Orange Margarita, Berry Spritz – from the Best Regards bar program, built to match the heat. 2 pm.

Josephine's presents Backyard Boil with Evan LeRoy
Evan LeRoy, pitmaster and co-owner of Austin's Michelin-starred LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, will be in Houston to serve up some crawfish alongside Josephine's executive chef Lucas McKinney. In addition to boiled crawfish, LeRoy will serve four dishes — Smoked Crawfish Boil Sausage on a Stick, Brisket and Cheddar Croquettes, Oysters on the Half Shell, and Smoked Salsa Matcha with Beef Tallow — all priced a la carte. Tickets are free, but reservations are required via Resy. 2 & 4 pm.

Treble Choir of Houston presents Spring Concert
The Treble Choir of Houston, under the direction of founder and artistic director Marianna Parnas-Simpson, will present its annual Spring Concert. The concert celebrates the choir’s accomplishments of the past year, featuring songs from the 2025-26 repertoire, as well as vocal and instrumental solos from the choristers. The Treble Choir of Houston is an ensemble of young women in grades 6-12, dedicated to transforming lives through excellence and choral singing and music education. 3 pm.

Smart Financial Centre presents Jeff Foxworthy
Jeff Foxworthy is the redneck king – and we mean that in the kindest way. The Atlanta-born comic is one of the most successful comedians in America, the best‑selling comedy recording artist in history, a multiple Grammy nominee, and the author of more than 26 books. And let’s not forget when he got his Original Kings of Comedy on and headlined the Blue Collar Comedy Tour with Ron White, Bill Engvall, and Larry the Cable Guy. He’ll close the weekend out by doing what he does best: telling redneck jokes in Sugar Land. 8 pm.

Courtesy of Don Toliver

Don Toliver will perform at the Toyota Center on Thursday, May 14.

things to do houston weekend events event-planner