It may happen Monday morning or maybe in late July, but at some point it will hit you: "Lost" withdrawal. A Hurley-size void will be left in your life -- time you used to spend pondering the identity of the Smoke Monster and what's brewing below the hatch.
A survival kit for Lost fans
What to do when Lost withdrawal hits.
May 22, 2010 at 6:11PM
But "Lost" isn't the only pop-culture puzzle worth cracking. Our Variety A+E staff gathered some not-so-obvious suggestions that should keep your head reeling through the summer.
NEAL JUSTIN
BOOKS "Y: The Last Man." This comic-book series about the last man on Earth and his pet monkey is so compelling, it got co-writer Brian Vaughan a full-time gig as a "Lost" writer.
"Ulysses." James Joyce's epic won't take six years to read, but it may seem like it at times, with the novel's endless series of enigmas and word games.
"Under the Dome." Stephen King, the master of the airport-lounge paperback, challenges his fans with his most sprawling and ambitious endeavor to date, in which his characters are stranded under glass.
"Puzzle Masterpieces: Elegant Challenges for Crossword Lovers." Eggheads who can breeze through the New York Times crosswords will do some serious head-scratching when they dig into Patrick Berry's slim but sensational collection.
DVDS "Red," "White" and "Blue." Krzysztof Kieslowski's trilogy is as cryptic and challenging as his name. Julie Delpy and Juliette Binoche are the most recognizable stars in these subtitled classics that explore the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity.
"The Saragossa Manuscript." Some of Poland's brightest stars shine in this 1965 fantasy, set during the Napoleonic Wars, that will charm viewers who crave a Mensa-approved version of "The Canterbury Tales."
"The Singing Detective." Those who want their "Glee" with a little more "glum" will be riveted by Dennis Potter's mystery musical, but make sure you're being mesmerized by the 1986 BBC version, not the flat 2003 remake with Robert Downey Jr. and Mel Gibson.
VIDEO GAMES "Bioshock." Your plane crashes into the ocean, but instead of surfacing to a mysterious island, you're stuck in an underwater world so desolate and dreary, you'll pray for something as quaint as the Smoke Monster.
"Fallout 3." Another apocalyptic adventure, this time set in deserted Washington, D.C. Plenty of side adventures make this richer than your typical zombie-killing mission.
MUSIC Pink Floyd. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a mouthful of mushrooms to explore the mysteries and melodies of "The Dark Side of the Moon," "Wish You Were Here" and "The Wall."
Mastodon. Here's a metal band that wants its fans to use their heads as well as bang them. Albums like "Leviathan" and "Blood Mountain" offer complex metaphors and ambitious themes. Oh, and they all go to 11.
