: John Locke and Boone Carlyle discover a mysterious metal hatch buried in the jungle, which becomes the season's central obsession.

The story begins with , en route from Sydney to Los Angeles, crashing on a mysterious island. Led by spinal surgeon Jack Shephard , the survivors quickly realize that rescue is unlikely because the plane was a thousand miles off course when it crashed. Key Season 1 Milestones

Filmed almost entirely on the island of , the island itself became a central character.

: The survivors encounter a terrifying, unseen entity in the jungle (later known as the "Smoke Monster") and discover a 16-year-old French distress signal repeating on a loop.

A former paraplegic who can miraculously walk after the crash Josh Holloway A cynical con man who hoards supplies Sayid Jarrah Naveen Andrews A former Iraqi Republican Guard communications officer Charlie Pace Dominic Monaghan A washed-up rock star struggling with heroin addiction Hurley Jorge Garcia