When I was watching the Lost finale, I was thinking of the impact that this TV show has had during its six seasons and how it will always be remembered in the history of television for the big shakeup that it represented to the genre and all the faithful fans who discussed and theorized (and still do) after every episode. Helming this phenomenon was J.J. Abrams, a very talented man who is not content merely to direct, but also takes the lead in producing, writing, and composing.
I have been following Abrams’ career for years and I can clearly see that experience has definitely been his best teacher. Educated in the school of television, he showed a clear progression in his directing style and writing that started with Felicity, where we got to discover the beautiful Keri Russell, continued with the elegant spy drama Alias, where he created one of TV’s most charismatic female characters, Sydney Bristow, wonderfully played by Jennifer Garner, and took a big step forward with Lost, which clearly positioned him at the top of the list of Hollywood directors to watch. With the exception of Lost, Abrams has always placed a woman in the lead role of his stories: see Felicity Porter (Felicity), Sydney Bristow (Alias), and Olivia Dunham (Fringe). The three of them clearly reflect the image of 21st century women; they are intelligent, strong, fierce, and totally capable of running the show without a male figure next to them — very powerful women that have inspired many female fans around the world.
After making a name for himself on TV and winning some Emmys, J.J. Abrams debuted on the big screen after Tom Cruise hired him to bring IMF special agent Ethan Hunt back in Mission: Impossible III. It was not a problem for him, considering his background in action and espionage material. Then he produced Cloverfield and went really big with Star Trek. I do not like comparisons but J.J. Abrams reinvented the Star Trek saga just like Christopher Nolan reinvented the Batman saga with The Dark Knight.
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Article comments
1 - cindyj
I am a HUGE fan of JJ's and I've followed him since Felicity to Alias, LOST, FRINGE and all of his movie endeavors as well. He is incredibly brilliant and seems to have an endless supply of creativity and orginality. Alias is my favorite show of JJ's. I am still on the fence about an Alias reboot. If JJ is involved then it will be worth giving it a try, but if he's not then ABC can count this devotee out. I love his big screen work. The Star Trek reboot was genius and has quickly become a DVD favorite. I must say that because I'm more of a TV addict, I'm partial to his TV contributions. And yes, Super 8 looks really interesting and I'm on the edge of my seat and can't wait to hear more about it!
2 - barbara barmett
Congratulations, Olga on becoming a BC writer. Nice first article!
You are right about JJ Abrams being brilliant.
3 - Olga Parera
@ cindyj - Thanks for your comment, Cindy!! I also think that Alias without J.J Abrams helming the reboot is not worthy. I believe it loses all the essence of the project. I want the original cast back too. I wouldn't like Sydney Bristow to be played by another actress. Let's wait and see what happens.
@ Barbara - Thanks so much for the warm welcome! I'm so happy you liked my first article! More to come soon! ;)
4 - Page 48
I would like to have seen "Alias" not canceled after 4.77 seasons in the first place. I would also have appreciated if CTV (Canada) had not seen fit to relegate "Alias" to the coveted 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon slot. They should have been (and should still be) ashamed of themselves.
5 - arthurmartin
congratulations. ;)
6 - davidfinlayson
JJ Abrams has had utterly nothing to do with lost since its pilot episode a fact that he admirably always tries to point out when interviewed on the matter. Damon Lindelof and Carlot Cuse ran the show for all six seasons. So You must not be following his career very closely at all.
7 - Olga Parera
You're right on that, David. I'm being general that's why I didn't mentioned Cuse and Lindelof but it's true that they took the lead after the pilot. The essence of the idea of the project came from him (and the other partners) and the fact that he directed the pilot which was the big presentation of the show to the world is enough to mention his importance in the show. Abrams wasn't involved in the writing process after the pilot but kept being credited as a producer for the whole six seasons.
8 - Amanda Clement
JJ Abrams equals engaging plots and quality..I've loved every project he's been involved in.
Thank you for the article..i really enjoyed reading it :) can't wait to see what else you have in store for us.
9 - Dr Dreadful
Re: Super 8:
There's no way a pickup truck could cause that much damage to a freight train.
10 - El Bicho
how exactly is JJ "New York-based talent"?
He was raised in LA, resides in Pacific Palisades, and has offices in Santa Monica.
11 - Olga Parera
Should be LA-based, you're right. Guess I got it mixed up with his place of birth.
12 - Jair
Olga, very enjoyable article. I think JJ is extremely talented and consider his name on a show reason enough to check it out.