"Lost" is my favorite TV show. That's a pretty definitive statement, but it's a fitting title for this game-changing sci-fi drama. Twenty years after it first aired, its brilliance has not faded, and its return to Netflix will almost certainly bring it to new audiences, and veteran viewers will be reminded of its great quality.

Starting today, Monday, July 1, all episodes of "Lost" are available on Netflix in the U.S. (which means the iconic show is back on the streaming service after being removed in January 2018.) According to What's on Netflix, January 2026 a deal has been struck to keep the show on Netflix until January 1, so we have 18 months to enjoy all the twists and turns.

While I am extremely fortunate to have been able to watch "Lost" live, the show is also great for binge-watching. Don't be surprised if you get hooked and finish the entire series in record time. Lost is practically unrivaled in its ability to make you say, "Just one more episode."

Whether you missed this legendary drama long ago or want to return to the mysterious island at its core, its return on Netflix is the perfect opportunity to watch all six seasons in one sitting. But if you need convincing, here's everything you need to know about "Lost".

The originator of "watercooler TV" and the forerunner of today's binge-watching culture, "Lost" is a television giant that continues to influence the industry today.

The sci-fi drama opens with an intense plane crash in which Oceanic Flight 815 goes 1,000 miles off course and lands in the blue ocean below. The crash survivors wash up on a lush tropical island, but this is no deserted paradise. The island is home to numerous threats, including a mysterious shadowy smoke monster, a group of violent residents known as the "Others," and even polar bears (spoiler alert: the final mystery is never fully explained).

Survivors of the crash include troubled surgeon Jack Shepherd (Matthew Fox), fugitive Kate Austin (Evangeline Lilly), cocky con man James "Sawyer" Ford (Josh Holloway), a big secret Lost is packed with impressive characters, including some of the best villains in television history, to name a few.

Another key element of "Lost" is its clever use of flashbacks. Interspersed throughout each episode are flashback segments that explore what certain characters were doing before the accident. This technique was revolutionary at the time and allowed viewers to get to know each of the main cast members better. In addition, these backstories often added to the larger puzzle.

If you want a TV show that will have you clicking the "play next episode" button as soon as the credits start rolling, look no further than "Lost." The show's ability to create mystery, suspense, and intrigue is second to none, and there are so many surprising cliffhangers in the first season alone that you will consume them all in just a few weeks.

Speaking of the early years, I have to give special mention to seasons 1-3, as I would argue strongly that the first half of Lost is the most consistently good piece of television ever made (only HBO's Succession challenges this). And while some viewers stumbled in the second half of the show - and admittedly there are too many unanswered mysteries - even the weaker episodes of "Lost" beat the best of many contemporary series (Season 3 Episode 9 "Stranger in a Strange Land," notorious for being a complete filler (Except, I admit, that it really stinks).

What sets "Lost" apart from other series, however, is its incredibly engaging characters. Sure, the cliffhangers and twists are exciting, but without an emotional core to accelerate the momentum, they will not hold interest for long.

The big-name ensemble cast, including Charlie (Dominic Monaghan), Jin (Daniel Dae Kim), Sun (Yoonjin Kim), and Hurley (Jorge Garcia), will get inside your mind. And who hasn't had their eyes water at that scene in season four's critically acclaimed fourth episode, "The Constant," or felt chills at the gut-punching finale of the third season?

As mentioned, I experienced "Lost" live. My enjoyment was enriched tenfold by discussing fan theories with friends and family. In the age of streaming, it is unfortunately impossible to replicate that aspect of the show, but it does offer the advantage of being able to watch all 121 episodes at your own pace. It was pure torture to have to wait a full week between episodes and months between seasons.

"Lost" has a strong following, and I could preach to the converted in this article. But if you've missed the show until now, I urge you to watch it now that it began airing on the Netflix U.S. version this week. I have already watched and re-watched "Lost" several times, and now that I am writing this article, I am itching to watch it again.

You can now watch "Lost" seasons 1-6 on Netflix