Lost masterminds Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse say in a new interview over at Lostpedia that last summer’s “Dharma Wants You” alternate reality game was all about prepping the audience for this season’s Dharma Initiative storyline. “Essentially the whole idea was to signal to the audience that our characters… were going to end up in Dharma times.” So the purpose of “Dharma Wants You” was to foreshadow what was going to happen in the second half of Season 5, in the same way that “Find 815” was about the fake wreck and “The Lost Experience” was about the numbers.

There’s more interesting trivia about the show in the interview, though all of it in a “looking back” kind of way. There’s nothing about what’s yet to come, and definitely no spoilers.

Image: Ryan at Hawaii Blog.

The eighth Dharma Special Access update has been posted today, and unlike nearly every other update, it’s kind of a non-story. It consists of exactly two items: the third Season 5 sneak peek video that we’ve already seen, and this montage of promo pictures of the cast for this season (which looks like an intern threw it together in iMovie).

Pretty lame.

Lost executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse are back with their fifth weekly update leading up to the Season 5 premier. This episode features a glimpse at “Future Damon and Future Carlton,” who have changed significantly from the duo we know. No major hints at anything to come on the show; this one is light on info and heavy on humor.

But there are a couple of still images pasted at the very end that unveil two new Season 5 characters: Caesar and Ilana, as played by actors Saïd Taghmaoui and Zuleikha Robinson.

This week’s Dharma Special Access with Lost producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse is a special holiday edition, featuring a new sneak peek scene from the season premier (more on that in a sec) and Team Darlton answering fan questions about the show. Highlights and more after the jump.

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The latest Dharma Special Access video from Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse is mostly about the Lost Book Club, but just before the video ends, there’s a quick glimpse of a logo for a new Dharma station, as you can see here. No name is given for this station, but from the looks of it, it appears to depict some sort of lighthouse or lamppost.

Post your speculation about what this station might be used for in the Comments, and then you’ll find the video embedded after the jump. Read more

Lost executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse are back with the second in their weekly emails revealing behind-the-scenes scoop on production of the show’s 5th season. This week, they’re showing off three new videos for Dharma Recruits; the first two are from the Season 4 DVD set, but the 3rd is genuinely juicy stuff. It’s a full scene from the 5th season premier, featuring Kate and Aaron. (SPOILERS AHEAD.)

I’m not going to ruin the scene for you, but do you remember the bit in the Season 5 trailer where Aaron is asking, “Where are we going, Mommy?” And Kate replies, “We’re going on vacation, baby.” It’s that scene, in full, and it reveals the reason why Kate is in such a hurry to get out of dodge. And let’s just say it’s a really good reason. (END SPOILERS.)

If you’re a Recruit, click here to visit dharmaspecialaccess.com and watch the videos. Damon and Carlton also give a quick production update in their email:

We’re filming the 9th episode, prepping episode 10, writing episode 11, and editing episodes 6, 7, and 8. And (potential spoiler) doing crazy sound effects for episode 5.

As always, remember that recruitment is closed, but the videos are only exclusive to members for the first 48 hours. So in a few days, everyone will be able to watch them.

Image: ABCTVStore.Seenon.com.

Dharma Initiative recruits: check your inbox. In case you haven’t heard, the newly reconstituted Dharma Initiative lost its funding and was sold to the television show Lost (ahem).

The latest “Dharma Wants You” email message reflects this change in power, with a special note written by Damon Lindelof (Producer) and Carlton Cuse (Producer / Writer). (What is the Dharma Initiative?)

If you want to be spoiled, read on after the jump! Read more

If you haven’t already, make sure to take all seven tests at Dharma Wants You! Recruiting is set to close tomorrow, October 7th.

Test 6 (Specialized Departmental Evaluation) was rather difficult IMO. I think I maybe got one correct!

Test 7 is not really a test. “You have already completed this most challenging exam!” The Integrity, Honor, and Honesty Assessment… If you didn’t use the cheat codes, you passed the test!

Results will be released after December 15th. Good luck to you all!

Image Credited to Dharma Wants You/ABC

The Dhamra Initiative has a secret hidden message in the Dharma Wants You website. The head of recruiting (Hans von Egen) says that the program is not even halfway through, but the results are “extremely encouraging … nothing less than stunning.”

There is some kind of static/interference that seems like another video interlaced with the one you watch. The static appears from about :42-:46 and about :55 seconds. There is an image of a swan and the letter P.

Dharma Wants You has launched a third test, this one to test your dexterity.

Instructions:
Move the Dharma logo to avoid collision with the four moving spheres or the sides of the octagon. The speed of the spheres increases with time.

What’s your best score?