For a moment there, "Lost" seemed to have gotten lost.

It started hot, a show that was big and bold and different.

" 'Lost' has broken a lot of rules," says producer Carlton Cuse. "(It has a) large, sprawling cast and complicated, complex storytelling."

And then, for a while, it faded from the spotlight. Only six episodes have aired this season, and they mostly focused on a hostage situation that provided an odd plot detour.

Now "Lost" returns tonight and nudges back toward its original story. "It happens immediately coming into the new episodes," promises co-creator Damon Lindelof. "We're spinning back to the beach community."

That's where "Lost" started in September 2004. An airliner crashed on the beach of a strange island, and survivors faced a new life.

"Our show plays on a very profound, deep level of post 9/11," says producer-director Jack Bender. "You know: 'How do we all survive in a community of strangers?' "

It was a bold theme, but there wasn't much time to work on it. " 'Lost' came together very, very quickly," Lindelof explains.

Some complex storytelling was needed in a hurry.

The second season spent a chunk of time on "The Tailies," people from the tail section who landed on another part of the island.

The third season began last fall by focusing on "The Others," who lived on the island before the crash. Three main characters — Jack, Kate and Sawyer — were taken hostage by them.

"The captivity stuff was very, very intense," says Matthew Fox, who plays Jack. "But I've really enjoyed the story line."

Other cast mates, however, have found themselves with mixed feelings.

Many of the main actors had little to do in those six episodes.

"As actors, we like to act," says Jorge Garcia, who plays Hurley. "(But) like any job, sometimes you also like a week off." O'ahu is not a bad place to spend that time.

Dominic Monaghan, who plays Charlie, has spent much of his time surfing. "Usually we can get four or five days off at a time," he says.

Still, the actors say, they'd rather be working.

"The good news is that this isn't our last season," says Daniel Dae Kim, who plays Jin.