True too many shows keep us "lost" with their efforts to replicate LOST's success. However, a key fundamental however mind you, cliff hanging is common practice to entice viewers and readers into going deeper and deeper into a rabbit hole designed by the author(s) or show runner(s). And not just deeper but eager for even more nebulous antics.
The books were as awesome as the show has been which, sadly, does not always happen. The side stories may not seem relevant and at times are not but they help convey much world building needed for observers (us) to properly understand many of the emotional notes played during this show.
Not debating or gain saying your opinion(s), just sharing a perspective from an old combat veteran. There are many documentaries and movies about the war i survived. Yet it has been nearly impossible for any of those efforts to convey the feelings and dreads all of us experienced. This is where the value of side stories exist.
