Lost Video Island

[JoeyELP]

I have to say first that I've never really followed any tv show, episode by episode, but Lost has me hooked. I got a video iPod for the holidays, and I've been watching the whole first season in iPod format at the gym. Let me tell you, my calves look great now, but there ARE problems with this. The iPod screen is pretty sharp, but well... You miss alot. I only have a vague idea that there are all these hidden clues lying around the island and the episodes, but becuause I'm so far behind the actual show, its dangerous to go looking for discussions on whats going on. I'm desperate to catch up, so I don't want to rewatch all the episodes that I've already seen, and I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to be looking for.
By the way, I just watched episode 1x18 (Numbers).
So what I'm asking, I suppose, is if anyone could clue me in to what larger clues I'm missing, or what the heck is going on. Even just pointing me to a website that can give me a spoiler-free rundown would be great, I'm afraid to check too many sites because they keep mentioning events and characters I don't know anything about (case in point, I already know that SOMEHOW, SOMEONE, maybe Jack, manages to get into that hatch they found out in the jungle. That may or may not be a big deal, but boy am I pissed off that a spoiler-free discussion board ruined that for me).
I'm hoping that The Journey recap thing at the end will help, but I'm not about to watch that till I make it there. Should I go get the book, or will that ruin it for me too?
thanks, in advance

[PsychoCynic]

I had gotten hooked on Lost after the a bunch of episodes after the show started so I get your confusion!

What episode are you up to watching so we know what and what not to mention?
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[JoeyELP]

I've seen through episode 1x18 Numbers, where Hurley... um... has his background explained (no spoilers, for those who may be behind me). I'd like to see 1x19 today, but that means I'd have to go to the gym, and my laziness is in a battle with my Lost addiction, so we'll see.

[MovieGuy]

Oh.. you're watching some good eps there.