Lost: Jack Shephard, who worked in a hospital, takes a leadership role among group of people who amazingly survived a calamitous event.
Dead: Rick Grimes, who woke up in a hospital, takes a leadership role among group of people who amazingly survived a calamitous event.
Lost: Jack meets Michael and Walt, an African-American father and son who have been trying to put their life back together after losing the mother.
Dead: Rick meets Morgan and Duane, an African-American father and son who have been trying to put their life back together after "losing" the mother.
Lost: Brunette beauty Kate is very torn between do-right Jack and the rougher-around-the-edges Sawyer.
Dead: Brunette beauty Lori is barely torn between her do-right husband, Rick, and the rougher-around-the-edges Shane.
Lost: As the survivors explore their environs, they discover and clash with "The Others." It is ultimately revealed that these seemingly nefarious people have pledged their lives to protect the Island.
Dead: As the survivors explore their environs, they discover that other non-infected humans live among them. It is ultimately revealed that these seemingly nefarious people have pledged to protect a nursing home.
Lost: Sawyer, the resident redneck, proves handy at felling a charging polar bear with a pistol.
Dead: Daryl, the resident redneck, proves handy at felling any charging "walker" with a crossbow.
Lost: Survivor John Locke hopes for salvation -- if not some answers -- as the door to a mysterious hatch bathes him in light.
Dead: The survivors hope for salvation -- if not some answers -- as the door to the CDC opens, bathing them in light.
Lost: Beyond the hatch door, we find an on-the-edge man named Desmond living with creature comforts (Food! Hot water!). He's in possession of a jumpy film reel chronicling the agenda of the Dharma Initiative.
Dead: Beyond the CDC door, we find Dr. Jenner, an on-the-edge scientist living with creature comforts (Food! Hot water!). He's been compiling a jumpy video diary chronicling the aftermath of the "Wildfire" outbreak.
Lost: Desmond introduces the survivors to a countdown clock that, should it reach zero, will have explosive consequences.
Dead: Jenner introduces the survivors to a countdown clock that, when it reaches zero, indeed has explosive consequences.
Feel free to add your own observations in comments!