I know what you mean, Court. I was a bit lost only coming onto the show missing the whole first season. But, it's not hard to figure out.
They are in the present, but, show a lot of their background, growing up years. That's not too bad.'
Nothing could EVER be confusing as LOST ! I followed that show to the bitter end, just to find out that it was all sort of a dream. Everyone had been dead all along from the plane crash!!!