Tv Shows I'm Watching - Lost (Episode 3.7)

Alright, it’s February 7th, which thankfully means that Lost is back on the air. For me, Lost is easily one of the best shows on tv, and I haven’t understood all the whining about how it’s dropped in quality since season one. Season One was good, yes, but man it dragged (it took half a season to open that damn hatch and we had to wait until season two to see what was inside!!!), and I thought season two, in between some lulls (once we get in the hatch that's all we seem to see), was much stronger overall.

Now, I know we’re only seven episodes into season three, but for me, this has been the most interesting season yet (and 100% hatchless). Sure, I wish that whole polar bear kidnapping Mr. Eko episode could be erased from memory, and the new characters back at the island are pretty terrible, but the exploration of The Others has been gripping from day one.

Who are they? Are they in charge? What do they want?

Well, Episode 7 – Not In Portland answers….well…..in typical Lost fashion about .00005% of those questions while raising fifty more, but it does so wonderfully.

Main Story ***1/2 out of 4

The episode picks up immediately after the end of last November’s cliffhanger. Jack has staged a coup by seriously injuring Ben during surgery. He says he’ll patch him up as long as Kate and Sawyer are allowed to escape.

This episode deals with The Others and their negotiations with Jack. Meanwhile Sawyer and Kate meet up with Alex who helps them escape from the island. Like most episodes of Lost the plot is mainly an excuse for some wonderful character moments, and in this episode there’s a fantastic scene between Kate and Jack. Jack asks Kate to tell him the story he told her back in the first episode. She tells him the story, not realizing that Jack is going through virtually the same experience she is describing. It’s pretty intense, and Jack’s final words are heartbreaking. As well, it’s nice to see infighting amongst The Others, and a few surprises shake up their chain of command.

Flashback ***1/2 out of 4

Juliet gets her flashback and it’s very revealing – definitely one of the stronger Lost flashbacks of recent memory. We find out exactly what brought her to the island, and see a little bit of her life back in Miami. In this storyline we start to see the mechanics behind the Dharma Initiative and realize that Juliet is in just as precarious a situation as everyone else.

So, a strong main story and a strong flashback combine for one of the best episodes of the year. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

Side Note: So, was there some backstage dealings on the Smokin' Aces set. Interesting that Matthew Fox's character pops up in that movie for a really great scene with Nestor Carbonell, and now Nestor Carbonell shows up on Lost for what seems like a recurring role.