TV Shows I'm Watching - Lost (Episode 3.15)

Episode 3.15 – Left Behind

Alright, after writing about this episode, which aired all of a couple hours ago, I will be officially caught up in all things Lost.

Main Story - *** out of 4

It’s Kate and Juliet in The Defiant Ones as they are exiled to the jungle, handcuffed together. Apparently, due to a bunch of mysterious decisions made in the Others chain of command, that also somehow included Locke (yeah, after getting a few answers the last couple of weeks, we’re back to vague), the Others vacate suburbia. Oddly enough, their plans don’t include Juliet, who as the title implies, is left behind with Kate.

So here we have the two women vying for Jack’s affections trying to survive against the smoke monster. It’s pretty suspenseful, and despite seeming like nothing new is added reveals quite a bit about the nature of the monster. The Others don’t know much about it, and that wall we saw a few episodes back repels it.

I also have to admit, that after two seasons of being moderately bored by Kate, I have found that she has at last earned my attention this season. The writers have put her in the center of a couple of romantic triangles, and each one has been nicely handled. Kate’s reconciliation with Jack at the end of this episode is a brutal example of how what isn’t said can be extremely harsh. Kate breaks down, obviously hoping to receive some form of comfort from Jack only to have him ask about Juliet. It’s soap opera material handled with a subtle touch.

And as for Juliet, I am amazed at how sympathetic and weary I am of her. Clearly she is an outsider to some degree amongst the Others, but her lies and constant need to control everyone is still mysterious. And the way she took Kate down at the beginning of the episode shows she is no pushover.

I suppose the episode is slightly underwhelming just because it doesn’t give us another huge twist like the past few episodes. It ends with a hint of more conflict, and feels like the gears are in motion for a new storyline to take shape in the next few weeks.

I did enjoy the comedic subplot back on the island about Sawyer being told he had to be a nicer person or people were going to vote him off the island. There has been a nice bond between Hurley and Sawyer in recent weeks, and I liked how Hugo gets the upperhand on Sawyer.

Flashback - **1/2 out of 4

An interesting, but not too involving flashback basically explores aspects of Kate’s personality that we already figured out much earlier; essentially that her mother didn’t see the whole murdering her husband thing as an act of kindness.

The only new aspect is that she teams up with Sawyer’s ex-girlfriend in order to talk to her mother. It’s another one of those random coincidences that will hopefully be explained later on (I mean , I think by now everyone is connected to everyone and nobody knows it yet). I have to admit that this is actually fairly clever. Kate has been away from Sawyer for a few episodes now, so it’s nice to remind the audience of that relationship, even if it’s not in your face.

Maybe down the road the flashback will hold more significance, but right now, it’s a decent one that gently reminds the audience of that other guy in Kate’s life.

TV Shows I'm Watching - Lost (Episode 3.14)

Episode 3.14 – Expose

Serious plot elements will be discussed, so if you haven’t seen it, I urge you not to read.

Main Story - *** out of 4

Nikki and Paulo, probably the two most hated Lost characters of all time (sorry Ana Lucia) finally get their episode to shine, and well…it’s not that bad, in fact it’s pretty darn good. It’s not going to change anyone’s opinions about these two, but it certainly knows how much fans hate them, and acts accordingly.

Expose is primarily about bad decisions and their repercussions. Nikki and Paulo’s condition at the beginning of the episode is a result of a slew of bad decisions, Charlie finally talks to Sun about his role in her fake abduction, and in the Edgar Allen Poe-ish ending the entire camp makes one horrendously bad decision. But I suppose the worst decision of all is from the writers, who thought that the audience would simply accept that Nikki and Paulo had just been hanging out on the beach, out of camera range for two seasons. This episode can easily be seen as both an apology and a rationalization of their thinking process.

The main story is, at its core, the apology, and the writers do this by killing Nikki and Paulo off. There you have it folks...Nikki and Paulo are found dead at the beginning of the episode. It’s an admission of guilt signaling that there really wasn’t any reason for them to be in the show at all, and because the writers know just how hated these two truly are…death is only the beginning their horrible fate. The writer’s have funneled up all that fan hatred and unleashed it on these two saps, who suffer the worst experience of any character thus far, including Dr. Arzt…

Flashback – *** out of 4

…who makes an appearance in the flashback, which actually seems like a rationalization of Nikki and Paulo’s existence. It’s as though the writer’s wanted one last try to prove that they weren’t insane.

The flashback is a look back at two seasons of Lost through a different point of view to show you that Nikki and Paulo were there all the time. They were just off looking for some stolen diamonds.

“See,” the writers seem to be saying, “they were scouring the jungle on their own away from the main storyline. That’s why you never saw them!” Uh huh.

And then, the funniest joke is of course throwing Dr. Arzt into the midst, the only other character on Lost who just showed up out of the crowd. I suppose the reason Arzt’s appearance wasn’t so jarring was that it was still season one and the story hadn’t developed that much beyond the beach. But it’s like the writers are saying, “you accepted Arzt, why not Nikki and Paulo? It’s the same thing”.

It’s a playful flashback that provides a few interesting moments (so that’s why Paulo used the washroom!), but establishes Nikki and Paulo as nothing more than two ill-fated cameos on a show that didn’t need more castmembers.

At least the Nikki and Paulo chapter is closed for good….at least….I think it is…..

Tv Shows I'm Watching - Lost (Episode 3.13)

Episode 3.13 – The Man From Tallahassee

Main Story - ***1/2 out of 4

Picking up exactly where the last episode left off, Jack’s rescue party begins to wonder whether or not he needs saving at all. Kate decides to confront him, and discovers that things have changed since she talked to Jack the last time. Soon, the Others get the upperhand on the rescuers, but John Locke manages to sneak off, and has other plans. He confronts Ben.

The majority of the episode involves a heated exchange of ideas between Locke and Ben. It’s the first time the two characters have been able to speak freely to one another, and although both still have hidden agendas, and volumes of secrets, the conversation is thrilling. They debate the nature of the island, fate; all the ideas that have been bubbling up in John Locke’s mind for the past two and a half seasons. It’s fascinating to watch, and I think when the viewers look back on this episode they will find that the true nature of the island was revealed here, albeit cryptically.

The episode ends with one of the coolest surprises so far…and don’t read on it you haven’t seen the episode, but without revealing too much……alright that’s enough warning…it did seem a little inevitable that something like this would happen. I assumed that one of the main reasons for telling such serialized flashback stories (like Jack’s relationship with his father, and Locke’s with his dad) was to one day prepare for the main story and the flashbacks to collide. The Man From Tallahassee appears to have done this, but the question remains, is this merely another Yemi situation (an illusion of some sort brought on by the island), or is it real? I’m sure the upcoming episodes will start to explain that in greater detail.

Flashback – ***1/2 out of 4

I was worried that when we saw how Locke became paralyzed it would be anticlimactic. I mean, I’m sure any consistent Lost viewer has theorized numerous ways in which this could have happened, so did the writer’s find a way to surprise? Even though everyone I’ve talked to always assumed it had something to do with Locke’s father, I still think this episode managed to make Locke’s “accident” intense and shocking.

The flashback finally shows just how far Locke’s father will push back when he’s cornered. While we have seen just how manipulative he is in the past, we have never seen this form of cruelty before, and it is something.

And that moment where Locke finally meets up with his wheelchair is pretty powerful.

TV Shows I'm Watching - Lost (Episode 3.12)

Episode 3.12 – Par Avion

Main Story - *** out of 4

Claire and Charlie take the center stage in Par Avion. Charlie, having recently been handed down a death sentence by Desmond, is trying to live for the moment, but finds that living for the moment might actually kill him (it sucks when fate is out to destroy you – hey….wait…didn’t Charlie have that taped to his hand in the first episde). Charlie’s antsiness is difficult since Claire thinks she may have found a way off the island thanks to some nature programs and some birds.

Meanwhile, Kate and the gang encounter a bizarre new obstacle on their way to rescue Jack; a force field wall that kills anyone who passes through it. There’s a nice moment when they actually do realize it’s pretty lethal.

The two plots compliment each other nicely. Claire’s story gives her character some time in the spotlight, and attempts to reignite the sparks between her and Charlie. One of season two’s most unsuccessful subplots involved the two of them fighting all the time, so it’s nice to see them finding a way back into each other’s lives.

And the force field wall story helps to build up the mythology of the island, and show that Locke maybe isn’t as stupid as he appeared to be in the last episode. He had what in his pack? The force field wall poses several new questions that I’m sure will take three seasons to answer, but I’m in no rush since the story is obviously heading toward a big revelation or two – especially after that doozy (yeah that’s right…doozy) of an ending.

Flashback - ***1/2 out of 4

Unlike most episodes, the big twist is revealed in the flashback, and while it’s probably not a huge surprise for most people (especially since it was telegraphed in a big way last season), it makes for quite an emotional episode. We learn a lot more about Claire’s family, when Claire, in the driver’s seat, ends up in an accident that puts her mother in a vegetative state.

She meets her real father, and then has to contend with what she is going to do about her mother. It’s a very sad episode, showing that Claire is essentially an orphan, trying desperately to cling onto false hope regarding her mother. When a pregnant Claire finally breaks down in front of her comatose mother, it’s all painfully tragic, and manages to explain why Claire is often distant and solitary.

It’s a much needed flashback that finally gives weight to Claire’s presence on the island.

TV Shows I'm Watching - Lost (Episode 3.11)

It’s time to catch up on all those Lost reviews I’ve been putting off for the last month. Here's the first one with a few plot points you might not want to know about.

Episode 3.11 – Enter 77

Main Story – **1/2 out of 4 - As Kate, Sayid, Locke, and Rousseau begin their search for Jack, they stumble across a house in the middle of the jungle. After a brief struggle with the owner, it is revealed that the eye patch man from The Cost of Living is holed up here on his own. Following the utterly useless “Hurley finds a van” episode from the previous week, Enter 77 dives headfirst into the mythology of the island.

This is both the episode’s best point, but also its weakness. It’s nice to get a chunk of exposition and learn a thing or two about the Others, but as the episode continues it’s revealed that most of Eye Patch Man’s statements are lies. Normally I’m fine when the writers keep the mysteries going, but for once I felt like this episode had a bit too much winking and nodding at the audience. Whereas most episodes seem to have organic twists and turns, stemming naturally come characters’ actions, this one felt like I was being manipulated by the writers. In fact, by the end I felt like Enter 77 was primarily a big inside joke responding to the bitter fan reaction Lost has met this season.

Not only do the writer’s provide a lengthy false monologue, but they fill the basement of the hut with hundreds of books explaining the reason behind the Dharma Initiative. All Kate, Sayid, and Locke have to do is sit down for a few minutes and read. The Lost secrets will be revealed….but of course that can’t happen. Miss Klugh (remember her from last season) is hiding amidst the files which causes a whole bunch of problems. And then Locke enters 77 into a secret Dharma chess game and well….the files vanish just as quickly as they appeared.

Even the story back at the island seems a little too tongue in cheek. Sawyer mouths most Lost fans’ reactions to Nikki by asking “Who the Hell are you”, Paulo once again gets involved in washroom related antics, and everyone finally has enough of Sawyer’s nicknames. Sure it’s funny, but I prefer it when I am completely immersed in the story, and can only vaguely sense the writer’s diabolically laughing about their scripts.

At least this episode does move the story forward, and by the end, even though much more could have been explained, I was excited to see what would happen next.

Flashback - *** out of 4 – Sayid gets a simple, and emotional flashback about forgiveness. While working in France, Sayid is confronted by a restaurant owner who has a surprise for him. His wife was one of the people Sayid tortured when he was in Iraq, and it’s time for revenge.

Since Sayid has been on the sidelines for far too long in the world of Lost (I think the last time I was really invested in his character was when Henry Gale first came to camp), so it’s nice to see him back at the forefront of the story. The flashback doesn’t have a lot of fancy twists and turns, but it is emotional and Sayid’s final breakdown is pretty devastating.

Top Ten - Lost Episodes - Part Two

And to continue the previous list.....oh and don't read if you aren't up to date on your Lost watching - plot points are revealed.

5. Pilot – Season 1, Episode 1 and 2 – The opening of the Lost pilot is probably the closest television has ever gotten to recreating the epic, big budget special effects feeling of a movie. Jack wakes up in a forest on a mysterious island and before long finds himself saving lives as he walks right in the middle of a horrifying plane wreckage (that he somehow survived). If that weren’t enough, Lost quickly informs the audience that this isn’t Survivor – Fiction Edition, as loud animal noises, shaking trees, a rampaging polar bear, bizarre audio transmissions, and a pilot-eating creature quickly spook the survivors. Thankfully the writers introduce a group of interesting, and layered characters to ground the otherworldliness.

Favourite Moment – Sure the plane crash is spectacular, but for me, the show proved itself when Kate first meets Jack and has to stitch up one of his wounds. It’s easy to do chaos, but much more difficult to create real sparks between actors. The quiet moment between the two of them is very well written and economically introduces everything we need to know about both (for the time being).

4. The Cost of Living – Season 3, Episode 5 – Sure it was shocking in season two to kill off Ana Lucia and Libby, but they certainly weren’t fan favourites. Cut to season three, where Mr. Eko, the intriguing Drug Lord turned priest, spends an entire episode trying to deal with his past sins, only to be viciously killed by the smoke monster when he doesn’t apologize for his crimes (cause as we kind of learn, the smoke monster can take on corporeal form – it’s Lost, so sure). I didn’t see that one coming at all, not even a little bit. Of course the death would be meaningless without a good story to go behind it, and Eko’s flashback dealing with his religious struggle after the death of his brother is great (watching the vicious warlord emerge from his spiritual façade is one of the more shocking moments of this pretty shock-full episode).

Favourite Moment – I’m going with the obvious moment on this one. Seeing Eko pummeled around like a rag doll was just plain shocking.

3. Live Together, Die Alone – Season 2, Episode 22 – As season two comes to a close many plot threads that had been dangling since the pilot are capped off excellently. We learn why the plane crashed, how Desmond found his way into the Hatch, what happens when you don’t push the button, and what the deal is with Michael and Walt. It’s all much more satisfying than season one’s anticlimactic finale (All that and we don’t even go down the hatch!), and ends with a curious epilogue that has yet to be touched upon again. Desmond’s backstory is fascinating as we learn about the love of his life, Penelope, and his long stay in the Hatch. It’s as emotional as it is informative, and sets the stage wonderfully for the so far excellent third season.

Favourite Moment – Seeing the destruction of the hatch is great. I enjoyed the whole button pushing storyline, but after 22 episodes I was ready to see what happens when the button isn’t pushed. This episode doesn’t disappoint, as electromagnetic fields cause mass chaos across the island.

2. Man of Science, Man of Faith – Season 2, Episode 1 – Corey’s (that's me) Internal Dialogue for the first five minutes of this episode “That Hatch better have something good in it….oh crap…what’s this…some guy listening to Mama Cass, washing dishes, and cycling on an exercise bike. This is painful! Whose flashback are we watching now? Wait, that was a dynamite explosion! This isn’t a flashback at all, it’s the HATCH!!! We’re finally inside!!! Hurrah!!” The rest of the episode keeps that excitement level going as Jack ventures down into the subterranean world of the island. Personally though, the reason why this episode places so high on my list is that the flashback is equally strong telling the story of how Jack saved Sarah’s (his ex-wife) life. Jack’s scientific beliefs are put to the test when seemingly miraculous and connected events catch him offguard.

Favourite Moment – I’m going to cheat and choose two. For excitement value nothing beats Jack’s first steps into the Hatch. When Mama Cass blares again, and bright lights start flashing it’s easily Lost’s creepiest scene. For emotional value though, nothing tops Jack’s discovery that Sarah’s spinal surgery so that she can walk again, which Jack believes failed, was in fact a success. Matthew Fox has never been better than he is in this episode, and in this moment in particular.

1. Walkabout – Season 1, Episode – For me this isn’t just the best episode of Lost, but one of the best episodes of television I’ve ever seen. I liked the pilot a lot, but I wasn’t convinced that the show could convincingly blend deep emotionally rich stories with its fantastical premise until Walkabout. John Locke, a mysterious and quiet middle aged man, finally finds his calling when the survivors realize they need to hunt for food. As he takes out his arsenal of knives, he immediately lets everyone know that he is a true hunter. However, the flashbacks slowly start to paint another picture, tearing down the strong image of Locke by showing him as a weak, games obsessed employee at a box factory. His one goal in life is to go to Australia on a Walkabout in order to find his purpose in life. The ending is just amazing as the rug is pulled out from the audience and Locke’s true secret is finally revealed. It’s a twist that completely blindsided me, but adds so much to Locke’s character and his purpose on the island.

Favourite Moment – Locke’s revelation (“Don’t’ tell me what I can’t do”) mixed with Michael Giacchino’s music and that quick flashback blend together to create one heck of a final scene.

TV Shows I'm Watching - Lost (Episode 3.10)

Episode 3.10 – Tricia Tanaka is Dead

Main Story - ** out of 4 – The filler episode to end all filler episodes, Tricia Tanaka is Dead does little to move anything forward, and if it weren’t for a few moments between Sawyer and Kate, it would be a complete waste of airtime. Hurley finds an overturned Dharma van in the jungle and spends most of the episode trying to get it to work. Yep, we learn that the Dharma Initiative was building roads, and that’s about it. I suppose the thinking behind this episode was to provide a more lighthearted, comedic story after the very dark episodes that have preceded it.

Kate and Sawyer’s relationship at least continues to be interesting, as Sawyer’s stubbornness gets him in hot water once again. I like that Kate has completely disarmed him, and that Sawyer is having trouble dealing with the fact that he may actually care for someone other than himself.

The end of the episode seems to suggest that next week’s episode will be a return to form, as right now I can only hope that this one is a blip on the Lost radar.

Flashback - ** out of 4 – Hurley has father issues, as Cheech Marin makes a nice, but unspectacular guest appearance as Hugo’s old man. Alas, this story covers very similar territory to the story in season one’s Numbers. Hugo believes he is cursed, and nobody can tell him otherwise; the only difference being that this time it’s his long lost father who tries to set him straight. The only scene that seemed to really get it right is the very last scene where Hurley’s father tells him to get rid of all the money. For the most part though, it’s a been there, done that flashback that fills in a few unneeded blanks in the tale O'Hurley.

Top Ten - Lost Episodes - Part 1

I kind of got a late start reviewing Lost episodes, so I thought I would fill in the gaps by providing a list of my top ten favourite episodes from the series (up until I started reviewing, so as much as I love Flashes Before Your Eyes it won’t be on this list). Again, there are a lot of plot details mentioned, so if you haven’t seen Lost or are trying to catch up, I would recommend avoiding this article at all costs

10. S.O.S. – Season 2, Episode 19

I know it’s not a favourite amongst most Lost fans, but this touching look at Rose and Bernard’s back story always chokes me up. Believing that everyone has become complacent with island life, Bernard decides to build a huge S.O.S. sign in order to attract passing planes, a decision that makes Rose increasingly more and more agitated. Sure the main storyline isn’t really all that compelling (although a subplot involving Kate and Jack trying to make a deal with the Others is interesting), but the flashback is heartbreaking as the audience learns about Rose’s struggle with cancer and how Bernard took her halfway around the world to try and cure her.

Favourite Moment – While Bernard’s “If you can’t leave, neither can I” line provides the emotional heart of the episode, I’ve got to go with Bernard’s Niagara Falls proposal as my favourite moment. He asks Rose to marry him, she tells him that she is dying, and then after a brief tearful pause, Bernard replies with, “you didn’t answer my question.” Call me a sap, but it’s these heartfelt moments that put Lost above any other show on television right now.

9. Do No Harm – Season 1, Episode 20

This is the episode where Lost stated flat out that it was playing for keeps. After Boone’s airplane accident puts him in serious life-threatening trouble it’s up to Jack, sans medical equipment, to save him. The only problem is that Claire goes into labour at the exact same time. Oops. With so much pressure on him, Jack does everything he can to save Boone’s life, but as the episode reaches its brutal end, it slowly becomes clear that nothing can be done. The flashback follows Jack as he prepares to marry Sarah, and has many doubts. It’s not one of the better flashbacks, but the island drama more than makes up for it. Do No Harm is one of the most suspenseful, unrelenting hours of Lost.

Favourite Moment – Jack has a horrible realization that in order to save Boone’s life he is going to have to amputate his leg. With no surgical tools at his disposal he finds an old metal door left over from the crash debris. One quick swing and he believes it will cut right through Boone’s leg. Even though Lost is primetime television and it can’t be all that gory, there’s still enough sweat on your palms tension as Jack puts Boone’s leg in place and prepares for the precision cut.

8. The Other 48 Days – Season 2, Episode 7

The first all flashback episode shows what happened to the survivors of the tail section during their first 48 days on the island. It’s a great episode that addresses many lingering questions from season one (including who Boone talked to on the radio, what strategies the Others are using, and numerous other half answers and further questions). It’s also nice to take a break from our regular band of survivors in order to see things from an entirely different perspective as we follow Ana Lucia (who I didn’t find nearly as offputting as the majority of Lost fans), Mr. Eko, Bernard, Cindy, and more on their perilous journey to escape the Others.

Favourite Moment – I enjoy Ana Lucia’s confrontation with Goodwin (an undercover Other), but the opening, where the tail section of the plane hurtles toward the beach is pretty powerful stuff. People drowning, crying children, and mass chaos blend together into a great scene that is reminiscent (but doesn’t copy) the opening of the pilot.

7. Orientation – Season 2, Episode 3

The first episode that provides a considerable chunk of answers also tells a suspenseful self-contained story about taking a leap of faith. The computer, that is supposed to save the world, is damaged, and as time starts running out everyone, Locke and Jack in particular, contemplates whether or not something as silly as typing in a series of numbers on a remote island can be linked to the safety of humanity. Locke’s flashback, about an old girlfriend, shows that as independent as he tries to be, he is truly a lonely soul seeking human connection, a realization that forces him to ask Jack for help.

Favourite Moment – The Orientation filmstrip is the highlight of this episode. As Jack and Locke watch the filmstrip, the audience is treated to the first juicy plot points about the nature of the island, learning about the Dharma Corporation, who settled on the island to create a remote outpost for their scientific experiments. After this moment, for the first and only time in Lost’s history, I felt like I was handed some no-strings attached answers. Of course, soon after my mind started wandering, and four thousand new questions popped in, but for one moment at least, I felt like I had caught up to the Lost writers.

6. Numbers – Season 1, Episode 18

Lost’s funniest episode finally reveals the long-awaited Hurley backstory in which it is revealed that he is worth hundreds of millions of dollars after winning the lottery. Alas, while helping to translate a map of the island from Rousseau, Hurley sees the numbers he used to win the lottery printed on the surface. This wouldn’t be too bad, except for the fact that after he won the lottery Hurley suffered a horrible string of bad luck where his grandfather died, his new house caught fire, and…well… several other terrible, yet humourous tragedies. Thus begins Hurley’s obsessive quest to see why the Numbers keep following him. The episode also marks the long standing tradition of having 4.8.15.16.23.42 appear in one form or another throughout Lost.

Favourite Moment – The punchline to the episode is perfect. Charlie and Hurley sit on the beach where Charlie finally reveals his heroin addiction to someone other than Locke. When Hurley finally tells Charlie his own secret, how much money he is worth, Charlie pauses and replies with, “Fine, don't tell me. I bear my soul and all I get is bloody jokes.”

Tv Shows I'm Watching - Lost (Episodes 3.8 and 3.9)

Episode 3.8 – Flashes Before Your Eyes - **** out of 4

It figures – I decide I’m going to write my Lost reviews by writing about the main story and the flashbacks separately and the very next episode plays around with the entire Lost formula.

I’m not complaining, especially since Flashes Before Your Eyes is easily one of the most exciting and interesting episodes Lost has produced. Season 3 keeps getting more and more interesting.

I was glad to hear that Henry Ian Cusick’s Desmond was joining the cast of Lost after his brilliant guest appearances in season two. But, the writers gave him psychic powers and suddenly Desmond was the weird clairvoyant without a personality. Flashes Before Your Eyes changes all that and brings him back to his half-crazed wide-eyed self.

After Desmond intuitively rescues Claire from drowning, Hurley and Charlie try to question him about his psychic powers. Instead of answering them, he ends up having the most twisted and interesting flashback in Lost’s history.

The audience learns that after he imploded the hatch, Desmond was sent back in time to relive the moment in his life where he almost proposed to his girlfriend Penelope. The flashback deals with whether or not Desmond can alter the course of history. In true Lost fashion Desmond is confronted with this decision in a bizarre yet fascinating way when a character steps out of time and tells him he can’t buy a wedding ring because that decision means the time continuum would be altered and everyone in the world would die since he wouldn’t end up on the island and wouldn’t end up pushing the hatch button. So, as you can see, Desmond is faced with a pretty big conundrum.

I love a good time travel yarn, and this episode provides some truly headscratching moments, but it wouldn’t mean anything if the central relationship between Desmond, Penelope, and her father didn’t work. But it works wonderfully, especially during a scene where Desmond asks Penelope’s father if he can marry her and is flatly rejected with the help of a bottle of expensive whisky.

When everything comes back to the present, Lost once again shows how to do a proper twist ending (I thought I had it figured out and then…bam…it threw me for a loop without diluting the emotional impact). Overall, just a great episode.

Episode 3.9 – Stranger in a Strange Land

Main Story - *** out of 4

Stranger in a Strange Land picks up right after Not in Portland left off. Juliet has killed Pickett and is now standing trial for his murder under the investigation of Isabel, a new character who appears to represent the Law in Others World. Jack, believing Juliet is trying to help him, sorts through the Others hierarchy in order to prevent the worst case scenario – Juliet’s execution. It’s a solid episode, but has a feeling of déjà vu. We’ve seen Jack do all this before in previous episodes, including making deals with Ben involving surgery. Yet, despite this, the developing relationship between Jack and Juliet remains fascinating. Her motives are still unclear, and Elizabeth Mitchell has a great way of playing sweet with an ever so subtle hint of malice.

The most interesting plot developments are tantalizingly brief. We finally see what has become of the kidnapped children and Cindy, the stewardess. And Carl, the boy Kate and Sawyer rescued, talks about the Others village. Speaking of Kate and Sawyer, I’m really enjoying the direction this relationship is taking. After hooking up it’s not all happiness and love serenades for them as Sawyer starts to realize Kate’s feelings are not 100% genuine, even though he has fallen completely for her.

The end of the episode provides a lot more promise, with a plot development, that seems to ensure that the déjà vu experienced in this episode will not be happening in the next.

The Flashback - ** out of 4

It’s the story of Jack and the tattoo artist in Thailand, and frankly it’s a bit of a snoozer. I’ve been intrigued by the importance of Jack’s tattoo ever since it was clearly missing during an earlier flashback, but this tattoo origin story is lacking. Jack basically hooks up with a mysterious character played by Bai Ling and…after lots of shots of her cleavage, and then a bit more cleavage in case we missed it the first two times, she reveals a secret about her tattoo skills. A disappointing flashback that will hopefully lead to something more revealing in future episodes.

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.