This is not a review, nor a summary. This is my reaction. Please comment with your own reactions.
Why am I not surprised that the week I start writing my Lost column, the episode is sub-par? Interesting because the promo was super cryptic, stating that it was so extreme that they could only show us a few seconds. They promised that "questions would be answered in the next episode," but I'm not entirely sure that happened.
Maybe it's that I'm not a die-hard Lost fan. I'm too lazy to examine screencaps or decipher clips of the whispers. To be honest, I'm writing about the show because I thought it would help me see things the way the crazy fans do. I've read so many bullshit theories that it gave me a headache. Theories that were so far-fetched they made me question whether I'm watching the same show. You could say that I'm crazier than them, however, because I'm jealous of their determination.
The biggest problem that this episode suffered from was the lack of Hurley. After last weeks lighthouse adventure, I was really hoping to learn more about what Jacob was planning. Hell, when they promised answers I assumed they were talking about the lists in the lighthouse and the cave. Instead, the only thing that was "revealed" was Dogen's past. Frankly, I could care less about Dogen, and the fact that he was killed moments after telling his story is confirmation enough that I'm right to not care.
One this that Lost keeps doing that pisses me off is that I can't tell which side is good and which is bad. I'm beginning to wonder if the writers don't know either. I'm pretty certain that Evil Locke (the rest of the Internet calls him Flocke, but I think that's stupid) is evil, but the more I learn about Jacob, the more he sounds like a bad guy too. And what about Ben? And how about that chick that dragged Sayid on the plane? They showed up at the end of the episode while the smoke monster slaughtered Dogen's followers, but they seemed to only serve as a plot device to help the other main characters escape the massacre. It looks like next weeks episode is going to centered around Ben, which is nice, but I wish they'd get around to the Richard episode they've been promising.
I really didn't hate this episode as much as it sounds. The fight between Dogen and Sayid was pretty badass, and I was very happy to see that mercenary dude get killed a second time. There was also a nice "OMG SUN AND JIN ARE SO CLOSE TO REUNITING" moment. And holy crap when Sayid slit John Lennon's throat I almost punched my dog in excitement! The only thing that could have made it better action-wise is if Claire choked Kate to death when she told her that she had been raising Aaron. I've hated Kate for a long time, and I feel like her comeuppance has come up.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I like how whenever LOST adds a new character for the season they die about halfway through. Look at Matthew Abbadon played with silent coolness by Lance Reddick in Season 4. You didn’t have to like his character or anything to see that his death was really mediocre at best. Same thing with Michael’s return in Season 4. His story line was really lackluster and I’ll admit he was one of my favorite characters of the whole series but it’s like the writers were telling the audience “We know you hate him so we will beat the living crap out of him for the season!” I mean, there was all this hype about him coming back and even when you knew he was gonna die there wasn’t any of that somber violin music playing whenever a main character is going to die. They did it with Mr. Eko (one of my all time favorite characters STILL!) so why didn’t they do it for Michael? Maybe he is still alive somehow since he is going to be returning during the late-half of the final season? But anyway, back to this episode. You didn’t have to like Dogen (I personally did. Mainly because of the badass that is Hiroyuki Sanada) to see that he was probably gonna die sometime during the season and of course he did. I hate it when the writers will bring a new character and the effect they bring into the story is small or only relevant for a very short time. It’s like they completely forget about them, like Abbadon, or even Charlie. I don’t know I hate Sayid now cause he killed Dogen and Lennon and I always hated Kate and Jack. I can’t wait until Michael comes back and Locke (or lack thereof) on the island and the real Locke off the island is still the best thing so far this season.
What do you think of my assessment of so-called recurring characters being killed off so stupidly?
You make a valid point about character death. I don’t remember hating Dogen, but it’s possible I that my episode reaction made it seem that way. I tend to exaggerate what I’m feeling. I do, however, dislike Michael due his broken record personality. Kirran and I actually talk about that for a while on the upcoming “Lost Season One” podcast. Matthew Abbadon and his buggy eyes gave me nightmares, so I can’t say I miss him. A part of me has always disliked Sayid, but now that he’s “evil” I have a good excuse. I’ve been annoyed by his dark past bullshit; I just want him to torture people and shoot kids (Sorry Ben). I did love when he took out that annoying mercenaries guy in the flash sideways. I never liked that guy. Actually, I’ve noticed that Lost is a show where it’s super addicting despite hating all the characters. I do love me some Hurley though.
Martin Keamy is the mercenary played with boldness by Kevin Durand. I can understand people not liking Michael but for some reason I just liked him. I just felt they never gave him proper due because he was a character that could have done so much more but I think it’s mainly because of his WALT cries. Hurley is funny though and I also thought of this just today… Ken Leung and Hiroyuki Sanada were both a part of the Rush Hour series. Ken Leung in Rush Hour and Hiroyuki Sanada in Rush Hour 3. I don’t know if you knew that already or not but just putting that out there. Plus, you are right about LOST having more characters you hate than like but at the same time VERY addicting. I’m still wondering what they are gonna do with both Michael and Libby’s return. Personally the 2nd and 3rd seasons were my favorites. The first season was excellent with introducing the characters but did you notice also that Jack and Kate ( I think Kate) got 2 flashback episodes before Hurley and Michael had their flashback episode late in the season? Anyway, sorry for being so long… thanks for the previous reply! Keep up the good work!