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Jack - Matthew Fox Kate - Evangeline Lilly Locke - Terry O'Quinn Sayid - Naveen Andrews Sawyer - Josh Holloway Hurley - Jorge Garcia Charlie - Dominic Monaghan Shannon - Maggie Grace Michael - Harold Perrineau Jr Walt - Malcolm David Kelley Sun - Yunjin Kim Jin - Daniel Dae Kim Claire - Emilie de Ravin Eko - Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Anna Lucia - Michelle Rodriguez 
OTHER LOST SEASONS Season 1 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 OTHER LOST TRAVELLERS The Fantastic Journey Logan's Run 
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Man Of Science, Man of FaithThe hatch is open, but there's no way that all the survivors can get down there to hide from the 'Others' that Rousseau warned them of. Jack insists that they wait for morning before going down so that everyone can look out for everyone, but Locke decides not to wait and Kate goes with him. She disappears in a blaze of light and when Jack goes after them both, he finds that Locke is in the hands of an armed man inside, a man that Jack is astonished to realise he knows. If you thought that the opening of the hatch was going to give you all the answers then you were wrong. LOST is back and it's not changed very much. The first episode needed to be spectacular to live up to the hype and expectation that the show has built up for itself, but fortunately it was able to live up to everything that we expected of it. The trip down the hatch was every bit as exciting as we might have expected, but also as surprising as we could have hoped. The opening sequence was enough to throw us off balance and the fact that the man inside the hatch (ominously labelled 'Quarantine' once it is blown open) is known to Jack is exactly the kind of bizarre occurrence that we have come to know and love about the show. This episode is more plot driven than was most of the last series, with every minute taken up with action and motion. It would certainly be nice to think that it was going to continue this way. LOST is back and is setting itself a very high standard to live up to. TopAdriftLast time that we saw Mike and Sawyer, they has lost Walt, been shot and had the raft blown up. We catch up with them as they scramble onto makeshift rafts and generally argue about whose fault it was. In the meantime, Mike reflects on how he lost Walt the first time. Back in the underground complex, we find out what led up to the confrontation between Jack and Desmond, with Locke as unwilling hostage. Daylight comes and the two rafters find themselves off the coast of the island. They land and find Jin running away from some very large men. Adrift the characters may be, but the show certainly is not. There is a sense of urgency and vigour about it that more than makes up for the longeurs that we all suffered through in season one. This episode has sharks (with a marking that is the same as that of the organisation running the complex) and brings us up to date with what happened to Locke in the time between Kate's disappearance and Jack's entry into the complex. The step back in time is a little odd, but works very well as the focal point of the show seems to be the face off between Jack and Desmond. Channel Four did us a favour by running episode 1 and 2 back to back as they work as companion pieces and the tension is ramped up throughout. How long that can continue remains to be seen, but the arrival of the big fellows on the beach doesn't make for peace and quiet being likely any time soon. TopOrientationKate manages to free Locke from Desmond, but a stray bullet kills the computer that seems to be the most important thing in the world. Desmond tries to repair it, but just blows the whole system and decides that the best thing to do is to run away. Locke and Jack have watched an old orientation film that explains that the complex started out as a research centre, but now exists only so that someone can press a button every 108 minutes in order to prevent some unspecified disaster. Locke takes this all on board, but Jack refuses to believe it. Sayid fixes the computer in time, but will Jack press the button? Sawyer, Mike and Jin wake up in a cage and are joined by a young woman who appears to come from the back end of the plane. Is she all that she appears to be? You want answers? Well, here they are. Do they help? Of course not. They throw up just as many questions as they actually answer. Is there really a crisis that requires the button to be pressed every 108 minutes or is it just a psychology experiment? How can it be that the man carrying out the task is someone who was known to Jack? What would really happen if they don't press the button and is Jack really willing to take the risk? The pace continues to be relentless and that probably is helping keeping our minds off just how nonsensical this all is. That said, this episode seems to be about Jack's mind. His reason seems to be slipping and he can't cope with the wierdness around him. Why is he reacting so badly to it all considering what they have already been through? Compared to this, the fate of the rafters is pretty straightforward. Roll on next week. TopEverybody Hates HugoHugo, the character formerly known as Hurley, is put in charge of the food store in the bunker and reflects upon the changes that came as a result of his winning the lottery. The pressure of being the one to refuse people what they want makes him decide that the best way out is to just blow the whole lot up with some of the leftover dynamite. Meanwhile Jack and Sayid explore the blocked up section of the bunker where the magnetic anomaly may lie. Charlie is asking questions, but not getting a lot of answers. Kate takes a shower and the rafters are let out of the cage to find out what has happened to the folks from the tail section. The pace in the fourth episode disappears following the high tempo of the opening trio (and how clever Channel 4 and E4 were in showing them all in one night) and you can feel your interest level waning by the minute. Absolutely nothing happens in this episode. Characters interact and talk about their new situation, but the plot is barely moved forward and inch. The fact that Kate took a shower was reported in a lot of the previews of the show in various media and whilst Evangeline Lilly does look great in only a tiny towel, it's not a moment of earth-shattering drama. The flashbacks of Hurley's life after realising he won the lottery are relevant, but hardly engaging and tell us nothing about the character that we didn't already know. Only Sawyer's relationship with the leader of the tail section survivor's committee (Michelle Rodriguez) shows any fizz at all. Frankly, this is the kind of episode that had us doubting LOST's staying power in the first season. Top...and FoundSun loses her wedding ring and flashes back to the time before she knew Jin. Jin goes off into the jungle in pursuit of Michael who has gone off into the jungle in pursuit of Walt. The survivors from the tail set off to walk to the other end of the island to find the rest of the cast. OK, forget Sun's searching for her wedding ring and her backstory because they are frankly annoying distractions from the more interesting plot strand involving her husband. The resolution is quite sweet, though. Jin's journey through the jungle in search of Michael with one of the survivor's from the tail at least has some action and some tension. There's a new group of strangers wandering around out there that might the the famous 'others', but is more likely to be another bunch of survivors. In the end, though, this strand doesn't take us anywhere either. To be honest, the preview of what's coming on next week's show was more interesting than what happened in the main part of the episode. TopAbandonedShannon is having visions of Walt. Sayid, her relationship with whom is back on track, is not so sure, so she sets off into the jungle with his dog to find him. Meanwhile, the tail section group are being slowed down by Sawyer's injury. No doubt this would be described as the writers as a slow burn episode with a top drawer payoff. Actually, it's deadly dull until the last minute. There are only so many times that Sawyer can say "I'm fine" and fall over before you wish they would just leave him behind so they can catch up with the plot. Shannon's flashbacks are just plain annoying. What is it with the writers that they feel they have to show us the justification for every emotion that the survivors feel. It would be more interesting if they left some of that unsaid. It doesn't even make the last minute more powerful. The last minute is what this episode is all about and if it really is what it appears then it's a brave move. We'll see. TopThe Other 48 DaysThe tail section crashes down into the ocean just off the beach. The survivors set up a camp and a fire, but someone comes and drags a couple of them off. They decide to stay, but then 9 other survivors are dragged screaming into the jungle, two children with them, one carrying a teddy bear like the one that Jin saw when chasing Michael. On the run from the Others, it becomes clear that someone in their midst is not quite what he or she might seem and a likely candidate is taken and set up for torture by Ana Lucia. Shortly thereafter, the true traitor in their midst is uncovered and taken care of. The Jin is discovered and the story is brought up to date. The full story of what happened to the survivors of the plane should have made for a fascinating episode, but as it is so closely related to what occurred to the other survivors in series one, it really comes up with little in the way of surprises or interest. It gives a new perspective on what would have happened if Jack hadn't persuaded everyone off the beach and gives some other vague clues about what is going on with the mysterious others (the ones that are not kidnapped are 'not good people'), but there isn't anything really new here. This feels like filler and only has the presence of Michelle Rodriguez as the emerging star of series two to justify it. Now that all the survivors are together, perhaps we can have a little plot movement, or is that just too much to ask from this increasingly annoying series. TopCollisionAna Lucia flips after killing Shannon and ties Sayid up to a tree whilst she tries to decide what to do with him. Kate challenges Jack to a game of golf, but they get interrupted by Sawyer's return. We flashback to Ana Lucia's life before the crash. Freinds get reunited. The series formerly known as LOST, but now rechristened the Michelle Rodriguez hour trundles on. For once the flashbacks are not only relevant, but interesting to boot, although they once again cover ground that has been covered by others before and better. Her final admission (although she doesn't admit it) is one of the best. As for everyone else, only the love triangle between Jack, Sawyer and Kate has any real interest. Nothing else is going anywhere, much like the survivors. TopWhat Kate DidSayid buries Shannon and finally admits that he loved her. Kate admits to having feelings for Sawyer and then kisses Jack passionately in the jungle before running away. Sawyer, delirious, has already told Jack that he loves Kate, so the poor bloke is thoroughly confused. We finally find out what Kate's crime was that started her running. Michael gets a message that might be from Walt. LOST is in danger of becoming a jungle-bound soap opera. This is all about the love triangle growing between Jack, Kate and Sawyer. The flashbacks to Kate's past are illuminating, but hardly startling and once again it is a story that has already been told and better. Without the natural charms of the actors involved, this would be seriously uninteresting. Only the ongoing story of the button holds any hope of keeping the show alive. A new strip of film is found with a dire warning on it and the message that comes to Michael proves to be a smart cliffhanger. It'll keep us watching, but for how long? TopThe 23rd PsalmMr Eko was Anna Lucia's lieutenant in the tail section of the plane. He is a big and scary man. So big and scary that he can face down a giant monster made of swirling black smoke, this being the monster that has threatened them all since the first episode. He was also a drug runner and has a definite connection with the plane full of drugs that Charlie was so interested in. Claire, however, does not find the truth about Charlie's religious icon too appealing. Mr Eko, as played by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is one of the most interesting people on the show now. and his story is now started. It begins pretty effectively, but then becomes more commonplace, but the fact that he is linked to the plane so mysteriously found in the jungle is a very nice touch. We also get to see the scary creature in full detail and it turns out to be the same smoky thing that tried to take Locke in the first series. This episode gave the impression of the story moving along, even though it really didn't. The mysteries of the plane and the smoke creature were deepened and there was a lovely couple of minutes in which Sawyer has to start coming to terms with the fact that people like him now. TopThe Hunting PartyMichael takes some guns and goes off in search of Walt. Jack, Locke and Sawyer go after him. What they find is the Others, who make them an ultimatum they can't refuse. In the meantime, Jack flashes back to how his marriage ended. This is a much better episode that gives some much needed focus to events on the island. The confrontation with the Others is merely a set up, to be sure, but the promise of what is to come is borne out by Jack's closing question "How long do you think it would take to train an army?". Try as I might, though, I really can't see the relevance of the flashbacks. True, his relationship with Kate is suffering just as his marriage did, but there really isn't any other connection. TopFire & WaterCharlie's going through the mill this week. Suffering from hallucinations/visions/withdrawal symptoms, he walks off with the baby in the middle of the night, making Claire somewhat nervous about having him around. Locke has set himself up as the protector of the pair and finds out about the hidden statues of drugs. Mr Eko has an unexpected explanation for it all. Charlie's drug habit comes home to roost and Lost drifts deeper in soap opera territory. The flashbacks to his brother's fight with the drugs tell us nothing that we didn't already know and the sight of Charlie dressed only in a nappy isn't an edifying one. Hurley's got the hots for one of the tail end survivors and Jack and Anna Lucia are spending a lot of time in the jungle whilst Kate spends a lot of time in Sawyer's company. And throughout it all, the plot moves not an inch. TopThe Long ConNot many people are signing up to the 'army' that Jack spoke to Anna Lucia about, but after Sun is attacked and almost abducted, it becomes clear that the Others haven't kept their word about who stays on what side of the island. Only Sawyer thinks that it's something else and Kate decides that Anna Lucia is after the stash of guns. Locke makes a decision that will have a long lasting change in the balance of power. An episode of two parts which proves the point about the flashbacks. The situation in the jungle between the characters is fascinating and comes to a brilliant resolution that puts at least one of them into stark contrast and makes him all the more believable. Lead characters are outthought and outfoxed and the way that it's done is fantastic to watch. The flashbacks are of Sawyer on a con, one that we have already seen before, although the resolution is a bit different. There's a sense of deja vu, we learn nothing we didn't already know and, frankly, it just detracts from an otherwise excellent episode. TopOne of ThemRousseau, the mad frenchwoman from series one (Mira Furlan) pops up and takes Sayid to a man she has captured, a man she says in one of the Others. Sayid takes him back to have Jack fix his shoulder and then decides to torture him to find out if what she says is really true. We flash back to the early days of the first Gulf War and how Sayid got into the torturing business in the first place. Sawyer, in the meantime, enlists Hurley's aid in finding the tree frog that has been disturbing his sleep. After last week's absolute cracker, this is a solid episode with a great central story. Is he or is he not an Other. The only way to find out is to do something that Jack cannot allow. There's some great moments, including when Jack and Locke face off over the newly changed lock combination and the button is almost not pressed. On the other hand, the falshbacks tell us precisely nothing we didn't know already and the whole Sawyer aside is there to show what a nasty piece of work he is, something that we don't need to be reminded of after the events of last week. TopMaternity LeaveClaire's baby is sick and she believes it to be more than the childhood fever Jack says it is. Her memory is returning of the events when she was kidnapped by Ethan way backin series 1 and it leads her, Kate and Rousseau to a new hatch. Meanwhile, Mr Echo has a message for the man locked up in the original hatch and he starts to work on creating a rift between Jack and Locke. What no flashback? It's not quite true as Claire spends the whole episode flashing back to what happened to her, but this is all part of the story of the island and the hatches and Dharma and all the other things that we haven't had explained. At least there's some good news for Rousseau. It feels like there was some plot progress here, but we probably didn't learn anything new and have got a whole load of new questions. TopThe Whole TruthSun realises that she might be pregnant and she flashes back to a relationship that might cast doubt on the father. She says that shw has been with no other man. Is this the island or is she lying. Another person who might be lying is the man in the hatch. He is sowing seeds of discontent between Locke and Jack and now gets a go at Anna Lucia as well. Has he led her, Sayid and Charlie into a trap? The plot strand with Henry, the might be other in the hatch, is absolutely fascinating and provides easily the best story that the show has come up with since the hatch was opened. The way he is driving divisions within the camp is fantastic and the great balloon chase he sends Anna Lucia on sets up a great story for next week’s episode. Shame about Sun’s flashbacks, which are just plain distracting. TopLockdownBlast doors descend in the hatch, forcing Locke to ask for the imprisoned Henry's help in lifting them. This ends up with Locke trapped under the doors and flashing back to how he last saw his father. Meanwhile, Jack takes on Sawyer in a game of poker for the medical supplies and the trio of Anna Lucia, Sayid and Charlie find out the truth about Henry's balloon. This is another exciting episode in the present and frustratingly irrelevant in the past. What the hell Locke's impending engagement has to do with his present dilemma is not immediately obvious. Also, if it's so easy to crawl through the vents to get around the blast doors why on earth did he crawl around under one? The Jack/Sawyer face off is fun and the last few seconds sets up the next show very nicely indeed. TopDaveWhilst Henry (who has been exposed as a liar and possibly an Other) continues to sow the seeds of dissension and confusion amongst the ranks, Hurley finds himself chasing a figure from the past. His friend from the asylum, Dave, is on the island and soon sets about confusing him. Can it really be true, that the whole experience is in his mind. Is Dave really that part of his subconscious that wants him to escape his mania by throwing himself off a cliff? Step forward Hurley and imaginary friend. This is an episode that delves deeply into the psychology of one of the stranded and seems to be going nowhere until suddenly it pulls out a twist in the tale that opens up so many questions that you're left reeling. The show has hit a rich vein of form and, though answers are still not forthcoming, the human drama and the comedy are so high that we just have to keep coming back for more. TopSOSRose and Bernard get to tell their backstory as he tries to build a sign that can be read by satellites and she refuses to help. Locke is fighting to make sense of his life now that he doesn't believe in the button anymore and Jack has decided it's time to trade in poisonous Henry to the Others for Walt. We almost had some actual plot progression there for a while, but last week Hurley's story took over and slammed the brakes on. This episode takes us into reverse. Rose and Bernard's story may be mildly diverting, but it adds nothing to the show as a whole and distracts from everything else. Jack and Kate getting close thanks to Rousseau is fun, but again goes nowhere. Only in the last few seconds does any hope of movement come forward. TopTwo For The RoadAnna Lucia gets attacked by Henry and plots to get a gun from Sawyer whilst Jack nurses Michael back to health. Hurley plans a picnic with his new girlfriend and Locke is told that he is one of the chosen few. LOST can be the most infuriating of tv shows. After a week when you begin to question again why you bother watching this programme at all along comes this episode, exploding with brilliance to remind you exactly why you can't miss it at all. Ever. OK, the flashbacks to Anna Lucia's story are the usual mediocre waste of time, but this week it's a sleight of hand, setting up the last few seconds that are amongst the most shocking in the show so far. It's episodes like this one that have made LOST the phenomenon that it is. Top?Mr Eko gets a message from Anna Lucia that he needs to take Locke to the question mark. As Anna is already dead, this is a vision that he chooses not to ignore. The journey takes the pair of them to another hatch (yes, another) where they get to watch another orientation video. Meanwhile, Jack has to make a decision about Libby, Hurley's girlfriend who isn't doing too well with two bullets in her stomach. The fallout from last week's shocks get kind of sideswiped by the Locke and Eko show, which doesn't tell us anything that we didn't already know and doesn't answer a single question (now there's a shocker) despite being buried under a question mark. That said, there is a real sense that the end is coming and the camp is ramping up for war. Next week can't come quickly enough. TopThree MinutesConsidering his actions, Michael's got some explaining to do. With flashes of the last 13 days mixed in with what is happening in the present we find out what happened to him, how he was captured by the Others and what happened when he found Walt. The burials take place on a beach and the chosen ones (chosen by the Others) gather to go to war. We all know why Michael did what he did, which kind of makes this episode redundant t crossing and i dotting. The gradual bringing together of those who would be the rescue party and the realisation of some that Michael may not be what he appears any more is all well-handled and is leading up to the big season finale, ominously titled Live Together, Die Alone. We can't wait. TopLive Together, Die Alone Part 1The boat that appeared so dramatically at the end of the last show turns out to contain Desmond, the man Locke first encountered in the Hatch. As we learn how he came to be there, Locke sets in motion a plan to lock Eko out of the computer room and let the numbers run down to zero. Meanwhile, the hunting party set off across the island and Sayid sets sail to lay the ambush with Jin and Sun. It's the penultimate episode, which means that this is the set up for the big finale and so a lesser episode. It's inevitable, but there's quite a lot being set up. Locke's planning to destroy everything, whilst Eko's planning to blow up the interior of the hatch. The sacrifices all know what Michael's done and aren't too happy about it. TopLive Together, Die Alone Part 2Just as the numbers run down, Desmond realises that the last time that happened was the same time as the plane crashed at the beginning of episode 1. Sayid does a recon of the Others' village only to find that it's a bluff. Michael has led his friends into an ambush and the Others have them whilst he sails away and somewhere in a snowy wasteland someone calls Desmond's girlfriend to tell her they've found it. OK, that's it, season two finished and we're still a lot of answers away from the full picture. We've learned a lot, enough to have made it worthwhile and enough to bring us back for season three. It's almost certain that it's not going to take us anywhere that we expect to go. Top |
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