Thursday, February 08, 2007
LOST: Season 3 Episode 7
I am going to try a new feature today, in addition to the post on the New X-Men (which will be up later today): Anyone who wants to talk about the most recent episode of Lost can do so in the comments to this post. I am going to say what I have to say in the first comment, so as not to spoil anything for people looking at the main page. If you want to talk about Lost, do so, because if this does not generate any interest, it will not be up next week.
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7 comments:
This is one of the best episodes of Lost I have seen – well constructed, fascinating, a good story well told.
Most importantly, after the 13 week break, it feels very fresh. The initial flashbacks served to give us information (that Locke was in a wheelchair prior to the crash, for example); second and third flashbacks about the same character related to the main plot only thematically (is John Locke really a hunter or a gatherer, for example). Now that we have flashbacks of the Others, we are learning more (Juliet was not always on the island, she specializes in pregnancy, she was actively recruited and so on).
The brainwashing thing was silly, but it was fun, I thought, and a great example of how this show is built in such a way that it can get away with introducing anything – with nothing revealed it cannot contradict itself, with no rules established it cannot break them. Brainwashing? Sure, why not.
Sara will have some complaints to make, and they are funny and I agree with them; I just think the show is charming. It’s like a new girlfriend – I look past all the flaws because I am stupidly stupidly in love.
First ep back definitely grabbed me. Loved going into the past life of an other. And I love it when the flashbacks have tangible consequences for life on the island. Great kick off. Reminded me why I'm a fan.
another great thing about the show is the deception on all levels -- no one is what they seem or who they seem and the motives for their actions are as hidden as ... well, as a dharma project. and, of course, we are all human. still not quite at the level of brilliance i think previous episodes have been (although apparently not only cowboys have daddy issues), but jack's sudden attack of nobility is interesting. i am enthralled by juliet (the island is her second chance too, like all other island dwellers, but it has made her a cold, cruel leader instead of a kind, nurturing academic). but if they go back -- and they will -- and have kate start making googoo eyes at jack ...
ah well. i'll never stop watching.
I loved the "Clockwork Orange" style brainwashing, too. A great episode, with one wonderful use of stakes and obstacles from purely a screenwriting level: when Jack accidentally makes another knick in Ben's Kidney and must force the afraid-of-blood-guy to suction out the blood. That's what McKee means by using one scene to turn the status quo around. Suddenly Jack has lost all the power. It worked out for him, but that bit I thought was particularly brilliant.
Also, characterization-wise, Sawyer is what I've always wished Gambit was like in X-Men--slick, funny, untrustworthy.
I like that Juliet was recruited by Bat-Manuel. Made me happy...
Lurker -- YES! Sara and I were saying "Bat Manuel" every time he came on screen in our best impression of that character introducing himself.
Mitch: my recent immersion in screenwriting guides (thanks to Brad) is one of the main reasons I like the show so much -- it is always elegant on those terms.
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