'Lost': Hugo is an OK guy
Let's make a pact, you and me and all the other Lost watchers out there. Let's agree, from now on, just to ignore ABC Promo Voiceover Guy for the rest of however long the show's on the air. Because he does a disservice to the show with his overzealous intonations.
See, I really rather enjoyed Wednesday's Hurley-focused episode. But I kept hearing Promo Guy's voice in the back of my mind, telling me that this was an episode everyone was going to be talking about tomorrow, and I don't think everyone will be. (My colleague Alan Sepinwall is bothered too, and gets the skinny from ABC.)
But since I'm choosing to ignore Promo Guy, I'm just going to focus on the show itself. Which, again, I rather liked.
After nine episodes that were almost all downbeat, it was nice to see the show lighten up a little, as is often the case when Jorge Garcia is front and center. His seemingly quixotic effort to get an old VW Microbus (property of the Dharma Initiative) upright and running seemed to have a positive effect on several of his fellow castaways -- he got Charlie to quit moping about his possibly imminent death, Sawyer to cheer up after his latest little psychodrama with Kate (or maybe that was just the beer, but still), and Jin to have more than a few seconds of screen time.
Did we learn much new about Hurley from the flashbacks, save that he was skinny till his dad (the well-stunt-cast Cheech Marin) left home and that a meteor destroyed the Mr. Cluck where he once worked? Not really, save that he's also a member of the Lost Daddy Issues Club, joining Jack, Kate, Locke, Sawyer and Sun. Jin (daddy-in-law issues), Claire (babydaddy issues) and Desmond (would-be daddy-in-law issues) are adjunct members.
In both the Hurley story and the B-plot involving Kate, though, there was at least a little indication that the islanders, you know, talk to each other about stuff. She summarized the events on Alcatraz for Sayid and Locke, Charlie told Hurley about Desmond's premonitions, Locke shared his Eko's walking stick-based calculations (the look on Sayid's face as he relayed this bit of info to Kate was pretty priceless). And, probably most important, Kate shared with Rousseau her belief that the Frenchwoman's daughter is alive and living among the Others.
Well done, islanders -- keep up the chatter.
Tonight, though, was all about Hurley and the joy he spread. Some of the better moments:
- "'Crafty.' It's like, when you're good at ... crafts."
- Sawyer's English lesson to Jin, consisting of "the only things a woman ever needs to hear": "I'm sorry," "You were right" and "Those pants don't make you look fat."
- Hurley's pep talk to Charlie (across America, people cheered when he slapped the mopey musician across the face): "Let's look death in the face and say, 'Whatever, man.'"
- Hurley: "You're gonna help us fix it." Sawyer: "Why the hell would I do that?" Hurley: "'Cause there's beer."
Now, presumably the castaways could put the vehicle to some use beyond Hugo's redemption -- or at least study the map they found inside. And if there's a car, it would stand to reason that Dharma has a stash of gas somewhere. I'm thinking that might be handy as well. Those, though, are issues for another time. Tonight, I'm sticking to my happy place.
What about you? Happy to see Lost lighten up a little? And can we all agree to ignore Voiceover Guy?
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I also too liked this episode, though I am one of the guys that liked the others this season as well. Yes, we need to avoid the voiceover guy at all costs. I liked having Kate's B-plot in there because it gave me something to look forward to next week. There was really one character that I missed seeing and that was Locke, because he is definitely one of the most interesting characters in the story. I think next week with him Sayid, the french women, and Kate will be very good.
Probably the best episode of the season. Just perfect in all regards, THIS is how "Lost" is supposed to be. A show about faith and hope in the face of absolute adversity. Last week's episode proved doomsayers about ratings equating the show's quality right. This week proved them wrong.
As for the "meteor hitting Mr Cluck's" being 'new' info, it isn't. We already knew it happened, we just didn't know the specifics. For instance, we DIDN'T know Hurley bought the place BEFORE it was hit by the meteorite.
The Charlie-Hurley stuff? Good.
The Jin-Sawyer stuff? Great.
The Kate story with Locke, Sayid and Rousseau has me already geared up for next week.
Why the hell does Paulo keep stopping Nikki from interacting with the main guys? He didn't want her to go the the Pearl station, and tonight he pulled her back when she tried to go with Hurley and the car (rewind and check). They haven't sold me on them yet, but I refuse to hat them until I know more about them. I hated Jin in season 1 and now he's my favorite character so let's see what happens.
Plus, yay! Vincent! and more yay, no Jack! I think the first Jack-less episode since "The Other 48 Days." But seriously, 9 Jack flashbacks and only 2 for Claire? Seems lopsided.
All in all, a decent episode. Not great, but decent.
Thouroughly enjoyed the episode. Loved the way the stereo started up, then Jin and Sawyer piled in and they had a little road trip around the meadow. A light hearted episode was needed after so many tense ones in a row. Any episode about hope is welcome.
Sawyer continues to be a great character, and his interaction with Jin was excellent.
I loved this ep as well. I've been ignoring Promo guy since day one (he does just spoil it with empty-poitntless-promises). I loved the bus (I have an even older version) and the road to Shambala (still humming it) I am looking forward to Locke, Sayid and the French woman because I always think they've got interesting interactions and story arcs.
very likabke epsiode - just like all the hurley eps. as for jack not being in it and jeff giving that a yay bothers me. jack is my favourite, and yeah they sometimes write slow epsiodes for him you have to look past that, most jack episodes are the best in my eyes. he's the leader and rescuer for all, i think he gets a bum wrap - everyone loves sawyer but jack is truly the better protagonist. but back to last night's, i liked the sub plots, i think thats what was missing this season.
Heroes and Lost both had excellent episodes this week. I sure wish ABC and or some higher powers would "save" this show; because I am seriously starting to worry about it lasting another season; let alone to a 5th season! Ugh!
lost will be back no matter, and possibly for a ffith season - which is what they always planned so i m not wooried, people just need to stick with it, because i can feel that it will get so much better, even though this season has been preet good anywyays, keep hope alive, for hurleys sake. and for all those former fans tuning out, were they real fans to begin with, probably not, the american tv viewer are complete a**holes.
the time slot doesn't help the show. I know a lot of people who watch this show, who don't care too much about how fast questions get answered, but just like it...well they all have jobs in the morning and 10pm is a while to hold out. If the show is slightly off, it makes it worse for the waiting up. That's where the viewers are getting Lost. Also, the show isn't so racy that the high school crowd should be ruled out. I know they probably stay up til 11pm on a school night but they really shouldn't be. (I had to be in bed by 10 - latest - on a school night.) There's another potential loss of viewership.
There's not a lot of patience in the general american viewship. Qucik gratification is the order of the day (ugh). It's Deal or No Deal appeal. I think they can "save" the show by moving back to 8 or 9 - screw Idol, Grey's Anatomy beat it last time. And modifying their promos for the show. All they really need to do is give us little snippets without the whole voiceover aspect.
Oooh laaaaa, yeah yeah yeah yeah, On the road to Shambala... that's the answer, just keep playing little snippets of that song.
My thoughts exactly on the Promo Guy. Good Episode, all in all, though.
They need to focus on the characters on that part of the island for awhile.