'Lost': This is London

February 14, 08:46 PM

So Lost finally got back to the island on Wednesday. Or an island, anyway -- in the show's longest flashback (or deja vu, or whatever you want to call it) ever, we spent most of our time with Desmond in England.

Did Desmond's final line, which admittedly was pretty cool and which we'll discuss a bit farther down so people who don't want to be spoiled can turn away (ahem, people who don't want to be spoiled), justify spending a good 80 percent of the episode with him? I'm not sure about that, especially given the little bit of misdirection the show played with us at the start of the hour.

The beginning of the episode -- with screen time for Desmond, Charlie, Hurley, Locke, Sayid and Claire all in the first 10 minutes -- seemed to be saying, "Yes, folks, the show you knew is back. See? See all these people you haven't seen for three months?" There was even a semi-relevant piece of information dropped in there, with Sayid noting that he and Locke had buried Eko the previous day (which means, based on the timeline of that episode, tonight's story occurred as Jack was playing chicken with the Others and Kate and Sawyer were escaping. I think).

But instead of seeing the camp mourn Eko's death, or begin to organize to get Jack, Kate and Sawyer back, writers Damon Lindelof and Drew Goddard instead had us see Desmond's life flash before his eyes, with a few minor alterations. I get what Lindelof and Goddard were going for here (even setting aside that final line), but given the way the episode's beginning unfolded and the fact that we've been away from these characters for so long, the extra-large flashback felt a little unnecessary.

Lost's best flashback threads -- think the revelation of Locke in the wheelchair, Jack's daddy issues in the season opener this year -- have been models of efficient storytelling. And given that we already knew, more or less, that Desmond broke Penny's heart because Daddy Widmore didn't approve of him, I'm not sure I needed the whole thing acted out at the expense of seeing any other activity on the island.

So, about that last line: "You're gonna die, Charlie." It was a doozy, huh?

It turns out that Desmond's pre-cog efforts -- the lightning rod and his dash to the beach to save Claire from drowning -- were, in fact, intended to save Charlie. But as we've learned thrice over in the Final Destination movies, and as Finnoula Flanagan reiterated to us tonight, death will not be denied. I guess the question now is whether Charlie, armed with this knowledge, goes and finds his double-secret heroin stash or gets really reckless in going after the Others, or just sits in his shelter and refuses to budge.

On a bigger scale, Desmond's story does dovetail rather nicely into the show's Big Idea themes of destiny and free will. I suspect he'd find a like mind in Locke if he ever decides to discuss the fact that he's "supposed" to be on the island. And the little deja vu touches in the flashback -- the clock reading 1:08, the microwave beeping just like the hatch clock, "Play Your Own Kind of Music" on the pub jukebox -- were nice too.

As well-constructed as the episode was, though, my patience wears ever thinner the longer we don't get substantive stories for some of the original cast. Next week's show looks to be Jack-centric, meaning still more time on Alcatraz, and does anybody really believe Promo Voiceover Man when he says that three of the show's biggest questions will be answered? Yeah, didn't think so.

Were you OK with the super-sized flashback? Is three "dudes" from Hurley enough for you? Let us know what you think of this week's Lost.

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Comments (62)

Comments

I think your dead wrong on actually...everything. I liked the extra long flashbacks because for one of the first times, we were getting some sort of idea as to what is going on. Though in the end I am more confused than ever. But the thing I love about this show and what I love about this episode is that it had me thinking the entire time and I am still thinking about what happened to Desmond. Personally for myself, I dont need stories from Hurley or Charlie, because though Im sure their backstories are very important, Hurley to me always seems to act to lighten up the mood of the show. Jack, Sawyer, Kate, and Locke are the main characters. They have always been the main characters of the show, which means they will be the subject for a lot of the time. If i am mad about anything, it is the lack of Locke.

In the end, I think it was critical that they show Desmond's backstory, and they did a very good job with it. Now I am just waiting for the next one, or whenever we can link Desmond, penny, and the people doing all that monitoring at the end of season 2. Yes I do think they will reveal secrets in the next episode. I have read that the producers will be revealing many things in the upcoming episodes. Not to mention that from what we have heard, this show wont be on for a long time to come. Their are a lot of secrets that need to come out and Im sure some of them will come out soon, followed by new secrets.

All in all, I was very pleased with this episode, as have I been with the return so far. I think it will only get better.

Randy | Feb 14, 2007 10:10:18 PM | #

I liked the episode as well. The twist at the end being great, but the twist halfway amazing as well (the lady saying he cant buy the ring.) A little Matrix-y perhaps, with an older lady explaining the rules of the world we're in, but still thought it was cool.

I don't mind a long flashback if its with a character we're still getting to know. As opposed to the 100th Jack flashback.

Willie Lumpkin | Feb 15, 2007 12:32:50 AM | #

I can't believe that anyone could not love this episode. How could you so casually compare Desmond's flashback with any other? This wasn't just a flashback it was a freaking time travel experience!! That multiplies the interestingness of Desmond's character by about 10,000, and you would trade that for more island drama like chasing polar bears and smoke monsters around in circles?

Desmond is a psychic time traveler for god's sake! That adds a new dimension to Lost which you aren't seeming to comprehend.

Bob Weston | Feb 15, 2007 2:46:27 AM | #

I was on the fence about this episode until Creepy Ring Lady started explaining everything. To me, that made it one of the better episodes this season. Frankly, I was so glad to get away from the Jack/Kate/Sawyer Just-Have-A-Three-Way-Already-A-Thon that anything would suffice. But this was a well crafted episode that really gave Desmond more depth as a character. I was hoping they would tie up the monitoring station at the end of S2, but alas, they didn't. But they never explain why Penny's dad was such a jerk. Is he just overprotective of his daughter or is there some kind of underlying motive for his hatred of Des?

As far as the three questions next week, I'll believe it when I see it. Something tells me the three biggest questions that WE (the fans) want answered differ from the three biggest questions that THEY (the creators) feel like answering.

Jason | Feb 15, 2007 4:52:05 AM | #

Good Episode. But I totally agree, the original cast needs some strong development. They've got so many stories to tell..they need to balance them better. I want to see more of our original cast and less of Jack and The Others....for now.

Jason | Feb 15, 2007 6:08:57 AM | #

I can't believe you didn't love this show either! This is by far the best episode of the season so far! Desmond goes back in time and actually changes his whole timeline! Who knows what he affected? I think that the end where Penny is still looking for him no longer happened because in the original timeline, Desmond clearly never broke it off with her like that. Her father interfered and kept them apart after he got thrown in jail. I also think that Des probably went and joined the army originally and didn't just keep walking by the poster. The possibilities are endless and they finally setup a story where we might actually give a crap about Charlie again because now we no he's living on borrowed time! This is Lost at its best!

Steve | Feb 15, 2007 6:09:17 AM | #

I loved the episode and thought the Desmond backstory was extremely interesting but I have never been this confused in my life!! Like some people I just want the show to center on the original island with the original cast. I want answers and just for the Others to disspaear and continue our journey.

Mariela | Feb 15, 2007 6:12:08 AM | #

One of the Better episodes this season. I hope that Charlie will embrace his destiny and sacrifice himself for the good of Clair or someone else on the Island. And, a note on last weeks episode. I have it on pretty good authority that Juliette's Sister's baby is in fact one of the characters already on Lost.

Joe P | Feb 15, 2007 6:35:34 AM | #

I think you're looking for things to pick apart. This episode was mind-blowing! Absolutely the best of this season. The fact that it was not about the core characters and turned out the way it did is a testament to the writers. If they came up with this for Desmond, imagine what they'll do for Sayid. Be a little more patient.

Trish | Feb 15, 2007 6:59:47 AM | #

I absolutely loved this episode of Lost. It should have been the first episode of season 1, as it provided the explanations for why desmond turned the key. A blog I like discusse this a lot more at Lost Spoilers Blog. Whe Desmond tells you that it is useless to escape, think about it, he knows your destiny. It also explains the Penny Widmore story a lot. I agree, I'd like to learn more about Locke and Sayid too.

Lost-it | Feb 15, 2007 8:06:21 AM | #

Joe P Juliet's sister's baby would only be a little over 3 years old now. I think that Juliet wants to get home to see her sister and the baby she never got to be around for. What's worse, with juliet on the island, maybe her sister died from whatever cancer she had when she got pregnant!! Could be that Juliet will have to search for her sister's child when and if she gets off the island if, indeed, her sister died.
As for the Desmond epi....Loved it!!! I am even more intrigued by his character now. It was so surreal. I knew immediately that he had the wrong night when he was at the pub the first time with his physisist friend.

Chris | Feb 15, 2007 8:54:15 AM | #

I really liked the extended flashback. My husband and I were on the edge of our seats throughout the whole episode. I can wait to be reunited with the other castaways...the writers are turning out terrific and exciting episodes. It's worth the wait to see Hurley, Charlie & the others again.

Cassie | Feb 15, 2007 8:58:22 AM | #

I agree with the review - flashback/Desmond's adventure was too long. I had hoped to see more of the cast on the beach - and it still seems no one is concerned about Michael's actions or freaked out that "the island" killed Eko. Characters seem off to me - I miss them.

vicki | Feb 15, 2007 8:59:04 AM | #

Although I like Desmond (and that accent brother), I'm really fed up with not being able to catch up on my favorite characters like Sayid, Sun and Jin, and Hurley. I thought last night's episode was way too tedious and kept wondering why Desmond, who is somewhat interesting, got an entire hour of flashback. Not even the main characters have ever gotten the full hour. I'm so done with the Others. All these storylines about them has really taken away the intrigue/interest about them. Less Sawyer/Kate and more Sayid, the real leader of the island.

jane | Feb 15, 2007 9:08:19 AM | #

Re-reading my post and a lot of your comments, I feel a need to clarify -- or course-correct.

My beef with the episode comes partly, maybe mostly, from the fact that barely a month ago, Lindelof and Cuse were swearing up and down that almost as soon as "Lost" came back, it would feel like the show we knew and loved -- i.e., one that involved the full cast week to week. These first two episodes back haven't done that.

That said, I agree with most of you that we needed to know more about Desmond's background, and why he's been doing what he's been doing since the hatch imploded. His flashback/time-traveling/deja vu story really did hold my interest. (As a co-worker pointed out, though, pity anyone who decided to try the show for the first time last night.)

I just wish that stuff had been a little more compact, and we could have spent a little more time in the present.

Rick | Feb 15, 2007 9:18:37 AM | #

I'm still a little unsure how i felt about last nights episode. I'm a Fan of Desmond, and it was intertesting to see that he went back intime, and such, but they could've still split up the hour with seeing more of our beloved cast on the island.
I mean when i 1st saw claire, she looked completely different then she did, when i remember seeing her in this past season. I think since they've been away from the Orginal Cast for so long, there psychical apperence on screen is becoming noticeable, and messing with contiunity since itz supposed to be only a few days from when season 2 ended. I'm also curious has to what happened with the station on Antartica when the beeping starts at the end of season 2. It just seems that they are getting away from a lot of the plot lines that still havn't been answered. anyways, it was a decent episode, and the ending is what made it for me.. but i'd rather not se Charlie Die.

Anthony | Feb 15, 2007 9:26:33 AM | #

You know what, dude? Maybe Lost is not for you. You want a mindless show? Watch Scrubs.

Joe | Feb 15, 2007 9:28:51 AM | #

Wow. You're catching a lot of heat on this one! But I agree with most of the replies in that this was one of the better episodes in quite some time. Remarkably well done in almost every way. And quit calling it a flashback ... that doesn't do it justice. While it may have elements of the typical Lost flashback, that was not what was happening to Desmond at all.

DRG | Feb 15, 2007 9:36:22 AM | #

So we have gone from Lust in Cages to Harry Potter Does Time Travel? Give me a break! These guys are just trying to show off every pop-culture and undergraduate core curriculum reference they can remember, to try desperately to distract us from the fact that they are treading water and about to sink for the third and final time.

The one thing I have picked out from this show so far is that the writers have had tremendous difficulty getting any respect from the fathers of Hot Babes.

As for Desmond, I had a paranoid schizophrenic employee who ran amok for 18 months before mercifully drowning herself, and she acted exactly the way Desmond acts.

And the woman in the ring shop? Is she Albus Dumbledore or is she Voldemort? Or was she a throw-in for people who watched "Final Destination" or play Matrix video games, a sorting device to drive away everyone over 40?

You know what? I'm watching this show now the way I used to watch MST3K -- to see just exactly how bad it can get.

Appleby Mennym | Feb 15, 2007 9:42:58 AM | #

People, like the author, who didn't like last nights episode and pine away for more time for their favorite charcters are not the right type of people for this show.

Last night and the week before gave so much insight to what may acutally be happening in the arc of the STORY. You know the reason we are suppose to be watching the show...the story. To complain because you didn't get to see your favorite charcter really speak volumes about some of this shows audience.

Here is a piece of advice Rick, and many others. Go watch a show like Grey's, then you'll never be deprived of seeing the whole cast and the plot level will be right where it needs to be for you.

Not every show is the right for everyone and it's ok to admit this show is too smart for you and move on, instead of making up reasons why a great episode was not to your "level".

Dan | Feb 15, 2007 9:51:38 AM | #

whoa. relax. it's not trying to be harry potter or the matrix or anything. as far back as the first episode of the show, the air of mystery thats surrounded the island is one of the major things that got people into the show. this adds to that. we can't even be sure what this exactly was. it wasn't quite time travel, but what was it really? this was a quality, edge of your seat episode. The ending pulled it all together, with still leaving a bit of mystery to the Desmond storyline.

I don't see any reference to this harry potter pop-culture crazyness that is being discussed. This show is far less packed with pop-culture references then many other shows on TV. Seemingly supernatural events don't scream pop-culture to me. And really, this show gets away from the monotonous who-killed-the-prostitute-crime-solving drama CSINCIS:Criminal Cold Case and Order (not that those shows are bad, but LOST has a believeable obscurity to it).

I think the writers know exactly where they're going now. of course they don't have it all planned out. and that's a good thing, but the ideas are clearly there. it's time to start piecing together the puzzle (while still throwing in a few extra pieces along the way to keep things intersting). If every secret of the island was revealed next week. No one would watch anymore. there'd be no reason.
There's natural arcs that go into these stories. we're still in one right now. things will settle once we catch up with the original cast more and take a small step back from the "LUST IN CAGES." and in an episode or two, once that happens, another arc will begin to form and pull things together for all us fans. So it's time to relax and enjoy the show. That's what it is...just a TV show. Let it be the entertainment that it is.

G | Feb 15, 2007 10:16:46 AM | #

Simply put, it was a nicely written episode from some OTHER series.

Yes, the last line was spooky, and the theme was OK.

But bottom lines are essential. They've run out of ideas; the show is over!

Matthew Fox may be the most dull actor on TV and who cares if he's on next week threatening to kill a patient.

I'm done. The whole bunch of them got few award nominations, and NO wins. This episode (see other ZapIt article) was the lowest rated ever for a new one.

There's a reason for that. Terminal boredom.

Next week I'll read.

The Ratings | Feb 15, 2007 10:42:50 AM | #

To The Ratings:
I agree with nearly all you said. But I would not say they have run out of ideas. Rather, I would say that they are making up the story as they go along, freely introducing whatever new elements allow them to lead their audience along until the end. Time travel? Sure, why not? Spoiler alert: Next week, Rose discovers some kryptonite on the beach. I bet you did not see that coming! Such great writing!

And somebody had to say it. Matthew Fox cannot act. A poor man's George Clooney, and that is being generous. You want drama? OK, I'll SHOUT. That ought to do it.

Another goner | Feb 15, 2007 11:19:16 AM | #

I find it very interesting that all oy you that are sick of this series are still watching.
Here's an idea, STOP. Why are you watching something you don't understand or like? Is it just to reply to these blogs? We'll be fine without, move on!
Take a lesson from "G" and read a book.

Benjamin | Feb 15, 2007 11:34:10 AM | #

Only thing I didn't like is the continuing slide of Charlie into weaseldom. One of the good things about this great show is that there was no stereotypical bad guy among the good guys. They all pretty much worked together, squabbles were minor, and no one was undermining the unity of the castaways. They seem determined now to make Charlie unlikeable. Maybe they are just working their way up to killing him off.

As for Appleby's comment about someone "mercifully" drowning themselves - you lost all credibility with that sick statement.

steve7701 | Feb 15, 2007 11:43:13 AM | #