Underappreciated 'Lost' Theatre: Tricia Tanaka is Dead
As promised, the theme of this week is Underappreciated "Lost" Theatre, in which I'm going to embed a few episodes that are often overlooked when discussing the best that the show has to offer. Now, one man's "Walkabout" is another man's "Eggtown," so naturally this week will be as subjective as any other similar analysis will be. But hopefully you'll enjoy a look back at a few of the hidden gems in the overall run of the show.
First up? "Tricia Tanaka is Dead," an episode that had the unfortunate distinction of airing after "Stranger in a Strange Land." Many people hadn't recovered from that episode when this initially aired, and the true impact of "Tricia" really only can be felt now, a few years later.
Let's take a quick look back at this episode, shall we?
Why it's overlooked
When looking back at Season 3, things really didn't truly starting clicking on a mythology level until the follow episode, "Enter 77." After that, it was seemingly one big reveal after another, with a short pause to bury Nikki and Paulo alive. As such, many people just remember "Tanaka" as the episode in which a meteor took out a Mr. Cluck's. Halfway between the mindbending "Flashes Before Your Eyes" and the show-changing "The Man from Tallahassee," it's easy to forget this little gem.
Why it's underappreciated
Because it sets the bar insanely high for all character-based episodes that followed. Because the climatic van drive around the valley is one of the purest moments of happiness in the show's history. Because you can't help but tear up a little at Sawyer's shocked reaction at Hurley's vigorous hug. Because the introduction of Roger Linus shows this episode still had its mind on its mythology and its mythology on its mind. Because David Reyes' assertion that Hurley not lose hope may end up saving everyone on the Island when all is said and done.
Season 3 is my personal favorite season. The latter half of the season contained a run of episodes whose quality has not been sustained since. But "Tanaka" reminded us why we should care about the people engulfed in these mysterious events. For that, we owe some thanks to this overlooked episode.
What's your favorite moment of "Tricia Tanaka is Dead"? Leave it below!
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Tricia Tanaka is one of my all time favorite episodes and the one I rewatch the most. Too many great moment to just pick one: Jin's English Lesson, Hurley hugging Sawyer and of course that exhilarating ride when the van came back to life. Not to mention the great choice of "Shambala" as a theme. I never really liked the song until I saw this episode. Now hearing it brings back the good feelings that the episode evoked. What is sad is that I know we will never get another one like it since there's probably not enough time. And it also great to know someone else likes Season 3 the best, too!
Just like My favorite death of a secondary character, Tanaka, also, is one of my all time favs. Hurley uh hurling through the jungle in the van is both lighthearted and touching. A great reprieve in a sometimes heady show. (not a Nikki/Paulo reprieve either)
Not only was this a really great episode, it was a much needed episode. It was all doom and gloom for nine episdoes: Jack/Kate/Sawyer locked in cages being tortured by the others, Desmond breaking up with Penny, and Bai Ling for some reason being allowed to guest star. We needed a feel good episode, and like Sonia, I think it sucks that we probably won't get another one. I found it really surprising that there were people who complained about it, calling it filler. I thought this episode was absolutely necessary at that point in the show.
Great choice, very underrated!
I found Hurley's journey with that van to be equally touching and entertaining, and this episode highlights yet another poignant performance from Jorge. And you're right, it presented some much-needed laughter after that first batch of intense S3 episodes.
My favorite scene featured Hurley absorbing the moment and victory all by himself in the van at the bottom of the hill.
Great choice - I liken this episode to the old Roadrunner cartoon, when the roadrunner starts running in place just before he takes off and leaves ol' Wile E. in the dust. Come "Enter 77", the show took off and never looked back.
My favorite line? Hurley calling Sawyer "Mr.... Redneck Man". The look on Josh's face in response to that is just perfect!
I agree with every point made and would like to add that what pushes this episode past "great" and into "sublime" is the point of perfect fusion between Three Dog Night's "Shambala" and Michael Giacchino's score.
It makes me shiver with delight every time I hear it and it brings tears to my eyes when we see our characters interact while its playing in the background.
I had forgotten all about this episode until we did the rewatch last summer. My husband and I had watched had all the episodes since the start of the show, but my teenagers were watching with us last summer for the first time.
I agree with Natalie's comment that after all the stuff that went on in the cages this episode was sorely needed. At the end of the episode, after we rewatched it, we all turned to each other and said that was great! It is still one of the episodes I love the most.
Not a bad choice for underappreciated episodes and really the only thing I didn't like was the Three Dog Night Song...but in retrospective since it was a Dharma van and Roger inside, it kind of made sense with the whole Dharma 70's of this past season. To me this was the beginning of the Hurley/Saywer becoming pals scenes that would blossom as the seasons went on..
Having fun with these comments. Should I make this an on-going, occasional series after this week's mini-run?
ooh i like it. you should keep doing it.