In the years and decades to come, how will Kiele Sanchez and Rodrigo Santoro be treated at Lost-Cons? Heck, will they even bother to show up? Tough to say, although time heals most wounds. Needless to say, were there a Lost convention today, with each Lost actor at an individual table, not many would be lining up to get the autographs of Nikki and Paulo. (They'd be fighting for Shortest Line Duty with Michelle Rodriguez, I fear.) But hey, I'm not here to posit the crowd psychology at a fictional geek-fest: I'm here to talk about the life and death of two of Lost's most infamous characters.

I know, I know...you're just DYING to read my take on "Exposé." For those of you expecting a "Stranger in a Strange Land" takedown, however, take note: I use and abuse the episode, but not with the same intensity I did before. I only have about one of those in me per year; it's kinda like pushing the button, only at a more infrequent rate. But don't worry, Lost fans: it's coming tomorrow, and the Less than Dynamic Duo will get theirs yet. Today, I want to talk about two other items in the Lost world that have absolutely nothing to do with Nikki and Paulo.

The two Locke/Ben-centric episodes of Season 3 (this and "The Man Behind the Curtain") are my two favorite episodes of the year not named "Through the Looking Glass." The show simply struck gold with this combination of characters and actors, and when it's just the two of them onscreen, every scene just sizzles. Sure, we'd see plenty of scenes involving the two of them inside the Swan, but starting with this episode, the tension between these two characters went to the next level. As did Lost itself.

With Season 4 putting Claire back into central importance, episodes such as this provide Lost fans with an opportunity to see what important clues the show might have buried about her part in the shape of things to come. Between the identity of her father and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her car accident, there's a lot to chew on. While her on-Island actions are more than a bit lacking, the flashbacks take on potentially new significance. Let's get into it!

OK, as promised, here's the second half of this week's "Letters from the Flame." It's only question, but it's a rather long answer, but the question necessitated such a response. And let's be honest: it's not like it's a chore for me to drop a few thousand words about Lost on a weeknight. It's kinda sorta what I do. I know my mother would prefer "surgery" to be the thing I do, but life's full of disappointments, sadly.

It's that time again, kids, when I take your Lost questions and answer them to the best of my ability. I call this little feature "Letters from the Flame," after the communication facility that factors into an episode recapped by yours truly just yesterday. During Season 5, I hope to make this a weekly feature, but here in the off months, it's more of a periodic treat.

So maybe you weren't a fan of "Tricia Tanaka is Dead." So maybe you're sick of slow mythological progression. So maybe you're dying to find a new hatch. Well, have Darlton produced just the ep for you! This episode of Lost is the first that bears the unmistakable marks of, "We know the finish line now, so we can start doling out all the answers we've been holding onto all this time." Seriously, the show takes off like a fighter plane for the next few episodes, until it violently crashes into Mt. NikkiPaulo. So sit back and enjoy the ride for now!

While not quite as divisive as "Exposé," this episode nevertheless starts a lot of fights among Lost fans. Some see it as a waste of time; others see it as the perfect tonic to the nearly morbid levels to which the show had sunk in the early part of Season 3. Me? I see both sides of the argument, but coming at it this time around, I saw it primarily as a palette cleanser: a way to segue between the Hydra arc and the search for New Otherton. Throw in some great character work, and you have an episode that might not sit atop the pantheon of great episodes but provides an enjoyable episode.

I don't know how many of you remember this, but back in Season 3, there was one mystery that towered over them all. Not the smoke monster, not Jacob, and not Desmond's time travel. I'm talking, of course, about the origin of Jack's tattoos. You don't remember this? Oh yea, that's because no one really cared. And yet, Lost spent an entire episode dedicated to half of Jack's arm ink.

OK, Lost children, I know you've been waiting anxiously all week for The Big Event, but you're going to have to wait one more day. I know, I'm a major tease, but I want to make sure it's fully ready for deployment, and letting it simmer another 24 hours should do the trick. What am I talking about? Read on!

I've been waiting literally weeks to get to this episode in the We Have to Go Back series. And in case you're wondering, yes, I have been rewatching all of them, and I have been doing so in order. I haven't skipped around, even if my curiosity wants to get the best of me. Trust me, I'd rather be watching this than "Fire+Water" any day, but I set up the rules, and I abide by them. Because if I don’t, fellow Lost fan, who will? Let's get into some Des-centric goodness now that the hour is right. Ms. Hawking would say it's what I'm destined to do now.

After the long hiatus following a disappointing initial arc, Lost roared back with two of its finest Season 3 episodes. The next one actually probably sent a lot of people running, given how plain WEIRD it is, but this one rewarded long-time fans with a combination of character work, rich mythological expansion, and one of the better flashbacks the show ever produced.

Ending the controversial six-episode arc of Season 3's Fall with a Kate flashback might not have been the sanest thing the producers of Lost ever did. People were already fed up by the slow pace, the complete dominance of the Others, and the surfeit of screen time for two bozos we'd never seen before. But now? This is just the episode after Eko dies and the one before Juliet's ex gets pancaked by a bus. As such, it goes down much smoother. DVD is like a spoonful of sugar that way, people. It helps both the btwrth and the Kate flashbacks goes down much easier.

End of an era, kids. How many of you had "Bernard" in the "last remaining Tailie neither killed nor brainwashed" office pool? Exactly. Here lies the sad tale of Mr. Eko: Nigerian warlord, unorthodox priest, polar bear snack, and smoke monster victim. The smoke monster had Paolo and Nikki right there for the killing, but no, it had to go kill a fan fave. That smoke monster's a lot like Ben Linus' version of fate: a fickle...well, you know what. I understand the behind the scenes reasons why this happened, but can any Lost fan truly argue that the show is better without Eko? I love the show more than peanut butter, y'all: but I miss this character something fierce.

Didja know Sawyer's a con man? I swear, he is. And even though Lost seems to think you've forgotten, they are gonna spend another hour reintroducing you to James Ford: Con Man.  Course, this time around they added a slight twist (he cons for the love of his daughter!), but if you've seen one episode about cons, you've kinda seen them all at this point. Luckily, the flashbacks are kept to a minimum as Sawyer meets his on-Island (or should I say off-Island) match this time around.

There are many pros and cons about being known as "the Lost blogger." Sure, I'm far from the only one, but those who know me (in real life or virtually) pretty much know me first and foremost as "the Lost blogger." I kinda wish they'd opt for "the super awesome dude," but hey, beggars can't be choosers. But every once in a while, being known as "the Lost blogger" has its benefits, as when a few hundred people simultaneously sent me emails with the title "Lost Season 5 Trailer OMG!!!" late last week. Even my grandmother sent me one, which astounded me in that I wasn't aware she knew about either Lost or the internet.

It's my firm belief that this blog, while pretty darn tootin' cool, is not the be all and end all of the online Lost universe. I know, I sometimes act that way, and sure, I had that limited edition of "Be All And End All of the Online Lost Universe" baby tees printed, but I blame that all on imbibing too much Dharma boxed wine. Point is this: I'm but one element of the overall body that is the Lost online world, and occasionally I look towards another organ, limb, or capillary in order to get some (non-spoilery) information about the Lost universe.

This episode marks a first in the We Have to Go Back series: the first episode I liked LESS second time around. Every other episode I've either maintained my general enthusiasm or increased it, but this episode just feels off to me in hindsight. Continue reading »

Lost wants to know that Sun is a very bad person. She cheats on her husband. She gets maids fired for no reason. She paid a lot for this muffler, dammit! She's a horrible, horrible person, and if this all sounds out of character and out of left field, well, then, my point's been made. The final scene might make you think this is a better episode than it is, but trust me: taken as a whole, it's a sub-par episode in a season that took a little while in finding its footing.

We're onto Season 3 here in the We Have to Go Back Campaign. I know, time flies when you're recapping all the episodes of Lost in anticipation for the start of Season 5. I know my hands and wrists sure can't wait for that glorious day. In this episode, we have underwater hatches, French presses, and a new perspective on the crash of Oceanic 815. Literally.

You wanted the best, you got...my latest podcast. Oh well, can't win 'em all, Lost fans. But trust me when I say this is a good one. The wife and I spent thirty minutes answering your questions about all things Season 2 related. We thought about abandoning the podcasts for interpretive dance, but common sense won out in the end. But trust me: I had some sweet moves to describe Eko's motivation for pushing the button in Locke's absence. But something about my wife's mood was...off. Why so off? Well, you'll have to listen to learn.

I kid around here a lot on the Lost blog. No real secret. This shouldn't be some stodgy, clinical, academic exercise here. I don't write two thousand word entries about the difference between Blue Suited Christian and Cabin Christian to produce some piercing illumination about the show that will rock the Internet as we know it: I do it because I find it fun to think about topics such as that. I couldn't possibly have an output like I do here if I wasn't having fun, and I am not afraid to let that show. In short: I take this gig very seriously, but on a fundamental level, I try to not take the show too seriously, and above all take MYSELF too seriously.

This is the end...beautiful friend. We don't really break on through to the other side, and some of the character decisions don't really light my fire, but hey, people are strange. It's the last episode of the controversial second season of Lost: Jack leads an ill-advised trip towards Othersville, Locke leads an ill-advised trip into the Swan, and a certain Scotsman takes his place at the center of the show's mythological universe.

We're almost at the end of Stage 2 of the We Have to Go Back project. I know, wicked exciting and stuff. I'm sure your sleep habits have suffered as we've approached the return of Desmond Hume into the Lost universe. But if you'll indulge me briefly before the end of this leg of the journey, I'd be much obliged. But don't worry: it's not like I'm going to pull a Season 2 on you and post a rerun of an old entry. That would be straight up cruel of me.

Earlier in the season, we saw an episode called "What Kate Did." This one very well could have been called "What Michael Did," or more accurately, "What Michael Did Dead Wrong." We also get the equivalent of the "Multiple Angle" feature on many DVDs, as we revisit several scenes from the season through Michael's perspective. In addition to that, frayed relationships are slightly mended, goodbyes are said, and final plans are laid as Lost draws to its season's close.

We're obviously in the midst of a heated political battle in this country right now. Now, I'm not going to use this blog as a pulpit from which I will spew my own opinions of the two men angling to lead this country over the next four years. But tonight's town hall debate did get me thinking about the power struggle going on over the Island between Ben Linus and Charles Widmore. What would a town hall between these two Lost titans look like? Glad you asked!

In this cornah: from Nigeria, a former drug-lord, current priest, and vision quester Eko! In this cornah: from the United States, currently crutched, and suffering a severe crisis of faith: Locke! Let's get ready to ruuummmbbblllleee! The two lynchpins of faith during the second season of Lost go in search of answers in the aftermath of Michael's bloodbath, and at least one of them finds what he is looking for.

Oh, Ana Lucia. We hardly knew ye. And most of us liked it that way. This is your Lost swan song, kiddo, and a lesson learned for all Lostaways: as soon as you achieve closure, be prepared to hit the road, Jack. Just don't hit the road after you've gone on a Christian Shephard-like bender: ABC tends to not like that very much.

So I've been plowing through the We Have to Go Back series, and we're rapidly approaching the end of Season 2. Please, please, hold back the tears, Lost denizens. But for now, I'm going to tack a little bit away from a compass direction of 325 and once again enlist your help on a little project.

Well, this ep really divides people. As many people love it (me) as hate it (ignorant, unwashed heathens). It's the calm before Hurricane Michael sweeps up everything in its path throughout the remainder of the season. So strap in, Lost fans, as we focus on two of the more beloved secondary characters on the show, Rose and Bernard.

The whole "is Lost real or just the figment of someone's imagination" question gets answered definitely in this episode. I personally never held that theory, thinking at the time everything hinged on a frozen elk wheel. (So damn close!) Hurley goes insane in the membrane, Sayid goes gun crazy, and Eko proves that he'd be a horrible designer on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Action-packed ep, y'all.

The blast door map in this episode got me thinking about the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, specifically their hit song "Maps." After all, it's easy to think of Locke screaming, "Wait, they don't love you like I love you!" to Helen, isn't it? Or pleading, "Wait, why don't you love me like I love you?" to Anthony Cooper. This assumes, Lost fans, that you can imagine a musical episode of Lost. Which, while amusing in theory, is something I hope never occurs. I'm fine with frozen donkey wheels in my Lost cereal; I just don't want Rose and Bernard to go all Captain & Tennille on us.

Ah yes, the episode in which we learned Sun is a pathological liar, Jin is a romantic schmuck, and Henry Gale is one scary, scary dude. In fact, so many things are set in motion that it's hard to rectify episodes such as this with the general "nothing ever happened in Season 2" complaints that people (such as me) often lob at the show. I still say that momentum of Lost was at its slowest during this season, but I certainly was not bored watching this one again, I can assure you.

Strap in, kids: this is Lost at its best. It's Claire-centric, but it's so good I don't make one joke about the way that she says "baaaaybeeee" in my recap. It's a deft blend of character-based drama and delicious mythology. Oh, Lost mythology, if I could I'd drizzle you on my oatmeal on a daily basis. Now THAT'S a balanced breakfast, people. But enough about my morning routine: on with the recap!

There are a few seminal episodes in the history of Lost, those that stand above the rest and exist as turning points either in terms of narrative scope or sheer quality. This episode is an excellent example of both, with the introduction of a now legendary figure coupled with some excellent acting, sprinkled with a lovely dose of mythology. Such a combination quelled the bad taste that the last few episodes left in many a mouth in order to produce a five-star quality outing this time around.

This is Episode 1 B.L. (Before Linus). It's an episode long on character, short on mythology, and featuring a back story that really doesn't gain resonance for another season or so. But it's a crucial Lost episode, in that it exists to create the proper atmosphere of distrust and anger in which a future visitor can work his psychological mastery to perfection.  So all I can say it don't look back in anger at this episode: admire the darkness creeping on the edge of town.

Well, kids, here we are on the third and final installment of the "Subterfuge in the Swan" series here on the Lost blog. Have you been keeping up? Writing down clues? If you guessed Colonel Mustard in the Arrow with the poison gas, well, you're wrong. So read on and see if you can't solve the mystery after reading about the third element in the Swan that reeks of disinformation: the blast door map.

So yesterday, we looked at the Swan Orientation film as evidence of general shenanigans going on in that particular hatch throughout the brief but troubled time in which it existed on the Island. But it's not the only evidence, no sirree. In fact, that hatch (and indeed, many of the Dharma Initiative's stations) seem built on a great deal of funny facts. Misdirections, if you will. Out and out lies, if you must, dear Lost readers. And today, we're going to look at another conduit for such untruths: the Swan computer.

You have spoken, readers, and today, as promised, I will answer. A little while ago I offered up four possible options for analysis, and you chose your favorites. I sent the results to the accounting offices of McCormick, Smith, and My Wife, and what came back was pretty clear. Seems there's one Lost topic clearly on your mind these days: the subterfuge in the Swan.

When I said I get a lot of inspiration from you loyal Lost blog readers, I meant it. It wasn't one of those politician-like moves. This is blogging you can believe in, people. And in the midst of the last entry, the topic slowly evolved into a situation that produced today's entry. Synergy: it's what's for dinner!

Oh Charlie Pace. You know I dig you, right? I mean, in general, you're an alright guy, and your presence on the show is keenly felt. But dear Dharma did Lost deliver a stinker of an episode in this, an hour about you, your piano, and losing your religion. (In more ways than one, really.) This episode makes "The Hunting Party" seem like "Orientation." Translation: break out the adult beverages, people. You're gonna need 'em. Assuming you're an adult, after all. If you're not, break out the Sunny D.

I'd planned on dropping some reader-based requests on you tonight, but I want to hold out a bit more in hopes of getting more feedback. As such, Lost fans, I'm going to offer a two-for-one: two topics in one entry. And you don't even have to pay extra. Wait, this site's already free? Man, you guys get a good deal. I'm gonna start charging Dharma dollars before year end.

Strap yourselves in, Lost fans. This is a bit of a rough one. But at least it features the first major dialogue scene with the Others since the end of Season 1, a scene that crackles with excitement and danger to this day. Gotta love those theatrically-minded Others, people. As a former techie myself, I appreciate the subterfuge inherent in their performance.

Has a flashback ever done so great a job at explaining an entire character so succinctly as the one in this episode? I think we've seen approximately seventy-four Jack Shephard flashbacks at this point, and we know less about him than we do about Eko after this one. Course, they did such a good job that the actor who played him forced the show to eventually fire him, but hey, Lost fans, we're not here to bury Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, but praise Eko, and this fantastic episode.

So, we're about a third of the way through Season 2 in our We Have to Go Back series. For those of you who are new to the scene here and wondering if you've stepped into a time warp, a little info for you: we've taken Jack Shephard's plan to heart and gone back. Back to the beginning of the series, that is, flush with all the knowledge that a fan of the show has accumulated through the first few seasons of Lost.

If you're like me and dreading this one, trust me: it's much better than you remember. Just make it through the back story and you're golden, as the on-Island stuff is top-notch for Lost fanatics. There's a little something for everyone: mythology, romance, horsies: you name it, this episode's got it. Except for "compelling flashback," naturally. Oh well, you can't have it all. Unless you're "Walkabout" or "The Constant."

They are the three scariest words in the English language: Ana Lucia flashback! OK, maybe not, but Ana Lucia's clearly up there with the Blunder Twins of Season 3 as the most controversial (read: loathed) characters in Lost history. Me, myself and I? I'd put Nikki and Paolo way higher on my personal list of most hated characters, but it's not as if I used to give an Aresnio Hall-esque Dawg Pound salute every time A.L. popped up onscreen.

OK, it's been a few rough episodes, Lost fans. I spent the first few episodes of this season seriously reconsidering my own semi-low opinions of this season, only to be brought back down to earth by the post-"Orientation" episodes.

Ready for a shocking death that will change everything you know about the Lost universe? Me too! Unfortunately, it doesn't happen in this episode. I know, bummer. What we get instead is the ignominious death of a character no one ever really liked, a victim not only of her own shortcomings as a character but a vicious attack on her screen time by those selfish Tailies.

You know how we all look forward to those Darlton-written episodes of Lost? Well, this is one of them, although you wouldn't know it. It features a few signature moments in the Lost universe, but doesn't hold up nearly as well to scrutiny as some of their others. But hey, not every episode can be a heart-wrenching, mind-blowing, brain-expanding extravaganza. Sure, I might make it seem easy here on the blog, but trust me, it's hard work.

Well, the summer months are drawing to a close. I know, tragic. Many of you will be heading back to school soon. Football season draws nigh. And, more important, we might actually see some action on the latest and meh-est Lost alternative reality game (ARG) yet! Richard III once talked about the winter of our discontent; Lost fans have been complaining about their summer of our prolonged frustration. Dharma claims to want us, but we're not so sure.

Well, we've now got a button to push, a hatch to investigate, food to distribute, and most important, a shower to take! Yes, it's the follow-up to "Orientation," in which those involved with the inaugural Lostaway button pushing ceremony figure out how to keep as much information as possible from the rest of the survivors.