Loved the ep? Tell us. :biggrin:






This thread is for those that liked the episode. If you did NOT like the ep please visit the "Didn't Love it" thread. If you want to debate the episode (likes and dislikes), then please take your comments to the "Rate This Episode" thread or start your own topic. Any off topic posts will be deleted and possibly warned or given infraction points.

Ok so not nearly as good as last week's episode. Acually in comparrison, this one was kind of weak. But it was a Jack episode and being the Jack fan that I am - I liked it :).

Not bad. It wasn't the best episode ever, sure, but I didn't find anything wrong with it. It was more of a filler episode, but I love rewatching the fillers on the dvds.

I know I'm going to be in the minority, but what the heck. I really liked this episode....ok, the flashback was "meh", but the island stuff was great. We learned a lot about the Others: they have a very orderly society with a clear hierarchy- they've got a warden and a judicial system. I know people are going to complain that we didn't learn anything from Cindy, but realistically, I hardly blame Jack for not wanting to give the Others anything to look at (this reminds me of a Twilight Zone eppy, People Are Alike Allover, where an astronaut is locked in a house as an exhibit for Martians to view, like animals in a zoo). He's a prisoner and he's not happy about it; why should he make it easier for the Others? This was just a teaser; I don't mind getting bits and pieces here and there because we are going to learn more as the season progresses.

Clearly parallels are being drawn between Juliet and Jack - she's got a bit of the Scarlet Letter on her, branded for life despite her sentence being commuted. Like Jack, she walks among the Others, but she isn't one (any longer that is, not in their minds). Jack wanted to be branded with the tattoo because he needs it to convince himself that he is a leader.

I also loved Tom and Jack's encounters; I really want to find out more about the Others and why they think they are the good guys. Tom seems to want Jack to understand them, like Juliet does. Ben's line about Jack's bedside manner is clearly reminiscent of Christian's comment to Jack when Jack told Sarah she'd never walk again.

im posting on both threads tonight because i got mixed feelings. everything between jack/tom/ben/juliet was gold, they should all have their own little sitcom called othersville where juliet gives jack, tom, and ben grilled cheese sandwitches while the three watch football and talk about whose hotter kate or claire... if only ;)

im posting on both threads tonight because i got mixed feelings. everything between jack/tom/ben/juliet was gold, they should all have their own little sitcom called othersville where juliet gives jack, tom, and ben grilled cheese sandwitches while the three watch football and talk about whose hotter kate or claire... if only ;)

LOL I forgot about the grilled cheese sandwich, that was great! The flashback served its purpose, even though it wasn't great. I'm not sure there is a lot left to say about Jack at this point. I have to reiterate that I LOVED the island scenes; we really did learn more about the Others and their society. IMO, that's very important - their society reflects in part who they are as a people. This eppy laid the foundations for Sayid's episode, 310.

Well, I think this was my favorite Jackback so far. His other ones with Sarah just annoyed me, even though I love Jack. I didn't care about Sarah at all.
I really, really liked Achara.. which came as a shock to me because looking at her photos before the episode, I never thought she would be an appealing character on Lost. I was wrong.
Creepy mean lady scares me. Oh, and I am still laughing out loud whenever I think of Sawyer calling Alex, "Sally Slingshot." :24:

I didn't love it, but I really enjoyed it. I really liked the musical montage at the end - I've always liked those. More importantly, I really like individual scenes in all the episodes and this episode had some great ones. What I mean is, listening to the character interactions is typically in top form on this show and I noticed it a lot in this episode. Jack and Ben, Jack and Tom, Jack and Juliet, Kate and Sawyer, Kate and Karl, and Alex and Jack. All very well done. I liked how Kate brought up some common sense: "why don't we sail around the island" and "why did you let Karl go" though Sawyers reason was valid and I hadn't thought of the fact that if Karl was with them, the Others might attack them trying to get him. Anyway, sorry to ramble but those are my thoughts.

I gave it a 7 out of 10 by Lost standards, so this is more a "Loved It" response to the episode. We saw a lot of interesting interactions amongst the Others. There was some Kate and Sawyer goodness. Tons of questions to be asking ourselves. I think what put the episode over the top for me was Jack, who in previous seasons I didn't care much for. If they have done one thing right--consistently--during Season 3, it has been the way they have written the Jack character. I root for him now.

The flashback was interesting, and provided more insight into Jack's character. I hope to learn from other posters what that whole thing was all about though. She couldn't give him one of her "gift" tattoos because he was not one of them?

A good episode all around, and a Jack flashback with no tears. Lost writers continue to surprise. Were all the scenes in the promo from next week's episode, or was it random scenes from future episodes. Still really enjoying Lost since the break. Keep it up.

I didn't love it, but I really enjoyed it. I really liked the musical montage at the end - I've always liked those. More importantly, I really like individual scenes in all the episodes and this episode had some great ones. What I mean is, listening to the character interactions is typically in top form on this show and I noticed it a lot in this episode. Jack and Ben, Jack and Tom, Jack and Juliet, Kate and Sawyer, Kate and Karl, and Alex and Jack. All very well done. I liked how Kate brought up some common sense: "why don't we sail around the island" and "why did you let Karl go" though Sawyers reason was valid and I hadn't thought of the fact that if Karl was with them, the Others might attack them trying to get him. Anyway, sorry to ramble but those are my thoughts.

I would type out a response but my thoughts are pretty much the same as yours. =D

Not bad. It wasn't the best episode ever, sure, but I didn't find anything wrong with it. It was more of a filler episode, but I love rewatching the fillers on the dvds.

I pretty much agree. Although the island story was enjoyable. Isabel is a cool new character.

This episode doesn't compare to last week's because we learned alot about Desmond. But I enjoyed this episode. It was interesting to see Jack's flashback (but it was ok..not too informative). I loved seeing the relationship between Juliet and Jack. From the first time he saw her walking down the hall handcuffed, he was worried about her. He didn't seem concerned about what happened to Sawyer and Kate, but why's Juliet in the room locked up. I enjoyed watching the looks from Juliet everytime she saw Jack. I hope she turns out to be good because it will be a good Jack/ Juliet/ Kate love triangle. Oh and I loved when Ben told Jack...Juliet doesn't like you. She's one of us. (Something to that effect.) It was priceless. It's nice to just get a good story once in a while because next week will be very informative.

really liked it. I actually gave it a 9 out of 10... but then again, I give most episodes a 10. I love this show. It can do virtually no wrong in my book.

I was compelled by Thailand!Jack. I really liked seeing him with a harder, dirtier edge. I liked his interactions with that woman... he just seemed so vulnerable and broken and angry all at once, which I think makes a lot of sense for a man going through a divorce.

Yes, not a lot happened plot-wise, but this was a really fantastic character episode. I like Jack this season, and unlike some I don't demand that every episode be action-packed. I think this episode fleshed out Jack's character a lot more than many of his flashbacks have, and I liked seeing a different side of him.

As for the island bits, I can't say enough how much I love what's happening between Juliet and Jack. Every scene, every look that's exchanged between them is just absolutely compelling to me. Not to mention that the scene with him rubbing the aloe on her "mark" was hot. Rwwwrrr! I can't wait for these two to have a kiss.

Every scene, every look that's exchanged between them is just absolutely compelling to me. Not to mention that the scene with him rubbing the aloe on her "mark" was hot. Rwwwrrr! I can't wait for these two to have a kiss.


I hate to say this, but I would love for Kate to see the kiss. She would be SOO jealous!

I loved it!! Then again, everything on this side of the season seems a whole load better; we're finally getting somewhere with this captive story...or rather now, escape and get away from those damn Others!

Loved all the new stuff with Jack, although the kite thing was weird....yep, want to learn to fly a kite....off to Thailand it is then. Other than that, enjoyed learning about how he got his tattoos, and what it reads, but not what it means to him. Mind blowing...not quite sure...at all.

But what his tattoos read, it sets up for Otherland (the real one) lol. And all the "you are a leader, but you're lonely, and angry." thing, well we kinda knew that already.

Big WTF?! Moment when Jack lied for Juliet, and it got even worse as he became hell bent on saving her...totally weird. I had trouble getting my head round that.

Thing that made me happy the most....THE RETURN OF THE MONTAGE!!!!!!!!! :biggrin: :biggrin:
Yes! I could watch that thing over and over, and the music has improved as well, gets better everytime.

Not bad. It wasn't the best episode ever, sure, but I didn't find anything wrong with it. It was more of a filler episode, but I love rewatching the fillers on the dvds.

I really didn't see this as a "filler" episode. That implies that the production crew are just cranking out stuff in order to fill out their contract for so many episodes in the season. I really think this was a great episode, because it helped flesh out the characters of Jack, Alex, Sawyer, Kate, and Juliet. It also introduced a new character - Isabel (the Sheriff), and re-introduced some old characters - the captured Losties now living with the Others. It did a LOT. It is building up a stronger foundation for future episodes to take off from, which is necessary and important. I would not call that "filler".

IMO, it wasn't the best, but I did enjoy it, and wouldn't call it a filler episode. Certainly not on par with NIP and FBYE, but that pace can't go on week after week, either. I was satisfied overall.

"Filler" is a curious term to use for an episode that advances the plot the way this one did. And fills out a major character in such an unexpected manner. Great stuff...intelligently written, and full of surprising and satisfying character moments. Foxy was terrific, as usual, as was Josh Holloway. And Jeez, just when you think the Others don't get any creepier than Michael Emerson, they throw Diana Scarwid at you. <shudder> Excellent episode.

What can I say? I *loved* this ep. I had really low expectations since we've seen so much of Jack lately... but I thought it was really key. We had a chick with a "gift" (she's special y'all)... we got a new villian in the sherriff... things are getting really interesting!!!!!

Loved it....I had more to say especially about TPTB blatent stall tactic's in this episode but for the 3rd time, this forum obliterated my post by suddenly asking me to log in.

VERY FRUSTRATING!

:kiss: I liked this episode. The fb's showed a more relaxed, smiling, sexy Jack. :confused: Didn't like the foul tattoo girl, too cheap for Jack . No major answers revealed, but learned a little more about Others. Cindy the stewardess and the kidnapped kids fates finally addressed. Yet to know where the Others are from, motive behind their evil deeds. Why they have supernatural strength and mental capabilities. Exactly who, what are they?

I'll try to post a more in depth reaction tomorrow but I just want to say that my favorite part of the ep was Jack's last line "That's what it says, that's not what it means." :biggrin:

Really enjoyed the ep.

Excellent flashback, my god, Bai Ling is gorgeous! :biggrin:

I'm enjoying Lost a lot more since the hiatus, I think it's partly as I've reconciled myself to a more 'wait and see' attitude - I don't want to know everything now and I'm thoughly enjoying the journey.

I loved it and I'm full of questions that I'm sure none of us can answer like why does Isabel look familiar? Her name's history being common with Elisabeth/Elizabeth and therefore Libby seems a bit too much to be a coincidence. Why was it not allowed for Jack to have the tattoo? Why is it not all there yet and when will the rest of it arrive? What does Juliet's mean? And lots more of course............

I enjoyed it. It gave us a better understanding of Jack and it posed some new questions. Other than Kate not having the decency to give Sawyer a response, I had no complaints.

Episodes like this are why I enjoy "Lost". Some questions answered, finally! The episodes with the tailies was not a waste. What it was like growing up as a Dharma brat (backyards and constellations). You killed our surgeon. Where did Jack get (part of) his tattoo and what it means. Nice transition from Karl to Alex at the end.

I really enjoyed this episode! It wasn't my favorite, but it's not as bad as most people are making it out to be.

The biggie was Jack potentially joining the Others. I know just because he is helping Ben doesn't mean he is officially one of them, but judging by his actions and the last scene, it looks as if he is making the switch. Now this all could be part of some plan, but we'll see.

There was a lot of little tidbits that were interesting too such as Alex/Jack interaction, the Others moving to Othersville, introduction of the Others sheriff, Jack not allowing himself to get played by the Others, the chemistry between Jack/Juliet, the possibility of Ben being paralyzed.

The big questions everyone wants answered will be answered soon, we just have to be patient. In the meantime, I'm enjoying everything Lost has to offer.

Episodes like this are why I enjoy "Lost". Some questions answered, finally! The episodes with the tailies was not a waste. What it was like growing up as a Dharma brat (backyards and constellations). You killed our surgeon. Where did Jack get (part of) his tattoo and what it means. Nice transition from Karl to Alex at the end.

I completely agree. I really dug this episode. And, I just knew people wouldn't care for it given that it's following one of Lost best episodes by far. I gave it a nine out of ten. This ep is underrated - even if it just aired.

I loved the eppy! the fact that it was a Jack centric helped a lot but still... I really don't get why people didn't like it.Of course it wasn't as good as last week eppy but it was still very good! If all the eppys were like 3x08 we'd go crazy! :eek2:

I just have one thing to say..I want Jack back to the beach soon.. I like his storyline with the Others but I hope he'll go back soon to his Losties.He belongs to them.The show it's not the same without jack on the beach and without his interactions with Locke,Sayid,Kate.. I just want him back. that's all. (and maybe he could bring Juliet with him.I'm loving her more episode after episode! ) I think his stay with the Others is something necessary for his character's growing,but i hope he won't stay away for too long...

Anyway,loved it! :biggrin:

I liked the whole episode, there were a few cheesy parts but not enough to bother me. Of course I dont remember an episode that I didnt like. I think ABC plays a BIG role in the reason that people are disappointed with the episode, when they promise 3 answers and we get Jacks tattoo, then there is bound to be some grumbling. Of course I learned in season one not to listen to anything that ABC says.

Loved it!!!!! So glad to see Jack again!!!!!

Though it was a good episode! Good to see Jack and Skate and the Others again.


Isabel scares me.... :shock:

Loved this episode!!!! One of the best in the whole series. When Jack left the island, on the boat with Ben and Juliet, it brought tears to my eyes,...knowing that Kate wanted to "save" him,..but would never be able to find him.

I thought this episode answered many questions for me, personally. On a scale of 1 to 10, it was a Big 10!!!

I LOVED the episode. Answered a few questions (while raising new ones, as usual) and was entertaining to watch.

really liked it. I actually gave it a 9 out of 10... but then again, I give most episodes a 10. I love this show. It can do virtually no wrong in my book.

I was compelled by Thailand!Jack. I really liked seeing him with a harder, dirtier edge. I liked his interactions with that woman... he just seemed so vulnerable and broken and angry all at once, which I think makes a lot of sense for a man going through a divorce.

Yes, not a lot happened plot-wise, but this was a really fantastic character episode. I like Jack this season, and unlike some I don't demand that every episode be action-packed. I think this episode fleshed out Jack's character a lot more than many of his flashbacks have, and I liked seeing a different side of him.


Great post! What's wrong with character episodes?! I swear, if something isn't revealed every two seconds . . . eh, I won't say it.

I really liked last night's episode - I may have even loved it. It was just a great character study, and I loved all the interactions Jack had. His scenes with Tom, Ben, Atchara (?) and Juliet - even Alex, was great stuff. I find Jack electric on screen. Whether you like him or not, when he's on, something is happening: a fight, an argument, a love scene, a manipulation. Jack has been smoking this season.

I didn't really care for the Desmond episode; a little too trippy, but not bad. Last night's episode was something a casual viewer could have watched and enjoyed without asking a zillion questions. Last week's episode, no way.

I was really happy that Jack told Tom that they are not such nice people. Taking a pregnant woman, hanging Charlie from a tree, etc. Tom's reply was interesting because I can't name one single thing a Lostie has done that wasn't motivated or brought on by the Others. Even with Michael, he never would have cracked if they hadn't taken his son.

Jack and Isabelle was interesting. I can't tell if she's intrigued by him or if she considers him a threat to Othersville. She's just creepy enough without being a caricature villian.

Jack and Juliet - really starting to like these two, but I refuse to ship. Not. A. Good. Idea. I just think the actors have great chemistry, but then again, I think Matthew Fox has great chemistry with pretty much everyone he shares a scene with on this show.

Kate and Sawyer were much better this week. Almost back to their old selves, but it did bother me when Sawyer said "Jack's on his own." Then again, it's Sawyer. Hopefully, his feelings on the issue will change. I would really like to see something of a friendship between Jack and Sawyer, although with Kate in the middle, who knows. Of course, now there's Juliet. Hmmmmm.

I agree, with you, Angela - it was a wonderful character episode, and I mean all the characters on Alcatraz (Jack and the Others). It was really well acted and played out. I thought the hour flew by.

I don't understand what all the complaints are about. To me it felt like the closest thing to a Season 1 episode that we've had in a long time, and I thought its focus on the characters contrasted well with last week's focus on mystery. This episode had the richest dialogue and character interaction of any season 3 episode, IMHO...certainly more than most of the later Season 2 episodes. We had great scenes between Jack and Juliet, Kate and Sawyer, Jack and Tom, Jack and Alex...I even felt a bit of fondness for evil Ben when he let a smile creep onto his face once he saw Jack on the beach at the end of the episode. This episode shed a completely different light on the nature of the Others, not just as a group but as individuals. Individually they can't be pigeonholed any more than the Losties can. They're subtly beginning to reveal that the Others might individually be as human and as compilcated as all the other characters we've grown to care about.

The flashback was a little unsatisfying, but I have a feeling it'll lead to something else. Otherwise I thought it was a great episode. It's like reading a book, you can't expect all the chapters to begin and end with a bang...sometimes things need to be developed in order for the real explosions to take place. This was that kind of episode...

Look on the bright side...at least we didn't get any more major mysteries to complain about.

I don't understand what all the complaints are about. To me it felt like the closest thing to a Season 1 episode that we've had in a long time, and I thought its focus on the characters contrasted well with last week's focus on mystery. This episode had the richest dialogue and character interaction of any season 3 episode, IMHO...certainly more than most of the later Season 2 episodes. We had great scenes between Jack and Juliet, Kate and Sawyer, Jack and Tom, Jack and Alex...I even felt a bit of fondness for evil Ben when he let a smile creep onto his face once he saw Jack on the beach at the end of the episode. This episode shed a completely different light on the nature of the Others, not just as a group but as individuals. Individually they can't be pigeonholed any more than the Losties can. They're subtly beginning to reveal that the Others might individually be as human and as compilcated as all the other characters we've grown to care about.

The flashback was a little unsatisfying, but I have a feeling it'll lead to something else. Otherwise I thought it was a great episode. It's like reading a book, you can't expect all the chapters to begin and end with a bang...sometimes things need to be developed in order for the real explosions to take place. This was that kind of episode...

Look on the bright side...at least we didn't get any more major mysteries to complain about.

i agree! after seeing how the "hated it" is grossly outweighing this thread, i decided to come show some love. i feel like this episode focused more on what drives the characters, and had a lot of romantiziced love stories in it. and like rawjonks said, finally we got some good interaction!! during the epi, i said to my roommates, "dude, jack is asking questions and stuff. he's accusing "the others" of being evil and not good. and kate and sawyer are asking questions too. %&$#ing finally!!!"

yes the "3 ANSWERS FINALLY REVEALED" preview was very stupid and misleading. on the official podcast, the execs say that only one mystery is revealed, and that is where jack got his tattoos. but i feel this episode finally got down to some good character interaction, and gave us more of an understanding of the others' society. i mean come on... they have a sheriff? court system? they recruit strangers into their utopian society and make them believe (through brainwashing most likely) that they're living a better life? public execution!? this episode was full of stuff! i loved it!!

the music was great; especially the musical montage at the end. the episode had a very romanticized feel to it, and i haven't got that feeling from an episode since back in season two during "collision" when rose/bernard jin/sun are finally united.

as for the flashback.. ehhhhh.... true it didn't give us much. i think it might be setting up the idea that jack is not exactly being smart in trusting juliette... he should have learned from thailand not to trust a pretty lady without good reason. but now it's like they're both marked as outsiders, and together will do anything they can to go back home. well, hoping that juliette is trustworthy.

to sum up, i loved this episode!!!!!!!!! lots of information, lots of interesting character interaction, amazing music behind touching love story sequences.

plus another spooky lady (the sheriff) that is just as spooky and interesting as miss klugh and the ring shop lady from last week

i like the episode... its a shame that a lot people hate it just because abc's fault...

I enjoyed it. I thought the FB was very good and revealed a bit more about the non-"man of science" side to Jack....and that he's not immune to good time girls!. That weird bit with Cindy in the camp really threw me; what WAS that all about?. Seeing Ben confirmed as head honcho was cool too, I felt like a few things became a lot clearer in this episode (unlike a few of the grumblers here who seem to think of it as "filler" for some inexplicable reason). We also got to see another vunerable side to Sawyer and his relationship with Kate.What's not to like?

Everyone has a right to an opinion, and this last episode is no exception.

Some people have been complaining about the commercials: that there are more of them and they come more frequently. I personally don't mind the commercials at all, because we just mute the tv when they come on, and it gives my wife and me a very good opportunity to talk about what we just saw in the episode. This is very nice, because sometimes one of us might have missed something that happened in the show, and the commercial break gives us a chance to ask the other person what happened. Or, it also allows us to come up with tentative theories about what is going on. To tell the truth, the commercials being longer is something I am not even aware of because we use the time so constructively.

There also have been people complaining about how they think that this episode was just "filler". But not I. To me, this episode was just as riveting as the last two weeks' have been. However, it was riveting in different, more subtle, more psychological ways. But for me it was riveting, nonetheless - I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I especially enjoyed the part where we got to be introduced to a new character among the Others (Isabel), got to see Jack and Juliet get tighter (something I've been hoping will happen), and see Sawyer and Kate become estranged again - I was thinking that they were both beginning to act out of character too much with all this lovey dovey stuff between them.

But mostly, I really enjoyed the cinematic aspects of this episode. It was beautiful. I really liked the lighting - and to some that may seem like I'm picking at straws to find something good about the show, but I really am a nut about the art of film, and this last episode was shot with incredible attention to lighting, sound, and overall set. There were a couple of scenes that were sublime - especially the last musically scored scene showing various people and finishing on Jack and Juliet in the bow of the boat. I loved this episode.

The end was almost like the anti-Titanic. I loved it, it was so sly.

And yes, the cinematic nature of Jack's flashback made it exotically, visually worth the trip. And I thought Bai Ling was actually a comedy actress in hiding. Except for thier two final scenes together, in the tatoo/prophesy parlor, and his beating on the beach, I found everything about her way of acting toward him whimsically humourous. I thought she was a funny lady with a lot of subtle qualities. And everyone above me has named numerous plot/story advancements that it'd be redundant for me to repeat them.

I know I'm going to be in the minority, but what the heck. I really liked this episode....ok, the flashback was "meh"...

I guess I'm the only one here who Loved the flashback. I'm very intrigued as to why everyone turned on Jack.

I really didn't see this as a "filler" episode. That implies that the production crew are just cranking out stuff in order to fill out their contract for so many episodes in the season. I really think this was a great episode, because it helped flesh out the characters of Jack, Alex, Sawyer, Kate, and Juliet. It also introduced a new character - Isabel (the Sheriff), and re-introduced some old characters - the captured Losties now living with the Others. It did a LOT. It is building up a stronger foundation for future episodes to take off from, which is necessary and important. I would not call that "filler".

I don't think they meant "filler" in that way. Some episodes are about giving large answers (like last week's) and others are about setting up large answers that are to come later. This was one of those "set up" episodes. We learned a little more about The Others, a little about Jack's tattoos and learned that Cindy and the kids are Others now. What that means will no doubt be part of a Large episode later.

i like the episode... its a shame that a lot people hate it just because abc's fault...
It's not abc's fault.

I liked the part where Jack talked to Tom. I'm still not sure what Tom meant by what he said, though, since he said opposite things in the past.

***Mod edited to remove comments not suitable for this thread***

Wrong thread.

Well, then maybe you should read the first post again...

Loved the ep? Tell us. :biggrin:






This thread is for those that liked the episode. If you did NOT like the ep please visit the "Didn't Love it" thread. If you want to debate the episode (likes and dislikes), then please take your comments to the "Rate This Episode" thread or start your own topic. Any off topic posts will be deleted and possibly warned or given infraction points.

I guess I'm the only one here who Loved the flashback. I'm very intrigued as to why everyone turned on Jack.

This is actually the one time I can post something relevant in this thread lol. I'm intrigued by such online hatred for Jack as well. No I didn't like this episode, but it really wasn't because of Jack or MF, but rather about the terrible material they gave him. Jack really can't win, because it wasn't too long ago that people were saying that he's a typical card board cutout hero or that he is too goody goody. Now that he has actually turned dark, which gives this awesome character more layers, people are saying that he is a stalker and he treats women badly. So which way should he be then? Either way, Jack unfortunately will never win with some people. :undecide: Just for the record, I think MF did a wonderful job as usual with the Jack character even though he was given sub-par material. He really can make even the worst scenes stand out in some way and that's the sign of a true veteran actor.

Can't believe there aren't more posts here. I thought it was so much better than last week.

This is actually the one time I can post something relevant in this thread lol. I'm intrigued by such online hatred for Jack as well. No I didn't like this episode, but it really wasn't because of Jack or MF, but rather about the terrible material they gave him. Jack really can't win, because it wasn't too long ago that people were saying that he's a typical card board cutout hero or that he is too goody goody. Now that he has actually turned dark, which gives this awesome character more layers, people are saying that he is a stalker and he treats women badly. So which way should he be then? Either way, Jack unfortunately will never win with some people. :undecide: Just for the record, I think MF did a wonderful job as usual with the Jack character even though he was given sub-par material. He really can make even the worst scenes stand out in some way and that's the sign of a true veteran actor.

Thankfully Krystal the hatred for Jack seems to exist solely online and by very specific groups. The ratings went up Wednesday night and LOST came in #1 in that time slot. Viewers in general seem to appreciate Jack and LOST. We'll have lots of beachies and silliness this week so hopefully that will cheer up those that have been so unhappy and feeling that their favorite characters are being snubbed. Since Hurley is one of my favorites I'm looking forward to it and looking forward to it lightening up a bit if only for a week.


Can't believe there aren't more posts here. I thought it was so much better than last week.


I think the depth of this episode and the lack of in your face action or point blank easy to comprehend and identify with scenes has left many fans just feeling indifferent. There is a lot of discussin about it though so it would appear it had more quality than the disgruntled would like to believe. If we were to turn this thread into the debate that the Didn't Love It thread has become, the debate by the usual suspects, I'm sure it too would provide a deceptive count as to the number of people who really did love it. The Rate the Episode thread gives a clearer picture of how fans of the the show as a whole really felt about the episode and while it wasn't one of their strongest efforts it was an entertaining hour of television in my opinion and most definitley not the worst episode ever.

The ratings went up Wednesday night and LOST came in #1 in that time slot. Viewers in general seem to appreciate Jack and LOST.
...snip...
The Rate the Episode thread gives a clearer picture of how fans of the the show as a whole really felt about the episode and while it wasn't one of their strongest efforts it was an entertaining hour of television in my opinion and most definitley not the worst episode ever.

I think that for some people who are Losties the show is like a heroin fix. I know for myself it is more like that than I'd really care to admit. But what I think happens sometimes as a result of that is that people place a lot more importance on each episode being absolutely crystal brilliant perfect. And if it is not at the very peak of complete mind-blowing perfection, they then quickly react as if it suddenly was a total wreck. For people like this there is no real "gray area" between black and white: either the episode must be absolutely perfect, or it's absolutely horrid.

Personally, I can think of a number of other episodes that I liked a lot less than this one. But that's okay, too. Everyone has different things that they are looking for in Lost, and so not every episode is going to be everyone's cup of tea. I genuinely liked this last epi, and look forward to seeing what happens to people who were in it.

I think that for some people who are Losties the show is like a heroin fix. I know for myself it is more like that than I'd really care to admit. But what I think happens sometimes as a result of that is that people place a lot more importance on each episode being absolutely crystal brilliant perfect. And if it is not at the very peak of complete mind-blowing perfection, they then quickly react as if it suddenly was a total wreck. For people like this there is no real "gray area" between black and white: either the episode must be absolutely perfect, or it's absolutely horrid.

I absolutely 100% agree with this. No, this episode was not my favorite, but if this is the worst episode lost has ever produced, like 50% of the people are claiming in the didn't love it thread, then I think they are in for a rude awakening. No way was this episode worse than episodes like fire + water, Dave, confidence man, the long con, every man for himself, further instructions, the cost of living, what Kate did, I do, etc. Yes, Jack's flashback was very weak, but some of the on island drama was nice to see, for example his talk with Alex (although I would have loved if more questions had been asked on Jack's part.) Also, the location shots were just beautiful. I was thinking during the musical montage how wonderful it must be to film in Hawaii for the location shots. :)

I also noticed that in the didn't love it thread (where unfortunately I have posted plenty) I have seen that a lot of posters are debating issues that they have had from season two until now. Hardly any of the posts are about this Jack episode in particular (although there are the occasional Jack flashbacks are boring) or about how much they didn't like Jack in this episode. Many posts are geared more towards they hate flashbacks in general, they miss the ensemble, the writing is lazy, why did Sawyer let Karl go, they hate the romance etc. That tells me that they weren't really disinterested in MF or Jack per say, but just about the direction of several plots. MF does a phenomenal job at portraying Jack and like I mentioned earlier, he can really steal a lot of the scenes just by his facial expressions and the expressions in his eyes.

Personally, I can think of a number of other episodes that I liked a lot less than this one.

You and I both, as referenced above. :)

For people like this there is no real "gray area" between black and white: either the episode must be absolutely perfect, or it's absolutely horrid.

Hey there Saukk.
Hmm, that isn't true in all regards (especially in the forum Krystal is talking about). There are reasons why people have qualms with the episode(s) and/or show.
It's not the episode persay, but the characters - purely the characters. In episodes like these where they make contrived decisions, don't ask questions, don't act realistically and so forth, the 'flaws' or 'things that we don't like' (which are always present in the show via characters being in every episode) stand out more than in other episodes. This is a reason why one would say they disliked the episode.

I'm not going offtopic, I'm just adding left out detail to his post. I'm sure a bit of insight is allowed in this thread.

On a brighter note, I rewatched some of the episode and liked the scene where Jack was talking to the taiwanese boy. I think we all like seeing happy Jack. :D

On a brighter note, I rewatched some of the episode and liked the scene where Jack was talking to the taiwanese boy. I think we all like seeing happy Jack. :D

Oh I love happy Jack, but unfortunately, we do not get to see that side of him very often. When he smilies, and especially during this episode, I get lost in those beautiful eyes of his. When he was talking to Tom and he looked away smiling/laughing, I was asking myself, what exactly is going on, because that smile had me transfixed that I completely forgot that there was anyone else in the scene. :redface:

Also, I do think not seeing a gray area and regarding episodes as either perfect or horrid does apply a lot to the didn't love it thread. This episode wasn't the best, but it definitely had some positive aspects to it. According to 50% of the posters in the didn't love it thread though, this episode was the worst episode of Lost period. I certainly can't believe that a few posters even registered just to post "worst episode ever" in that thread. That's why I mentioned that Saukkomies post is pretty accurate if you read the replies in that thread.

That's why I mentioned that Saukkomies post is pretty accurate if you read the replies in that thread.
I understand where you're coming from, but by reading most of the points in that thread I don't see an overwhelming black/white attitude. Most people in that thread got woken up by the episode and are seeing Lost's general shortcomings and frusterations. There's not too much black/white.
Actually, the "I didn't like it" thread is primarily identical to the "When are the right questions going ot be asked" thread, epsecially in terms of attitudes and the like.
I'm not gonna discuss the topics discussed in those threads because, well, that's offtopic for here. :)

If last weeks numbers were approximately 12.7 milllion veiwers, what was the count this week? (be interesting to see this Wednesday's numbers)

The only wake-up I got was to another level of hyper-concious awareness of just what an incredibly intricate and intellectually/spiritually engaging work of cinematic art this cosmological offering of life-art called LOST is.

Art first, technicalities last.

If last weeks numbers were approximately 12.7 milllion veiwers, what was the count this week? (be interesting to see this Wednesday's numbers)

The only wake-up I got was to another level of hyper-concious awareness of just what an incredibly intricate and intellectually/spiritually engaging work of cinematic art this cosmological offering of life-art called LOST is.

Art first, technicalities last.

Agreed, really eloquent post Ebdim9th, I kinda of had an epiphany today, as you know I was kinda down on this episode, but after reading all the threads and speculations and observations on the fuselage...I started to see the "tangled webs they weave" and "cinematic art."...well and besides, I woukld rather watch any episode of Lost then anything else on Television.

At 10:00 p.m., ABC's "Lost" continued to deliver enormous increases from its lead-in, shooting up by 7.5 million viewers (12.9 million vs. 5.4 million) and by 159% in Adults 18-49 (5.7/15 vs. 2.2/5). Despite CBS' advantage coming into the hour from an original "Criminal Minds," "Lost" moved ABC into a dominant No. 1 position in the 10 o'clock hour across the key adult demos, beating CBS' time period veteran "C.S.I.: NY" by even wider margins this week: AD18-34 +93% (5.4/15 vs. 2.8/8), AD18-49 +39% (5.7/15 vs. 4.1/11) and AD25-54 +22% (6.2/15 vs. 5.1/12). ABC's younger appealing drama also led the hour by 100% among Teens 12-17 over its nearest competition (3.2/12 vs. 1.6/6 - CBS).

* "Lost" grew its overall Total Viewer count week to week (12.9 million vs. 12.8 million) and was also up among Adults 18-34 (+6% - 5.4/15 vs. 5.1/15), across the key men demos (+28% in M18-34 - 5.0/16 vs. 3.9/13, +8% in M18-49 - 5.2/15 vs. 4.8/13 and +4% in M25-54 - 5.4/14 vs. 5.2/13) and among Teens 12-17 (+19% - 3.2/12 vs. 2.7/10). The show delivered it best-yet Teen 12-17 number in its new time period.

* For the third straight week, ABC's "Lost" stood as Wednesday's No. 1 scripted TV program in the key Adult 18-49 demographic. It was also the night's top-rated scripted series for the third week in a row with Adults 25-54, Adults 18-34 and Teens 12-17.

* "Lost" is greatly improving its new time period for ABC over the same nights last year, growing the hour as a lead-in to Network affiliates' late-local news by 5.4 million viewers (13.4 million vs. 8.0 million), by 79% in Adults 18-49 (5.9/15 vs. 3.3/8) and by 68% in Adults 25-54 (6.4/15 vs. 3.8/9). In fact, "Lost" qualifies as ABC's most-watched series in the Wednesday 10 o'clock hour in 9 years and its top-rated among Adults 18-49 in 10 years - since the 1998-97 and 1996-97 TV Seasons, respectively.

Niiiiice. Well ~Dr. Urb~, you may yet get to see more of what you were looking for in last week's epi, or in the ones to come.


It's cool to see things that could be improved. A beta reader is supposed to help the creative process of the writer, not crush it beneath a boorish jackboot.

You seem to me to be reasonable enough for those kinds of discussions.

Thanks ~ Flyer61055!

OK, so looking at comments on this episode on the other thread (and elsewhere), I just don't get the bad vibe. I far preferred this episode to last week's Desmond FB - but realise I am in a minority here. I normally dislike Jack FBs to be honest, but I felt this one really worked. I enjoyed the politics of the Others, and howled with laughter at Ben's hailing the arrival of the cavalry (Jack) in his super-dry, sarcastic tones. I thought the Jack/Juliet incipient romance was genuinely touching and thought Sawyer did great in his role too. Interestingly the Others seem increasingly to be a religious cult - and obviously into brainwashing, as seems to have been the fate of the abducted 815ers, all decked out in their pretty pastels with beaming faces and fixed smiles, pretty spooky. The branding business is very Scarlet Letter - and it all seems a bit reminiscent of The Handmaiden's Tale in some strange way. Loved it! One of the best episodes of the season so far.

Good calls all around ~ Gallivant~....

Niiiiice. Well ~Dr. Urb~, you may yet get to see more of what you were looking for in last week's epi, or in the ones to come.


It's cool to see things that could be improved. A beta reader is supposed to help the creative process of the writer, not crush it beneath a boorish jackboot.

You seem to me to be reasonable enough for those kinds of discussions.

Thanks ~ Flyer61055!

Well thanks, most times I am, I have bad days though. lol. Yeah, I can't wait until next weeks episode, the previews looked really good! I absolutely agree with your comment about beta readers.

Yeah, a second opinion can be indespensible,provided it's constructive. I turned around during the commercials between segments of the Oscars to see the tail(-ies)-end of the LOST epi for this week.

After I viewed the episode I really liked it. The next day I came here and was surprised to see that so many people didn't care for it. It wasn't the best episode but it was entertaining.

Last weeks episode left me feeling bleh but the public at large ate it up. Maybe I am just an odd duck.

I loved the episode! I read some posts where people said that they were disappointed, but I believe it was a really good one. Maybe I am a little biased because Jack is my favourite character and I adore his episodes.. The epi was rather calm in comparison with previous two, but it was beautiful.

I really like your Evi-on-Jack quote ~Helen_ ~ Matthew Fox always gives a convincing performance, and if he'd needed to, which he didn't, could carry the whole episode on his back himself.

I've re-watched it (for the 4th time :biggrin: ) and I have to say, it gets better every time. I'm still not completely down with the FB's, but the on island stuff was great.

And the montage.... just wow. It was amazing, and gets better everytime. I think it's one of the best (if not the best) of Lost..... it was amazing.

I'm sort of on the other half of that assessment. I think its one of the best episodes of LOST yet done because of those flash backs. Although the island scenes were incredible, too.

I'm sort of on the other half of that assessment. I think its one of the best episodes of LOST yet done because of those flash backs. Although the island scenes were incredible, too.

I liked the flashbacks a lot too... and I think that what I liked about the flashbacks is the same reason why so many Didn't like them.

They brought Mystery back to Jack's character. Why did people treat him the way they did after he got the tattoos? Was the part about him being a "leader" more evidence that "fate" exists since he would eventually be thrust into leadership on the island? What do the tats mean?

I loved it.

Matthew Fox is a SEXY BEAST!

The tatoo was really, in and of itself, not much more than a guidepost to that part of his life, revealing his awakening to his destiny as a leader...

I've already posted that I really liked this episode but I wanted to add something. This past weekend, I rewatched the first 9 episodes of season 3 (a friend of mine had to get caught up - he really liked them, too!). One thing I noticed is how much better the episodes play back to back. Also, I really like how Stranger in a Strange Land finished up the Alcatraz arc. Another "answer" this episode gave was how Jack would get off that island. Anyway, I, too, am surprised by all the hate. And to those that say this episode was worse than Adrift :rolleyes:

Matthew Fox is a SEXY BEAST!

Yes :biggrin: I throughly agree right there. I couldn't have said it better myself. :14happy:

And he was very handsome in this episode. Like I mentioned earlier, I get lost (pun intended) in his eyes. :redface:

~BrerMike~ I can't imagine any fan of LOST hating "Adrift". It's one of the most crucial epis/plot-points of the entire series...

The tatoo was really, in and of itself, not much more than a guidepost to that part of his life, revealing his awakening to his destiny as a leader...

I agree with a large part of what you're saying, but that doesn't explain why the natives acted the way they did towards him.

~BrerMike~ I can't imagine any fan of LOST hating "Adrift". It's one of the most crucial epis/plot-points of the entire series...

I didn't like "Adrift" much the first time I saw it, but I really liked the episode when I watched them all in order on the dvd. The way that scene with Michael in the room with his wife's lawyer so parallels the scene in "3 minutes" with Ms. Klugh is brilliant.

I've re-watched it (for the 4th time :biggrin: ) and I have to say, it gets better every time. I'm still not completely down with the FB's, but the on island stuff was great.

While I had issues with it, I think this is by no means the worst episode this season or ever or in the history of television and the galaxy and the universe, etc. And personally, I enjoyed most of the island action more than I've enjoyed a great deal of season three developments on Craphole Island.

The flashbacks were mishandled because they went all over the place and covered too much with too little context given to the story. Ooooh, look! Mysterious Thai people! Right. Whatever.

I don't understand the outrage about questions not being asked of a sixteen year old girl with an attitude and a zombified 815 crew member who for all Jack knew had been turned the same way Michael was turned just days ago. Given the context (Ben giving Michael the order to assassinate Ana), I think "Are you serious???" is the most pertinent question one can ask from a bunch of zombies miling about while he's in a cage provided by Ben&co.

I enjoyed the Others in this episode more than in any other and Jack and Ben sparing sarcastically about surgeons and Jack's bed side manner were great. So was the scene on the beach where Jack begins his role of Ben's private physician and defies Isabel's attempt to label him.

I could have done without the music montage and I couldn't care less about the teen romance story, but overall, the writers have finally managed to make me invest in the Others' story again. Bring on the politics of Otherville, I say.

I guess I just learned to take it for what it is: a set up episode and for the most part and enjoyable one.

Forgiven The Warlord ~ in what way did the natives react to him? When he was beaten up, or before?

Forgiven The Warlord ~ in what way did the natives react to him? When he was beaten up, or before?

When he was beaten up and when the child ran from him.

Oh, I didn't hate or even dislike Adrift. In the other threads, I read a few comparisons between the two episodes that this one was far worse. That seemed strange to me. I thought Adrift was weak only for the fact that the hatch plotline was just reversal of scenes we had already seen. I just enjoyed Stranger in a Strange Land, a lot more. I was thinking ealier that we are still early in the season (this time last year, we were only up to What Kate Did) and I'm sure they are going to be more great episodes and probably some that aren't. It happens. Everyone has different tastes and watches Lost for different elements. What I don't care for, is when people come on the boards and act like the producers personally attacked them by delivering a sub-par episode. It's funny, one good thing about these boards and all the different opinions, is that I end up learning a lot more about the episodes than simply watching them. You guys/gals are all so intelligent and pick up clues or theories, literary references. It's really fun to read all that after seeing an episode. Even if I wasn't the biggest fan of a particular episode. I don't do that with other television shows. I guess I'm hooked on this show :cool:

Amen to that, Bruthah... down the hatch...


I think it was, Forgiven The Warlord, that at the time they didn't see him as a leader so much as a bully, since he forced her to do the tatoo. Not that she didn't seduce him, but that's not the way the other people would see it.

Amen to that, Bruthah... down the hatch...


I think it was, Forgiven The Warlord, that at the time they didn't see him as a leader so much as a bully, since he forced her to do the tatoo. Not that she didn't seduce him, but that's not the way the other people would see it.

Oh... I just don't think that he "forced" her to do it, as much as he "convinced" her to. He didn't threaten her with violence, he just told her that he was willing to face the "consequences".

I got the impression though that they thought he did, and were exacting retribution.

I got the impression though that they thought he did, and were exacting retribution.

My impression was that she wasn't supposed to give him a tattoo... for some reason they're worth a lot of money (that's something else I want to know also) and they don't just Give those away to strangers.

But, I don't see why it was such a big deal that they had to throw him out and the boy was afraid of him.

Perhaos the way she gave him the tatoo was improper for her also, in such a way that it brought a curse upon the entire community, or so they thought. Maybe rightly, maybe wrongly. Or even not for the reasons they think.

Perhaos the way she gave him the tatoo was improper for her also, in such a way that it brought a curse upon the entire community, or so they thought. Maybe rightly, maybe wrongly. Or even not for the reasons they think.

Ohhh... a cursed community! That'd be fun. That'd be great if he goes back and the place is in ruins.

Well, not great for Them obviously. :undecide:

Sometimes I think, though, that we assume that all those who survive will make it back to the outside world. Jack may receive news from that world, but like that movie The Sentinel, where that girl is chosen to guard the gates of Hell for the rest of her life, kind of like Buffy without the Slayer part, he may never leave the island again, for whatever "higher" reason.

Sometimes I think, though, that we assume that all those who survive will make it back to the outside world. Jack may receive news from that world, but like that movie The Sentinel, where that girl is chosen to guard the gates of Hell for the rest of her life, kind of like Buffy without the Slayer part, he may never leave the island again, for whatever "higher" reason.

No, I meant if he goes back in another flashback... I think there will be at least one more.

But for your other comment, I say just let Rose and Bernard stay if it's neccesary. I really hope that we get to see Someone go back home.

Even Buffy got a break from her Hellmouth. :)

Perhaps the Island, as an entity, chose Jack because Ben had given his birthright away for whatever the "bowl of soup" was. But as for Juliet or Kate, well that's for the one or the other to decide for herself. Maybe it will be Rose and Bernard, but I think Jack was chosen for other reasons that they don't fulfill. And, then again, Ben chose to stay. I think he even said he didn't want to leave the island. Jack may choose that path also.

1st- i enjoyed this ep. like i have enjoyed ever ep. that came before it, and every ep. that has yet to come. wait, dont get me wrong.... i totally understand the purpose of critical analysis of the episodes, but honestly, for those who truely dislike an episode or dont think the episode had substance, ***Mod edited***

back to the episode, i dont get how people do not realize just how much storyline info we got out of it. i would like to believe that i absorb every ounce of subtleties given to us during an ep. every look, every gesture, might be done for a reason that could further along different story plots. some of these subtleties have already been mentioned here, and many more have been mentioned elsewhere. i'll finish this, but will be back to talk over the LOADS of info that is present in the ep.

Yes I loved this ep! my thought on the ep (this may take a while)
Okay whoa Lost overload!
1) Karl doesn't know the brady bunch? begs the question he's been on the island his whole life.
2) Anyone else notice that Sawyer seems to be turning into Jack? The ordering kate around ect..
3) Did Kate really only sleep with Sawyer cos she thought he was a dead man? Personally I'm clinging onto the hope that there is really a lil love however fairytale it might be. Note Kates reaction when sawyers says this.
4) They let Karl go! what the hell man!
5) Loved the Sawyer/Karl talk about wonman!! Priceless!!!
6) Slightly dissappointed with jacks tatoos and the story behind them. didnt really like it. aswell the thai woman he was with (dont make me try to spell her name) only made the chinese words not the 5 and other decorative stuff and after jack was beaten up i dont see him going back to her to get it finshed.
7) Them beating Jack up. wtf???
8) Alex and Karls relentionship is so sweet! we need a flashback from them! even a island flashback.
9) the others live on a diff island again! didnt see that coming. Im guessing "home" is where we saw that amazing shot of flight 815 falling apart.
10) the we had a great surgen. his name was eathan. as jack is very anti-kill-one-of-my-losties i would have seen him arguring with ben about eatan stringing up charlie and abducting claire.
11)thought kate would have pressured karl for more details. shes smart she would have figured out they would move from "the place where they worked." Kate would have never let him go. Maybe shes just obeying sawyer?
12) Juilet. Where do I start??? The trial, the marking, an eye for a eye. brings the other back to the savages we knew.
13) Alex letting Jack out of the cage and just follow around!
14) The marking! def more than a means of punishment and pain. possibly juliet will b made stay at the hydra and work there for the rest of her life. mark sybolises that?

Yes I have a habit of answering a question with a question. And Lost has a way of asking questions that beg more questions.

As I always say for every question Lost anwsers. 10 more new questions emerge.
God loved you as he loved Jacob<<<<biblical refernce no doubt about it.

1st- i enjoyed this ep. like i have enjoyed ever ep. that came before it, and every ep. that has yet to come. wait, dont get me wrong.... i totally understand the purpose of critical analysis of the episodes, but honestly, for those who truely dislike an episode or dont think the episode had substance, ***Mod edited***


Can't agree more! I wish all fans shared your opinion. For me too, there are no bad episodes in Lost, some are a little worse than the others, some are among the best. I think SIASL was a wonderful episode, it's surprising that some people underestimate it. Maybe it's because the previous two were very exciting and this one seemed to lack this dynamic.

I love it. for Jack.
the others were but or less.

Any Jack epi is a good epi.

Loved seeing Jack. :wub:
Sawyers as always makes me laugh with his quotes & 1 liners.
Interesting to see Cindy & the rest of the people that were taken