Lost "The Beginning Of The End" Review (Major Spoilers)

[matt_zimmer]

Lost "The Beginning Of The End"

Oh, boy...

"I'm one of the Oceanic Six!"

And so begins another season of Lost which in one of last year's most bizarre twists (the reveal that yes, some of the survivors DID get off the island in flash forwards) basically reset all we thought we knew about the show and changed everything. This season premiere showed that the show isn't quite done messing with our heads.

First off, it was a GREAT idea to put in an appearance by Charlie in the first episode in which he ISN'T a regular. I enjoyed following Hurley's story off the island in which he finds comfort in the mental hospital. I also love how the episode FINALLY split up the castaways into Jack's and Locke's groups FINALLY even though I was sure surprised to see Hurley go with Locke.

Having Hurley go with Locke was brilliant because Jack said EXACTLY the wrong thing to the group regarding Locke ("We're not crazy"). Easily the thing that pushed Hurley over the edge.

The opening of the episode with the car chase was exciting too. I'm interested that the flash forwards will not be aired in any particular order since this one obviously took place before Jack's spotlight in Through the Looking Glass. I also love that Hurley "met" Jacob.

It's interesting that in the flash forward Hurley said he regretted going with Locke. That MIGHT mean that Naomi's friends ARE there to rescue them even if they aren't with Penny.

I liked the episode a lot. A good start to a short season that never-the-less will almost certainly prove to be a doozy. ****1/2.

Comments

[style92.livejournal.com]

Well, it's clear something traumatic happened, leading to only 6 people making it off the island. I would surmise from the things said that the rest of the survivors had an ambiguous fate. The 6 that made it off and other interested parties think they may still be alive somewhere, (the island?) And while the six try to deny responsibility, guilt gets to Hurley and eventually Jack to go back for them.

I think both Jack and Locke each made there own major mistake that led to this situation. I think Jack made the mistake of summoning Naomi's people. But I think Locke also did something that made the situation even worse. But what gets me: Why would Jack, Kate, Hurley, and supposedly 3 other survivors abandon the rest for rescue? I can't believe Hurley would. Unless, at the time, they decided "Everyone else is probably dead," but they weren't sure?
Interesting...

I choose to believe Charlie is an angel now. I think it's appropriate to Charlie's own arc.

[dcauyojimbo.livejournal.com]

I don't think Naomi's people are there to rescue them. I think Hurley's apology was more of like Locke's faction made a bad choice later on that compromised the survivor's bargaining power with Naomi's people. If they all stayed together from the start and tried to bargain immediately with Naomi's people, things may have been different.

[stewie-14.livejournal.com]

Awesome! This is back to being one of the best shows on TV.

I. Love. Hurley.

So, you're saying Charlie is no longer a regular? What's his contract status?

Matt, did we or did we not call a "The Stand" type split way back in the first season? I know that isn't quite what we're seeing, but there are two groups with Jack and Locke leading each. Close enough.

How is Locke going to handle Ben? How long ago (show-time) did he shoot him? Would they just frickin' explain the inconsistent curative properties of the island already?

The end was a bit anti-climactic. I think if it weren't for the strike this would have been a two-hour premiere. That's not an act out to end the night on. Hopefully the rumors are true and everyone can get back to work. It's still early enough to salvage part of the season for a late run. (Now that I'm an adult, I don't understand why our society treats summer like it's different from winter. Does no one really watch TV in the summer? Why are summer blockbusters only for summer? I don't get it.)

Oh, Michael Cudlitz. Yay.
According to IMDB, he's reprising his role from Season 2. I don't remember him. It was the one where Ana Lucia shot Shannon and went crazy and tied Sayid to a tree. And I think the flashbacks were where Ana Lucia killed that guy.