The countdown has started.

In 108 minutes (actually a little less than 24 hours) you must enter the numbers into the microcomputer processor (you must be watching ABC), or the timer will roll over into heiroglyphics (you'll miss the third season premiere of Lost) and, in all likelihood, the world will end (this is actually true).

That's right, the hiatus is almost over. The first big chunk of the third season of Lost is finally going to air!

The Internet is buzzing with anticipation: a back-and-forth battle between uploaders and ABC's C&D orders is taking place on YouTube over clips of the premiere episode, fan forums are ablaze with interview snippets and spy photos that reveal plot information, and Blogcritics' very own Jackie has put together a rundown of spoilers, rumors and speculation on the first three episodes of the season. Just so I'm not adding to the din of pre-season spoilerage (and because I'm trying to stay pretty spoiler-free myself — you should, too, it's more fun!), The Mind is going to stay out of that game altogether, and instead, do a little retrospective reminding us of why we're excited about the new season in the first place. And so, I present to you:

The Top Five Episodes of Lost (so far):

5. "The Other 48 Days"

The seventh episode of the second season is also the only second season episode on this list. But then, you probably saw that one coming. "The Other 48 Days" follows the survivors of the tail section over the same stretch of time we had been following the middle section folks. It breaks from the standard flashback format of the show by following the story of the tailies linearly.

The opening image of the episode is the now famous long shot of a tropical beach, which quickly turns hellish as the flaming wreckage of the tail section smashes into the shallow water.

Beyond the killer opening, which is a faster-paced (though less technically impressive) counterpart to the pilot's opening, the episode maintains the tension throughout with airtight, efficient storytelling and some downright oppressive sound design. It may also be the only episode of Lost that works as a stand-alone story.

4. "All the Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues"

The eleventh episode of the first season may also be the most emotionally powerful episode of the season. Following the rescue party gathered to hunt down Ethan, who has taken Claire and Charlie, the episode shows us what makes Jack tick.

And tick he does. In what may be the strongest flashback in the entire series, we explore Jack's working relationship with his alcoholic father, and what happens when Jack is forced to choose between telling the truth and saving his father's career. Pretty deep. And the heartwrenching scene as Jack tries so. damn. hard. to try to rescusitate a hanging Charlie is so good it's almost too hard to watch.

Plus the kicker at the end where they discover a large chunk of metal on the jungle floor is plenty of fun.

3.  "Pilot"

The one that started it all. Two years ago, almost to the day, the first episode of Lost aired to an unsuspecting nation. At the time, it was just another series premeire for the new season. It's by J.J. Abrams, you know, the Alias guy? That show's pretty cool. Plus one of the hobbits is in it. Not sure which one. Little did we know what we were getting into.