I saw progress, but it seemed that the writers were still in that swirling world of nothingness, without any awareness of what they had once created or how much they had lost. Six episodes in a row, then a 13-week hiatus, and now... Season 3-B.
We're back on the beach, seeing old faces again for the first time in a while, and realizing how much we had missed them. The fear of life with the Others dragging out over the full season, as the hatch had, was allayed. Could it be that the writers had heard the pleas of the fans? Perhaps the dwindling ratings, as Lost's lunch was being eaten by Heroes, had an effect?
As if to demonstrate that they would never again cling too tightly to a new mystery, we discovered a farmhouse, then saw it blown to bits the same episode. Tonight, though, we finally saw the end to the lame attempt to insert two new characters into the show, and it almost saddens me to say that I cheered. Nikki and Paulo are gone, and in an episode that deftly wove together new footage with old, scene by scene and cut by cut, with enough attention paid to wardrobe and makeup to make it almost hard to tell what was new and what was old. Nikki and Paulo and even Arzt had been there from the beginning, we saw, and I believed. It was done so well, I almost believed that they had intended this storyline from the moment they introduced the characters.
They didn't; I'm sure of that, but they've got their mojo back, and they're listening to the fans. I find myself looking forward to each week's episode, delighted that there are no more interruptions until the end of the season. This episode could have been simple, but it wasn't. It was as complex and interesting and wide-ranging as the first season, touching on a half-dozen current characters and even a few long-departed friends. The last few episodes have been good or better, but this one was great.
Lost is back, and the writers are hungry. If you left, I understand, but it's time to come home. There are a couple of new characters that work, and our old familiar friends are seeing more screen time. Season Three-B has returned to Lost's roots, reminding me why it was the best show on television.
Now if only they could figure out how to bring Michael back, I might explode with excitement!
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Article comments
1 - Alex
Back? It's never been gone. The show is fine, it's certain impatient fans who want ALL THE ANSWERS NOW NOW NOW that are the problem. Smart shows make their brains (such as they are) hurt. They need to watch "King Of Queens" and have another joint.
2 - Phillip Winn
Alex, I hear you. I've never stopped watching, and never though it was quite as bad as people said. But Season Three has helped me to see the validity of the complaints. I guess I didn't see how bad it had gotten -- by degrees -- until it suddenly got a lot better!
In other words, it isn't just having or not having answers that was the problem -- the show slowed down, plain and simple.
3 - gordon
you know this episode was great. I thought i would hate it but it really kicked ass.
gordon
4 - Ty
"Now if only they could figure out how to bring Michael back, I might explode with excitement!"
You are f**king kidding, right?
Most LOST fans rejoiced when Michael was gone.
I am so done with:
"WAAAAALLLLLLLLLTTTTTTTT!"
and
"I NEED TO FIND MY SON."
Michael got annoying, fast.
5 - Phillip Winn
Harold Perrineau is a first-rate actor whose character had more passion than anyone else on the island, save possibly John Locke.
The Walt thing was strangely limiting, but Michael was a fantastic character.
6 - Kathy Scovill
The creep factor was way up on this weeks episode of Lost! Creepy seeing Nikki and Paulo traipsing around in scenes where they used to not be. I agree, it was done seamlessly and skillfully, but it crawled all over me like the Medusa spider. Wow!
7 - Andrew
I think that the Lost writers deserve a lot more credit than people are giving them. They have a big plan, and there are tons of hidden clues throughout earlier episodes that prove it. Sure, not everything is planned out, but they did say that whatever happens to Nikki and Paulo was meant to happen from their introduction.
I personally think that Lost has been great from the get go, and that it is just continuing that greatness. I know that not everyone agrees with this, but I'm just a little tired at the constant jabs and insults at the writers ("they don't know what they're doing", "they don't know where this is going" etc).
I agree with Alex, people are impatient and just want the answers now. Don't worry, we'll get them in due time. By the way, the writers said at the end of season 2 that the Michael leaving story wasn't just going to disappear - he will be back. It's all part of that great plan :)
8 - TV and Film Guy
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9 - lost fan
I agree! Lost is back. The latest episodes have been great. I feel like I am watching lost again, not just a crappy spin-off about the others.
10 - WicKeD!
Hey, i don´t know if they got better or whatever, but i certainly hope 4th season to be the last one or at least the writers should do something outstanding for me to watch the 5th one. I got a little bored on the 3rd season. Most of it was very predictble.
I like the show and i wish there was a 5th one, but make it good.
Lost lost me.
11 - jess
i luv lost! talk about pure class! CERT! LOST FANS HAV STYLE
lost is back ppl......