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.
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
Such is the power of the series that your recap is like a punch in the gut itself! Well-written, and nice choices. I'm practically vibrating with excitement, looking forward to the premiere tonight.
2 - Janiey
I have to say my favorite episode was the Season 2 finale. Maybe that's not too original. But I feel it cleared up a lot of the questions, and blew up the hatch. I'm kind of glad that the push or don't push debate is over, if it really is over! A site I have been liking recently that has a lot of newsfeeds and clues is at lostexposed.com. They also have a forum. I found your blog there, you might like it too!
3 - Boxclocke
#1 - It's a great episode. And like I said, if you want to turn a friend into a fellow fan, you just need to sit with them through to that episode. They'll take it from there. And I've gone past vibrating. I'm onto full-on shakes.
#2 - Thanks for letting me know about the site! And it's interesting you should mention the finale, because since writing this, I re-rewatched the finale and if I had to redo the list, I might just put it on there. But that may just be the anticipation talking.
4 - Hanso Widmore
I too think the Season 2 finale was the best episode yet. Mindblowingly ambitious, great blend of big answers, compelling new questions, important character development mixed with action and drama, and a reaffirmation that the creators of Lost haven't lost the plot, so to speak.