“Company Man”
A spectacularly good episode, this is the series' current high water mark. The structure, jumping from flashback to present day, works magnificently with Jack Coleman as Mr Bennet giving one of the finest performances I’ve seen in a weekly TV show. Bennet has been something of a bogeyman all season but in just forty-odd minutes Coleman turns all that on its head. We don’t excuse the bad things he’s done — in fact we see him do more as (in flashback) he shoots Claude, but none of that matters. It’s about a man and his love for his daughter and vice versa as both risk their lives for each other. It’s the sign of a good series when it can tap into your emotions well enough to bring a tear to your eye and this was the second show this month that had be blubbering.
Lost
“Not in Portland”
Juliet's past gets a little light shined on it this week and at least on the surface she appears the noble doctor, but things are not always what they seem on this show. She’s already shown a ruthless streak and it’s a given that there will be more twists to her tale. While there's a lot of running around for Sawyer and Kate, not much really happens and after an excellent start to the season the show seems to be treading water.
“Flashes Before Your Eyes”
An excellent episode as Desmond’s secret is revealed but that only serves to deepen the mystery. Episodes like this one are a joy to watch, particularly as Henry Ian Cusick is so good as Desmond, a man who’s as puzzled as the viewer as to what’s going on. The problem is, I’m left wondering if the writers weren’t as confused as Desmond and I were.
“Stranger in a Strange Land”
Last year Jack was one of my least favourite characters, this year he’s turned that feeling on its head. Here we learn some more of his past and the secret of his tattoo, a souvenir of his visit to Thailand. There is something inscrutable about Jack and it serves to make him immensely likeable or intensely annoying by turns. He’s also incredibly pigheaded which can also be a blessing and a curse and I wouldn’t take bets that he won't be on my least favourite list again by the end of the season.
Article comments
1 - manfred
imo the Nikki/Jessica plot was pretty fun in Run. She finally comes out well , something that hasnt been shown before.
Nice to see you writing again Ian :)
2 - Ian Woolstencroft
Hi manfred.
Yes Run was one of Niki's best episodes. Early on she was one of my favourite characters but she dropped down as the series progressed. She's started working her way back up now though.
The only character who's been at the top of my favourites list since the beginning is Clair and she just gets better and better.
Thanks for reading.