Editor's Note: In an attempt to capture the many thoughts that LOST provokes (especially when it's been over seven months since the last new episode), I took notes during my viewing of the season premiere. I know. How lame is that? But since my LOST compadres - a quick shout out to KLANG and Triple Lutz - are a thousand miles away, the usual interpersonal experience that is Wednesday night on ABC has depressingly become an experience of solitude, wherein I often look toward an imaginary audience and exclaim, "Can you fucking believe that?" Thus, I'm now running commentary so as to retain that same sense of interaction, even if it is delayed and electronic. In keeping with the unedited spirit of the aformentioned sessions, I have not cleaned up or rewritten any of these so-called observations. This is what wrote after what I saw.
"A running commentary on the season premiere of LOST" - 5 February 2008 - 2:07 a.m.
A great cold open. Hurley as a fugitive? Fantastic switch to flashforwards, which may take some time getting used to, but show incredible promise in terms of storytelling. Jack's future alcoholism foreshadowed reminded me of the incredibly continuity of this show. And the Oceanic Six?!? I love that. Like the Chicago 10, or the Seattle Seven (if you get the second reference, your comedic sensibility is damn near perfect). The question, of course, becomes: who are the other three? After three minutes, I'm completely hooked again.
A second flashforward; Kate still loves Jack, that is obvious. And she has no reason to go home from the island. Of course, most of them, including Jack, don't have much of a reason.
"And here I was thinking I was going to get a good night's sleep." - Sawyer
Hurley is paranoid - and seemingly for good reason.
"Are they still alive?" - The Oceanic "laywer" to Hurley. I have no idea what this means, but I love it.
Sawyer's compassion for Hurley is striking. Before coming to the island, it was clear that Sawer acted in a completely selfish and self-centered manner. But "surviving" has taught him a sense of community, brotherhood and sacrifice. It's fleeting, to be sure, but it's there.
Jacob. I'm not sure about this character. Potential.
Naomi is a real bitch. I don't know who George is, but they've made his voice rather unlikeable.
Locke finds Hugo at Jacob's place. He plays to, in convincing Hugo to go with him to the abandoned barracks, exactly what Hurley is emotionally invested in, which is, of course, Charley. (Why is Locke the only one who calls Hurley, "Hugo"? Nice touch.)
Jack would've killed Locke if there had been a bullet in that gun. Locke would not have done the same. What is Jack becoming?
"If you want to live, you'll come with me." - Locke. I, until this point, have usually sided with Jack. But Locke is making more and more sense.
"You're if I went nuts, if I was going to tell." - Hurley to Jack, in flashforward. Tell what?!?
"I think it wants us to come back." - Hurley to Jack, in flashfoward. Damn. Sounds like Locke. The island personified. Sounds like Jack at the end of Season 3.
What was it that Hurley could've told?
How easy it is to forget that this is unquestionably the best show on television. Great to be back.
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3 comments:
I, as well, miss our little triad of togetherness on Wednesday nights...which, by the way, why did they switch nights? It completely throws off my weekly schedule (although the wining still occurs as scheduled)...
After watching these first two episodes I am reminded of just how multi-layered and interconnected this show is and of the tremendous depth of questions still dangling in front of us. Just as I try to process and assimilate the information and story from the first, here comes another layer of twists and picking up of old threads. There is just so much going on all the time! Even my singular brain can only hold on to so much of it.
But, I will try to stick to the first episode and thoughts...but can I, now that I have seen what follows? Inevitably my thoughts on the first will now be filtered through my comprehensive experience.
Still, I like the direction they have taken this season and how the opener reinforces the central truth that the heart of this show has never been about getting off the island. The island itself may be the "main character" in this ensemble. And certainly, each of the "inner islands" are the more intriguing struggle and just as mysterious.
Just as the flashbacks uncover the evolution of each member and lay out the path that led them to the island, the flashforwards now remind us that this evolution is not complete and to wonder how that path was wound. Such a fitting change for the mid point of the show.
I'm sure this season will toy with the tension of the future scenes and the present scenes (although, what is now future or present?) and leave us frustrated as they hopscotch back and forth.
As to the Seattle Seven, all I can say is I spent most of my time occupying various administrative buildings.
Great call on Locke's "Hugo" idiosyncracy. I love those little things...Sawyer's nicknames, Hurley's "dude"...
Taking Hurley back to the mental institution is more continuity and immediately surfaces numerous questions for the viewer regarding his current and previous mental state.
And as a closing thought...am I mistaken, or did you once say, "If Locke's father is behind that door, I'm never watching this show again."?
He was behind that door.
You are still hooked.
THAT...is power.
In the interests of what I think could have been another of "our" shows and lends itself well to much discussion, perhaps a House blog would also provide excellent interaction. Just a thought.
Brian, might I remind you that I actually was hooked to the show Alias at a similar level and it let me down incredibly and bitterly. Be warned....JJ Abrams is a genius but evil. I am not sure how involved he is with LOST but I don't have a good feeling for some reason. I am watching but just can't enjoy it as much as I would like to - sad huh? Nice blog by the way. Anne
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