Season Three of Lost had some of the best episodes in the show's history, but no season is perfect. From bad flashbacks to bizarre death fake-outs, this season had its shortcomings. No one can nitpick like a Lost fan, so let's get started! Feel free to share your Season Three criticisms as well.So Long, Eko: After Season Two ended, I thought that the writers would take a break from the Tailie-killing. Eko was one of my favorite new characters, and I had hoped that he would stick around a bit longer. What really bugged me about Eko's death was that fact that he survived the hatch implosion only to get killed by the Monster five episodes into Season Three. I know that Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje wanted out of the show, but his death seemed so random.
The Winter Hiatus: Several of my favorite shows went the midseason hiatus route this year, and it was like death. Jericho was basically destroyed by its hiatus, and the winter break did some harm to Lost as well. The first part of Season Three almost felt like its own mini-season. For my money, the break could have worked had it been a few weeks shorter. I'm definitely looking forward to a break-free Season Four.
Nikki and Paulo: I actually liked the idea of seeing past Lost seasons through the eyes of the other 815 survivors, but Nikki and Paulo were a disaster. Perhaps it was the way they were introduced--as though they had always been a part of the group--that rubbed fans the wrong way. All of a sudden, there they were. Going on outings with Sayid and the A-Team. Sassing Sawyer at the ping-pong tournament. Who would have thought that Kiele Sanchez and Rodrigo Santoro, two incredibly gorgeous actors, would be unwelcome on a show with so much eye candy?
Guest Star Bai Ling: "Stranger in a Strange Land" featured one of the worst flashback sequences of all time, and Bai Ling was largely to blame. There didn't seem to be any chemistry between Bai Ling and Matthew Fox, and their romantic scenes merely caused me to roll my eyes. The woman has destroyed every role, every TV episode, and every film that I've seen her in. I'll give a million dollars to anyone who can reasonably explain this woman's appeal.
The Island and Sperm Count: Season Three answered a lot of questions about DHARMA, the Others, and the island in general. The oddest revelation had to be that a man's sperm count is five times greater on the island. I can handle a four-toed statue, but super-sperm? I still don't know what to think. This fact seemed to exist only to explain Sun's pregnancy, which was another less-than-compelling plot development. I'd have no problem with the writers ignoring this detail in later seasons.
Mikhail's Nine Lives: When Locke threw Mikhail into the sonic fence, it was one of the coolest death scenes I'd ever witnessed. Unfortunately, Patchy wasn't really dead. It's one thing to leave a character in peril to create suspense, but making him look dead only to bring him back later is frustrating. Compare Mikhail's "death" with Locke's gunshot wound in "The Man Behind the Curtain." We didn't see Locke die, but he looked hurt enough for fans to be worried. His reappearance in the season finale was thrilling. Mikhail just looked dead, and his reappearance was explained in an unremarkable bit of dialogue. Patchy pulled another fake death when Desmond spear-gunned his chest, only to kill himself with a hand grenade minutes later. If he shows up alive in Season Four, I'm out (OK, not really).
Keep an eye out for a Lost highlights post! In the meantime, post your own criticisms below.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
5-31-2007 @ 11:22AM
summer said...
I got the impression that maybe Mikhail didn't die...?
Anyway, I absolutely agree about the Bai Ling episode...she was just awful.
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5-31-2007 @ 11:25AM
Anonymous said...
I don't think Mikhail killed himself after he blew the hole in the window to kill Charlie. I think the impact just blew him back. At least, that's what I thought. But yeah, it's definately weird that he keeps coming back to life after all of that stuff.
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5-31-2007 @ 11:27AM
Brian said...
First season -- pure genius. Second season -- what's with all the new folks (quit halfway through)? Third season -- what? This show is still on?
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5-31-2007 @ 11:31AM
Mel said...
Women don't seem to like Bai Ling, the Dragon lady. While plenty of men do.
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5-31-2007 @ 11:32AM
Bas said...
I completely agree about Eko - He was one of the most interesting characters.
My personal biggest disappointment is that Jack is still alive - I was hoping that he'd be killed off or leave the island this season, and that someone else would have to step up as leader.
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5-31-2007 @ 11:33AM
Bas said...
Also, next season I would really like to find out more about Richard.
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5-31-2007 @ 11:36AM
Ryan said...
I feel sorry for anyone who gave up on the show after the first six episodes of S3. The latter half of S3 (excluding that Bai Ling episode) rivaled anything S1 had to offer with a finale that was probably the best of the series.
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5-31-2007 @ 11:54AM
curly bobs said...
My opinion is that Jacob keeps saving "patchy" just like he saved Locke. For some reason (we don't know yet) Jacob likes patchy.... and he also likes Locke. that's the simple way to put it. I mean, what other reason would patchy still be alive? think about it. You can't fake being shocked with blood shooting out of your neck or even being shot in the chest with a big knife-gun-thingy. Jacob has to do something with it.
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5-31-2007 @ 11:52AM
Enrique said...
For some reason, while watching the Season 3 finale, I got to thinking of something that really pisses me off that we've never gotten an explanation for (and probably never will):
Remember in Season 1 whenever a Lostie would walk into the woods they would usually hear indistinguishable (and CREEPY!) whispers and footsteps, but even Locke could never find a trail? Well how come that doesn't happen anymore? It was never explained, it just simply went away. We've discovered that Others are just normal humans (although misguided and often complete a$$holes) but how come they had seemingly supernatural powers before, and are now just 'Ben followers?'
I also really couldn't stand the concept of the VW bus working. OK, I get it, it's a magic island, but come on, just because you can get a car to roll down a hill to jumpstart it, it still needs gas to run!
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5-31-2007 @ 11:55AM
Chris Sansbury said...
My biggest disappointment was the needless drowning of Charlie. Seriously...all he needed to do was flick the switch and go through the door.
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5-31-2007 @ 11:58AM
Enrique said...
I second #9's comment - Charlie definitely didn't need to die, opening and closing the door would have been quite simple. If anything, the whole station could have exploded, killing them both.
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5-31-2007 @ 12:09PM
Jennifer said...
Hm, that reminds me: whatever happened to the death pool?
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5-31-2007 @ 12:22PM
FAP said...
Screw the door who cares if the whole things floods! One you can just swim up two even if you couldn't hold your breath that long they had SCUBA gear!!!!
They should name this show Plot Hole Island.
Meh, I DVR it and fast forward to the good bits. Makes the show about 15 minutes long and somewhat enjoyable.
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5-31-2007 @ 12:17PM
Dan said...
I hate how all you guys have to do is bicker about a show that deep down you love and will never abandon. I'm amazed how you nit pick every single detail and then complain about how that details just throws you over the edge. If you expected 3 seasons worth of 100% thrilling, imaginative, and comprehensive tension then your a fool. You get disappointed because you expect too much.
At the same time, you manage to overlook things because something doesn't go your way. "Charlie just had to close the door and leave, he didnt have to die." Does anyone remember that in order to fulfill Desmond's vision of Claire being saved that he had to die? He went out a hero. You should be thankful for that.
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5-31-2007 @ 12:17PM
Diane said...
I also agree with Chris about Charlie, why didn't he just press the button and close the door. Makes you wonder???
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5-31-2007 @ 12:52PM
Adam said...
To #9 and #10.
No Charlie did not have to die, he chose to die. He believed that the only way to save Claire was for him to drown. If he survived, or ignored his destiny, Claire would not be saved. He could have not died the instant he knew how he would die, but since he knew drowning = helicopters saving Claire and the baby, he closed the door on himself. And was at peace with that.
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5-31-2007 @ 12:51PM
scott said...
Charlie was convinced that for Des' vision to come true, he needed to die, and he had come to terms with it.
I thought it was great... his last thought was to get the information to Des about Naomi's ship - not Penny's
he died a hero - he wasn't 'lost' anymore.
that is NOT A PLOTHOLE - it's brilliant writing and character development.
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5-31-2007 @ 12:56PM
khamel said...
so am in in the minority of lost fans being happy that charlie died? i thought he was really annoying and was glad everytime i thought desmond would actually let him get killed. while his actual death was rather noble, he was a boring character with little to add.
lost needs MORE SAYID! and more juliet. they are the two most compelling (and in juliets case hottest) characters on the show.
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5-31-2007 @ 1:02PM
Marggy said...
After the second time Mikhail didn't die, I just assumed he was invincible or something. If he's not...that's poor scriptwriting.
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5-31-2007 @ 1:02PM
Tony said...
Agreed to the dude who said the show needs more Juliet. She's far and away one of the best actresses on the show, and a way better foil for Jack than Kate ever could, or will, be (though I was saddened at Charlie's death). Also agreed to the dude who said Charlie chose to die, to fulfill Desmond's vision. I thought that was pretty obvious, but whatever, I guess.
#12 has a really good point. People nitpick Lost like no other show on television, and you've really got to wonder why, as it's also considerably better entertainment than most of the dreck stations air anymore.
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