This season of Lost was my second favorite season ever, so it was difficult to come up with criticisms. A shortened season meant that there wasn't room for a weak episode. Nikki, Paulo, and Bai Ling stayed away. A few things are bothering me now that this chapter is finished, though. Some characters got a raw deal, and some twists failed to shock. It wasn't all time travel and brilliant action scenes.Jack's appendicitis - Apart from bringing Jack and Kate closer together, I don't understand why this storyline was necessary. The flash-forwards ensured that Jack would survive his low-tech surgery, so there wasn't any tension there. It seemed like the only point of Jack's illness was to completely kill the Juliet-Jack relationship. Jack and Juliet's chemistry never worked for me. They shared two forgettable kisses, and then Jack basically blew her off after she saved his life. Still, Juliet deserved a better break-up, from both Jack and the writers.
Farewell, Rousseau - I had big hopes for Danielle Rousseau. She had been a mysterious figure on the island since the first season, and she's one of the few island characters that hasn't had (or appeared in) a flashback. I always assumed that the payoff of Rousseau's character would come later--some bizarre island secret or revealing detail about the Others. Imagine my surprise when Danielle was killed, along with that annoying Karl, in a brief scene at the end of "Meet Kevin Johnson," an episode that primarily focused on Michael's storyline. They didn't even give Rousseau the proper Lost send-off of a flashback followed by death. Less intriguing characters like Ana Lucia and Shannon had better exit episodes, for crying out loud!
Fewer episodes - This isn't the fault of anyone connected to Lost, but the diminished season had a noticeable impact on the show. Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse admitted that they wanted to do an additional freighter folk-centric episode, but had to put those storylines off until next season. I would have liked to learn more about the freighter folks, especially since some of them are stuck on the island with the 815ers. Daniel is the only familiar face on the Zodiac raft (now adrift without the island or the freighter as a destination), and I hardly know anything about him. A little extra time with the freighties would have given me more reasons to care about them. The season's timeline also changed as a result of the missing episodes, and the finale was overflowing with plotlines. I love that Lindelof and Cuse fought to make the finale an hour longer, but I was mentally and emotionally drained after so many deaths, touching moments, and shocking scenes in one sitting.
What happened to the Others? - The Others took a back seat to the freighter drama in the first part of the season. Nestor Carbonell was away doing the now-canceled Cane, so we didn't see Richard Alpert until "Cabin Fever." I expected the Others to have a bigger presence after the first freighter group parachuted onto the island. These people were a major threat to their way of life, after all. They made up for their absence by doing away with the mercenaries, but why couldn't they have wiped them out sooner? Juliet had a weaker role in the island goings-on as well. "The Other Woman" was supposed to be a Juliet-centric episode, but served to make Ben's character more complex instead. You had to keep your eye on Juliet last season, because you never knew which side she was on. Now she's in the same boat as the other 815ers who simply want to be rescued. Will she become even less significant over the next two seasons?
Aaron is one of the Oceanic Six - I lost interest in Aaron a while ago. Nothing against Turniphead, but he was probably the last of the survivors that I wanted to see back on the mainland. He hasn't turned out to be special in the way that Season One led us to believe. I'm among the fans who took Malkin's warning seriously. Why weren't there consequences for Aaron being raised by another? Aaron's presence in Kate's flashback also caused some unnecessary confusion about the identities of the Oceanic Six. The tease in "Ji Yeon" was heartbreaking; for a moment I believed that Jin was safe. On the bright side, non-815ers like Desmond, Frank Lapidus, and Ben made it off the island. We might even get a glimpse of Locke (aka Jeremy Bentham) on the mainland in the future.
The "surprise" return of Michael - We all saw this twist coming, right? Ben dropped hints about his spy on the freighter several times, and most fans knew that Harold Perrineau was returning to Lost in some capacity. Lack of surprise aside, Michael's season four appearances weren't all that exciting. He told Sayid that he was there to die, and stayed true to his word in the finale. I understand Perrineau's frustration about being killed off so quickly. Michael's guilt over murdering Libby and Ana Lucia drove him to attempt suicide several times, and his moment of redemption was far too brief. When Christian Shephard dismissed him, Michael looked more confused than at peace. At least he didn't yell "Waaaaaalt!" before he died.
Check back soon for my Lost highlights post. For now, feel free to share some of your thoughts on how this season could have been better.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-05-2008 @ 9:17AM
CRVBOY said...
Yes, you knew Jack was going to survive because of the flash forwards, but you didn't know how. Would it be because of Juliet and the surgery or would the island do something, since we had previously found out that the island wouldn't let people die?
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6-05-2008 @ 11:11AM
kip (SSBB:3437-2813-1377) said...
I thought the point of Jack's appendicitis was to show that The Island was mad at him for planning to leave, since no one else gets sick on the island.
6-05-2008 @ 3:28PM
Devin said...
I agree that the appendicitis could have been the Island trying to keep Jack down so that he couldn't leave the island.
Who knows though, maybe we haven't seen the end repercussions of the appendicitis.
1. Maybe Jack ends up in the hospital in the future and they come across the fact that his Appendix is missing yet there is no record of it ever being removed. It would be a little hard to explain how it was taken out with the story they fed the media, no other medical person around to do the operation since Juliet doesn't exist in there version of the story.
or
2. Maybe much like Locke's lack of a Kidney saved him when Ben shot him, Jack having his Appendix removed will save his life in some way in a future episode (i'm just throwing ideas out here, i have no idea if your appendix could be damaged to the point it would kill you)
6-05-2008 @ 9:34AM
Kim said...
This season was my favorite year of Lost, even beating the first season.
Ok, Jack's appendicitis was a warning from the island that he should not leave. The island is a place of magical cures but also a place of punishing ailments.
I agree with the comments regarding Rousseau but, in fairness to the writers/producers, I read that the actress who plays Rousseau requested to be released from her contract. Apparently, she was tired of living in Hawaii (go figure). I think we have not seen the last of her.
I believe that all will become clear as to the significance of Aaron being raised by another over the next two seasons. I tend to agree with the rest of your comments.
I was disappointed that Jin appears to be dead but I am very hopeful that he survived the blast. By the way, the fate of Daniel is uncertain. The raft may have been close enough to the island to be caught in the transport.
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6-06-2008 @ 3:32AM
Phish said...
jin doesnt die, he jumped off the freighter before it exploded. he was subsequently rescued by daniel. and they all drifted off until finally rescued or they hit land.
6-05-2008 @ 9:37AM
Jojee said...
Agreed! I didn't like how Aaron being one of the Oceanic Six was revealed. It still doesn't sit well with me that he was Kate's baby.
Michael's surprise was no surprise at all. I guess the surprise was supposed to be for the characters and not the fans. Gotta remember that. He didn't have time to process his sacrifice or even send a message home to Walt the same way Sawyer was able to send one home to Clementine.
I also agree with the lack of time and explanation about the Others. Especially Cindy and the kids. Why do they seem to be doing worse off than the Losties? Where is the temple!
Loved this season overall though.
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6-05-2008 @ 9:41AM
keithnl said...
"Fewer episodes"
I thought this was the whole new lost milieu, less episodes but each one kicks you square in the balls. I thought season 4 was ball achingly great.
Once again I don't know how much got re-jiggered because of the strike, so I don't feel like nit picking. Which is why I liked this column so much. Hitting on the broad stokes is refreshing from the usual minutia that gets raked over the coals on lost.
I've seen every episode of lost but I don't watch re-runs or recaps, and I don't read websites that obsess over the details. I think just absorbing it by tuning in every wake makes the show a much more organic and enjoyable experience.
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6-05-2008 @ 9:50AM
The Pepto Pimp said...
You don't read websites that obsess over the details?
Really? You just read posts (and post replies) on blogs that obsesss over the details?
6-05-2008 @ 10:19AM
keithnl said...
Ya know I tried to stress the fact, that what I liked about the article was that it was dealing with major plot points throughout season four and not dissecting the secret meaning of the bed sheets in Aaron's bedroom.
But I knew, I just knew someone would take a swing at me for voicing my belief in a public discussion about Lost that the show is best enjoyed by not trying to continually connect the dots.
6-05-2008 @ 10:23AM
The Pepto Pimp said...
Keith, I wasn't trying to "take a swing" at you. I was just trying to have a little fun and point out the irony of your post.
I'm pretty much in the same boat as you, my girl and I watch together and thoroughly enjoy watching it without re-watching episodes or sifting through it for some hidden treasure map or something.
6-05-2008 @ 10:44AM
keithnl said...
Hey Pimp
I don't want to turn this into the Lost Love In but thanks for the clarificition. Half way through my response I kinda saw you had a valid point which would explain my lack of swearing :)
I can't remember the last time I ran across someone online who was just joking around instead of just being a giant douchebag.
Nice to know there are still some decent people left.
6-05-2008 @ 10:33AM
colby said...
My biggest letdown was the fact that the writers strike caused them ax more focus on Lapidus, Miles, Dan, & Charlotte.
I know we're supposed to get more of them next season, but it's unfortunate.
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6-05-2008 @ 10:47AM
Elliott said...
Methinks Aaron isn't supposed to be raised by an Other. Since Kate was raising him, he'll be fine.
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6-05-2008 @ 11:02AM
Ryan said...
As soon as I read the title of the post, I was thinking "Oh here we go again, some crazy Lost fan is not satisfied with an almost perfect season and just has to complain complain complain about nothing."
And yet even though this is my favorite season of Lost, I agree with most of your points! How about that! I really did want them to focus more on the freighter people. Heck as soon as they were introduced I fell in love with Frank, Daniel, Charlotte, and Miles. At least they'll be back next season... well the latter two for sure.
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6-05-2008 @ 11:40AM
ArcLight said...
My biggest disappointment regarding the freighter folks was seeing Zoe Bell's name in the credits for several episodes but only hearing her voice. When they finally show her on the ship, she wraps herself in chains and jumps overboard a minute later!! What a waste.
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6-05-2008 @ 11:57AM
lucyfan62 said...
I don't think you should make any judgment about the Aaron story just yet. When Claire appeared to Kate in her dream and said, "Don't you dare bring him back," seemed pretty significant...and you know Jack will convince them all to go back and Aaron's destiny will be revealed. I was disappointed with Rousseau's death too - big fan or Mira Furlan! I'm hoping that it's significant that she didn't have any flashbacks and that perhaps she will somehow return. One can always hope, right? Jack's dad seems to get around prety well for a supposedly dead guy, so why not Rousseau??
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6-05-2008 @ 5:37PM
mrbooze said...
But we don't really know which "him" Claire was talking about when she told Kate not to bring him back. It's entirely possible she really meant Locke. Or Ben. Or even Jack. Or who knows.
Aaron is an obvious choice, of course. But I assumed it was left intentionally vague.
6-05-2008 @ 12:09PM
Joe said...
But is Michael really dead?
Jacks Dad says "Michael... you can go now".. Is it because his life is over and he can now go to the great white light? :) Or does he magically make Michael disappear from the boat?
Maybe he reappears on the island... because remember... Ben tells Jack "The Island want ALL of you back". He's referring to Locke, but couldn't that also apply to ALL people? Including those that we *think* died in the tanker explosion?
Now pardon me while I go adjust the tin-foil hat. ;)
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6-05-2008 @ 12:30PM
reb said...
All the interviews Harold Perrineau has been giving about his disappointment with how his storyline ended sure make it seem like he's dead.
6-05-2008 @ 12:15PM
bkdealer said...
Does anyone have any ideas about why Jack's father is suddenly appearing so much? He didn't even die on the island, although perhaps the fact that he arrived as a corpse is significant. And is Claire dead, since she's been appearing with him? I also hope that Jin is not dead. They made sure that we knew that Sawyer survived! Looking forward to next season.
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