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Spoilers!
The episode mirrors the premieres of season 2 in several ways. Much like “Man of Science, Man of Faith”, the cold open begins in a setting the viewers don’t expect, and that setting’s actual location isn’t revealed until a catastrophe occurs. Also, the new character of Juliet is introduced immediately, much as Desmond was, with no immediate clue to the viewer as to who she really is. Plus the episode focuses primarily on the fate of Jack, and features Jack’s flashbacks.
So far, the creators have consistently chosen to answer the most pressing questions first. After season 1 it was, “What’s in the hatch?”, despite the ambiguous (and certainly more urgent) fates of Jin, Sawyer, and Michael. After season 2, I first wanted to know what would happen to Jack, Kate, and Sawyer, despite Michael being on a boat to freedom and Eko, Locke and Desmond all possibly dead.
I’m inclined to reflect on this. Why is that as viewers, we are more interested in finding out more about the island than we are the fates of the characters? It’s certainly not lack of connection—I happen to really love all of the characters (well, except maybe Danielle or Shannon) and consistently fool myself into thinking that I’m watching because of them.
But the island itself is the real star. Its mysteries, its various locatios, its confusing past… these are the aspects that really gets a person into the show. We want to see more. We want to visit places that we haven’t been. We want to find out what the hell is going on, or at least find out that it’s possible to find out.
Mike keeps warning me that it’s very possible that the show may start to suck soon. He’s very bitter that Alias supposedly took a turn for the worse in the third season. Here’s hoping the show stays most awesomely awesome.
Don’t listen to Mike… Alias might have gotten a little goofy, but I was totally addicted to every season.
—Art
I like your review. The Lost premier set a high standard for this season. I can’t wait.