T-Smith on 12/5/2010 at 02:16
Boring episode was boring.
Seriously though, the entire season has been building up to an epic climax. As such, placing an origin episode this late in the game seems silly. Not only that, but a BAD origin episode.
Unlike Ab Abterno (full of mystery and wonder) this episode was poorly paced and didn't have nearly enough insights to warrant its existence. The opening scene was good enough - strange, mysterious, and a fittingly disturbing and question filled final minute before the commercial.
Then it went on. And on. And on. And on. Until the last 15 minutes. I appreciate tying the comments made by the M.I.B. earlier regarding the wells to the people here, but it wasn't needed. I DID however, like the scene involving the frozen wheel's construction. The electromagnetic force under the island has been key since season 2, and hinted at since season 1. It's nice to know that it really IS important, and wasn't just a vehicle for transporting characters and plots from point A to point B.
The last 15 minutes were great. Adam and Eve were finally answered, and we received more insight into our opposite sides. Still, it leaves us with question - when the black smoke came out, was that Jacob's brother? Or is he dead, and the smoke simply took his form?
Regardless, it was an overall disappointing episode. After the incredible story and pacing of "The Candidate" this came off as slow and shallow. It would have served better as a flashback, showing key scenes earlier in the season.
Renzatic on 12/5/2010 at 06:19
Disappointing doesn't even begin to describe it. This was, by and far, the worst episode of Lost of the series. It wasn't even the explanations that made it so bad. The reveals were fine in a nice, allegorical sorta way. It was the pacing (too hurried), the writing (unnatural and overdosed on that Lost trademarked vague exposition speak), and the acting (too wooden) that made it so horrible.
Basically it was like watching the cliff-notes version of what should've been a much longer episode. If it were a two parter, they could've built upon the character dynamics a little more, delved into the backstory a bit more deeply, and paced everything accordingly instead of rushing on through to fit it into the hour.
I hope this isn't setting the tone for the rest of the story. This ended up feeling more like a slapped together connector episode than the big event we all were expecting.
frozenman on 12/5/2010 at 15:26
The series finale is going to make up for this crappy episode more than you can ever imagine- Why should I believe you? YOU HAVE TO TRUST ME
sparkle_motion on 12/5/2010 at 16:12
I think I'm the only one who enjoyed the most recent episode! I love anything dedicated to Jacob/MIB/Richard.
Getting severly fed up on 'on island' action with Jack, Kate etc. I can't even keep track of who wants what, who'se being held captive by whom, and why. Oh dear.
T-Smith on 12/5/2010 at 16:54
Honestly, there were good parts to it. But the answers raised even more questions - questions that made the answered redundant. Where did Jacob come from and why is he in charge? Because he took over from the previous leader. Where did the previous leader come from? Hell if anybody knows.
Meanwhile after taking all the time to set up the M.I.B. as the ultimate bad (especially after the last episode) this one tries to make you feel bad for him, and it succeeds. The actor that portrays him was the highlight of the episode. He brought home the frustration he felt at wanting to leave, but being told he can't (for no apparent reason other than he's not supposed to) and having his attempts destroyed.
sparkle_motion on 13/5/2010 at 08:34
I agree. Not only do you begin to root for MIB a little, but Jacob starts to look a fool. He simply does what he's told. Not that I blame him, CJ from the West Wing is very convincing...!
T-Smith on 13/5/2010 at 16:59
Re-watching the episode, it's still not very good. But it's better. However, there seems to be one very important note I (and most) may have missed.
Are there now two guardians of the island?
We know Mother was the leader and was looking for a successor to protect the island. Her main choice was M.I.B - he was smart, cunning, and willing to do whatever is necessary. Jacob, while pure of heart, was a little on the slow side comparatively, and clearly showed he wasn't willing to do what needed to be done (in island terms, that means occasionally slaughtering everyone on the island because they're getting too close to its secrets or posing a threat). There was only problem - M.I.B. wanted to leave. No matter what she said or tried, Mother couldn't convince her heir otherwise. As such, she was left with two candidates who didn't fit the bill exactly as she wanted.
So what did she do? She split up the powers between them. Hints during the episode (when her reflection is first seen in the water by Claudia, echoing "The Cost of Living" from season 3, and the slaughter of the camp) point to Mother being the smoke monster. Also, the Egyptian art on the island point to the monster existing long before Jacob and M.I.B came into play.
So the guardian is the smoke monster, capable of taking both forms, setting certain "rules", granted powers, and is capable of leaving the island. All of this gives him/her the power to regulate the oversee the island, as well as turn into a giant smokey freight train when ass kicking needs to commence (something she knew Jacob could never do). So she bestowed part of the power of Jacob and set up events, knowing it would lead to M.I.B. becoming the monster and hence the second half the guardian (the security system of the island, as said by various characters).
Obviously things changed over time. A thousand or two years passed and obviously Jacob got quite a bit brighter, becoming the wise and intelligent leader we've been seeing. Meanwhile he's been keeping his brother and security system on the island to help protect it (Ben summoning the monster is the perfect example).
JediKorenchkin on 14/5/2010 at 11:48
The most recent episode wasn't just arguably the worst in the series, it was the LOST equivalent of MidiChlorians.
The explanation that was Jacob gave us in Ab Aeterno was more than satisfactory for explaining what the Island was. And now it has a heart with ridiculously bright light that is somehow tied to, what, souls? The only good parts in the episode were some of the interactions between MIB / Jacob, and particularly that the entire thing was Jacob's fault.
T-Smith on 14/5/2010 at 19:02
Quote Posted by JediKorenchkin
The most recent episode wasn't just arguably the worst in the series, it was the LOST equivalent of MidiChlorians.
The explanation that was Jacob gave us in Ab Aeterno was more than satisfactory for explaining what the Island was. And now it has a heart with ridiculously bright light that is somehow tied to, what, souls?
Except we've seen the light as early as season 4, behind the frozen wheel. The Dharma Initiative referred to it as "exotic matter" which could provide unlimited energy. This is the same energy underneath The Swan.
Mother simply showed them a natural entryway into the energy, as opposed to the man-made entrances and attempts to manipulate it.
Renault on 14/5/2010 at 19:42
It's still kinda lame though. The whole show has been about a glowing tunnel. I think at this point (with only two episodes left), we're entitled to a little more than that.
