LOST - The Beginning of the End; A Review

I'm not going to review every episode of this show on my blog because I will drive myself insane and end up doing time in lock-up with Hurley.
Let's just jump right in with some bullet points:

-Thank the Gods this show is back. I can't believe we made it this long without new episodes, but we did. And unfortunately Lost will be back off the air before we can blink.

- Hurley was an interesting choice to lead off with this year. I think this choice was a response to all of the fans who hated how much time we spent with Jack, Kate, and Sawyer at the beginning of last season. Lindeloff and Cuse made sure to get everyone here some screen time. I can't think of a more well liked character to lead us back into the action than Hurley.

- Charlie's final warning to the losties was that the freighter does not belong to Penny. That doesn't mean the freighter is bad, but it does mean that Naomi was lying about who she was and why she was there on the island. The warning from Charlie was heeded by a few while others couldn't look past the opportunity to be rescued. I have to say that if I were on the island I would have chosen Jack's group. I probably would have echoed the sentiments of the always blunt Rose when she said "I'm not going with that man."

- I Charlie's warning aside I think the producers have misjudged how much people liked Charlie. Maybe I am in the minority here, but during the weeping, winy, let's grieve for Charlie the annoying hobbit druggie scenes I wanted to fast forward.

-There seems to be several new mysteries for us to discover this season. First, there is the whole Oceanic 6 thing. Who are the 6? We know that Jack, Kate, and Hurley make up the first half, but who are the 2nd half? We know that because Hurley made it off the island that it's still possible for Sawyer or Claire to be among the 6. They chose to go with Locke, but we have to assume at some point these two new factions will join back up. We know Locke won't be one the 6 because he is never going to leave the island voluntarily and then agree to keep quiet about it. The sentimental favorites to be among the 6 are Jin and Sun. Knowing that Michael is returning to the show he might be one of the 6. Of course, there could be more than 6 that get off, but maybe the public only knows about 6 of them. Think about it, Jack attends the funeral of someone that both he and Kate know. But they don't consider this person "family or a friend." There was no one, but Jack at the funeral and we have been led to believe that the 6 are quasi-celebrities. Also, let's keep in mind that Ben, Juliet, and any of the Others could also be off the island and not be considered part of the 6 because they weren't on the flight. My guess is these 6 were let free as long as they kept "the secrets." Kate possibly made this agreement in exchange for freedom, a new identity, a clean slate or some past-erasing deal.

-When Hurley sees the swimmer in the mirror at the police station the guy holds his hand up to the glass. Written on his hand is "They Need You." Couple that with the "Oceanic Attorney" asking Hurley if "They" are still alive and Charlie telling Hurley that he knows "they need you." Who is they? The logical assumption is that some of the castaways are still on the island or in some sort of danger. Looks like this season is going to be about the 6 doing what they can to help THEY.

- There is also an IT factor. What was Charlie? A figment of Hurley's imagination like Dave? As far as I can recall, Dave never touched Hurley, but Hurley did touch Dave. He put his arm around him for the photo. So if Charlie is an imagination, but can have contact with Hurley then I am going to jump to this conclusion. Charlie appearing to Hurley is just like Walt appearing to Locke, Eko's brother appearing to him, or Jack's dad appearing to Jack. The island is still in control. When Hurley is schooling Jack at basketball he tells Jack that "I don't think we did the right thing, Jack. I think it wants us to come back, and it's going to do everything it can..."
The island is It and It is still playing games with our losties. No matter what, I love that the island is still being explored and explained as if it were a character on the show.

- What about Jacob's cabin? I slowed down my tivo and tried to get a good look at who was in the rocking chair and who was in the window of the creepy cabin that Hurley stumbles on. Originally I thought that it was Jacob in the chair and Locke in the window, but after further examination I think it was Jack's dad in the chair and the Just-Won't-Die-Mikhail who's eye pops up staring out the window. I have not gone online to read any spoilers or get any info. That is just my feeble take on it. If I hear an official word from anyone I will let you know. But if it's Jack's dad in the chair, then what does that mean? Is Jack's dad Jacob? Is Christian Shepherd's body just being used as a vessel? Who knows with this show.

- The guy who lands on the island at the end of the episode was Jeremy Davies. He is an awesome actor and he should be a great addition to the cast.

- The flash-forwards really do open up a whole new world to us. I love to concept. I assume most of the flashbacks from here on out will either be about Ben becoming the leader of The Others, the past lives of the rescuers, or something along those lines. But all of this thinking about flash-forwards and backs got me thinking. With Jack and Hurley wanting to go back to the island wouldn't it be awesome if at some point we have an episode that completely messes with our minds. It's a flash forward, disguised as a flashback, and it's of Jack and Hurley as they come back to the island. Trippy.

The episode as a whole was great. It had an awesome tone and a quick pace to it. It was not my favorite season premiere, that honor is still held by season 2 when Jack and Desmond meet again. I thought the season 3 premiere was pretty awesome too, with our first real glimpse at The Others.

If you watched the episode, let me know what you thought. I will post again on Friday with some additional easter eggs and whatnot if any come out about it. I'm just so glad that this show is back on the air, no matter how brief.


OUT!