"LaFleur" has been described as a "game-changing" episode, and the term is pretty accurate: gone are (permanently?) the time flashes/jumps, now the remaining on-island survivors (of the original flight, that is) are stuck in a specific time period: the mid 1970s. This episode expands on the cliffhanger at the end of "316", and also gives you a general idea of how Sawyer, Juliet, Jin, Daniel and Miles spent those three years that it took the Oceanic Six to decide to come back to the island. It's a fascinating episode with some great moments: Juliet has not been better as a character for a long time, and Elizabeth Mitchell looks more radiant than usual; the late-night conversation between Sawyer and Juliet near the sub is a truly wonderful scene; the entire "sonic fence" part is surprising in typical LOST fashion; Miles has some of his funniest lines so far; Daniel watching the little red-haired girl is a bittersweet moment; and a new character whose significance remains to be seen is introduced. The weakest part is the ending, which kind of spoils the chemistry that the whole episode had built between Sawyer and Juliet. *** out of 4.
Review of LaFleur
