When 'Lost' was in its prime, it was must-watch television. Remember first watching it, found it remarkably easy to get into, was hooked from the start and was on Season 3 by the end of one week. The general consensus is that the final season is a disappointment and cannot disagree.
Having been so impressed by "Special", which was an almost special episode, one of the best Michael-centric ones and a real step up from the two episodes before it, "Homecoming" sees quality dipping somewhat again. It is a well done with lots of good elements, but a pivotal turning point for 'Lost' in story promised a lot but delivery was not as consistent as it could have been.
Thoughts on the flashbacks were mixed, they're well acted and does a great job of providing a contrast of past-Charlie and present-Charlie. They do however add nothing new, hammering home what we already knew about Charlie but it was handled much better earlier, and it is agreed that it is a distraction from the events on the island.
For me, William Mapother didn't quite send chills up the spine in the way that he did in his previous appearances, and this should have been the episode where he should have done that the most considering that this promised to be Ethan at his most evil the whole season.
On the other hand, Dominic Monaghan does a great job, Charlie's anguish and fury wholly believable and harrowing. Of the rest of the cast, particularly impressive were Josh Holloway and Emilie De Ravin, adding emotion and urgency to the proceedings.
Charlie and Ethan's conflict and what it culminates in is handled with a lot of tension in the nail-biting sense. Charlie's actions (don't want to spoil) culminate in something that feels satisfying and one can see totally why they were done, though if what happened was opposite to what turned out perhaps a few of the mysteries may have been answered.
Visually, "Homecoming" is well made with the island as beautiful and mysterious as ever and is beautifully shot. The music is understated and chilling, even beautiful at times. The writing has smart and taut moments.
Overall, a lot of impressive elements but a little frustrating at the same time. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Having been so impressed by "Special", which was an almost special episode, one of the best Michael-centric ones and a real step up from the two episodes before it, "Homecoming" sees quality dipping somewhat again. It is a well done with lots of good elements, but a pivotal turning point for 'Lost' in story promised a lot but delivery was not as consistent as it could have been.
Thoughts on the flashbacks were mixed, they're well acted and does a great job of providing a contrast of past-Charlie and present-Charlie. They do however add nothing new, hammering home what we already knew about Charlie but it was handled much better earlier, and it is agreed that it is a distraction from the events on the island.
For me, William Mapother didn't quite send chills up the spine in the way that he did in his previous appearances, and this should have been the episode where he should have done that the most considering that this promised to be Ethan at his most evil the whole season.
On the other hand, Dominic Monaghan does a great job, Charlie's anguish and fury wholly believable and harrowing. Of the rest of the cast, particularly impressive were Josh Holloway and Emilie De Ravin, adding emotion and urgency to the proceedings.
Charlie and Ethan's conflict and what it culminates in is handled with a lot of tension in the nail-biting sense. Charlie's actions (don't want to spoil) culminate in something that feels satisfying and one can see totally why they were done, though if what happened was opposite to what turned out perhaps a few of the mysteries may have been answered.
Visually, "Homecoming" is well made with the island as beautiful and mysterious as ever and is beautifully shot. The music is understated and chilling, even beautiful at times. The writing has smart and taut moments.
Overall, a lot of impressive elements but a little frustrating at the same time. 7/10 Bethany Cox