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.
It, Season 6 that is, started promisingly enough with "LA X", both parts, before reaching disappointment with the still watchable "What Kate Does", which had great moments but a dull and soap-heavy central story. "The Substitute" was a step up and one of the best of the episodes up to this point of the season (second best), but not one of the best 'Lost' episodes, did find a couple of issues with it but can understand why critically it has been positively received. "Lighthouse" to me was uneven but decent.
Season 6 hits a high here again with "Dr. Linus", for me replacing the excellent though much darker "Sundown" as the best episode up to this early point of the season and one of the season's best episodes overall. Showing that not all the season was disappointing. Not quite one of my all-time favourite episodes of 'Lost', but there is a lot of classic elements here.
There is really very little to fault with "Dr. Linus". Its only issues to me being the rushed cliffhanger and the implausible resolution to the blackmail plot.
Pace though is tight and none of the writing is taut and not soapy. There are even more shocks and even more illuminating revelations and characterisation, generally more story clarity and character motivations are not as vague as some of the previous Season 6 episodes. The climactic parts are tense and poignant and one just wishes that the cliffhanger wasn't rushed.
The alternate universe storyline was a strong contender for the best of the season, more so than "Sundown", it doesn't get soapy and actually has tension, suspense and emotion while also providing new information instead of reiterating what is already known. Even more impressive is how it still makes sense, doesn't feel disjointed and it is by far the episode that links the timelines and their themes together the most successfully at this point of the season. The island events are utterly gripping, full of suspense and has emotion. The story and character development feels advanced rather than going backwards, being reiterated or ground to a halt. Ben was already a fascinating character, it must have been difficult trying to advance even more a character more fleshed out than most of the other characters on the show but somehow it's managed.
Acting can't be faulted, with an absolutely brilliant performance from Michael Emerson. While he was always one of 'Lost's' best and most consistent performers, the acting here is among his best for this fascinating character. The visuals are slick and stylish, the music chilling and understated, the writing tightly structured and the direction showing ferocity and control. The more action-oriented parts are unpredictable and superbly choreographed.
Summing up, excellent episode, if anybody was to ask me what episodes stood out as among the best of Season 6 "Sundown" and especially "Dr. Linus" very high up. 9/10 Bethany Cox
It, Season 6 that is, started promisingly enough with "LA X", both parts, before reaching disappointment with the still watchable "What Kate Does", which had great moments but a dull and soap-heavy central story. "The Substitute" was a step up and one of the best of the episodes up to this point of the season (second best), but not one of the best 'Lost' episodes, did find a couple of issues with it but can understand why critically it has been positively received. "Lighthouse" to me was uneven but decent.
Season 6 hits a high here again with "Dr. Linus", for me replacing the excellent though much darker "Sundown" as the best episode up to this early point of the season and one of the season's best episodes overall. Showing that not all the season was disappointing. Not quite one of my all-time favourite episodes of 'Lost', but there is a lot of classic elements here.
There is really very little to fault with "Dr. Linus". Its only issues to me being the rushed cliffhanger and the implausible resolution to the blackmail plot.
Pace though is tight and none of the writing is taut and not soapy. There are even more shocks and even more illuminating revelations and characterisation, generally more story clarity and character motivations are not as vague as some of the previous Season 6 episodes. The climactic parts are tense and poignant and one just wishes that the cliffhanger wasn't rushed.
The alternate universe storyline was a strong contender for the best of the season, more so than "Sundown", it doesn't get soapy and actually has tension, suspense and emotion while also providing new information instead of reiterating what is already known. Even more impressive is how it still makes sense, doesn't feel disjointed and it is by far the episode that links the timelines and their themes together the most successfully at this point of the season. The island events are utterly gripping, full of suspense and has emotion. The story and character development feels advanced rather than going backwards, being reiterated or ground to a halt. Ben was already a fascinating character, it must have been difficult trying to advance even more a character more fleshed out than most of the other characters on the show but somehow it's managed.
Acting can't be faulted, with an absolutely brilliant performance from Michael Emerson. While he was always one of 'Lost's' best and most consistent performers, the acting here is among his best for this fascinating character. The visuals are slick and stylish, the music chilling and understated, the writing tightly structured and the direction showing ferocity and control. The more action-oriented parts are unpredictable and superbly choreographed.
Summing up, excellent episode, if anybody was to ask me what episodes stood out as among the best of Season 6 "Sundown" and especially "Dr. Linus" very high up. 9/10 Bethany Cox