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, and "Sundown" and especially "Dr Linus" were excellent.
"Ab Aeterno" is easily the best of Season 6 up this point of the season. Would go as far to say it's the high point of the season, one of the best episodes of the latter seasons and one of the show's best even, certainly one of my personal favourites and the only episode up to this point of the sixth season to not have anything wrong with it.
Pace is tight and none of the writing is taut and not soapy. There are even more shocks and the answers and revelations to the mysteries provided are wholly unpredictable. There is more story clarity than the previous episodes and character motivations are not as vague as some of the previous Season 6 episodes.
Of all the episodes of the show, up to this point of the season, of the season overall and ever, "Ab Aeterno" is the most illuminating in terms of revelations and twists. It all makes sense and in no way feels disjointed. The story is 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. Richard Alpert always intrigued but not quite as much as he did here, this is the most developed he's ever been up to this point.
Acting can't be faulted, with Nestor Carbonell giving his best performance of the show. 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.
In summary, outstanding. 10/10 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, and "Sundown" and especially "Dr Linus" were excellent.
"Ab Aeterno" is easily the best of Season 6 up this point of the season. Would go as far to say it's the high point of the season, one of the best episodes of the latter seasons and one of the show's best even, certainly one of my personal favourites and the only episode up to this point of the sixth season to not have anything wrong with it.
Pace is tight and none of the writing is taut and not soapy. There are even more shocks and the answers and revelations to the mysteries provided are wholly unpredictable. There is more story clarity than the previous episodes and character motivations are not as vague as some of the previous Season 6 episodes.
Of all the episodes of the show, up to this point of the season, of the season overall and ever, "Ab Aeterno" is the most illuminating in terms of revelations and twists. It all makes sense and in no way feels disjointed. The story is 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. Richard Alpert always intrigued but not quite as much as he did here, this is the most developed he's ever been up to this point.
Acting can't be faulted, with Nestor Carbonell giving his best performance of the show. 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.
In summary, outstanding. 10/10 Bethany Cox