"Not In Portland" works on two levels: the on-island action is extremely intense, with all the players in top form and larger-than-usual parts for Alex and Karl (there is even a weird brainwashing sequence). The off-island part focuses on Juliet, and it goes without saying that, since she is a new character, her flashbacks at this point are more revealing and compelling than those of the "regulars". The opening scene is typically clever LOST manipulation, and there is a shock so sudden, you won't believe your eyes! "Not In Portland" also marks the first appearance of Richard Alpert, a very mysterious and fascinating character whose importance steadily grows as the series goes on. A very well-done episode, probably the best of Season 3 up to this point (a close race with "The Cost Of Living"). *** out of 4.
8 Reviews
A Great Episode, After Three Months Without "Lost"
claudio_carvalho17 February 2007
Jack successfully deals the freedom of Kate and Sawyer along the surgery of Ben, and Alex helps them to escape from The Others in her boat. Meanwhile, Juliet recalls her life in Miami, when she developed a successful research of pregnancy treatment having her own sister as guinea pig. Then she recalls when she was invited to lead a research team in a laboratory in Portland.
After three months without "Lost", the production released a great episode, where the past of Juliet and the reason why she wish the death of Ben are disclosed. The story is very tense, with the complicated surgery of Ben and the difficulties Kate and Sawyer face to escape from their chasers. The destiny of Jack, after the surgery of Ben, is totally unknown. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): Not Available
Note: On 7 April 2013, I saw this episode again on DVD.
After three months without "Lost", the production released a great episode, where the past of Juliet and the reason why she wish the death of Ben are disclosed. The story is very tense, with the complicated surgery of Ben and the difficulties Kate and Sawyer face to escape from their chasers. The destiny of Jack, after the surgery of Ben, is totally unknown. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): Not Available
Note: On 7 April 2013, I saw this episode again on DVD.
Not in Portland
MrFilmAndTelevisionShow4 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I have before praised shows for fitting a lot into their run time without making it feel rushed, but this episode, boy oh boy do they fit in a lot, two main story lines, plus flashbacks for one of the characters so sort of three interconnected storylines, they revealed plenty of interesting information and insights and no scene or second was wasted, it didn't feel rushed at any point whatsoever.
"We're not quite in Portland"
ametaphysicalshark8 December 2008
If you listen to podcasts and interviews with the head writers of "Lost" recorded before season three's opening six-episode mini-season/pod the intention behind those episodes becomes clear. They were excited to do a pure action/adventure story, a captivity/escape tale much like films and television they grew up with and enjoyed. We got something in that vein, but it never really came together, never blossomed into anything more than cheap, predictable melodrama. What's most remarkable about "Not in Portland", in many ways the final chapter of the Hydra island pod of stories (since "Stranger in a Strange Land" doesn't exist), is that it represents the Hydra island storyline FINALLY becoming what the writers must have had in their heads while planning it out.
"Not in Portland" doesn't lack some brilliant character-based writing, particularly for Juliet but also for Jack and even Ben, but it also doesn't lack the sort of thing the entire Hydra island pod should have had: loads of well-executed action within the established genre format of the jungle captivity/escape story. I can't think of anything that could have been done better here- "I Do", the previous episode, milked everything for cheap soap-opera tension. "Not in Portland" features very similar situations with lives hanging in the balance, dramatic attempts at escape, 'shock moments', etc. but it's all in the great "Lost" tradition of keeping everything deeply connected to the overall story and to the characters and mythos of the series. Everything here is worthwhile. Kate and Sawyer's escape and Ben's surgery are handled superbly, with a shift of focus in the writing to Juliet, already a compelling character, and in this episode proving to be one of the show's most intriguing and conflicted characters.
The flashback sees Juliet attempting to get her sister, who has cancer, pregnant through experimental science. Due to previous experiments and presumably this as well, The Others (naming themselves 'Mittelos Bioscience) led by Richard Alpert attempt to recruit Juliet and bring her to the island. This sort of thing can go horribly wrong if done without subtlety and grace (*cough*"Cabin Fever"*cough*), but it's all very strongly-written here by Carlton Cuse and Jeff Pinkner.
A massive return to form after an uncertain (to be kind) start to the season, this 'spring season debut' introduces us to the superb bulk of season three which would keep us on the edge of our collective seat until the spectacular, jaw-dropping audacity of the finale.
"Not in Portland" doesn't lack some brilliant character-based writing, particularly for Juliet but also for Jack and even Ben, but it also doesn't lack the sort of thing the entire Hydra island pod should have had: loads of well-executed action within the established genre format of the jungle captivity/escape story. I can't think of anything that could have been done better here- "I Do", the previous episode, milked everything for cheap soap-opera tension. "Not in Portland" features very similar situations with lives hanging in the balance, dramatic attempts at escape, 'shock moments', etc. but it's all in the great "Lost" tradition of keeping everything deeply connected to the overall story and to the characters and mythos of the series. Everything here is worthwhile. Kate and Sawyer's escape and Ben's surgery are handled superbly, with a shift of focus in the writing to Juliet, already a compelling character, and in this episode proving to be one of the show's most intriguing and conflicted characters.
The flashback sees Juliet attempting to get her sister, who has cancer, pregnant through experimental science. Due to previous experiments and presumably this as well, The Others (naming themselves 'Mittelos Bioscience) led by Richard Alpert attempt to recruit Juliet and bring her to the island. This sort of thing can go horribly wrong if done without subtlety and grace (*cough*"Cabin Fever"*cough*), but it's all very strongly-written here by Carlton Cuse and Jeff Pinkner.
A massive return to form after an uncertain (to be kind) start to the season, this 'spring season debut' introduces us to the superb bulk of season three which would keep us on the edge of our collective seat until the spectacular, jaw-dropping audacity of the finale.
Not in Portland
TheLittleSongbird3 April 2018
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.
After a three month hiatus, Season 3 returned with "Not in Portland". One naturally does worry as to whether such a long break was a good decision, and whether the quality would get worse or stay the same. Personally liked a vast majority of the previous Season 3 episodes actually, apart from "Further Instructions", but none were classics. Luckily the break actually did improve the quality, gave the season some freshness and moved things forward better than the previous episodes.
Have nothing to fault here, the brainwashing scene was strange agreed but not enough for it to distract from the overall quality. The Hydra Island story is the most interesting and most momentum-filled it's been yet with a good deal of tension and complexity.
While the relationships and situations of Jack and Ben and Kate and Sawyer are handled beautifully, it is the fascinating character of Juliet and her illuminating and tautly and poignantly written back story where "Not in Portland" most excels.
All the acting is on point, Elizabeth Mitchell especially wrenches the heart and gut in one of the powerhouse performances of Season 3 and perhaps also up to this point in 'Lost'.
Can't fault the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effective use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction.
In summary, brilliant and the first episode of Season 3 to feel closer to a 'Lost' classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox
After a three month hiatus, Season 3 returned with "Not in Portland". One naturally does worry as to whether such a long break was a good decision, and whether the quality would get worse or stay the same. Personally liked a vast majority of the previous Season 3 episodes actually, apart from "Further Instructions", but none were classics. Luckily the break actually did improve the quality, gave the season some freshness and moved things forward better than the previous episodes.
Have nothing to fault here, the brainwashing scene was strange agreed but not enough for it to distract from the overall quality. The Hydra Island story is the most interesting and most momentum-filled it's been yet with a good deal of tension and complexity.
While the relationships and situations of Jack and Ben and Kate and Sawyer are handled beautifully, it is the fascinating character of Juliet and her illuminating and tautly and poignantly written back story where "Not in Portland" most excels.
All the acting is on point, Elizabeth Mitchell especially wrenches the heart and gut in one of the powerhouse performances of Season 3 and perhaps also up to this point in 'Lost'.
Can't fault the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effective use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction.
In summary, brilliant and the first episode of Season 3 to feel closer to a 'Lost' classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Where's the gun, Kate?
kaczkahans2 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This episode is very good but I have one problem with it. Kate just leaves her gun in the room in which they find Karl? It makes no sense. Alex could have taken the gun if it had been too laborious for Kate to carry Karl and the gun...
It creates more suspense, I know. That's a poor excuse. I mean, it's a little bit implausible that both Danny and Juliet find the fugitives but maybe they are good at following traces, so I can overlook it.
Not bad
sferg625 June 2007
Warning: Spoilers
The spinal surgeon shows that he has a spine this season. About time. He's shown very little leadership abilities since the pilot. Hurley would be a better choice for island president.
Juliet's recruitment shows us a little bit about her past. She's changed a lot since joining the others.
Creepy Ethan meeting Juliet in the hall as she was going to visit her sister was very interesting. Exactly what was he up to with Rachel? Nestor Carbonell was a welcome addition to the cast. Richard Alpert may replace my favorite character that he's portrayed (Batmanuel will be hard to top, though).
And Juliet's sleazy ex-husband catches a bus! Awesome!
Juliet's recruitment shows us a little bit about her past. She's changed a lot since joining the others.
Creepy Ethan meeting Juliet in the hall as she was going to visit her sister was very interesting. Exactly what was he up to with Rachel? Nestor Carbonell was a welcome addition to the cast. Richard Alpert may replace my favorite character that he's portrayed (Batmanuel will be hard to top, though).
And Juliet's sleazy ex-husband catches a bus! Awesome!
Let the cheesiness continue
BruceWayne314 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
So sawyer and kate escape the others, then use the walkie talkie to talk with jack who is inside a building with the others. Yet the others catch up to kate and sawyer and somehow shoot a perfect shot that destroys the walkie talkie in kates hand!! Come on!!! Is this 1990?? Who writes this
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