Season 5 of LOST has probably been more consistent in its quality than most of the previous seasons, however it still hasn't produced (with the possible exception of "The Life And Death Of Jeremy Bentham") an iconic episode, an episode that can match up to the best of the previous seasons. "Namaste" is very well-done, but it is basically an exposition-driven episode, and although director Jack Bender does his usual good job in keeping the pace tight and creating some chilling scenes (the crash landing, the mystery figure at the barracks), you still get the feeling that the series is spinning its wheels a little at this point. Also, the absence of Locke (for 2 episodes in a row) and Desmond (for 3 episodes in a row) is starting to become felt. On the positive side, Ben is back to his creepy, maddeningly un-readable, cat-that-just-ate-the-bird self, Sun has a moment of glory ("I lied"), and Frank Lapidus is getting a bigger role. *** out of 4.
5 Reviews
In Different Time Lines
claudio_carvalho19 April 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Jin and Sawyer meets Jack, Kate and Hurley in the island in 1977, and Sawyer immediately plots a scheme to save them telling that they are newcomers for the Dharma Initiative. Sayid is found wandering handcuffed in the woods and mistakenly taken as a "Hostile"; however Sawyer plots a plan to save him. Meanwhile, Frank Lapidus has landed in the minor island with Ben, Sun and the survivors of Ajira Flight 316. Ben sneaks through the jungle, but he is followed by Sun and Frank. When Ben tells to Sun that Jin is in the main island, she hits his head with a paddle of a boat and rows with Frank to the main island. They arrive in a depleted Dharma village in 2007 and they encounter Christian Shepherd that shows a 1977 picture of their friends.
Now that I have "digested" the inconsistencies in "Lost", I found "Namaste" an engaging episode. The mystery about Christian Shepherd, the disappearance of Claire and other questions have not been responded yet, but the show is not bad. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Namaste"
Now that I have "digested" the inconsistencies in "Lost", I found "Namaste" an engaging episode. The mystery about Christian Shepherd, the disappearance of Claire and other questions have not been responded yet, but the show is not bad. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Namaste"
When Kate asked Jack: "So ... What are we supposed to do now?"
darking-switch21 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Namaste is another episode of LOST, that's why it is very good, and no one can deny that. But really: What are we waiting to happen next? Is the show become just answers to the questions that appeared during the later seasons? Do the writers since the idea of "We have to go back" trying to stretch in the LOST existence?
In Namaste it is clarified that the story becomes nice to follow to know the answers of the Island's mysteries, and to know How would Jin and Sun back to each other?, and Who would marry who from the four lovers at the end?, but there is no main concentration, there is no main problem in the show anymore.
I felt the same as Kate when she asked jack: "So ... What are we supposed to do now?", and I am asking the writers the same question, "What are they and you supposed to do now?", I hope you don't answer me like Jack did to Kate by saying: "I'm not sure yet".
In Namaste it is clarified that the story becomes nice to follow to know the answers of the Island's mysteries, and to know How would Jin and Sun back to each other?, and Who would marry who from the four lovers at the end?, but there is no main concentration, there is no main problem in the show anymore.
I felt the same as Kate when she asked jack: "So ... What are we supposed to do now?", and I am asking the writers the same question, "What are they and you supposed to do now?", I hope you don't answer me like Jack did to Kate by saying: "I'm not sure yet".
Keeps things moving
ametaphysicalshark18 March 2009
"Namaste" holds no power as a self-contained episode. There is no clear centricity, no clear focus, but the episode works as what it is, another week of "Lost" and a setup for the events to follow. All things considered not only is this all handled very well (even the love quadrangle aspect wasn't focused on for too long), but there is a lot of cool stuff for fans in this episode. For example we get to see Radzinksy (finally!) building a model of the Swan, Jack being processed by Pierre Chang/Marvin Candle/Edgar Halliwax, and find out who Ethan's parents were, as well as get a fabulously creepy appearance from Christian Shepard.
The episode opens with us seeing how 316 landed on the Hydra island, and where Sun and Ben and the rest ended up. Overall the dynamic of this group of survivors has yet to really take form and I expect won't really. Ilana and Caeser simply haven't been developed as actual characters yet, but they aren't really annoying on a Nikki and Paulo sort of scale, mostly because they were brought into the story for a reason. Scaredy cat Lapidus on the main island and destroyed barracks was hilarious, not that I blame him at all. I nearly jumped when Christian appeared in that doorway. Great Christian appearance this time too, but like the rest of the episode it's more hints of greatness to come in the future than greatness in and of itself.
In 1977 we see how Hurley, Kate, and Jack become part of DHARMA. This is handled quite well by writers Brian K. Vaughan and Paul Zbyszewski. There is occasionally some grating dialogue but overall the interpersonal drama is effective. Jack's conversation with Sawyer was fantastic, and it feels so oddly satisfying to see Sawyer finally get the better of Jack, and I don't really even like Sawyer more than Jack. After Sawyer was almost totally useless for the entirety of the first few episodes of season 5 it is so great to see the writers giving the character a great story for the first time pretty much since the first two seasons. Good stuff.
Hopefully "LaFleur" and "Namaste" have finished off the setup portion of this second half of season 5. "316" and "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham" felt like a season finale, and these two have felt very much like the first two episodes of a brand new season. I enjoyed both episodes a lot but look forward to getting to the bigger, more important stuff now.
The episode opens with us seeing how 316 landed on the Hydra island, and where Sun and Ben and the rest ended up. Overall the dynamic of this group of survivors has yet to really take form and I expect won't really. Ilana and Caeser simply haven't been developed as actual characters yet, but they aren't really annoying on a Nikki and Paulo sort of scale, mostly because they were brought into the story for a reason. Scaredy cat Lapidus on the main island and destroyed barracks was hilarious, not that I blame him at all. I nearly jumped when Christian appeared in that doorway. Great Christian appearance this time too, but like the rest of the episode it's more hints of greatness to come in the future than greatness in and of itself.
In 1977 we see how Hurley, Kate, and Jack become part of DHARMA. This is handled quite well by writers Brian K. Vaughan and Paul Zbyszewski. There is occasionally some grating dialogue but overall the interpersonal drama is effective. Jack's conversation with Sawyer was fantastic, and it feels so oddly satisfying to see Sawyer finally get the better of Jack, and I don't really even like Sawyer more than Jack. After Sawyer was almost totally useless for the entirety of the first few episodes of season 5 it is so great to see the writers giving the character a great story for the first time pretty much since the first two seasons. Good stuff.
Hopefully "LaFleur" and "Namaste" have finished off the setup portion of this second half of season 5. "316" and "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham" felt like a season finale, and these two have felt very much like the first two episodes of a brand new season. I enjoyed both episodes a lot but look forward to getting to the bigger, more important stuff now.
Keeping the truth
TheLittleSongbird31 July 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.
Season 4 was a solid season, with high points such as "The Beginning of the End", the three part finale and particularly "The Constant" and the only disappointments (though they were still decent) being "The Other Woman" and "Eggtown". "Because You Left" couldn't be a better way to start Season 5, definitely among the stronger 'Lost' season openers and one of the most confident and most settled. The episodes between that and this were also good to great, with the weakest "Jughead" still having a lot of great values.
"Namaste" is a very good episode, albeit not one of the show's or season's best. It's taut and thought-provoking, providing new mysteries and questions if not always resolutions or answers here, but what could have been a problem in this regard was not annoying at all because everything else was so exceptional. Everything here grips, past and present.
On top of all that, it advances characters, shows plot progression rather than repeating itself or being filler. There are surprising moments and also illuminating ones.
Also found "Namaste" to be an episode with enough entertainment value, tension and emotional moments to satisfy, though other 'Lost' episodes do all three better. The more dialogue-driven parts is a case of it being thought-probing, relevant and adding a lot rather than slowing things down and rambling.
Can't fault the performances, which are superb all round. Michael Emerson has yet to put a foot wrong.
Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effectively understated and chilling use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction.
It is agreed though that the absences of Locke and Desmond are noticed and felt and at times it does feel a little too exposition-heavy.
Otherwise, as already indicated, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Season 4 was a solid season, with high points such as "The Beginning of the End", the three part finale and particularly "The Constant" and the only disappointments (though they were still decent) being "The Other Woman" and "Eggtown". "Because You Left" couldn't be a better way to start Season 5, definitely among the stronger 'Lost' season openers and one of the most confident and most settled. The episodes between that and this were also good to great, with the weakest "Jughead" still having a lot of great values.
"Namaste" is a very good episode, albeit not one of the show's or season's best. It's taut and thought-provoking, providing new mysteries and questions if not always resolutions or answers here, but what could have been a problem in this regard was not annoying at all because everything else was so exceptional. Everything here grips, past and present.
On top of all that, it advances characters, shows plot progression rather than repeating itself or being filler. There are surprising moments and also illuminating ones.
Also found "Namaste" to be an episode with enough entertainment value, tension and emotional moments to satisfy, though other 'Lost' episodes do all three better. The more dialogue-driven parts is a case of it being thought-probing, relevant and adding a lot rather than slowing things down and rambling.
Can't fault the performances, which are superb all round. Michael Emerson has yet to put a foot wrong.
Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effectively understated and chilling use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction.
It is agreed though that the absences of Locke and Desmond are noticed and felt and at times it does feel a little too exposition-heavy.
Otherwise, as already indicated, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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