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Reviews
Lost: Tabula Rasa (2004)
"I'm in the Wild"; An Entertaining Episode, Though Not as Great
To me, "Tabula Rasa" will always seem slightly underrated, but not criminally so. For when I watch it, I do notice some flaws and moments of lesser quality, but afterwards, I always look back on it with appreciation, and while not perfection, I think it is a plain out good episode that had the misfortune to be sandwiched between the "Pilot: Part 2" and "Walkabout", probably two of the best episodes of the first season. Then again, it is also the first episode directed by Jack Bender, and that happens to be my soft spot director, so as you can see, many things bias me to this one.
One undeniable fact, though, is that this episode steps in line, without standing out, and gives us some clear survival drama, taking a step back from the mystery, which is a step back away from goodness. However, the character build is nicely, and while we wanted to see Kate's history, I cannot say what we saw was sufficient for satisfaction. In fact, while it was Kate's episode, Sawyer was the one who had the greatest effect on me. The moment when we found out he didn't "kill" the marshal made me sink in my seat, and then the agony of hearing his screams.
This episode had to have been expected though, for so early in the season, there is a lot left to cover, and many characters to elaborate on, but I would have liked to see a greater mix of off-island, on-island events, but I understand why the writers did what they did.
Locke is finally given a bit more light, but more light to him is still dim, as we know absolutely nothing about him, save for he claims a miracle occurred by crashing on the island, further giving us evidence to belief he enjoys being here.
Like I said earlier, though, this episode hits the more dramatic side of "Lost", and really touches the idea of starting a new life here, and that everyone is given a second chance. This feels like quite a prominent concept in season 1, since everyone's back stories are hardly predictable, so it is nice to hear a bit of that here. The ending of the episode, too, with "Wash away" is a nice moment, and a surprisingly calm showstopper, unlike practically every that comes soon after it. But the mood fit, and it seemed like a contrast of happiness and sadness, for I could not tell which it was trying to be.
In conclusion, a lesser episode then what came before, but still a good effort to build hype, and our first –centric episode, despite the flashbacks being a tad dull. Not that great, but thoroughly enjoyable.
Best Scene- Sawyer finds out he didn't kill the marshal Best Performance- Josh Holloway -RicardoAlpert815
Lost: Pilot: Part 2 (2004)
"One is Black, One is White"; Multi-Layered Goodness
If the "Pilot: Part 1" was an exercise in setting the atmosphere of suspense that "Lost" has long became known for, then the second installation is purely for the atmosphere of character and narrative. Greater then its predecessor, it mixes multi-layered storytelling with the correct blend of depth and shock. But more so then all of this, and perhaps the major point of notice, is how this episode elaborates on characters whom we have already seen at a glance. For example, Charlie and his drug addiction adds a certain amount of dramatic tug at a otherwise "comic relief" character. Kate's story builds up tension as to what her crime was, a sub-plot that acts as the main point of intrigue for a few episodes. And finally, we see some nice interaction. As if we have all these pairings of people and watch as they interact and dispute.
The above, however, is only one layer, one out of a couple. For this is the point where mystery is first introduced, not mystery about the characters, but the Island itself, who begins to look like it should be listed as a cast member. There is the ever present question of "where are we?", the notion that polar bears live on it, and that a French woman has a transmission repeating itself on a loop, as it had been for 16 years. That is a lot for 40 minutes to cover! But it never feels rushed or crammed, because that is the benefit of having forty some people survive the crash, it allows a lot of room for spreading and, in the future, lets new people get dragged in or killed off as needed.
Personally, for me, the most interesting part was this character Locke, and the backgammon game with Walt. This is a nice set up for future themes, and also makes me want to know more about the already mysterious Locke, who, at this point, seems to enjoy being on the Island.
It is also nice to see here that flashbacks will follow through the show and act as almost 1/3 the episode. The structure is great and gives us many brilliant moments, such as the crash from Kate's view, as well as the interesting "favor", we do not yet know of. We do find out that Kate is the fugitive though, so it appears that the cop and her have history, and this makes it really motivating to continue until we find out what exactly that is, since, while I can not say this now, as of this episode, I would say Kate is probably the most universally fascinating character yet.
Overall, greater then the first part, and less a spectacle of effects, but much more into character and mystery. It really is the first arrow that points in the right direction for where "Lost" is heading.
Best Scene- Backgammon game between Locke and Walt.
Best Performance- Evangeline Lilly
Lost: Pilot: Part 1 (2004)
"5..4..3..2..1", A Great stone, but not in line with the rest of the path.
"Lost's" first outing, which resulted in forty five minutes of thrills, is not a fair and accurate representation of the "Lost" to follow, albeit standing as a wonderful moment in television for its images and the long road it paved by setting down, one can say, the first few bricks. For example, who can forget the shot of Jack's eye opening in the jungle? The hugely expensive plane crash recreation and all of its stunning effects? The many things that "Lost" fans hold dear to their hearts, such as they do with this episode. Nostalgic, yes. Perfection, no.
Despite proving successful in much of its aspects, it can be noted there is not much ground to cover. It is carrying the burden that all openings do, and, in a sense, seems to sporadically get weighed down with the conventional simplicity that comes with straightforward introductions and the necessities that follow. However, its greatness lies not in what it did, but the many sprinkles it had throughout. A quick shot of Locke with a peel in his mouth tantalized me for his story, a flashback made me want to see more and more of the pre-crash background, and the growl of the "monster" brought up, perhaps, the first mystery of the show. Thus, what we have is just what it intends to be, an opener. One with pitch perfect directing by J.J. Abrams, nice writing that makes the characters interesting and each holding a distinct and different "voice". In this, it succeeds. In predicting the future (as in "Walkabout") complexity and suspense of the show to follow, it glides with turbulence, but does not crash. However, that is why there is the greater "Part 2".
One thing I wanted to praise, though, is how natural, not only the script, but the characters feel. They do not seem like fake, artificial characters invented by a money hungry writer, but actual, modern, people, like any you can meet. All very diverse, and with their own qualities. (It is magnificent how they add a couple who do not speak English).
Though, so often, I underrate this episode, and misleadingly, most of the time, for that first scene alone creates great hysteria and shows us the unpredictability that the show is known for. Though it is not an episode that is great on its own, as it requires not only the second part, but the show to back it, and so it is a good "installment".
My Favorite Moment- The first flashback in Lost history, setting the wonderful formula for the show to follow.
Best Acting in The Episode- I am saying Jack, for his frantic assistance on the beach.