White Rabbit

In White Rabbit we get multiple firsts, including the first Jack flashback, the first strange appearance on the island, and the first of many Alice in Wonderland references.


Favorite Scenes/Quotes

•  Kate and Claire's first scene together of what come to be one of the most important relationships on the show.
• I think the show did a great job of setting up Jack's relationship with his father from the beginning, obviously Jack had some issues with his father (to put it mildly) but also still cared for him.
• Jack: "If I'm not hallucinating we're all in a lot of trouble". He had no idea how true that would wind up being.
• Locke "What if whatever happens here happens for a reason?", "I've looked into the eye of this island and what I saw was beautiful".
• The reveal that Christian's body wasn't in his coffin was another exciting reveal that kept adding on to the intrigue of the series. 
• "If we can't live together, we're going to die alone" Who would have guessed how important that quote/philosophy would be to the overall show's message.
• Jin getting Sun water, his first moment where it appeared hey may not be a complete jerk.
• The love triangle/square was not one of my favorite aspects of the show, but I do like Jack and Kate's chemistry here in the early episodes.

Minor (or Major) Quips

• Overly slow pacing in some sections.
• Poor child actors in opening scene.
• The "B-plot" about the missing water was less than riveting, although it did have some moments.

Random Thoughts

•  Charlie doesn't swim? Then how did he get to the bottom of the Looking Glass station. A minor inconsistency, but related to a very important moment in the show later.
• Similarly why were Boone and Jack the only people who went after the drowning woman?
•  What was the Monster trying to accomplish by appearing to Jack as Christian? If Jack fell off that cliff and died would he not be breaking the rules since he wasn't directly responsible?
• Jack's parents really weren't great, his Dad was obviously terrible, but even his Mom suggested what he did to his father was awful when really he did the right thing.
• Had kind of forgotten that Jack and Locke at least initially had a less than hostile relationship.
• Jack, despite his initial hesitation, certainly quickly embraces his role as the leader.

Score
8.55- A strong episode that in reflection after the series finale may be one of the most important episodes of the entire series as it relates to the overall themes. Still as a standalone episode the slower pace, a couple of awkward scenes, and less than engaging subplot keep this from being one of the first season's best episodes.

Your Thoughts
What do you think the Monster was trying to accomplish by appearing as Christian? Was Boone right to have taken the water to try to conserve it? Out of the many memorable or important quotes from this episode which is your favorite?

Walkabout

After the first few episodes set Locke as a mysterious potentially dangerous character, we learn has about his past working at a...box company? Walkabout also includes one of the most iconic scenes in the show when we realize Locke paralyzed before the island, was able to walk again after crashing.

Favorite Scenes/Quotes

• The boars in the fuselage opening was exciting.
• I liked Jack's leadership making the tough decision to burn the bodies, and using it as a way to potentially signal for rescue.
• The entire Locke flashback, the first time through it was so surprising, he had such a sad and tragic past.
• The reveal that Helen was a woman he paid to talk on the phone was probably the most depressing reveal about Locke in the episode.
• "Don't tell me what I can't do!" Probably my favorite and most memorable quote from the entire series.
• The start of the Hurley/Charlie friendship with the fishing was hilarious.
• Jack/Rose talk on the beach.
• I liked Claire organizing the memorial service, she was such a sweet and pure character when it started.
• Terry O'Quinn really nailed the scene at the travel office, I'm glad he won an Emmy already for the show because he was consistently amazing.

 Minor (or Major) Quips 

• Another instance of a really exaggerated sound effect when Locke through the Knife into the seat next to Sawyer (does this continue through all the seasons?)
• "Locke, his name is Locke." That line by Michael was really awkward, and Harold Perrineau's delivery didn't help.
  

Random Thoughts/Episode in Relation to the Rest of the Series

• The Kate/Sayid relationship was another one I had kind of forgotten about later in the series.
• I forgot Kate was a vegetarian, does that come up any other times in the series?
• Sun was very convincing that she didn't know english in the first few episodes. I wonder if Yunjin Kim was told that her character actually did know english in the early episodes?
• Mentioning them again, I think I might be in the minority but I really liked Boone's contribution to the show. Even Shannon who I didn't like individually, I liked how those two were a little younger than the rest of the group, and I think it could have been interesting to have a younger demographic represented in the later seasons.
• Charlie's interest in Shannon even after meeting Claire was interesting.
• What kind of jerk makes fun of a paralyzed man wanting to go on a walkabout?
• Did the monster decide in this episode that he would be using Locke as his loophole?
• Rose "My husband is not dead", at the very least the show knew what it was going to do in season 2 from the first episode.
• I forgot that Christian showed up for the first time in the same episode that Locke was confronted by the Monster.
•  Without making Jack go crazy because of his father, Jack may have not been so compelled to believe he was supposed to protect the Island, so the monster/Man in Black really caused his own downfall.
  

 Score
 9.5-It took the episode a little while to get going, but once it did it was phenomenal. The final couple of scenes were some of the show's very best.



Your Thoughts 
Why do you think the Monster was doing when it confronted Locke? What were you thoughts when you saw the episode for the first time  and realized that the Island cured Locke's paralysis?

Could/Should a Lost Spin-off Happen?

Could it happen?
I feel I should start this post off with a disclaimer, while there had been some rumors and speculation a few years ago, as far as I know there are no plans for a Lost spin-off at this time. I haven’t read anything suggesting one was in the works, and I certainly don’t have any contacts or anything that would know anything about it. So this post really stems from speculation, speculation on a rumor even, that ABC is interested in doing a remake of Alias which ended just four years ago (supposedly the Alias remake is an attempt to hold on to some of the Lost audience). Now how did I get from an Alias remake to the potential of a Lost spin-off? Here is my thought process.

1. In its final season Lost was ABC’s number 1 scripted show for the first time in its run, as a result of slightly increased numbers compared to season 5, as well as to decreasing numbers for ABC’s other hit shows.
2. NBC got a lot of flak this year for its horrid ratings, but the truth is ABC barely edged them out to avoid last place amongst the major networks.
3. ABC’s attempts to find an original Lost replacement in FlashForward and V have failed drastically.
4. ABC’s new shows for next season have not been well received overall by critics. A couple of shows that do have some buzz like No Ordinary Family have been placed in very competitive time slots where it may be difficult to gain traction.
5. Lost was not just a TV show, it was a multi-billion dollar franchise, through things like international marketing, DVD sales, and other merchandise like clothes and action figures, potentially even a ride at Disney theme parks. If Disney/ABC wants it to continue to be a relevant franchise it would make sense to continue it in some form.

An example of some Lost merchandise

So my main point is ABC is getting getting ready to be in real trouble ratings wise, I think by the end of next season they will be truly desperate, similar to their situation in 2004 right before they launched Lost (along with Desperate Housewives and Grey’s Anatomy). If they are already considering remaking Alias, which never had they type of ratings Lost did, in an attempt to hold on to the Lost audience, why not actually do something that is a continuation of Lost? I think if ABC’s troubles continue as many expect them to ABC will be trying really hard to have some type of Lost related show for the 2011-2012 TV season.

Should it happen?
Ok so now that I’ve established why I think a continuation of Lost on TV in some form is possible, let’s talk about a spin-off’s potential. I think the most important thing to note is that show runners/masterminds Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse will not be willing to return to a potential multi-season show again so soon. After Lost they have the type of influence that J.J. Abrams has, they can do any TV project they want and someone will pick it up. They probably also would not have a difficult time getting a movie deal if that is what they want to pursue. Also I’m sure many/most of the show’s cast members would not be interested in doing another long-term project so soon, although maybe a few would.

I do think it is possible that maybe some mid-tier writers and directors that worked on Lost could be convinced to be a potential spin-off’s show-runners.

So with that in my mind here are the potential spin-offs I could see happening.

• Lost the New Class – A whole new group of characters on the same island. See a new group go through similar situations that the original Lost characters did. It would would probably require an occasional cameo from Hurley and possibly Ben as the island protectors. Could be interesting to see how the island experience is different now that it has a more kind and compassionate protector. On the other hand how interesting could a show be if there is no smoke monster.
  
• The Others – A show that focuses on the formation and daily activities of The Others. It could be interesting to get some more information about the group that remained fairly mysterious throughout the series. On the other hand that would mean the show would be set soon after Richard arrives on the Island which may be a strange time period for a network drama to be in for an extended period.
• Lost continued- It has already been confirmed that there will be a type of epilogue with Ben and Hurley's adventures as the Island protectors on the DVD, maybe that could be extended to an entire series. Maybe we could learn more about the people who got off the island and what their lives were like. Some cons would be again, I doubt all of the cast members would come back, and I think it may take away somewhat from the ending of Lost.
• The Dharma Initiative - In my opinion this is the possibility that has the most potential. I’m imagining a show where season 5 was kind of the backdoor pilot, and we start with what happened after Juliet detonated the bomb/The Incident. A group of characters would already be established as we met many already, and there are still more mysteries to reveal about Dharma. I think it could be interesting to skip some time after each season, and then eventually get to the point where Ben betrays them giving the audience a knowing sense of dread. A show set during the 70s could also be really fun with the design.

The Dharma Initiative coming to ABC in 2011?

Those are all the possibilities I can come up with and I think a couple are more appealing than others. If somehow Lindelof and Cuse did want to do a spin-off I would be ecstatic and couldn’t wait to watch it. If anyone else is running the show I would be apprehensive but still at least watch the first couple episodes.

Sorry for such a long post, but hopefully it was somewhat interesting. What do you think, is there a possibility of a Lost spin-off? If so would you watch it, and what premise would you prefer? Can you think of any other possible spin-offs I didn’t address?

Tabula Rasa

The introduction of the show's signature character flashback device, Tabula Rasa put the breaks on a bit to expand on the characters and the difficulties of the aftermath of the crash and surviving on the island.

Favorite Scenes/Quotes

• Hurley - "How do you know it wasn't a dinosaur?"
• Sawyer - "Me? I'm in the Wild."
• Charlie and Claire's first scenes together.
• I really liked the music during the Kate/Jack scene when he tells her "I'm not a murderer".
• The awkward Michael/Sun scene, they had an interesting dynamic in the first season that I forgot about later in the series.
• The whole Marshal dying scene was very brutal and well handled. Sawyer being upset about messing up the mercy kill was one of his first and best sympathetic moments.
• One of the first instances of Jack not being able to let go or accept death which is made all the more poignant by the series finale.
• Locke letting Michael reunite Walt and Vincent.

Minor (or Major) Quips

• I can't really point to anything specific that I didn't like, the pacing was slightly slow the flashback was interesting the first time because it was the first one, but doesn't stand up to rewatch as well.
• It was kind of stupid for the Marshal to pull up beside the truck that Kate was in. I'm not sure if it is a flaw, or maybe just suggests that he saw chasing Kate as some type of game.

Random Thoughts/Episode in Relation to the Rest of the Series

• Interesting choice to start the flashback device with a Kate episode, as most know under the original plan for the show she was going to be the star after Jack died in the premier.
• The suspense built up about Kate being a convict seems like the show's first red herring, suggesting the possibility that she may be dangerous and a threat to the others when she wasn't at all.
• Always interesting to see early episodes where so much of the plot is about surviving not all the other complications that come in later.
• I didn't put it in quips, but I was never really convinced by the Marshal's hostility/fear towards Kate at least not enough to try to strangle her like he did. In later episodes he almost seems to enjoy chasing her, and while she attacks him, he doesn't seem to think she is a threat to others.
• First instance of one of the numbers, in the $23,000 reward for turning Kate in.
• First lyrical song and character montage episode ending. I'm kind of torn on these, on one hand they are usually well done, on the other hand I feel like it kind of breaks the fourth wall instead of using Giacchino's score. I'm definitely glad they did not continue past the 1st season.

Score
7.9 - A solid episode that didn't really do a lot wrong, but in the grand scheme of things is really only memorable for being the first flashback episode (and the strong Marshal death scene).

Your Thoughts
What did you think about the first use of the flashback device? How about your feelings towards Kate? She is certainly a controversial character and I'm interested in what people think. What were you thoughts about the use of music montages during season 1?

Pilot Part 2

An overall fantastic episode that slows the pace down a bit from the intense and frantic first part in favor of delving into some character development. Also the episode introduced some great new mysteries and Island mythology.

Favorite Scenes

• Jin forcing Sun to button her top button was an important scene and is a reminder how far they came during the series.
• The first of many Sawyer nicknames with calling Hurley "Lardo".Hurley/Sayid introduction scene, especially part when Hurley is surprised which side of the Gulf War Sayid fought for.
• Jack/Hurley scene when trying to help the Marshall, especially Hurley fainting after professing "I'm not so good around blood".
• The plane splitting a part from Kate's point of view I think was the most intense viewpoint.
• Absolutely loved the ending with the reveal of the french transmission, and Charlie's line "Guys, Where are we?".

Minor (or Major) Quips with the Episode

• The sounds effects during the Sayid/Sawyer fight were way over exaggerated, like watching a cartoon comic book show.
• CGI has been a mixed bag on the show, but the Polar Bear scenes during the first season were some of if not the worst.
• Shannon at her most annoying.

Random Thoughts/Episode in Relation to the Rest of the Series

• The reveal that Charlie was taking a hit in the bathroom before the plane crashed was a great indication that the show would take the characters to some dark places.
• I forgot the number of times Charlie was almost killed/serious injured early in the series. (the cart almost crushing him on the plane, cave collapse, hung by Ethan) Had the island/universe been trying to "course correct" and kill Charlie from the first episode, long before Desmond's speech in season 3?
• Well known at this point, but the Locke backgammon Dark/Light scene certainly holds more meaning knowing his storyline throughout the series. It is probably the best evidence that the show had some idea of where it was going plot wise very early on.
• Interesting that Kate pretended not to know how to use a gun on the group exploration hike, she certainly was skilled at pretending/manipulating.

Score
9.4 - A great continuation of the phenomenal first part of the episode. Slowed down the intensity a bit, but that was Okay to be able to expand on characters. A few more noticeable flaws drop this episode's score just a bit compared to the first part.

Your Thoughts
-Does the polar bear CGI bother anybody else? Whose point of view from the plane crash did you find most interesting? What do you think about the Locke backgammon scene now that we know what happens with his character?