Review: There's No Place Like Home, Part 1
Lost kicks off it's three hour season finale with one hell of a first episode. If you've ever been confused how the O6 become who they are, you'll be even more confused after you've seen There's No Place Like Home, Part 1.
What happens on the island/on the freighter?
The people on the beach find out that Keamy and his men are headed to the Orchid station, which makes Daniel awfully worried. He tells Charlotte that they need to get off the island as soon as possible. Jack and Kate meet up with Sawyer and Miles in the jungle. Even though he had surgery a few days ago, Jack decides he needs to follow the chopper. Sawyer joins him on his little mission. Meanwhile Sayid returns to the beach and tells the Losties about Keamy. He and Kate run off to warn Jack and Sawyer, but instead they end up getting caught by Alpert and the Others. Daniel starts shipping people from the island to the freighter, where Desmond discovers a room full with C4 explosives. In the meantime Hurley, Locke and Ben find the Orchid, but Keamy and his team are already waiting for them.
What happens in the flashforwards?
The Oceanic Six return to mainland where their families are waiting for them. Only Kate has no one to be happy with. They agree to attend a press conference to answer several questions the media has about the crash and their miraculous rescue. Afterwards Sayid finally reunites with Nadia. Back in Korea Sun tells her father that she holds him responsible for Jin's death and that she has purchased a controlling interest in Paik Industries. On the other side of the world Hurley's family and friends are throwing a party for him. His father shows him his birthday present, the Cameo we have seen in several other episodes. Inside Hurley notices the ominous numbers in the odometer and trip counter. Ten months after the crash Jack, Aaron, Kate, Hurley, Sayid and Nadia are at Christian's funeral. After the ceremony Claire's mother approaches Jack to tell him about his relation to her daughter.
What did I like?
- Jack and Kate running off into the jungle together reminded me of season one and how different things used to be back then. I'm just glad they stopped at the right moment and replaced Kate with Sawyer, paving the way for some Jack/Sawyer interaction, which I missed a lot in season four. The two of them have such a weird friendship. They respect each other and the choices they make, but at the same time they both know they're too different to ever have a meaningful relationship. They are so mature when Kate is not around, I'm just glad they met up before Jack leaves the island.
- Daniel waving goodbye. Charlotte looking worried. That was so cute. I love the two of them and I'm pretty sure they're both gonna return next season. Darlton just need to give them flashbacks. I don't think I could survive another Libbyism (I'm sure you know what I mean).
- Alpert is back! I realize I said this last week, but this time he's on the island. And he brought all the other Others with him. I missed those guys. They were such an integral part of season three and it took the writers twelve episodes to bring them back. I'm also looking forward to a conversation between Sayid and Richard. I'm sure they have a lot to talk about.
- A Michael/Sun/Jin confrontation. Finally. I was so pissed they didn't do that two seasons ago, but now I'm happy. It wasn't as emotionally charged as I thought it would be, but then again Sun and Jin didn't know Ana-Lucia and Libby all too well. I'm not even sure they've ever been told that Michael was the one who killed them.
- Ben tells Hurley the crackers are fifteen years old. Haha. I'm sorry, but that was just too funny. I never realized what a huge comedic potential the two of them had together. When Lost is over Darlton should make a sitcom called Hugo & Benjamin. I'd watch it.
- I love how Lost uses its opening sequences to confuse us. People like me, who read spoilers, were probably not surprised to find out it's a O6 flashforward, but I'm sure all the regular viewers were wondering what the hell is going on when they saw the first few seconds of the episode. I'm happy Lost is at least trying to challenge its fandom.
- It was great to have all the guest stars back in one episode. Sun and Hurley's parents. Jack's mother, who we haven't seen since the beginning of the first season. That only makes the finale feel more special than it already is.
- Nadia and Sayid are finally back together. I don't know if I'm supposed to be happy or sad. We know that Nadia will be dead soon, so there is definitely some kind of bitter aftertaste watching them hug and kiss.
- Seems like there's a lot of stuff the writers wrapped up in a single episode. The last, and to me most important thing is Jack finding out that Claire is his sister. You can see that's when everything around him starts to fall apart. The fact that he has been lying about her and his nephew just kills him inside. I love the way they did the scene without Jack saying more than a few words. It just shows what an amazing actor Matthew Fox really is.
What didn't I like?
I can't really think of a single thing right now. They could have answered a couple of more questions during the press conference, but I know what kind of show I'm watching, so I definitely didn't expect them to hand everything to me on a plate. I'm satisfied with the way it is.
Why were the Others wearing their disguises?
We haven't really seen them do that since the second season and their costumes was one of the mysteries that never made any sense to me. Unfortunately it still doesn't. Maybe they didn't want the Freighties to know how far advanced they really are. But then again, they've seen New Otherton and they've seen Ben wearing everyday clothes, so there would be no point in dressing up. Like I said, it just doesn't really make any sense. The fact that Darlton reminded us of that little detail gives me hope that there actually is a logical answer to the question.
Who's the second person Sun thinks is responsible for Jin's death?
Jack. She's been very hostile towards him in the plane and she didn't come to Christian's funeral. I just can't imagine what could happen to make her feel that way. Still, I don't believe that Jin is dead. Wait, let me rephrase that. I don't want to believe it.
What's the bottom line?
I'm impressed with the work the Lost team has done even though they did not have a lot of time due to the writers' strike. The episode was beautifully shot. It had wonderful emotional moments and it was filled with action. Now we're all wondering how the Oceanic Six become the Oceanic Six if they're all on other parts of the island. It will be interesting to see the writers closing the circle and get every single character to where they're supposed to be. Too bad we have to wait two weeks to find out. I'm holding my breath.