Tuesday, February 09, 2010
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Lost: The Top 10 Episodes

by Chris Flippo
03.28.2008

Lost fans, has it really only been a week? Is it just me, or do Lost weeks go by faster than non-Lost weeks? Just me? Alright, fine.

To help pass the time (and because I still have to write a blog about something), I’ve compiled a list of my ten favorite episodes from our favorite series’ first three seasons. You may like it or you may hate it, but hey, isn’t that how these lists always go?

10) "Outlaws" - this episode is not usually found on Top Ten lists concerning the show because it is light on revelation about the island. However, the episode makes up for it with revelation about our favorite con man, James “Sawyer” Ford. This episode follows Sawyer as he tries to kill a boar that keep terrorizing him at night. Sound like a B-plot for a better episode? Maybe, but the execution is nonetheless exciting, drawing many nice parallels between Sawyer’s hunt for the boar and his flashback involving his hunt for the “real” Mr. Sawyer. Excellent dialogue, great cinematography, and a surprising connection between Sawyer and Christian Shepherd make this one of Lost’s most underrated episode.

9) "Flashes Before Your Eyes" - this was perhaps the most mind-melting episode of season three (and that’s saying something considering the third season gave us Jacob, flashforwards, and the Purge). In it, we are shown what Desmond experienced after the hatch implosion at the end of season two. According to the episode, he was jettisoned back into the past, right before the moment he broke up with his long-suffering girlfriend, Penny. Our favorite button-pusher is ecstatic because this means he has been given a second chance and can now stay with her. However, enter Ms. Hawking, who explains to Des that he has to break up with her again or he will not go to the island and will therefore never turn the failsafe key. The genius of this episode is its ability to combine revelation with a very human story.

8) "Walkabout" - this was one of the first episodes of season one. I could talk about the island story all day, but here is why it’s included: the revelation that Locke was in a wheelchair before he came to Mystery Friggin’ Island. I knew then that was a series that was going to be great, and that I had to stick with it to the end, through thick or thin.

7) "The Greater Good" - Here is another episode that I think is criminally underrated. This episode followed in the wake Boone’s death in “Do No Harm” and may have been overshadowed by those events. That’s a shame, because I think this one is a real treasure. The on-island story follows Shannon as she goes to avenge her brother’s death by shooting Locke, who may or may not be responsible. However, the flashback portion is an amazing story by itself and is, in many ways, groundbreaking. In it, Sayid is in Australia to convince a friend of his to go through with a suicide bombing. If Sayid convinces him, the government will tell him the whereabouts of his girlfriend, Nadia. Basically, Sayid must decide between friendship and romance, but the stakes involve life and death. It’s almost Shakespearian. What other show would devote an hour to an ex-Iraqi solider as he wrestles with his inner-demons and do it with this much complexity?

6) "Man of Faith, Man of Science" - we found out what was in the hatch and it didn’t suck. Just the simple fact that I thought that after how much hype surrounded the episode is a testament to how awesome that revelation was.

5) "The Man From Tallahassee" - another Locke episode where the on-island story and the flashback story are intriguing and vibrant. After arriving in New Other-ton, Locke holds Ben and Alex captive in hopes of blowing up the Others’ submarine. The off-island story finally reveals one of Lost’s great mysteries: how did Locke end up in wheelchair in the first place? The episode is well-written and flawlessly acted, especially by Terry O’Quinn and Michael Emerson.

4) "Pilot" - the nature of the island, the characters, and the flashback structure are all effortlessly introduced. The scope of this premiere is like a movie and it quickly became the standard by which we judged all other episodes.

3) "Deus Ex Machina" - this episode breaks my heart every time, but it also restores it by the end. It plays almost like an allegory about losing one’s faith. The on-island story follows Locke as he has visions of a plane that may hold the secret to getting inside the hatch. He doesn’t succeed and, in fact, his partner-in-crime Boone is fatally injured. The episode ends with Locke beating his hands bloody against the top of the hatch. Just when all hope is lost… BOOM. A light from inside the hatch comes on.

2) "Live Together, Die Alone" - Desmond’s backstory is well-told, but we also get Michael’s betrayl, the hatch detonation, a four-toed statue, Walt’s rescue, and Mr. Eko playing with dynamite. This is Lost at its most adventurous.

1) "Through The Looking Glass" - if anyone asks me to give them one episode explaining why I like this series so much, this would be it. For Lost fans, it has everything: revelation, death, comedy, romance, triumph, and tragedy. We are presented with a few major events: Charlie’s demise, the Other’s defeat, Walt’s reappearance, and Jack’s flashforward, which confirms that, yes, one day some of these castaways will indeed make it off the island. The episode serves the fans well by tipping the hat to the series’ storied legacy, but it also shows how the series will look in its final three years.

So what do you think? Do I have it right or am I hopelessly off-target? How do you think the new episodes would stack up against this list? Come on, AE devotees, let’s get some discussion going.

Oh, and yes, Lost will be back on April 24th at 10 o’clock after Grey’s Anatomy (don’t get me started about that one). The episode will be called The Shape of Things to Come and signs are pointing toward it either being a Ben or Sayid episode. Check back next week.

Comments [post a comment]

I have to agree. These are some of the best eps. Although, I would have include The Brig and The Constant. By the way, it's Deus Ex Machina, not Deuce. I take it you are a Locke fan, yeah? ;)	Posted By: Kat [Website] 03/28/2008 7:25 PM
Hey, we all have our preferences (pssst, it's Man Of Science, Man of Faith... and yeah, you're right that it delivered perfectly)... but your #1 is right on the mark because it truly is LOST at its best and the moment of OMGWTF is so iconic. Plus the acting in it was just breathtaking. My Top Ten: 1. Through The Looking Glass 2. All The Best Cowboys Have Daddy Issues 3. Pilot 4. Man Of Science Man Of Faith 5. Raised By Another 6. Walkabout 7. A Tale Of Two Cities 8. Orientation 9. Exodus 10. One Of Us	Posted By: CJS 03/29/2008 1:58 PM
How could you leave out "The constant", IMHO BEST eppy ever,hands down. While perhaps not in your top 10, " Greatest hits" is also a favorite of mine. The Economist was awesome, and also worth mentioning as underrated is "Whatever the case may be" Just a few thoughts, but seriously, "The Constant" is in the top 10, if not number 1.	Posted By: Jody 03/29/2008 2:38 PM
I have to agree that The Economist and The Constant are some of the best episodes the series has produced. I tried to keep the list limited to the first three seasons. If included, you guys can bet that The Constant would have been in the top three easily.	Posted By: Chris Flippo 03/29/2008 4:18 PM
I wanted to see the constant and trisha tenaca is dead	Posted By: grant 04/08/2008 07:43 AM
Good list. A lot of the ones on your list would be on my Top Ten list, as well. But two of my favorites were "Exodus" (because I loved how we got multiple character flashbacks for the first time since "The Pilot") and "The Long Con."	Posted By: Marshal 04/08/2008 09:57 AM
Lockdown!!!!!!!!!!!!! Or at least "One of them". "The other 48 days"? You missed out on some underrated season 2.	Posted By: Al 04/08/2008 10:01 AM
The Constant was simply the best episode so far. 2. Confidence Man 3.Walkabout 4.Flashes before your eyes. 5.Through the Looking Glass 6.Pilot 7.Exodus 8.Man of Science, Man of Faith 9.The other 48 days 10. The long Con	Posted By: J 04/08/2008 11:21 AM
The Constant (one of the best episodes ever, giving Desmond some resolution without killing him off). The Brig (a great revelation about Locke and Sawyer's common foe that we'd been waiting for for years, handled expertly). Tricia Tanaka is Dead (Shambala!).	Posted By: Ed Holden [Website] 04/08/2008 12:47 PM
10. Walkabout 9. Do No Harm 8. The Man Behind the Curtain 7. Tricia Tanaka is Dead 6. The Economist 5. Dues de Machina 4. Greatest Hits 3. Pilot 2. The Constant 1. Through the Looking Glass	Posted By: cathy 04/08/2008 12:50 PM
Personally I love 10 - Man of Faith, Man of Science 9 - Hearts and Minds 8 - Collision 7 - Exodus 6 - One of Them 5 - Deus Ex Machina 4 - Pilot 3 - Expose 2 - Abandoned 1 - The Other 48 Days But thats because I loved Shannon, Boone, Ana and Niki!	Posted By: Drew 04/08/2008 3:38 PM
Hey dipshit, "alright" is not a word. It's "all right". So, are you a journalist or not? That list is pretty good and I agree that "The Constant" would be in there too if we were counting Season 4.	Posted By: Tav-El 04/08/2008 5:21 PM
Great list and for great reasons. Thought I'd do mine off the top of my head: 1- The Greater Good 2- Through The Looking Glass 3- Do No Harm 4- Walkabout 5- The Long Con 6- Whatever the Case May Be 7- Man of Science Man of Faith 8- One of Them 9- The Other 48 Days 10- ...And Found In all honesty, I can't really say why I like some of these so much, which is why my list isn't as legit. But there they are.	Posted By: Blake 04/08/2008 6:35 PM
Tav-El, Ever tried looking "alright" up in the dictionary? It's in there assclown, and therefore it is a word. Do some research before you post, loser! What a dumb ass.	Posted By: Tav-El is an idiot 04/09/2008 01:09 AM
I think in terms of awesome jawdropping pantswetting LOST moments, Two for the Road takes the cake. Though not a great episode overall, the ending was unparalleled in all of LOSTdom, except for the ending of Through the Looking Glass or Walkabout, perhaps. No other episode, or other show, for that matter, has made me literally stare at the TV screen in silence with my mouth hanging open for a minute after it finished.	Posted By: Harry Balsagna 04/09/2008 3:58 PM
A tale of two cities is EXCELLENT.	Posted By: MissyClaire 04/09/2008 7:48 PM
I love them all...	Posted By: Jim Scranton 04/10/2008 1:38 PM
How can you guys miss "The Moth", from Season 1... In it, Charlie struggles with his drug addition, and Locke encourages him to give them up, in a really really touching manner. Charlie redeems himself by saving Jack from the collapsed cave.... This show was something I really liked since it showed that this show could teach nice things without appearing to be preachy...And it could go deep in conscience. Anyway, these lists are nice and I agree to most... There have been so many good episodes of Lost, that I personally would have to make a top 20 or top 25 list to cover all my favorites...	Posted By: Gaurang Khetan [Website] 04/11/2008 12:15 AM
Pretty solid list. Most of those episodes were awesome(however, I am personally not a huge fan of Man of Science...). My Top 10: 1. Exodus 2. Live Together, Die Alone 3. Through the Looking Glass 4. Pilot 5. Outlaws 6. Do No Harm 7. Flashes Before Your Eyes 8. White Rabbit 9. Walkabout 10. The Man Behind the Curtain Oh and by the way, I'll also post Bottom 10(1 being the worst LOST episode) just for kicks... 10. Further Instructions 9. The Glass Ballerina 8. Fire + Water 7. Enter 77 6. Abandoned 5. ...And Found 4. Adrift 3. Collision 2. S.O.S. 1. Everybody Hates Hugo	Posted By: john 04/14/2008 12:34 AM
I'm glad you mentioned the boar hunt in Outlaws being the stuff of "B-plots". It's funny how that became such a great episode anyway. It definitely had good flashbacks - very intense. Now you've got me interested in seeing what your least favorite episodes are.	Posted By: Chowder 04/15/2008 9:50 PM
well well well I believe that these are the top three episodes 1. tha man behind the curtains 2. throught the looking glass 3. live together die alone dont you agree	Posted By: rachid 08/07/2008 12:57 PM
My favorite episodes would have to be: 10. There's No Place Like Home -Exciting finale with touching moments. 9. Jin Yeon -Very touching and the best Jin/Sun episode, despite confusing flashback/forward. The last scene is a great performance by Yunjin Kim. 8. The Moth -The dialogue between Charlie and Locke, played by two of Lost's best actors, makes it fun and philosophical, the best. 7. The Shape of Things to Come -This episode made me love Ben, and even root for him, and I felt very sad when he cried over his daughter's body. 6. Cabin Fever -A flashback for Locke that wasn't about the cool moment (although those are nice), but the character study. A look at Locke at his best. 5. Confidence Man -Emotional scenes for many of the characters, and I always cheer for Sawyer when he turns his back on the deal at the last flashback scene. 4. White Rabbit -The beginning of the faith v. reason, my favorite theme in the show, and the episode that made me like Jack (since I watched this on DVD after I started watching during Season 2). 3. Walkabout -Locke's one of my favorite characters, and although many cite the last flashback scene as great for its shocker, I love it because I always feel for him when Locke's screaming at the tour guide man. 2. Flashes Before Your Eyes -I love Desomond, but the debate this caused in me with my feelings about fate and free will makes the episode a winner. 1. Through the Looking Glass -Excitement, touching scenes with future Jack, and my favorite part, Charlie's death, make this my all-time favorite.	Posted By: Brendan 08/07/2008 8:56 PM
10.The Man Behind the Curtain 9. Deux Ex Machina 8. Live Together, Die Alone 7. Dead is Dead 6. The Incident 5. Lockdown 4. Flashes Before Your Eyes 3. The Constant 2. There's No Place Like Home 1. Through The Looking Glass	Posted By: J. Miller 09/22/2009 6:04 PM