Stranger in a Strange
Land
Original
Airdate: February 21, 2007
Writer:
Elizabeth Sarnoff and Christina Kim
Director:
ABC’s promo department sabotaged this episode
with the claim that we would get three major answers in this episode. The ad people, aware of the growing
restlessness of answer-demanding viewers, threw that in the ad to try to assure
them that something will happen. Only
problem is the core of this promise: three major things weren’t answered. Jack’s tattoo’s were partially explained (I
guess they thought they were going to do another episode), but did anyone
really care? Jack’s tattoos were a
mystery some producers hyped and most viewers ignored. Now that we know, does it unlock any major
answers into the island or mythology?
The second thing we learned was where the people
went after The Others took them. The
return of Cindy and the kids felt tacked on from another episode. They show up, speak with Jack for a few
moments, not really saying much, and disappear.
It doesn’t make any sense. All we
get are vague statements like “you don’t understand” or “they’re in a safe
place”, which considering the episode’s hype, could be considered anything from
irritating to down right teasing. I’m
also guessing “where are the kids” and “what happened to Cindy” were supposed
to be two answers, but no one bought it.
It isn’t fair for me to fault the whole episode
on the advertising debacle. The creative
team doesn’t work with the ad team, so the results can have too many spoilers
or misrepresent the episode among other problems. When “Lost” is in syndication and even when
it comes out on DVD, this ad problem should not be an issue to viewers and
critics, but considering the negative reaction, “Lost” simply failed to make up
for the ad screw up, resulting in a sub-par episode.
The chronology of Jack’s flashback is
puzzling. Considering how many he’s had,
there are several points where Jack would want to head to Phuket
to “find himself”; after his marriage fell apart, after the confrontation in “A
Tale of Two Cities”. Not being able to
fit it in the chronology hurts the context because we don’t know which event
spurred Jack to go on his vacation or his unreasonable anger.
Achara, played by Bai Ling, apparently was going to be featured in three
episodes. Considering the overwhelmingly
negative response this episode received, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see her
again. This is reminiscent of another Bai Ling role, when she guest starred on “Angel” seven
years ago. Her character then was supposed
to be featured in several episodes, but was quickly jettisoned after poor
responses as well. You have to feel bad
for her with that track record.
Considering how many flashbacks Jack has had,
it’s important that they continue to incorporate new elements to Jack’s
character and develop him further.
Unfortunately, the tattoo flashbacks don’t do much of that. We know Jack is a leader and is often lonely
because of that, but what else?
Ultimately, the flashbacks serve only as a parallel to the current state
where Juliet gets marked.
Because she killed one of their own, Juliet is
now branded with a mark that looks like an upside down version of the
Scientology logo. This type of
punishment seems fitting with older customs The Others
have, but why would they put her mark in the same place coeds get tattoos on
spring break? If they really want her to
be branded as an outcast, why wouldn’t they place where it is harder to hide?
The most obvious reason would be so Jack and
Juliet can have a tender moment while he tends to this new mark. They have made a connection and since Jack
knows she wants to leave the island, they have a mutual goal. Obviously his feelings for her earlier in the
episode were what provoked him to sway Ben from executing her, as he doesn’t
even care for sympathetic Others like Tom.
A big problem with this episode is the
introduction of “The Sheriff”, Isabel.
Unfortunately for a show that has had such a great track record with its
actors, this actress just doesn’t cut it.
While the monotone may be channeling Hannibal Lecter
similarly to the way Ben speaks, it just comes off as robotic. I’ve seen her in other work so I know she
isn’t a bad actress, but she doesn’t quite fit on “Lost”. Perhaps Klugh was
supposed to fill “The Sheriff” role, but the actress had other engagements and
this role was meant to be temporary.
One element in the episode that deserved a lot
more exploration was Ben’s apparent slow healing. It’s been shown that the island has been able
to heal Locke’s paralysis, Rose’s cancer and (maybe) Jin’s infertility. However, Ben can’t heal quickly from his
surgery and is rather weak (the brief shot of Tom holding the umbrella over
Ben’s head was intriguing). In fact, the
infection is getting worse. Maybe this
episode would’ve been better had they focused on Ben and hallucinations he had
while taking the drugs for his infection.
Leaving the
It was clear in “Not in
Karl and Alex’s relationship develops more. Of the romantic relationships, this one seems
pure in its “puppy love” nature, which makes it more endearing. You feel bad for Karl seeing him sob over his
lost Alex and smile when Sawyer convinces him to go for it, even if he may die
in the process. There is a certain star
crossed quality to it as their feelings override many of the politics meant to
keep them apart.
This episode came at a bad time. Following the hiatus, people complained about
the show’s direction while praising the new hit show “Heroes” (a show with
similar attributes. I won’t go into any
comparisons here). They had two good
episodes, but this episode may have been enough to tilt some viewers to stop
watching. This episode taught them some
major lessons in how delicately you need to treat some fans, or else the
situation will become a full fledged fiasco.
Despite its faults, it is forgivable considering many of the above
average/excellent episodes later in the season.
Overall
Score: 6/10
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