[US/IRL] 4X01 - "The Beginning Of The End" [** SPOILERS WITHIN **]

Basq

- WARNING: THIS THREAD WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT YET SEEN "THE BEGINNING OF THE END" -

Episode Title: "The Beginning Of The End"
Airdate: January 31st 2008

Synopsis (from TV.Com):

They thought they had met the enemy. They thought they had seen evil. They thought wrong. As the new season begins, the feeling that rescue is close at hand, the survivors don't know whether or not to believe Charlie's final message that the people claiming to liberate them are not who they seem to be. As unlikely alliances are formed, those they thought could be trusted may turn against them,as the enemy of their enemy becomes their friend. But who can be trusted? Is rescue really as close as it seems?

Next New Episode: 4X02 -

"Confirmed Dead"

- February 7th 2008

---

SPOILER WARNING:

From now on, this thread shall reveal details of the episode mentioned above. If you have not yet seen this episode, please do not move any further down the thread.

This episode shall air on:

ABC (US) - January 31st 2008
RTÉ (IRL) - February 4th 2008

If you are sure you have seen the episode as mentioned above (on the channels on those original airdates), you can move down further in order to discuss the episode.

Otherwise, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED - there shall be major plot details of the episode revealed and discussed below with no spoiler tags used!

Basq

Am away til Tuesday so won't be giving my opinion of the episode til then.

It's going on my Zen to watch while i'm away though.

Cannae wait for it - enjoy it everyone!

AlmightyCushion

I can't wait for this. It's a pity that there is only gonna be 8 episodes in this season.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

9

It's been so long since a new episode. 'Tis about time.

Wreck

5

I can't believe I'm excited about this, can't fecking wait though:D

AdrianII

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

I can't wait for this. It's a pity that there is only gonna be 8 episodes in this season.

are you kiddin me - 8 episodes

PullMyFinger!

9

4.30 pm tmw?

More like 5am tonight surely?

Agamemnon

7

Bring it ON!!!

Snake Plisken

9

Yep All set here too, actually its kind of handy being on Thursday night makes me look forward to the weekend even more

jor el

4

I'll be so tempted to watch this at work tomorrow, even though I was overall disappointed with last years. Only 8 episodes is going to be a right piss take. If they decide to put another 8 on after the Summer then it won't be too bad, but I'd imagine that it's going to feel very unfinished (more so) now that they've cut this season in half.

Sad Professor

9

jor el wrote: »

If they decide to put another 8 on after the Summer then it won't be too bad, but I'd imagine that it's going to feel very unfinished (more so) now that they've cut this season in half.

I agree with this. To be fair it's not really their fault but ABC should have just held everything back until the strike was finished like Fox is doing with 24. It's all great now but I can see there being big backlash come episode 8.

I'm still looking forward to 4x01, I just wish the studios would quit f**king around and make a deal already so everyone can get back to work.

Axwell

Isnt this suppoed to be a double episode?

Sad Professor

9

Axwell wrote: »

Isnt this suppoed to be a double episode?

No, that's an old rumour. ABC are airing a clip show in front of it however and I think Sky are as well.

HungryJoey

7

My god, the moment has come! I know what I am doing tomorrow night..
:rolleyes:

AlmightyCushion

Would this be considered a valid reason to call in sick to work tomorrow?

Sad Professor

9

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Would this be considered a valid reason to call in sick to work tomorrow?

Hehe, why not? On the radio yesterday they were discussing if people should be allowed "lovesick days". Some workplace (not in Ireland) apparently allows one a year. hmmm or you could just say you had the flu.

It airs in 30 mins on ABC. Emerson is narrating the new recap episode (again) right now.

PullMyFinger!

9

its herrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre!

Sad Professor

9

Terrific first ep. 10/10. I'll give a better review tomorrow but a great start to the season. Can't wait for next week!

el dude

Eh, pretty tame stuff.

doonothing

8

Wowers! best episode since season 1!
What a vast improvement on this time last season :O

eddiehead

7

....

Anima

6

It was a pretty good opening episode I guess. Lots of different pieces but nothing really specific focused on. Hurley must be an important figure in this season by the looks of things.

I was kind of annoyed by the whole Jacob bit to be honest. I thought Jacobs house was on the other side of the Island no? Hurley doesn't even talk about it with Locke after it happened, typical Lost. I suppose it will be dealt with later.

I can't wait for next weeks episode but it will also mean we're a quarter of the way through the season

abelard

8

^Not sure if the bit with Jacob's house was real or just in Hurley's imagination.

Good ep on the whole.

I like the flash forward concept a lot more than the flashbacks for the moment at least. Most of the characters have a backstory that is well enough developed at this stage, and the flash forwards are allowing much more interaction between the characters, whilst solving two of the biggest problems with the flashback concept - a) they tended to just take from what was happening on the island (now they're more tied into the island mystery as we wonder what happened, why they want to go back etc), and b) they could sometimes be a bit boring (i thought today's were some of the best off-island segments for some time, and if they mix it up, we'l probably always be left guessing if it's a flashback or forward for most of the episode).

The on-island segments were pretty good, what I expected really - ie the aftermath of Jack making the call, Desmond delivers the news from the hatch, the groups link up, finishes with the first of the ship people arriving.

Didn't see Naomi continued life coming though, nor the fact that the group would split again, though I guess it's been a constant theme of the show since half way through season 1.

I suppose it's kind of interesting that both Hurley and Jack get off the island, even though they were in diffeent groups, so they'll have to link up again before anyone gets away.

I wonder what the "Oceanic 6" means too. The most simple answer I suppose is that only 6 people survive, but maybe not. And if it is, is everyone else dead, or still on the island? Will we see flash forwards to people who stay on the island?

Meh, many questions as per usual....

Also Starring LeVar Burton

9

Nothing too crazy happened. I felt that the last mobisode was more shocking, but I gave the episode a 10 overall. I've just watched sneak peeks for episode 2 and it looks like things are going to pick up pace straight away, but back to this episode.

-Loved that Dominic Monaghan is still involved. He had a star credit in the episode, so I wonder if he'll be appearing to more people throughout the season, or perhaps that was his only star billing.

-There were a few things about the cast billings that bothered me. Harold Perrineau, Ken Leung and Rebecca Mader were all given star billings, but none appeared in the episode. Generally as a rule, they wouldn't be added until the episode they appeared. That could be considered slightly sloppy. However, what really bugged me was that John Terry (Christian Shephard) had a guest star billing, but we didn't see him in the episode, unless he was

in the cabin

!

-Loved the reference to the Oceanic 6. We already know Jack, Kate and Hurley are 3 of them, but who are the other 3? I assume one of the other 3 is the person in the coffin.

-I also liked the splitting into two groups. I assume Desmond went with Locke, but didn't actually see it happen, can anyone confirm this? And which group did Sayid go with?

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

yeah, I think we did see johns father in the place you said. Interesting stuff, especially considering the last webisode contents.

**** you Lost, you've sucked me in again.

Flashraziel

9

That was him in the cabin. Ive seen a screenshot on another site

Sad Professor

9

CaptainNegative wrote: »

unless he was

in the cabin

!

He was. But so was someone else. Be careful with this scene, the writers are playing with us.

It was a very different episode from previous season premieres. The writers decided to forgo the usual twist-prologue that opened season 2 and 3; they also decided to focus on the ensemble as a whole instead of a small group. Much of this is due to the way season 3 ended. As a result the episode felt more like a continuation than a beginning. I don't see anything wrong with this but obviously some people will. I thought it was very reminiscent of the type of ensemble eps we had in season 1.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

9

Flashraziel wrote: »

That was him in the cabin. Ive seen a screenshot on another site

Do you have a link to the site?

tvnutz

6

Good episode,but nothing amazing. It felt like we needed a double episode for the opener but obviously with only 8 episodes made,that was not going to happen.

I like the idea of the flashforwards more than the flashbacks because every character has had their backstory told well enough.

There were just so many more questions but I like the direction the show is going. And I hate Jack even more,I was so happy when half the group went with Locke,the arrogant git thought no one woud dare disagree with him. he even pulled the trigger. Like they mentioned in Knocked Up,someone really needs to punch that guy in the head.

Also Starring LeVar Burton

9

Mr.S wrote: »

just finished watching it, WOW!

So what happened on the Island that jack doesnt want Hurley saying? Who is the black guy who came to Hurley, is Charlie REALLY dead? ****, anythings possible!

perfect opening eppisode, nothing over the top, and its building up very nicely!

So Obviosly they got off, but what happens to Lockes group? Hurley said, "im one of the oceanic 6"

so only 6 survive, or only get off the island, leaving the others behind.. crazy stuff.

So the flashforwards take place just after they get back? its well before the death of whoever was in the coffin (jacks reference to the beard), so assuming its someone out of the 6 rescued, who got off the island?

Jack
Hurley
Kate

are off for sure, but the other 3?

I think that Jack kills Locke, but only hurley sees, and thats what jack doesnt want hurley to tell people about.

More likely that those were the only 6 who wanted to leave the island and they asked Jack, Hurley, Kate etc. not to tell them they were still alive or probably about the island at all. I reckon that's all Hurley and Jack were talking about. You may be reading too much into it.

Flashraziel

9

Thats the best I could find.

Anima

6

http://lostpedia.com/wiki/The_Beginning_of_the_End

That has a good run down of the episode, with a pic of Christian in the chair also.

Sad Professor

9

The conversation about Anna-Lucia seemed to prove that no one in the real world knows about the island. They think the plane just crashed in the ocean or something and the "Oceanic 6" survived somehow. But obviously most of the others are still on the island, either willingly or by force. To protect those people Jack, Hurley et al have to keep the island secret but there's probably a lot more to it than that.

It's interesting to note that Desmond doesn't go with Locke's group but stays with Jack.

jor el

4

Mr.S wrote: »

so only 6 survive, or only get off the island, leaving the others behind.. crazy stuff.

I'm assuming that only 6 made it back and there are more still on the Island. Ghost Charlie told Hurley that they still needed him. Also the "insurance" guy in the hospital asked Hurley "are they still alive" so I'm guessing that there are those who, for whatever reason, stayed behind.

So the flashforwards take place just after they get back? its well before the death of whoever was in the coffin (jacks reference to the beard), so assuming its someone out of the 6 rescued, who got off the island?

That's what I'd say too. In the flash forward last year, Jack was desperate to get back to the Island, but here he said that they'd never go back. Something changes his opinion after this. Maybe Hurley convinces him in the end?

Mr.S wrote: »

why wouldn't all of the others woudnt want to leave? i can understand locke not wanting to leave..

Obviously at the end of this episode there were a lot of people who didn't want to get off the island with Naomi's people so it's possible than many of them came to the realisation that staying was better.

I also don't understand why Hurley told Jack, at the end where he was playing basketball, that he should have stayed with Jack and not gone with Locke. Why was this I wonder? There's too much mind changing going on for my liking, nobody knows what they really want and in the next scene they want the opposite. Starting to wreck my head already, gah!

Sinfonia

9

Was gonna give it a 9, but after the Jack and Hurley scene it's a 10.

Sherifu

9

Great to see Lance Reddick popping up in lost. Could call this one the Hurley hallucination episode I think Jack was talking to Hurley about keeping the island and those they left behind secret. 8 eps will suck ass.

edit: gave it a 10

anotherlostie

9

Just watched it and thought it was class. So much stuff being set up for the season. Are there only 6 'survivors'? Are there more of them back on the island who chose not to leave? Christian Shepherd as Jacob, wtf? Who was the guy calling to Hurley? What did Charlie's appearance symbolise? And who are the new guys and how do they relate to Dharma?

After about 10 minutes I had that whole 'Lost' groove back again and can't wait for the next 7 episodes. Hopefully they will manage to tie it together satisfactorily.

Cina

Was a great opener.

Does Jack possibly not want Hurley to tell them that there is an island, and there are people on it? Maybe for some reason the others wanted to stay on the island.

fergmcd

8

Thought it was a great episode to get the series back up and running. Hopefully we'll get some flashforwards next week, Hurleys were amazing. I was hoping to see Dave at some stage. The parachuter is so sketchy lookin

skkatter

I'd say it's something along the lines of: six people somehow got off the island, the rest are being held against their will (well, those that want to leave are) and if Jack, Hurley, Kate or the rest of the six talk about the island than their friends left there get killed, or something? Definitely some blackmail type action going on here.

The "Oceanic representative" that visited Hurley, perhaps he's part of the original Dharma Initiative group, and wants to know if The Others (who Ben left Dharma to join) are still alive?

This is all just idle speculation, lizardmen may or may not be involved.

Sad Professor

9

I found the division scene very effective, especially with the rain and everything, plus the scene with Jack and Kate afterwards. It's interesting that the people who went over to Locke's side did it mostly out of trust and loyalty to Charlie rather than to Locke. I mean from the P.O.V. of the survivors Locke is still bat-**** crazy, nobody trusts him anymore, not after blowing up the sub and killing Naomi.

Charlie's death cast a great shadow over the episode which alleviated my fears that it might be forgotten about. It was great to see how (just like the fans) the survivors were arguing over the meaning of Charlie's message and trying to ensure that his sacrifice wasn't for nothing.

Snake Plisken

9

Great Episode a solid 10 for me, it was good to see Hurley & Claire mourn for Charlie really emotional stuff, I was bawling along with them! Nice to see Dominic's appearance, they should never had killed off Charlie. Hope we see him appear in a few more episodes this season.
Flash forwards work very well, I take it that this was before the Jack we saw in the Finale last season, as we saw him pour a glass of Vodka and Orange for breakfast and he tells Hurley he's thinking of growing a beard.
The black guy who visits Hurley was obviously not an Ocianic Lawyer, so who does he represent? Darma?

kaimera

9

Man, I'm glad I saw this thread on the front page a few hours ago.

Ya did it again Lost, I sucked right back in. I have to know whats going this season.

10*

cooker3

6

Good episode. I give it 7, think giving it 10 is overdoing it, I reserve that for episodes such as last years finale.
But really good lead on episode from season finale and sets up the season really well.

I like the flashforward, especially the conversation with Jack, lot more interesting say then Hurleys last flashback in season 3. I think the flashforwards are really going to give a new impetus to the show.
I was surprised to see Charlie again aside from the fact he was dead but also because I heard interview straight after the final where he seemed pretty pissed that he been killed off. I didn't think he would do a Boone and make occasional return.

Did anyone spot the fact it was christian shephard in cabin first time round cause I can't see it at all even looking back but it's amazing how much more interesting he has become over the last few days, no idea what his role in everything will be.

I am a sucker for Jack versus Locke mainly because I love Locke and hate Jack so much, interesting to see how that pans out, see what Ben does and whether they will lnik up with the others. Also, did anyone see which side Sayed joined because as we all know Sayed is never wrong!

3000th post \o/ What better way to mark it

qwertplaywert

7

Certainly the best episode since season 2, and showing signs that ,with a little more quality after this ep, it is back to its best.

My angle on the whole 6 thing- I believe they did something awful on the island, possibly by mistake. I think the people on the boat are not there to hurt them ,they are there to help, but Lockes group will be influenced by the Others[the boat groups enemys] and kill the people on the boat by accident.The fact that Desmond didnt go with Lockes team[at least it appears so] indicates to me that he knows of what is to happen.This will trigger off lots of other events, which lead to the 6 doing something shockinly bad,and they now have to go back to avenge there sins, and possibly save the people left on the island[if there is any].
Its all going to come down to a faceoff between Jack and Male Pattern Baldness at the end though.

qz

6

I thought on the whole the episode was pretty underwhelming.

Granted there were some nice moments such as the cabin scene, the Oceanic "attorney", Charlie appearing and Jack visiting Hurley. But the episode just didn't stand out as spectacular and is by far the worst season opener of the 3. Also, this might be a bit fanatic, but it just didn't feel right without the shot of the eye opening at the beginning.

7/10

Sad Professor

9

cooker3 wrote: »

Also, did anyone see which side Sayed joined because as we all know Sayed is never wrong!

Sayid stayed with Jack. He seemed pretty pissed at Locke actually.

cooker3

6

qz wrote: »

But the episode just didn't stand out as spectacular and is by far the worst season opener of the 3. Also, this might be a bit fanatic, but it just didn't feel right without the shot of the eye opening at the beginning.

I was the same. I was even trying to predict which eye would start it off.
Although I disagree with it being worse season opener. Season 3 was worse by long way for me. Opening scene was great, rest of it was pretty poor imo.

qz

6

Although I loved the intro, I get what you're saying about the latter part of 3x01. But season 3 for me wasn't that great overall. I can't really put my finger on it, but this episode didn't feel "Lost" enough or something. Ridiculous I know, but it didn't leave me dying for the next one.
Let's hope that changes with the second ep.

ShoulderChip

I am hopeless with faces, and was convinced the guy who parachuted into the island was charlie, was he just a random guy?

Seriousely I always greet people I dont know caus eI mix them up or my friends, I even do it on holidays.

Snake Plisken

9

Mr.S wrote: »

i wonder what makes him change his mind from the "We are never going back" to the "we have to go back"

Just second guessing here, but I wonder was it Hurley in the Coffin? Maybe the visions etc get to much for him and drives him to suicide and Jack feels guilty about not saving him and takes up the obsession about going back to the island. As Kate wasn't interested in weather the charecter in the coffin had died or not, maybe Hurley betrayed the ones who stayed on the island in some way so that he could get off the island and Kate and Jack knew?