Lost: Season 6 Episode 4: The Substitute – TV Review
By Krystal Clark
This week’s episode of “Lost” was entitled “The Substitute” and it was a refreshing break from last week’s Kate-centric episode. It mostly focused on Locke and Pseudo-Locke in both the island’s reality and the alternate timeline. “The Substitute” was a good attempt by the writers to produce an episode with real cliff hanger potential, unfortunately the ending was predictable. The reveal during the final act of last night’s show wasn’t as groundbreaking as I thought it would be, but there were still a few positive moments that compensated for the failed attempt.
The Players:
- Director: Tucker Gates
- Writers/Creators: Elizabeth Sarnoff, Melinda Hsu, Damon Lindelof, Jeffrey Lieber, J.J. Abrams
- Cast: Naveen Andrews, Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, Daniel Dae Kim, Terry O’Quinn, Michael Emerson, Yunjin Kim, Jeff Fahey, Zuleikha Robinson, Katey Segal
The Shows Plot:
“Lost” centers on the survivors of the ill fated Oceanic Flight 815 who crashed on a mysterious island. They fight the elements, the island’s mysteries, and each other while trying to survive in uncharted territory.
Title of this Week’s Episode: “The Substitute” Season 6: Episode 4
Pseudo-Locke goes in search of help to further his cause and lands in the Others camp with Sawyer. He coaxes him to go with him to find answers as to why he was brought to the island, and the castaway reluctantly follows. In the alternate timeline Locke has issues maintaining a job because of his disability but he still manages to find one with the help of Hugo and Rose.
The Good:
- James/Sawyer: He’s back in his true form as a wise cracking a-hole who doesn’t care about what’s going on around him. When Pseudo-Locke said he didn’t look surprised to see him, Sawyer replied, “I don’t care if your dead, or time traveling, or the ghost of Christmas past.” Only on “Lost” could a statement like that actually make sense.
- Rose: The exchange between Rose and John during his job placement interview was straight forward and brutally honest. She spelled out the truth to John and refused to allow him to throw his attitude her way.
- Alternate Ben: In the other reality we saw Ben as a European History professor who was meticulous and everything I thought he would be if he wasn’t a deranged psycho. The brunette dye job didn’t hurt either.
- The Numbers: Those fateful numbers have made a return, 4 8 15 16 23 42. They were written next to the survivor’s names on the wall of the cave. Isn’t it interesting that Sun and Jin share the same number? Yes, they’re a couple but still individuals. That will probably come into play down the line.
- Creepy Little Boy: The young blonde boy scared the sh*t out of Pseudo-Locke when he kept appearing in the woods. It’s not clear who he is, or what power he has but if he can strike fear into the big bad, I’m willing to see what he’s all about.
The Bad:
- The Ending: The revelation of the numbers and the names could have been a major cliff hanger for this week’s episode, but it felt sub-par. The numbers have appeared so many times in the past, that consistent viewers shouldn’t be shocked by seeing them. They weren’t exactly a deal breaker.
Overall:
“The Substitute” wasn’t a terrible episode by a long shot, it just wasn’t that intriguing. Its saving grace was Sawyer and his witty and crass dialogue, along with Ben’s shocking announcement that he killed Locke at his funeral. It doesn’t seem like we learned anything this week that we didn’t subconsciously already know.
Rating: 7/10
Show Airs: Tuesdays at 9pm on ABC
Photos:
Was there anything new you learned from last night’s episode of “Lost” Is there anything that I’m missing?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 5:11PM
Kate was touched by Jacob, but her name was not on the wall, or represented by one of the numbers.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 6:39PM
We learned in season 2 that her name wasnt on the list.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 7:33PM
What did John's g/f mean when she said " We'll call my parent's and your father for the wedding"? Doesnt Locke remember ,as well as his g/f that his father threw him out a window and paralyzed him??
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 7:36PM
I 100 percent agree! I noticed that too! I thought to myself, did you forget that he threw you out of a window? That kind of thing sticks with you, as well as the paralysis.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 7:46PM
And did anybody also see the picture of Desmond and a girl, while John was talking to Rose?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 8:20PM
Looks like you didn't really get that what the writers did in that last scene was offer, at least in part, the meaning of those numbers…it was a HUGE revelation and I was holding my breath during that scene as we have been waiting to know about their significance since season 1…I thought this episode was one of the best in the entire series…I guess there's no accounting for taste…
Thursday, February 18, 2010 1:50AM
Before John left for his adventure in Australia, he was so pathetic that he thought some woman from a 1-900 number would go with him on his trip. In the version where the plane never crashed, why would he come home and still be with his girlfriend, ready to get married? Is this sort of like Hurley saying that he has nothing but good luck (in the version where the plane actually lands). I don't get it.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 5:57PM
[...] With Jack and ClaireWednesday, February 17, 2010 5:56PM By Krystal ClarkIf you were underwhelmed by last night’s episode of “Lost,” don’t worry because next week we’ll get more than we bargained [...]
Thursday, February 18, 2010 3:12AM
Ya..right I saw the episode again..there is Desmond in a picture…guess not with Penny..and I agree the end was sub par
Thursday, February 18, 2010 9:21AM
This was the best episode of the season and one of the best in the series, how do you not at least give it a 9?
Thursday, February 18, 2010 2:51PM
the smoke monster already took the form of jacks dad thats why he infected claire.And john looke was away from his girlfriend when he boaded the plane so it cant be a paralel world when the planed landed
Thursday, February 18, 2010 6:11PM
I agree. Judging an episode by whether it pulls off a manufactured cliffhanger? Please. This episode blended mythology, character and action like the best of them, while delivering great, emotional performances from the amazing Terry O'Quinn, Holloway and Sagal. A 9 at least.
Thursday, February 18, 2010 8:53PM
In the alternate world, details have changed because the Island is destroyed (sunken). Whatever forces controlling the destinies of the characters in the real world, are not in play in the alternate world. Therefore, Locke is paralysed, but not by his father and therefore is less bitter and still has his gal; Hurley is lucky because he won the lottery but not with cursed numbers and Mr. Cluck's never got flattened by a meteor and therefore he owns the whole chain.
Basically, one world run by fate and destiny and the other by choice and freewill…and the only thing that gets lost is luggage.
Saturday, February 20, 2010 10:41PM
the man in black is just brain washing Sawyer so that Sawyer will follow him.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010 12:44AM
Didn't anyone think that Ilana scooping up Jacob's ashes was significant? Why does she know so much?