Pilot: Part 1

I started to watch this second time. It's been two years when I watched this very first time. Im still thrilled what happens next waiting the backround stories of the charters and watch how they grow and involve. We have not nothing like this anymore, this is a greatest idea a survivorstory series.

The beginning of LOST & The Walking Dead is the best beginnings in the history of the TV

Four years have passed since the first time I watched part one of Lost's pilot. When it happened and I didn't have any expectations as I was new to the show. The only thing I knew was that it was about characters crashing on a deserted island. I had Robinson Crusoe in mind and already seen a few films on the subject, like The Blue Lagoon and Castaway, but nothing could have prepared me for the things I saw. Today it even felt better because I'm a huge fan of Lost and the characters have grown up so much on me in the last past years. So watching their first steps in the jungle or on the beach was just mesmerizing. If you're new to Lost you'll just fall in love with it like most of the viewers did at the time it was first aired. If you're already a follower then you'll just be blown away like I did. The first scene with Jack felt like a fairytale, as Alice opening the door to Wonderland. An other cult scene is the first encounter between him and Kate. Moreover the acting is so good that it makes such scenes even better. But it's only half of the strawberry on the shortcake as other major characters haven't been properly introduced yet. In fact I'm quite surprised the pilot episodes were aired at different dates. I'll definitely not wait for a week to watch part two once I've written this very review. Yes because it's the issue with Lost, you'll get addicted to it. But you can choose your path like the characters will. You can either channel your energy into something productive or just get lost. It's one thing the story helped me better understand. It's specially interesting as horror, fantasy and contemporary elements are mixed. The last scenes with Jack, Kate and Charlie are specially scary and you'll definitely want to switch on some lights to feel more comfortable. My only complain would be the production quality that could be better. Some scenes are really high-end and the direction is perfect but others look average with their studio elements : Approximate lighting, character incrustations over fake backgrounds… But overall you really feel like if events were taking place on a deserted island. It also looks that the budget was heavy on the crash scenes as it really looks like a puzzle to solve.

The opening episode of "Lost" will always be iconic- that opening shot of Jack's eye, the progressive heightening of the tension in Michael Giacchino's music, and Matthew Fox's excellent acting as the character of Jack slowly realizes the scope of what just happened. The subtle introduction of numerous characters makes for outstanding character writing as well.

However, as with most pilot episodes, I find this script becomes too bogged down in being an introductory piece that it doesn't quite blossom as a full episode. Take for example one of the great pilot episodes in my opinion- "The Way Back" from Blake's 7. By the end of that episode you get the basic premise for the show, the characters, the nemesis, etc. Few pilot episodes accomplish that much and to be honest it is Part 2 of the "Lost" pilot that it successful in that regard- very, very successful.

"Pilot, Part 1" is iconic because it's the episode that hooked most of the people that are faithful to "Lost" to this day. When you look at how well it manages to introduce and develop these characters in 40 minutes it is an outstanding achievement, but for pure entertainment value and rewatchability when compared to many other episodes of the series? It's not quite one of the best episodes, and the second part of the pilot vastly improves on this.

J.J. Abrams proves his worth as director here, setting the bar for excellence in direction on this show and TV in general fairly high here.

Best scene- The first ever flashback aboard Flight 815 just before the crash.

Best shot- The introduction of John Locke, orange in mouth and all.

Questions in light of the remainder of the series: why did the monster kill the pilot?

8/10

When 'Lost' was in its prime, it was must-watch television. Remember first watching it, found it remarkably easy to get into, was hooked from the start and was on Season 3 by the end of one week. The general consensus is that the final season is a disappointment and cannot disagree.

There is the agreement that as far as pilot episodes go, that for 'Lost' is among the best of them. It couldn't be a more perfect beginning to a wonderful show and six seasons on it's still among the best episodes. Although the characterisation and back-stories admittedly became deeper, richer and more developed over the course of the show, "Pilot Part 1" still establishes the featured characters very well, making them easy to root for and feeling every inch of their emotions rather than getting frustrated at them. In just one episode, Jack and Kate in particular are interesting.

"Pilot Part 1" is excellently photographed, made with a lot of atmosphere and slickness and with no cheapness at all, while the setting has a suitable amount of claustrophobia and the plane effects are better than many disaster films featuring anything with a plane. The music is understated yet chilling.

Even for so early on, the writing is smart and taut as well as provoking a lot of thought. Although not the most character rich in terms of depth, the story has emotion, a genuine sense of dread and nail-biting suspense that have rarely been done more strongly since on 'Lost' and does it far better than most films.

Acting throughout is very good indeed, particularly from Matthew Fox and Evangeline Lilly. The chemistry between the whole cast is expertly done.

In summary, a perfect start. 10/10 Bethany Cox