What Kate Did

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.

It is very difficult following on from two tension-filled show high-points in "The Other 48 Days" and "Collision" and be as good, but "What Kate Did", while not as great as those two, accomplishes this very well. It is by quite some way one of the best Kate-centric episodes (don't dislike her as much as some do but there are far stronger characters on 'Lost'), and does see her at her most interesting in quite some time.

The flashback, no matter how pretty clichéd it is, gives one more of an insight into Kate's past and answers the long unanswered question of why Kate was a fugitive. The mystery itself is handled well though the whole black horse stuff leading up to the reveal for my tastes was a touch on the silly side. It also is successful in allowing us to sympathise with Kate's situation despite her un-condonable actions.

Having said that, the island events and mysteries are more compelling and advance the story and characters much more. Particularly the bond between Locke and Eko, which is mysterious and thought-provoking (Eko really intrigues as a character, and is every bit as intriguingly acted), the shocking cliff-hanger and with Sawyer, where his pain and anguish is very believable as is the mental instability dialogue. Hurley's line about Bernard is very funny.

"What Kate Did" benefits from great acting. Terry O'Quinn can do no wrong and Josh Holloway's Sawyer is fantastic. Evangeline Lily continues to grow vastly as Kate and having an episode centred around her may have induced some groans and worries but it does allow Lily to stretch her acting abilities and she does in a very emotionally committed performance.

A great job is done with the writing and development of the characters thanks to a taut, smart, passionate and complex script that has a lot happening while not feeling over-stuffed.

On a visual level, "What Kate Did" is beautifully photographed, as always making the most of the island setting. The music is as always chilling and understated and some of the show's best direction is present here.

In summation, an excellent episode that progresses everything beautifully and makes Kate the most interesting she'd been on 'Lost' up to this point. 9/10 Bethany Cox

"What Kate Did" delves into Kate Austen's past, providing crucial insights into her character and her actions on the island. The episode opens with Kate experiencing disturbing visions of a horse, leading to growing tension and fear among the survivors. The direction by Paul Edwards effectively captures the emotional intensity and suspense of Kate's journey.

Evangeline Lilly delivers a standout performance as Kate, portraying her vulnerability and desperation to reconcile with her past. The flashbacks reveal more about Kate's tumultuous relationship with her stepfather and the events that led to her life on the run. This backstory adds significant emotional weight to her present-day actions and interactions, particularly with Jack and Sawyer.

The writing in "What Kate Did" explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the search for identity. Kate's struggle to confront her past and her evolving relationships with Jack and Sawyer create a compelling narrative. The script skillfully balances character development with plot advancement, gradually revealing more about Kate's past and the island's mysteries.

The cinematography captures the episode's emotional and suspenseful moments, using close-ups and dynamic camera movements to convey Kate's inner turmoil and the eerie atmosphere of the island. The editing maintains a steady pace, ensuring a seamless flow between the flashbacks and present-day events. The sound design, including the use of ambient noises and haunting music, heightens the episode's tension and emotional resonance.

In conclusion, "What Kate Did" is a haunting and emotionally charged episode that delves into Kate Austen's complex character and the island's mysteries. The performances by Evangeline Lilly and the supporting cast are compelling and multifaceted. The writing, direction, and cinematography create a rich and engaging narrative, adding significant depth to the series' character dynamics and overarching themes.

While taking care of a feverish Sawyer, Kate freaks out and recalls her crime trying to protect her mother against her abusive and drunken stepfather. Shannon is buried with the presence of the survivors except Kate, Sawyer and Ana Lucia. John Locke shows the film to Mr. Eko and Michael, and Mr. Eko gives the missing part, which was found in the other side of the island, with the instruction to not use the computer for communication.

In this episode, the original crime of Kate is finally disclosed. The advice in the piece of film retrieved by Mr. Eko is the greatest attraction for the next episode, since Michael is using the computer for a mysterious communication with Waltz. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

Note: On 29 March 2013, I saw this episode again.

SPOILER: This is another brilliant case of "does exactly what it says on the tin": the title of the episode is What Kate Did, and what the writing team made up of Steven Maeda and Craig Wright does is precisely what fans have asked for since the show began - reveal why Kate Austen was on the run. And it's every bit as good as it sounds.

On the Island, the castaways are preparing for Shannon's funeral, while Jack keeps watching over a convalescent Sawyer and Locke sets up shifts to push the button in the hatch now that Desmond is gone, striking a friendship of sorts with Mr. Eko in the process. Kate, meanwhile, fears she is going insane after seeing a black horse in the jungle, which leads to her having a talk with Sawyer on the subject of mental instability, and Michael discovers a way to get in touch with his captive son.

As for what Kate did, it turns out she murdered her abusive stepfather by blowing up his house. She was arrested by US Marshal Grant (Fredric Lehne, always a welcome presence) but managed to escape - a black horse was involved, weirdly enough - and confronted her birth parents about her crime, making a shocking discovery about her step-dad.

What Kate Did is a spellbinding combination of standalone character bits and relevant mythology plotting: in the former camp, we have all scenes featuring Evageline Lilly, whose performance hits all the right notes and remains sympathetic even in the darkest moments; in the latter, we have the bond between Locke and Eko, which is strengthened by the appearance of another Marvin Candle tape, and two climactic revelations that suggest the rest of the season will amp up the danger factor. Oh, and did I mention Kate and Jack kiss?

Kate is one of my least favorite characters on Lost. She cannot have her story told without flirting with Jack and Sawyer in-between flashbacks. However, the flashbacks here were interesting. I liked the story, even though it might feel cliché. My problem is the love triangle. Stop that. Kate is practically playing with Jack's feelings every episode. Aside from that, Locke is excellent and Mr. Eko is too. In typical Lost fashion, the cliff hanger ending leaves me wanting to watch the next episode, and then the one after that, and then the one after that.