Live Together, Die Alone: Part 1

Jack, Sawyer and Sayid swim to the boat and find a completely wasted Desmond. His traumatic past experience before sailing to the island is disclosed through flashbacks. Sayid plots a plan with Jack to surprise "The Others" in case Michael is double-crossing the group. John Locke convinces Desmond to invade the hatch, which is protected by Mr. Eko, and not press the button of the computer to see what will happen.

This episode is one of the best of the Second Season. Unfortunately, we lovers of "Lost" can see the lack of respect the producers of this stunning series have with the fans. In the USA, the air date of this episode was 24 May 2006. Therefore, along this period, fans have to wait for the Third Season in a very suspenseful situation, with Jack and his group surrounded by "The Others" and finding the truth about Michael and the death of Ana Lucia and Libby; John locked inside the hatch without the intention of pushing the button and Mr. Eko in despair outside the hatch. I hope the fate of "Lost" be better than "Angel" and its very disappointing conclusion (or lack of conclusion) after five seasons. My vote is ten.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

Note: On 2 April 2013, I saw this episode again on DVD (divided in two parts).

The makers of LOST had an idea for a series before LOST. They were going to have a guy who was a kind of 10-speed rider's version of Indiana Jones, who coffee shop women dream of dating... to make them feel both intelligent and daring... and he was going to sail around the globe and time travel. Or something like that...

They liked the idea and they liked the actor to play their lead hero, named Desmond, but they had a better idea with more people, called it LOST, but didn't want to lose that character or actor for that other show... and that's how Desmond, who has no place on LOST, came to be... on LOST...

Well that's not true at all, of course, but feels like it. Desmond is played by a good actor and is somewhat intriguing but the character is too beyond the show. He's a proverbial outfit wherein the character was fleshed out afterwards, unlike the other main LOST characters who make sense to the show, and, sorry Desmond fans, but this guy does NOT fit at all (having him meeting Libby is as far fetched as having him meeting Jack in the stadium, or run into Clancy Brown from the Sayid story)...

Well here's the first Desmond backstory, and of course everyone seems to love it, and it's probably because of the fact that Desmond proves something that needed proving: you cannot get off the island even with a globe-sailing sailboat... taking away the question of, why don't they just build another boat? Kind of like... what people ask about Gilligan's Island... And Desmond would fit more on THAT series than this one...

As for the rest of the episode, Sayid is always good and he's really great here, as the one guy who has figured out about Michael... Michael who's love for Walt sets the annoying stage of Rick and Carl on The Walking Dead...

Kids, too, like Desmond, have no real purpose here.

"Live Together, Die Alone (Part 1)" sets the stage for a dramatic and suspenseful season finale, focusing on the survivors' preparation for an impending showdown with the Others. The episode opens with Desmond's return to the island, revealing his role in the hatch and his connection to the survivors. Directed by Jack Bender, the episode effectively builds tension and anticipation for the season's climax.

Henry Ian Cusick delivers a standout performance as Desmond, portraying his guilt and desperation. The flashbacks reveal Desmond's past, including his time in the military and his love for Penny, adding significant emotional depth to his character. His interactions with the other survivors, particularly Locke and Jack, create compelling dynamics and highlight the growing tension.

The writing in "Live Together, Die Alone (Part 1)" explores themes of fate, redemption, and the consequences of past actions. Desmond's struggle to find meaning and the survivors' preparation for a confrontation create a compelling narrative. The script skillfully balances character development with plot advancement, leading to a suspenseful and emotionally charged climax.

The cinematography captures the episode's intense and dramatic moments, using close-ups and dynamic camera movements to convey the characters' inner turmoil and the island's threatening atmosphere. 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 suspenseful music, heightens the episode's tension and emotional impact.

In conclusion, "Live Together, Die Alone (Part 1)" is a gripping and emotionally charged episode that sets the stage for a dramatic season finale. The performance by Henry Ian Cusick is 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.

After spotting the boat at the end of the previous episode ("Three Minutes"), the survivors are shocked to find out who the occupant is. With the use of the boat, Jack and Sayid come up with a plan to confront "The Others". However, when Jack, Sawyer, Kate and Hurley follow Michael to "The Others", Jack is forced to reveal Michael's deadly secret whilst they are in the middle of nowhere.

Meanwhile, Locke decides that the time has come to find out the time has come to find out what will happen if "the button" is not pressed. However, Mr. Eko's resolve to continue pressing "the button" is surprisingly strong. So, when Locke concocts a plan to lock Eko out of the hatch with the help of an ally, Eko goes to surprisingly desperate lengths to stop Locke from making what he believes will be a big mistake.

This is a classic episode of Lost, full of secrets, suspense and very few answers to the many questions it poses to its viewers. However, some of the secrets this action-packed episode reveals will be truly shocking to the fans. There is also a trademark end-of-season cliffhanger, which achieves the feat of being both shocking and extremely confusing. One thing is guaranteed, it will keep you guessing right to the very end, and you will still be frustrated with more mind-boggling questions as you wait in agony for the Third Season to begin.

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.

"Live Together, Die Alone" is a prime example of how to do a season finale well. In "Live Together, Die Alone's" case, it does this brilliantly. It is a very strong contender for the best episode of Season 2, a hard feat for a season with many great to classic episodes with only one misfire ("Fire + Water"). Also one of the best episodes up to this point of 'Lost' and one of the best 'Lost' episodes overall.

It is a taut, outstandingly well written episode. Filled with tension, suspense, twisty storytelling and shocking revelations. The flashbacks are some of the show's best written and illuminating in terms of how it advances the character's development and how it ties in with what is going on on the island. Absolutely loved Desmond's development here. None of it is filler, none of it feels irrelevant and none of it is less than compelling.

Existing events are forwarded in momentum and built upon, and new events make one excited for Season 3. Questions are answered and what was suspected earlier in the season (i.e. Henry's real identity) is confirmed yet has the ability to shock. Charlie's hatch explosion reaction didn't bother me that much.

All the acting is pitched perfectly, with Henry Ian Cusick giving one of the finest acting of anybody in 'Lost' history.

Can't fault the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effective use of music and the tightly controlled direction.

Overall, superb season finale. 10/10 Bethany Cox