Live Together, Die Alone: Part 1

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.

"Lost" is quite well-known by now for pulling out all the stops for the season finales. "Live Together, Die Alone" was, when it aired, the greatest episode of "Lost", and one of the all-time TV greats in general. It still stands out as one of the show's greatest achievements in every way- writing courtesy of showrunners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, direction by Jack Bender, cinematography by Michael Bonvillain, music by Michael Giacchino, and striking performances from just about the entire cast, but in particular Terry O'Quinn as John Locke. To say that this episode (and, in fairness, all the other season finales) are on par with some of the best feature films being produced would be a gross understatement.

Even though the latter stages of every season of "Lost" follow a sort of formula (set up big confrontation, pull out some surprise and twists, etc.), the writers always have something unexpected up their collective sleeve. For those of us who avoided spoilers, the very fact that they had the audacity to center a season finale on a minor character who made a couple of appearances early in the season and did little more than yell at people. Not only that, but they actually pulled it off, making Desmond, over the course of just one episode, one of the most interesting and popular characters on "Lost", and one of the most likable. The flashbacks here are tremendously well-written, setting up what is perhaps the only truly well-executed romance on "Lost", between Penny and Desmond, and eventually taking Desmond to the island, where we learn a bit more about the history of DHARMA, see some new areas of the island, and see why the plane crashed (although many will disagree that was a definitive answer). The strength here again is the focus on character. If we don't have an emotional connection to the characters, the mythology means very little.

The island events are focused on two different story lines. Upon Desmond's return Locke convinces him that the button is worthless, and eventually they succeed in locking Eko out of the room where the computer is, which sets up Desmond turning the failsafe key. That is, of course, a very shortened version of the events, and we get some more outstanding interaction between Locke and Eko, with Desmond added in for good measure. Come on, how can you resist that? Meanwhile Michael is leading Jack, Kate, Sawyer, and Hurley right to the Others, and Sayid, Jin, and Sun take Desmond's boat as backup. The four-toed statue is still one of the most annoying mysteries, because it feels like ages since it was introduced and it hasn't even been mentioned again.

Like all the season finales, and many other episodes of "Lost", "Live Together, Die Alone" is meditative, philosophical, intelligent, and character-focused beneath all the running around and action/adventure stuff. That is what truly sets "Lost" apart from the majority of genre television. This episode is one of the show's most brilliant achievements, and given its 87 minute length, one can rightfully compare it to some of the finest films ever made. The quality of the production from every angle, from something as general as the direction to more detailed aspects like sound editing and mixing, is quite an astonishing achievement.

10/10

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