Three Minutes

"Three Minutes" focuses on Michael's desperate efforts to rescue his son, Walt, and the lengths he's willing to go to achieve his goal. The episode opens with Michael recounting his encounter with the Others and his determination to bring Walt back. Directed by Stephen Williams, the episode effectively builds tension and reveals the emotional stakes for Michael.

Harold Perrineau delivers a gripping performance as Michael, capturing his desperation and moral conflict. The flashbacks provide a detailed account of Michael's interactions with the Others and the events leading up to his betrayal of the survivors. His present-day actions and interactions, particularly with Jack and Hurley, are filled with tension and urgency.

The writing in "Three Minutes" explores themes of parental love, sacrifice, and moral ambiguity. Michael's unwavering commitment to rescuing Walt, despite the consequences, creates 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 Michael's 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, "Three Minutes" is a gripping and emotionally charged episode that delves into Michael's complex character and the island's dangers. The performance by Harold Perrineau 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.

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.

"Three Minutes" is not Season 2, or 'Lost', at its best. Not like "Man of Science, Man of Faith", "Orientation", "The Other 48 Days", "The 23rd Psalm", "One of Them", "Lockdown", "Two for the Road" and "?" as far as the previous Season 2 episodes go. Nonetheless it is a very good that does an awful lot right and doesn't do much wrong as such.

It is not one of the most tense or thrilling episodes of 'Lost' or of the season and it may not say much illuminating about Michael or what is already known.

A lot engages and interests though. Everything concerning the captivity and the Others maintains the viewer's attention and has one eager to see what happens later on. What "Three Minutes" does brilliantly is setting up the events for the finale, in a way that shocks and intrigues.

One, from my perspective, is not entirely whether to understand Michael's point of view as he goes through every parent's worst nightmare and the great lengths in handling the predicament or hate him for his actions before, during and after this episode. Everything with Locke is great, then again one doesn't expect anything less from a character so great.

As one expects from 'Lost', it's all well acted especially by Harold Perrineau and Terry O'Quinn.

Visually, 'Lost' continues to be stylish, atmospheric and beautiful in "Three Minutes", as always making the most of the island setting. The writing provokes thought, the direction is solid throughout and it's nicely scored.

In conclusion, very good and sets things up brilliantly if not a show high-point or the show at its most illuminating or thrilling. It certainly compels one to keep watching what is to follow. 8/10 Bethany Cox

"Three Minutes" is meant to fill in some gaps, mostly involving Michael's absence for several episodes earlier in the season, and to set up the finale. It succeeds in doing so, and is involving and entertaining enough, but despite being in the top 15 or so episodes from the second season it still feels a bit like a missed opportunity. This could have been truly pulse-pounding and thrilling, but it needs more than a Giacchino score and lots of camera motion to be truly thrilling. There needs to be an emotional connection for the audience, and what we're seeing doesn't show us anything new about Michael. It feels sort of same-old same-old, like stuff we've already seen this season rehashed.

Still, the episode is very good and quite involving, as far as island-based flashbacks for 815'ers go it's better than "Maternity Leave" but not on par with "The Brig". There's a lot of mythology-based fun relating to Walt (and even a hint at Room 23, which we would see in season 3 and a "Missing Pieces" episode), and we get to see a whole lot of the Others, possibly more than we'd seen in one episode up to this point in the series.

All in all there's not much to talk about. Stephen Williams is an erratic but talented director, and this is not one of his finer efforts. The script is very good, but could have packed a bigger punch. Setup episodes for the finales can be magnificent, see season 3's "Greatest Hits" or if you consider them separate from the second parts, "Exodus: Part 1" or "There's No Place Like Home: Part 1". It's a successful episode at getting everything ready for the naturally mind-blowing finale "Live Together, Die Alone", and it's entertaining, so I'll give it:

8/10