The Man from Tallahassee

"The Man From Tallahassee" manages to beat "Walkabout" for the title of the best Locke episode, and that is no small feat. Overall it is one of the show's greatest accomplishments in every regard: it boasts some of Jack Bender's best direction, some of the best acting on the show, especially from Michael Emerson, who manages in this episode to eclipse every one of his other performances, perhaps because it is Ben's meatiest episode since season two, giving Emerson ample opportunity to shine, and some of the finest writing on the show.

There is a tendency among some internet fans to speak of 'characterLOST' and 'mysteryLOST' as two separate things, the 'mythology' and the 'characters' as two separate aspects of the show. This is far from the truth, and the show's weakest episodes come when the focus is on one or the other. What makes "Lost" special is the intriguing, mysterious story and specifically how it relates to the many great characters on the show. "The Man From Tallahassee" finds the perfect balance here. We get loads of intrigue on the island, John and Jack's conversations with Ben, the submarine being blown up, the final twist of the episode, but everything is written with the characters in mind. Drew Goddard and Jeff Pinkner did a superb job writing this episode.

The flashbacks are some of the absolute best, revealing the brutally sad truth behind how Locke ended up in a wheelchair. They are made even better by a perfect Terry O'Quinn performance, and the scene with Locke in the hospital after the fall is one of the most emotional and genuinely touching scenes on the show. "The Man from Tallahassee" is a real tour-de-force. Excuse the use of that term, usually reserved for hyperbole coming from morons, but it really does apply here. Everything about this episode is absolutely perfect from top to bottom.

This is one of the best episodes of the third season; heck, it's even better than most of the second season episodes... Both the backstory and the present stories are perfectly matched, equal in suspense and intrigue, and it's always great when Locke is crossing paths with his father, played by an actor most of us grew up feeling very safe with on Emergency and here, one of the most vile characters in the history of television...

Of a show that was once must-see television... Oh, sorry, I've read too many Songbird reviews...

Anyhow, more episodes this season should be like TMFT and it's sad that the show, at this point, is so horribly hit and miss.

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.

Alongside "Not in Portland", "Flashes Before Your Eyes" and "Enter 77", "The Man from Tallahassee" is one of the best Season 3 episodes up to this point of the season. Also feel that it is one of the best of Season 3 in general, one of the best episodes of 'Lost' up to this point and among the best of the show in general. Every aspect of "The Man from Tallahassee" is brilliant and along with "Flashes Before Your Eyes" and "Enter 77" it's as classic as Season 3 got.

The episode has pretty much everything that 'Lost' is all about. It's taut and thought-provoking, also providing some answers like how Locke became a paraplegic. It has an emotional core in the intriguing and at times heartfelt flashback that adds a good deal to Locke rather than going round in circles. It has tense moments also with Ben, as Machiavellian as ever.

On top of all that, it advances characters, shows plot progression rather than repeating itself or being filler and there is some nice foreshadowing. The on-island events are indeed enthralling, with a superb mix of mystery and characterisation and how it all relates to one another (perhaps the most successful episode of the season to do this) and the character interaction keeps one on the edge of their seat.

Can't fault the performances, particularly from Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn acting the socks off the most meat that they've been both able to sink their teeth into for a while.

Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effective use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction (one of the best of the season and perhaps of the show).

In summary, brilliant and classic 'Lost'. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Kate and Sayid are captured while trying to rescue Jack, but John Locke escapes and finds Ben Linus trapped on his bed. John asks Alex to bring Sayid's backpack with the explosives, and then he goes to the submarine to destroy it. Meanwhile John recalls how he became paraplegic.

"The Man From Tallahassee" is a great episode centered in John Locke, disclosing how he ended in a wheelchair and his innermost fears and feelings. On the other side, the personality and Machiavellian character of Ben Linus reveal his unusual intelligence and power of manipulating people. Ben's attitude, strategies and actions recalled me the contents of the books "The Prince" and "Art of War", using the adverse situation to overcome and defeat his opponents. The last scene increases the mystery of the island and leaves us, fans of this magnificent series, anxiously expecting for the next episode. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

Note: On 10 April 2013, I saw this episode again on DVD.

This episode was simply exhilarating. It has been a long time since we last had some insight into John Locke's character. We finally learn how he ended up in that wheelchair and we figure out that he and Ben have many connections and similar feelings about the island. In addition, the ending is amazing and it foreshadows more interesting things to come. Also, in this episode, we witness Locke in a mood which we have never seen before. He is frustrated and has a goal to reach. He also feels very frustrated that Ben can guess his thoughts. This improves this episode's plot. I highly recommend any one who has not yet watched this episode to watch it.