The Beginning of the End
- Episode aired Jan 31, 2008
- TV-14
- 43m
Charlie's dying message casts doubt on the intentions of the people that Jack believes to be their rescuers. A power struggle ensues between Jack, who wants to leave the island, and Locke, w... Read allCharlie's dying message casts doubt on the intentions of the people that Jack believes to be their rescuers. A power struggle ensues between Jack, who wants to leave the island, and Locke, who thinks that they're supposed to stay.Charlie's dying message casts doubt on the intentions of the people that Jack believes to be their rescuers. A power struggle ensues between Jack, who wants to leave the island, and Locke, who thinks that they're supposed to stay.
- Miles Straume
- (credit only)
- Dr. Charlotte Lewis
- (credit only)
- Michael Dawson
- (credit only)
Featured reviews
and i didn't like the start episodes as of season 2 and 3 as much as this, nothing happened in them apart from the shocks.
this had great confrontation, emotion, story.
and whoever said Smallville makes good television, HA, don't make me laugh. They aren't going to answer all the series question in the opening episode of season 4.
I cant believe Locke tried to kill Jack as well, i like Locke more than Jack and Locke wouldn't have done that
"Lost" is still "Lost", so don't suppose you won't get as much emotions and mysteries as possible. There are a few new questions that you'll wonder about for some time. You also meet a new character, which is definitely evil and unsetting. "Lost" remains American TV's unique show - good to see it back, it's the only one of its kind.
My vote is 9. I really enjoy and appreciate it, but I am sure we'll see some better episodes this season.
The on-island events are a logical extension of "Through the Looking Glass", and work as both follow-up to that episode and a setup for the rest of season four, and pretty much cover all bases in relation to the characters involved in season three's climactic stages (unlike season three's opening stages, which took several episodes to even get to some of the characters impacted by season two's finale, and only set up the Hydra pod of episodes). I don't care at all for Naomi's not being dead, which pretty much redefines 'plot contrivance', or for Rose's line about Claire treating Charlie 'real good' when (sigh) he returns. The rest of it is pretty great, especially the only real surprise in the episode, Hurley's encounter with Jacob's cabin.
The flashforwards are clearly happening well before "Through the Looking Glass", and work well as a setup for the rest of the flashforward stories which would ultimately lead to Drunk Bearded Jack's visit to the mystery coffin. All in all this is a good script, very well-performed and nicely-directed which functions as a pleasingly efficient and rewarding season opener.
Eight months and eight days after the last episode, in a complete lack of respect of the producers with the fans and viewers of this series, the fourth season begins without any answer to the many questions in the previous seasons, and raises more questions showing the future of Hurley and Jack. I am really afraid that the writers are lost and expecting that the fans forget the countless questions left open along these three years. In my opinion, it would be better off resolving the mysteries instead of raising more. With regard to "The Beginning of the End", it is intriguing as usual, but I honestly would rather see the answers. My vote is six.
Title (Brazil): Not Available
Note: On 13 April 2013, I saw this episode again on DVD.
Season 3 was for me a solid if uneven season, with many brilliant episodes but a few slightly underwhelming ones and containing one of 'Lost's' low points "Stranger in a Strange Land". Season 4 had a good amount to live up, and its first episode "The Beginning of the End", carrying on from where the shocking events of the previous season's finale "Through the Looking Glass", couldn't be a better way to start. Also found it the best 'Lost' season opener since the first season's pilot, if not quite as good as that, and can totally see its universal critical acclaim.
The episode has pretty much everything that 'Lost' is all about. It's taut and thought-provoking, with utterly gripping on-island events. It may be primarily setting up and putting into place what is to come, but does that extremely well.
On top of all that, it advances characters, shows plot progression rather than repeating itself or being filler. There may not be many shocking revelations/moments, apart from Hurley's cabin encounter and with Naomi (slightly contrived but can be overlooked), and other episodes may provide more answers, but you know what? Neither were in any way a problem.
Also found "The Beginning of the End" to be a non-stop thrill ride of insane entertainment value, edge of your seat tension and very emotional moments.
Can't fault the performances, particularly from Jorge Garcia giving some of his best acting of the whole show and some of his best ever even.
Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effectively understated and chilling use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction (one of the best of the season and perhaps of the show).
All in all, wonderful season opener and didn't want it to end. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Did you know
- TriviaJorge Garcia did the watercolor painting that Hurley is working on outside the hospital ground before Charlie appears.
- GoofsWhen the detective tells Hurley that he can put him in the nut house, Hurley responds by hugging him. Over the detective's right shoulder, during the over the shoulder shot of Hurley, you can clearly see the left hand of the camera operator, and most of the lens.
- Quotes
Hugo 'Hurley' Reyes: I wanna do a cannonball. I've been walking up and down this beach every day and looking out at this water. And I wanna do a cannonball.
Bernard Nadler: Hurley, you wanna do a cannonball? Cannonball.
- Crazy creditsThe producers gratefully acknowledge the cooperation of the people of Hawaii and their Aloha spirit.
- ConnectionsReferences First Blood (1982)
Details
- Runtime
- 43m
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1