The Other Woman

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.

Season 3 was for me a solid if uneven season, with many brilliant episodes but a few slightly underwhelming ones, an inconsistent first part of the season 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", was a brilliant start. The following episode "Confirmed Dead" is very nearly as great and already there are signs of a season that settled much quicker than the previous one. That continued once again with "The Economist", then dipped with "Eggtown" and then returning to form magnificently with a season and show high-point "The Constant".

Found "The Other Woman" a disappointment after the amazing "The Constant". Not awful by all means, but a lesser episode of Season 4 and it is hard to pick between this and "Eggtown" as the weakest Season 4 episode up to this point.

Certainly a lot of great things, but also disappointments. It does lack tautness and has dull patches. The writing in the more romantic-oriented moments between Juliet and Jack contains too much soap-opera that makes one cringe with a prematurely foreseeable kiss. The whole stuff with The Tempest intrigues but could have been better resolved and the lack of explanation for the station's original plan.

Other episodes do a far better job with story and plot advancing, there is not enough of either here with Ben being an obvious exception.

There is some tension here however, same with the entertainment and emotion. There is a nice unexpected twist in an episode where there are otherwise no real major or jaw-dropping twists.

It does have enough good moments in the story. Really enjoyed Ben's development and Michael Emerson has a lot to thank for that. Faraday and Charlotte entertain, loved the return of Tom and Juliet's emotional journey does have enough emotional investment, primarily because Elizabeth Mitchell is so good, to make up for the soap-operatic writing and that not all of it feels relevant.

Can't fault the performances. Michael Emerson is widely considered one of 'Lost's' best and most consistent actors for very good reason and Elizabeth Mitchell is touching.

Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effectively understated and chilling use of music, enough moments of good writing (like Ben's final line and Juliet's stressful being an Other line) and the above competent direction.

Overall, more than decent but disappoints. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Charlotte and Faraday sneak out from the camping and Jack and Juliet chase them. The former therapist of Juliet and one of The Others, Harper, meets her in the woods and gives a message from Ben, telling that the fugitives are heading to a plant to release gas in the island and kill them. Charlotte and Faraday stumble in Kate and she sees gas masks in Faraday's backpack, but she is hit in the head by Charlotte and faints. Meanwhile, Juliet recalls her passion for Harper's husband and the jealousy of Ben.

"The Other Woman" is another weak episode of this terrible Fourth Season, and the great loss of audience in this series proves that there are other viewers with the same opinion as mine. The mystery and thriller of the series now is shifted to an unnecessary quartet of love like in a soap opera. With regard to the important plot of the episode, if Charlotte and Faraday have good intentions, why sneaking out from Jack's camp and hit Kate? Why not telling the truth to Jack and Kate and resolve the menace with their support? My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

Note: On 14 April 2013, I saw this episode again on DVD.

"The Other Woman" is at a disadvantage due to the dull, obligatory, soap-opera nature of the story being told. You can see the Jack/Juliet kiss coming from a mile off, the characterization of Ben sounds fine on paper (that he still has a childish attitude, but is responsible of something so important), but comes off as trite and silly in execution, and as affecting as Juliet's emotional journey in the episode is, mostly thanks to Elizabeth Mitchell's performance, it's only barely enough to make this a somewhat watchable, mediocre hour of "Lost".

The stuff with Harper is trite, the stuff with Ben is only occasionally effective, such as in the scene where he takes Juliet to Goodwin's body, but the episode has other strengths. Most of the scenes with Faraday and Charlotte are entertaining, although the showdown at the Tempest is disappointing, and it's pretty awesome when Charlotte knocks that meddling brat Kate out. "Eggtown" has more pull and power in the story, but it's also got an awful, obnoxious script. "The Other Woman" has strong enough dialogue and some decent characterization here and there, which saves it from being the nadir of season 4, though it is still mediocre. Ben's line at the end is great, as is Juliet saying "it's very stressful being an Other, Jack".

"The Other Woman" shifts the focus to Juliet Burke, exploring her backstory and her complicated relationship with Ben Linus and the Others. Directed by Eric Laneuville, the episode delves into Juliet's past on the island, revealing her role in the ongoing conflict between the survivors and the freighter team. The episode is a mix of psychological drama and tense action, as Juliet struggles to reconcile her past decisions with the present dangers.

Elizabeth Mitchell delivers a strong performance as Juliet, capturing the character's inner turmoil and resilience. The flashbacks provide crucial insight into Juliet's character, revealing her vulnerability and the manipulation she endured at the hands of Ben. The tension between Juliet and Ben is palpable, adding depth to both characters and further complicating the island's power dynamics.

The writing in "The Other Woman" explores themes of control, manipulation, and loyalty. The episode effectively uses flashbacks to deepen the viewer's understanding of Juliet's character and her motivations. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for the gradual unraveling of Juliet's past while building suspense in the present-day storyline.

Cinematography and direction emphasize the claustrophobic and oppressive atmosphere of the island's interior, contrasting with the open, yet dangerous, environment of the jungle. The editing maintains a steady flow between the flashbacks and the present, ensuring that the narrative remains cohesive and engaging. The sound design, with its subtle yet impactful score, enhances the tension and emotional weight of the episode.

In conclusion, "The Other Woman" is a character-driven episode that adds depth to Juliet's story while advancing the season's overarching narrative. Elizabeth Mitchell's performance, combined with the episode's strong writing, direction, and cinematography, creates a compelling and suspenseful story that enriches the viewer's understanding of the island's complex relationships.