Ji Yeon

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 episodes between that and this were generally strong, with "The Constant" being a season and show high-point although "Eggtown" and "The Other Woman" disappointed.

The episode has much of what 'Lost' is all about. It's taut and thought-provoking, with utterly gripping and beautifully developed on-island events. It is also one of the show's most emotional episode and shows plot progression rather than repeating itself or being filler.

My only complaint actually is the unnecessary and clumsily written appearance of Hurley.

"Ji Yeon" is a very emotional episode, one of the most affecting of all the Jin and Sun-centric episodes, and it avoids being soap-operatic or melodramatic. The chemistry between the two characters is beautiful. Desmond and Sayid's story is tense and suspenseful. The flash-forward intrigues and Jin's role is entertaining and didn't feel extraneous.

Can't fault the performances, particularly an expressive Yunjin Kim giving some of her best acting to date. Daniel Dae-Kim and Henry Ian Cusick are also splendid.

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).

Overall, great. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Most pathetic character here. I hate every second that she on screen. That creepy face of her.

"Ji Yeon" is a poignant and emotionally charged episode that explores the lives of Jin and Sun Kwon, both in the past and the future. Directed by Stephen Semel, the episode uses a unique narrative structure, with flashbacks focused on Jin and flash-forwards centered on Sun. The episode masterfully intertwines these timelines, revealing a heartbreaking twist that adds depth and tragedy to the couple's story.

Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim deliver powerful performances as Sun and Jin, capturing the love, tension, and eventual heartbreak that defines their relationship. The flashbacks provide insight into Jin's struggles and his journey to become a better husband, while the flash-forwards reveal the bittersweet reality of Sun's life after the island. The final revelation-that Jin's scenes are flashbacks, not flash-forwards-adds a layer of tragedy that lingers long after the episode ends.

The writing in "Ji Yeon" is exceptional, balancing the emotional weight of Sun and Jin's story with the ongoing mysteries of the island. Themes of love, sacrifice, and loss are central to the episode, creating a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. The pacing is carefully controlled, with the dual timelines unfolding in a way that maximizes the emotional impact of the story.

Cinematography and direction play a crucial role in the episode's emotional resonance, with intimate close-ups and carefully framed shots that emphasize the characters' emotions. The editing is seamless, ensuring that the transitions between the flashbacks and flash-forwards are smooth and coherent. The sound design, featuring a haunting and melancholic score, enhances the episode's emotional depth and adds to the overall sense of tragedy.

In conclusion, "Ji Yeon" is a beautifully crafted episode that delves deep into the personal lives of Jin and Sun, offering a story that is both heartbreaking and profound. The strong performances, combined with the episode's innovative narrative structure, writing, and cinematography, create a memorable and emotionally impactful experience that stands out in "Lost's" fourth season.

Sun tells Jin that she does not trust on the new acquaintances Daniel and Charlotte and she decides to move to Locke's camp. Juliet discovers her intention and tries to stop Sun telling Jin about her affair. Meanwhile in a flash forward, Sun delivers the baby girl Ji Yeon while Sun insistently seeks a Panda for the new born. Sayid and Desmond are introduced to Captain Gault immediately after the suicide of the crewman Regina in the supply vessel Kahana owned by Charles Widmore; when they are sent to their new accommodations, they meet the janitor Kevin Johnson responsible for the cleaning of their cabin.

"Ji Yeon" together with "Eggtown" are the best episodes of the Fourth Season of "Lost" so far. We see that Sun and her baby survives and,Sun is another name officially included in the list of the Oceanic Six together with Hurley, Kate and Jack, but it is not clear what might have happened with Jin; but the most intriguing part of the episode is the identity of Ben's spy on board of the Kahana, Kevin Johnson. The new mystery about Jin is also very interesting in spite of the manipulative flash forward. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

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