He's Our You

First, I have to get something said. Lost made a gun handling error. They showed a guard holding a SKS-56 Chinese carbine with a spike bayonet. This was supposed to in 1977. They would be almost impossible to obtain in the USA back then. Except for an odd Viet Nam war trophy I think they would have been illegal to import. Ammunition would also have been difficult to obtain. A USA based group like the Dharma Initiative would have used something far more conventional.

OK, it's not a big deal for most people but for me it was rather surprising. Lost doesn't make mistakes very often. The story line is so wonderfully tight and consistent. It's become my favorite show. I could easily find massive errors with oh Battlestar Galactica, but Lost didn't disappoint.

I won't spoil the episode, except to say that it very, very logically fits. It fits so well and is so natural I am very curious how they will get out of it.

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 4 was a solid season, with high points such as "The Beginning of the End", the three part finale and particularly "The Constant" and the only disappointments (though they were still decent) being "The Other Woman" and "Eggtown". "Because You Left" couldn't be a better way to start Season 5, definitely among the stronger 'Lost' season openers and one of the most confident and most settled. The episodes between that and this were also good to great, with the weakest "Jughead" still having a lot of great values.

"He's Our You" is a very good episode, albeit not one of the show's or season's best. It's not one of the most original episodes in terms of story and other episodes do much better in advancing the plot, events and general characterisation, can understand the "filler" complaint.

Also miss Desmond and Locke. Having said that, the episode is not dull and thought-provoking, providing new mysteries and questions as well as some answers. Everything here grips, past and present and things don't get too confusing. The young Ben stuff was intriguing.

There are surprising moments and also illuminating ones, Sayid is developed well and what is learnt about him doesn't give the impression that we are going round in circles.

Also found "He's Our You" to be an episode with enough entertainment value, tension and emotional moments to satisfy, though other 'Lost' episodes do all three better. The more dialogue-driven parts is a case of it being thought-probing, relevant and adding a lot rather than slowing things down and rambling.

Can't fault the performances, which are superb all round. Michael Emerson has yet to put a foot wrong and Naveen Andrews is terrific, for me some of his best acting in the role. Josh Holloway is also fine.

Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effectively understated and chilling use of music, smart writing and the controlled direction.

In summary, very good but not great. 8/10 Bethany Cox

"He's Our You," directed by Greg Yaitanes, is a gripping and intense episode that centers on Sayid, played by Naveen Andrews, as he confronts the moral and ethical dilemmas that have defined his character throughout the series. The episode delves into Sayid's backstory, revealing the events that led to his capture by the Dharma Initiative and his subsequent interrogation by the group's resident torturer, Oldham. The episode is notable for its exploration of the themes of guilt, redemption, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

Naveen Andrews delivers a standout performance as Sayid, capturing the character's internal conflict and the weight of his past actions. The scenes between Sayid and Oldham, played by William Sanderson, are particularly compelling, as they explore the psychological toll of Sayid's experiences and the moral ambiguity of his choices. The episode also provides a deeper understanding of Sayid's motivations and the sense of fatalism that drives him, adding layers to his character.

The script by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz is tightly written, with a focus on character development and moral complexity. The episode explores the themes of guilt and redemption, as Sayid is forced to confront the consequences of his past actions and the choices he has made. The pacing is deliberate, allowing for a slow build-up of tension as Sayid's situation becomes increasingly dire. The writing effectively balances the episode's dark themes with moments of introspection and emotional depth.

Cinematography in "He's Our You" enhances the episode's tense and claustrophobic atmosphere, with the use of close-ups and shadowy lighting reflecting Sayid's internal turmoil. The direction emphasizes the psychological aspects of the story, particularly during the scenes of Sayid's interrogation, where the lines between captor and captive become increasingly blurred. The editing is sharp, ensuring that the narrative remains focused and that the tension is maintained throughout the episode.

The sound design and score contribute to the episode's intensity, with Giacchino's music underscoring the emotional weight of Sayid's journey. The use of sound effects, particularly during the interrogation scenes, adds to the episode's atmosphere of unease and moral ambiguity. The sound design also plays a crucial role in heightening the tension during the episode's climactic moments, making them all the more impactful.

In conclusion, "He's Our You" is a powerful and thought-provoking episode that delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Sayid. Naveen Andrews' compelling performance, combined with strong writing, direction, and cinematography, makes this episode a standout in the fifth season of "Lost." The episode's exploration of guilt, redemption, and the blurred lines between good and evil adds depth to the show's ongoing narrative and provides a deeper understanding of one of its most complex characters.

Few episodes of "Lost" are as dull and inconsequential as "He's Our You", and coming from writers as accomplished as Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz it's quite shocking how mediocre this script is. There is none of their usual humor or their knack for great character-driven drama here. Their last episode before this was "This Place is Death". If you compare both scripts and think this is even in the same league you need to correct your taste and get checked for mental health issues. Even the ending to this episode isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure it'll keep us chattering for a week but we know they'll solve it easily. If they don't I'll edit this out but until then I find nothing special about this ending, aside from an initial moment of surprise.

The episode is character-centric, but all "Lost" episodes are. It has become a common defense for some "Lost" fans to use when describing mediocre episodes with no action, regardless of whether or not the characters are interesting in the episode or not.. "He's Our You" will be defended by some as a great character episode, or a good character episode. It is not. It is a dumb, simplistic rehash of themes which have been present in Sayid episodes since season one's "Solitary". It adds nothing new to the mix and where it could have done so, in the relationship between Sayid and Ben, it didn't. At least not until near the end of the episode.

All the other character interactions are boring and pointless. The conclusion of Sayid's hit-man missions for Ben is perfunctory and uninteresting, same goes for Ilana's background and how her and Sayid ended up on the plane. When did "Lost" turn into "24"? The truth-telling drug was probably one of the silliest bits "Lost" has ever done. Poorly-written, poorly-conceived, extremely convenient, and a total disaster when it comes to the handling of tone in a scene. I blame director Greg Yaitanes for that bit. (edit: after seeing the episode again, I must disagree with myself on that point, but I don't like the episode much as a whole).

This episode is as close to 'filler' as we've gotten on "Lost" since the abominable Hydra island storyline.

Sayid is locked in a jail mistakenly taken as a "Hostile" and remains in silence. The young Ben brings sandwiches for Sayid and asks him to take him to the Hostiles. When Sawyer advises him to tell that he had deserted the opponent group, Sayid does not accept his suggestion and tells that he has discovered that he has a mission in the island. When Ben releases Sayid from the jail, he accomplishes his assignment.

"He's Our You" is another silly and inconsistent episode about Sayid in the island and before taking the doomed flight. Things happen in the past and people do not have recollections in the future and the only way that the writers found to distract the viewers from this flaw is the discussion between Hurley and Miles about this subject. The conclusion is the best that this show can offer, with Sayid killing Ben. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "He's Our You"