now that i know a little more about what is going on
in season 3, the first part of the season - the mini season -
is beginning to look a little different to me.

i won't say better or worst, but i want to know
if anyone else is reconsidering their views
of the mini season knowing what we know for now.

Nothing has changed for me. I didn't like the mini-arc then, I don't like it now. It was a disaster. I don't think they showed anything of substance that could open a new angle to look at the events of the mini-arc. It was what it was. A bad story...

In terms of quality of the episodes, I agree with MyNameIsntEarl. I've been entertained by all episodes this year (including Expose), with the exception of SIASL.

The mini-arc i didn't think was LOST's best. It was an okay story. it was the same thing. The only episode I did in fact like was I Do.

Looking back, and if my suspicions are correct, the arc served as a half-way point of the series, and, just like Expose was the midpoint of S3, it had to happen to signify a shift in narrative. Here we have our big three (Jack, Kate, & Locke) and the dynamic with Ben (signifying the heart of the Island, him being there "all his life"). I think it was TPTB's way of hinting that this show really does revolve around those Big3. I know a lot of people don't want to accept this interpretation because they like other characters and/or hate the Big3, but let me add that I think Locke is the most intrigueing myself, just not the nexus of the series.

LOST is about Jack, the eternal hero, his falls from grace, his eventual redemption, and ultimately his sacrifice to protect those he cares about. Kate, is his true love, and vice versa, the one he will give everything up for. Sawyer is his friend/rival who goes through the same thing Jack does, but on a smaller scale. Look at any myth, legend, story and you have the Hero Quest archetype everywhere.

To put it another way:
Jack=Arthur
Kate=Gwinevere
Sawyer=Lancelot

I liked the mini-season when it aired and I still do, but perhaps that's because I attach a larger meaning to it.

^Great post, MyNameIsntEarl!

As for me, I thoroughly enjoyed the first six episodes and have never understood why they've been so maligned. Sure, the story told on Othersville could have been condensed, but I thought the episodes were strongly written and entertaining. They almost reminded me of the beginning of the series ... not as good, as S1 was classic, but we were in a new, strange place trying to figure out what was going on.

I do think many people expected more info about the purple sky and the aftermath of the hatch implosion, so I can understand how people would be disappointed little time was spent on the beach.

I recently re-watched the mini-season, and thanks to the theory of Ben's mistake put forth by MyNameIsntEarl (http://www.thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=74648), I think it makes a lot more sense. This season has been one of those where the previous episodes have made a lot more sense afterwards when we get additional information. I think the problem with the mini-season is that it would have made more sense if we hadn't had that big break and just continued along.

I recently re-watched the mini-season, and thanks to the theory of Ben's mistake put forth by MyNameIsntEarl (http://www.thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=74648), I think it makes a lot more sense. This season has been one of those where the previous episodes have made a lot more sense afterwards when we get additional information. I think the problem with the mini-season is that it would have made more sense if we hadn't had that big break and just continued along.

completely agree. the thread you mentioned was super interesting and it made me think about the mini-arc in a different way. sometimes you need to slow down, bring in new characters, new questions, new information to move a story foreward. anybody who hasn't read mynameisearl's thread, should.

I recently re-watched the mini-season, and thanks to the theory of Ben's mistake put forth by MyNameIsntEarl (http://www.thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=74648), I think it makes a lot more sense. This season has been one of those where the previous episodes have made a lot more sense afterwards when we get additional information. I think the problem with the mini-season is that it would have made more sense if we hadn't had that big break and just continued along.
I wholeheartedly agree. The miniseries might have had the deficit of telling too little about what was going on at the beach afte the hatch explosion - something the viewers wanted to know desperately. So I understand that some people begrudge that.
But I think the miniseries was vital in setting up a big part of season 3. On the one hand, as it was said above, it went in depth into the character dynamics of a large part of the main characters. But, even more importantly, it set up the Others and their dynamics, and introduced vital new characters.
In season 1 and 2 revisiting previous episodes for me was about seeking clues and hints, trying to find things in the background that might become important. Revisiting the miniseries is similar, only that now for me it's about figuring out the new characters and their motivations. Especially Ben and Juliet. And for that alone the miniseries was worth it, because those two new characters are not easy to figure out, and I find myself looking for clues in their behaviour all along.

If the mini-season was more ensemble friendly I would have liked it.

I have a feeling that once the dvds come out, and people will be able to sit down and watch the entire season without any 3 month breaks inbetween, that the first 6 episodes wont be as bad as they originally thought.

I have a feeling that once the dvds come out, and people will be able to sit down and watch the entire season without any 3 month breaks inbetween, that the first 6 episodes wont be as bad as they originally thought.

My point exactly. Without that gap, and with a continuing story to better explain and expand what we learned in those first 6 episodes, it becomes much more clear and a lot more enjoyable.

My problem with the first 6 eps was that it felt like 3 episodes worth of info stretched out over 6. The same things were reiterated over and over and over again. We get it, The Others are 'bad'. We get it, Pickett loves him some Sawyer beating (as I have stated many times on these boards, Sawyer got his butt beat so many times in the mini arc, they should have called it The Passion Of The Sawyer) . We get it, Jack is frustrated. And that, to me, is poor writing.

The handling of Eko's death was poor and treated like an after thought. The dumbing down of Locke and Sayid and the introduction of Tomas Cruz and Mandy Moore aa background players upped to A-Listers was bizarre.

As Bono once sang "Your wheels were turning bur you're upside down"

Thankfully, the car's on the road and we're getting somewhere. The show has becmoe enjoyable. Sayid has become the soldier again. Locke has become myserious and less smiley faced guy. Sawyer's depth is coming through. I would like Kate to cry a little less but that's my 'thing'.

Anyways...there you go...

I have a feeling that once the dvds come out, and people will be able to sit down and watch the entire season without any 3 month breaks inbetween, that the first 6 episodes wont be as bad as they originally thought.


Wrapping poop in a shiny wrapping does not change the fact that it is poop inside.

Season 3 has been a major letdown until TMFT.

MAJOR! :mad:

Still trying to figure out what was the meaning of Hurley's episode. :mad:

Just found this thread and it's quite interesting....

Actually, I agree with you on the larger premise, but disagree on some of the smaller premises.

Kate isn't Jack's true love, unless they're going for a Casablanca type deal. Jack is the tragic hero. His tragic flaw is that his allegiance to "The Greater Good" prevents him from having a real relationship with anyone. Ironically, this flaw is somewhat similar to Jack Bauer's where anyone Jack Bauer loves dies (ex: His wife in S1, Audrey between S5 and S6.)

.

Except now we know Audrey isn't really dead!

I really agree, when people watch it all together it will make more sense and seem less draggy to them. I do think the pace has picked up quite considerably but maybe it's just because we didn't stop after six episodes for a long time.

The season opener was impressive and there were some great moments with Jack, Ben and Juliet I wouldn't mind rewatching, but I'm still not buying the DVDs this season.

I still don't find Mr. Eko's death or Locke's smack hut any less contrived and I still can't see the bright side of having Kate's screechy teeniebopper boy drama be the focus of so many episodes.

...yet. I honestly think a lot of it has to do with her show The Nine being canceled.

Also, I still have faith that Jack intends to doublecross the Chinese because he would never sell out his country, but the writers are straying into dangerous territory. However, this isn't a 24 forum.

So much for that.... :drowsy: Hmm you're right, this ISN'T a 24 forum...do you know one as wonderful as this one??

I agree Kate's little thing is beginning to get on my nerves....

Don't worry Kate's thing will soon be resolved because I think Sawyer's story is about to wrap up and we all know what happens when your story is done..... Smokie comes a calling.

And I disagree about Jack dying in the end. Jack has, from Day 1 been the hero, and everyone's hope - not to mention the man Kate loves. So in the end, after Jack plays his ultimate hand of poker (which is what I believe he is doing) - and saves the day, he's got to be rewarded for his redemption and his sacrifices, and his payoff is Kate. You don't kill Jack.

A friend said she thought Jack might die in the season finale (which is a Jack-centric eppy) and I DO love my Jack, but I have definitely grown fond of Sawyer...or at least more fond of him than I was at the beginning. I think he's softened up some (just like I think Jack has toughed up a little) and isn't quite the hardcore whatever that I thought he was at the beginning. However I do get the feeling (and I stand to be corrected) that this series seems to have evolved into, umm how shall I say this without making people mad...geared towards Jack show? I mean if you think about it, he is the very first person we see on the series. He's the first flashback in every season (someone correct me if I'm wrong). He's the one they nominated as the leader (although he didn't seek that position out) at the beginning and kind of where he's stayed since. I know originally Jack was supposed to die in the beginning but they obviously liked him and he's stuck through it all so far, so personally I don't think he's going anywhere anytime soon...in fact at this point my bets on him making it to the end (whatever that may be).

But this is getting off topic isn't it... :blushing:

I think you're dead on with your assessment of Jack...it's greatly frustrated me to see his character like this when he could be SO GREAT. I definitely think that while some people are screaming because Jack seems to be so trusting of Juliet that he at least THINKS he knows what she's up to and thinks he has a plan whether or not he really has outsmarted Ben/Juliet. Did that make sense? I also think that Juliet is completely up in the air. If she really is truly working for Ben (and not going to double-cross him in some way) then she is only doing it because he has promised her a way off the island and she believes him (or is desperate enough to give him the benefit of the doubt). I'm hoping that somehow this will grow Jack's character some either in his failure or his success. (A girl can dream can't she? ;) )

Wow...you just finally helped me bring everything together in my head. Duh!! :thumbup:

I think that with the whole Juliet/Pregnant Women revelation in the back half of this season it paints the whole Sawyer/Kate bumping uglies in a new light.

Were they manipulated together with the double purpose of both Jack seeing them and for Kate to get pregnant? Hence the dress etc.