LA X, Part II (S6X02)
Airdate: 2 February 2010
Written by: Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse
Directed by: Jack Bender
Running Time: 42 minutes
The final season premiere of Lost was undeniably a letdown compared to the inaugural episode of September 2004. It was hardly surprising that such a phenomenon could not be replicated, given that the creators were now operating with significantly less creative freedom, constrained by the imminent end of the series and a web of previous plot developments that could not be altered or ignored. The novelty that defined the early days of the show had largely faded, replaced by a formula that was now all too familiar to viewers. Grand plot twists would no longer shock the audience as they had six years prior; instead, the narrative had settled into a predictable rhythm. This structure, dictated by US broadcast television conventions, involved dividing the feature-length season premiere into two parts to be syndicated separately later. This approach invariably affected the natural flow of the plot, making the standalone episodes look unfinished and formulaic, a criticism that applies acutely to the second part.
In an attempt to inject novelty after the introduction of flashbacks and time travel, the show altered the timeline—or at least introduced a parallel universe, dubbed the "flashsideways." This structural change meant that LA X, Part II was forced to juggle three distinct storylines: the flashsideways set in an alternate 2004 Los Angeles, and two strands set on the Island in 2007 that remained stubbornly unconnected.
The first "regular" Island storyline deals with the Losties grappling with the aftermath of their raid on the future Swan station, a mission that left two of them dead or critically injured. Juliet is dead and buried, leading to a poignant scene where Sawyer insists that Miles use his ability to converse with the dead to speak to her on her freshly dug grave. Through Miles, she reveals that whatever she did in 1977 "worked," apparently changing the timeline, which provides a subconscious confirmation of the existence of the 2004 alternate timelines.
In the meantime, the second major Island storyline involves Hurley, Jin, Jack, and Kate travelling to the Temple to cure the mortally wounded Sayid. There, they are captured by another group of the Others led by Dogen (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Lennon (John Hawkes). They agree to a mysterious water ritual to heal Sayid, but it fails, and he dies. Jack attempts to revive him with CPR in a scene that felt repetitive and drained of dramatic tension, despite the emotional weight of the moment. Sawyer and Miles are subsequently captured, and Hurley, after a private discussion with Hurley, tells that Jacob is dead. Dogen sounds the alarm and prepares the Temple compound for an apparent attack from the Man in Black/Smoke Monster. As expected, Sayid suddenly turns alive, a twist that highlights the show's penchant for the "Only Mostly Dead" trope.
The Man in Black storyline sees the antagonist, having survived the bodyguards' failed attempt to take him down, discussing the matter with Ben. He reveals John Locke's last thoughts but praises Locke for his consistency in wanting to stay on the Island. Unlike his counterpart, the Man in Black apparently wants to leave. After leaving his monument pedestal, he beats Richard Alpert and takes him to the jungle, expressing disappointment in Jacob's followers.
In the 2004 Los Angeles of the flashsideways, things go very differently for some of the Losties who are meant to live normal lives. Jack is frustrated by the apparent disappearance of his father's coffin, yet he shares a pleasant conversation with wheelchair-bound John Locke and volunteers to use his surgical skills to address the man's spinal injury. Jin and Sun are detained at the airport over undeclared money and issues with a watch, while Kate manages to escape Agent Mars' custody and jumps into a taxi carrying Claire.
The flashsideways concept, while initially intriguing, looks very much like the flashbacks from the first three seasons in this episode—often annoying "filler" that does not add anything concrete to the plot. Unlike those early episodes, which provided necessary character exposition, the flashsideways here lack justification for their inclusion, as the audience already knows everything they need to know about these characters. The plot feels repetitive, and the writing mocks the audience's intelligence. Agent Mars once again allows Kate to escape his custody, making himself into one of the least competent lawmen on television, a plot contrivance that allows him to be easily outplayed by the same fugitive.
Despite these structural criticisms, the episode features memorable moments. The scene in the Temple, with Sayid's apparent failed healing and Jack's desperate attempt to give CPR, is undeniably tense, even if repetitive. However, the presence of two new mysterious characters—played by notable guest actors—gives just enough novelty to the scene. Jack Bender's direction tightens the focus on the characters' emotional journeys and delivers moments of suspense. Furthermore, Michael Giacchino's score, inspired by John Williams' work in Raiders of the Lost Ark, provides enough atmosphere to make it one of the more memorable moments of the season.
Ultimately, the standout performance of the episode comes from Terry O'Quinn as the Man in Black. His portrayal is devilishly evil and sinister, making him one of the best things in the episode. His dual performance is particularly striking, contrasting with the benevolent and calm face he showed in the first part. His ability to convey menace and charisma elevates the material, ensuring that the episode remains engaging even when the writing stumbles.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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