Lost: Deus Ex Machina

[Taxman]

I am now 20 episodes into watching this series on DVD. But I think that Episode 19: Deus Ex Machina, is truly the most brutal thing I have ever seen. Obviously, not physically brutal, but the level of mental abuse and narcissism is just off of the scale.

Locke's kidney

[mewelke]

I loved that ep. The thing I've noticed about the flashbacks is that I continue to like the flashbacks if I'm interested in the character. So Locke's flashbacks are great, Sawyers, the Korean couple, Sayids...these I like.

Somewhat related, I've been watching Millenium on DVD...Locke is in it! Well the actor anyway.

[Taxman]

My father has complete kidney failure. It has never been disclosed to me whether he is on a donor list, or why he would not be a transplant candidate. I have never been tested for compatibility. I think I am glad I did not have to face such issues.

[Brian Reed]

I loved that ep. The thing I've noticed about the flashbacks is that I continue to like the flashbacks if I'm interested in the character. So Locke's flashbacks are great, Sawyers, the Korean couple, Sayids...these I like.

Somewhat related, I've been watching Millenium on DVD...Locke is in it! Well the actor anyway.

Yeah, and as I recall, he was pretty cool on that show too.

[Taxman]

Yeah, and as I recall, he was pretty cool on that show too.Shows you how much I know. He said Millenium, and I was thinking of some bad Cheryl Ladd movie.

[Taxman]

I loved that ep. The thing I've noticed about the flashbacks is that I continue to like the flashbacks if I'm interested in the character. So Locke's flashbacks are great, Sawyers, the Korean couple, Sayids...these I like. I think that this flashback structure really allows you to get inside the heads of the characters far better than any other video presentation I have seen. I almost elevates itself to the level of a novel in that regard. I think it may also free itself of one of the pitfalls of most serialized TV shows. By structuring individual episodes around the specific motivations of a specific character in a specific circumstance, the viewer is able to get a much deeper understanding of the events of the episode without relying on the bachstory presented in previous segments.

[Crimson]

I think that this flashback structure really allows you to get inside the heads of the characters far better than any other video presentation I have seen. I almost elevates itself to the level of a novel in that regard. I think it may also free itself of one of the pitfalls of most serialized TV shows. By structuring individual episodes around the specific motivations of a specific character in a specific circumstance, the viewer is able to get a much deeper understanding of the events of the episode without relying on the bachstory presented in previous segments.

I agree, although I do feel that in series 3 and part of the latter part of series 2 the flash backs become alot more pointless... becoming more part of the formula of the show then anything else.

I won't say anything more for fear of spoiling the show for you but I'd be interested to see what you think about the flashbacks when your all caught up.

I watched the first series on DVD and the switched, so it's possible my view is clouded by the annoying as hell wait between episodes.

It's still an excellent show.

[Taxman]

I won't say anything more for fear of spoiling the show for you but I'd be interested to see what you think about the flashbacks when your all caught up.Sure, I'll try to get back to you on that. Some have been weak already, but others have been tremendously strong.

[Taxman]

I am thinking now that Locke's father Anthony Cooper is probably the original "Sawyer" who created the events which led to the deaths of the parents of James Ford, the "Sawyer" on the island.

[Taxman]

I agree, although I do feel that in series 3 and part of the latter part of series 2 the flash backs become alot more pointless... becoming more part of the formula of the show then anything else.

I won't say anything more for fear of spoiling the show for you but I'd be interested to see what you think about the flashbacks when your all caught up.

I watched the first series on DVD and the switched, so it's possible my view is clouded by the annoying as hell wait between episodes.

It's still an excellent show.Okay, I have finished up with the second season now. I have to say that I think things have held together far better than you gave me reason to believe. Some episodes were weak. The flashback featuring Michele Martinez did nothing for me, but then again nothing did about the character. I also felt that the episode with the piano was a complete failure. I didn't feel that the flashbacks added anything to the story, and the story itself never got beyond being creepy. The flashbacks involving Eko, I found particularly strong, and the Sawyer flashback supplemented the main story well.