After six seasons, even Lost has a hard time preparing the audience to be unprepared.  I’ve come to understand that the premieres usually have a lot of resolutions to deal with and the second episode needs to drop slightly in heat.  Therefore, it is not until the last few episodes that the show really grabs me by the collar.  For the most part, ‘What Kate Does’ answers the highly entertaining premiere with a decent, if not contained second episode.

Kate and Claire

What is weird about these two is that their connection develops without the two actually being present for each other.  Somehow, fate managed to have Aaron inherit two mothers, and that is what currently defines their relationship.  In truth, it’s hard to tell whether they would even like each other given a normal situation.  In the flash-sideway, their sudden relationship is rather forced and somewhat dependent on elements outside their own being.  There is a nice understated maternal and very much female-empowering vibe between a fugitive and a pregnant mother, but come on, how can Claire be so naive as to trust a gun-waving, cab-stealing stranger?  Despite my frustration over this, the episode does remind viewers of the Claire that we used to know.  In the words of team Darlton, she was the sunshine shining over the survivors.  I’m not sure if one flash-sideway can reestablish this, but the intention is there.

What the storyline does point out is that ultimately, Kate’s compassion and Claire’s helplessness remains with them even if external forces such as a plane crash do no occur, and that is quite a powerful message.  Of course, Ethan’s surprising cameo also spices things up quite a bit.  The irony is that thanks to Kate’s contribution (in helping detonate the bomb), Ethan has a new life where he is an upstanding citizen and not buried on a mysterious island…and he will never know.  It is this kind of storytelling that makes Lost larger than life, and something that can only be done with a series as expansive as this.

The Claim

The island story is much more compelling.  This story focuses on Sayid and why he’s been claimed.  For the most part, this cryptic storyline does open up some new doors for consideration, but it only raises more questions.  The mystery is engaging, but it is only so because the writers have no choice but to characterize the Others as frustrating ingrates who refuse to answer a simple question.  The tactic has worked over the years, but when it comes to face-to-face confrontation, the device gets old really fast.

Sawyer and Kate

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the episode is the emotional scene between Sawyer and Kate…and me buying it.  For the first time in ages, the show takes a minute to breathe and allow the characters to really contemplate their situation, and the result is a heartbreaking monologue by Sawyer who tearfully mourns the loss of Juliet.  They are the couple who fell in love despite all the unlikelihood in the world, and perhaps the most triumphant accomplishment (aside from the time-jumping mayhem) by the writers in Season 5.  The scene illustrates growth because Sawyer finally allows his emotions to sink in and Kate finally (finally) learns to walk away.

Claireusseau

Of course, Lost would not be Lost without a head-scratching reveal.  Thanks to the time-travel and the departure of the Oceanic 6, Claire’s ability to stay hidden for so long actually seems somewhat plausible.  It will be interesting to finally bring this mystery to a close.

Rating: 8.1/10

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