Top Ten Greatest Episodes Countdown - #1 “Through the Looking Glass”
The top spot on the countdown belongs to the epic season three finale, “Through the Looking Glass”. A Jack-centric episode, “Through the Looking Glass” is the first flash forward in the series, chronicling Dr. Shepherd’s post-island struggle with alcohol and oxycodone addiction. On the island, we see Jack lead the survivors across the island to the radio tower, Sayid, Jin, and Bernard blow up some Others, and Hurley come to save the day in the big, blue Dharma bus. We also see Charlie’s heroic death, and the showdown between Jack and Locke over phoning the freighter.
“Through the Looking Glass” was incredible because in a single episode the entire scope of the series was changed. Before “Through The Looking Glass”, the main question up in the air was whether they would actually ever get off the island or not. “Through the Looking Glass” raised the stakes of the series and put it out there that, of course they get off the island, but that’s not nearly the end of the story. This was simply the first chapter; a whole new series of questions and events was about to unfold, and by answering such a big question, the viewers were as in the dark as they had ever been. Seeing Jack sporting his depression beard, stumbling around loaded on booze and pills, screaming “We have to go back!”, it made us not only see the Doc in a new pathetic light, but made us wonder, what possibly could have happened after he made that call. Ben suddenly WAS the good guy, Locke was no longer quite as insane, and our minds were officially blown.
In addition to “the snake in the mailbox”, “Through the Looking Glass provided a few more of the more legendary moments in Lost history. We saw the highly awkward reuniting of Rousseau with Alex. I’d have to say that this was certainly proof of Rousseau’s deterioration to complete and utter insanity over the years. The first words she speaks to Alex after all this time searching are, while standing over her father figure’s bloodied remains, “Will you help me tie him up?” Unreal. Charlie’s death toward the end of the episode was another memorable scene. Over the years, fans seemed to either love or hate him, but no one can argue with the fact that he completely redeemed himself throughout the end of season three, going out like a man, not the drug addicted mess that crashed on the island. And who could forget Hurley plowing over Pryce in the Dharma van? After being constantly shot down after his attempts to simply help out in any way he could, it was uplifting to see Hurley finally be the one to play the hero.
With so many great episodes in the first four seasons, it was going to take something special to claim the top spot. “Through the Looking Glass” combined an incredible, mind blowing flash forward with one of the best on-island sequences we have seen yet. From start to finish there was constant action, with some emotional moments thrown in, if that’s your thing. This was the only finale where I didn’t find myself immediately looking forward to the next season, which was a good thing. It took me a few days to digest everything that had happened, and appraise how awesome the two hours of television I just watched were. Season four was excellent, but I’d have to say the high-point of the series at this time is “Through the Looking Glass”. Hopefully that changes after season five.
And that, my friends, is The Ten Greatest Lost Episodes thus far. This countdown really could have been a top twenty or twenty five, there really are so many episodes that deserved to be mentioned. What do you think was the biggest omission? Agree that “Through the Looking Glass” is number one? Sound off!
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Comment by yummy poo — January 13, 2009 @ 12:24 am
The Pilot, you J.J haters.
Comment by JD — January 13, 2009 @ 1:42 am
I’d have to agree, Through the looking glass is one episode that litteraly left me shocked by that stunning flash forward. I was really happy that this episode is number 1.
Comment by Jam35 — January 13, 2009 @ 3:24 am
This was the only finale where I didn’t find myself immediately looking forward to the next season, which was a good thing.
I think I’m the opposite. I think the best finale was the first one, precisely because it left so may questions open. I actually liked that it ended with Locke, Kate and Jack looking down the hatch, and that I was pumped for the next season. That said, I’d have to put There’s No Place Like Home as my second favorite finale, if only for the scope of the episode.
Still, I like your reasoning. Through the Looking Glass was a major shift.
Comment by Ed Holden — January 13, 2009 @ 6:21 am
Hi!
Is it possible to have the complete list of your top ten greatest episodes?
Thanks!
Comment by Frank — January 13, 2009 @ 7:50 am
Cant argue with that one. Such an action packed, mind blowing, character redemption episode. I can’t see anything topping it. It completely blew my mind going from all flashbacks to a flash-forward. It was a epic episode that changed the whole premise of what we thought was going to happen in the series. Well done.
Comment by Ryan — January 13, 2009 @ 10:42 am
For the flash forward revelation alone, which completely changed what LOST is all about, “Through the Looking Glass” definitely is the best episode. However, even though we all knew Charlie had to die, I don’t think they pulled it off in a convincing way:
a.) Charlie could’ve take a whiz in the corner and still had time to safely leave the flooding room. The doors are DESIGNED to be closed to stop rushing water. Not to mention, even if they couldn’t close the door they still would’ve had plenty of time to arm themselves with harpoons and get the hell outta the station and shoot up cyclopes… again.
b.) You could tell in the action shot if you watch closely, but there’s no way he’s writing anything legible on his hand; it was soaking wet.
I know they were obviously trying to create a situation where Charlie gives his life to pass on an important message, but it just seemed contrived. They usually execute these things better on LOST.
Comment by Tony — January 13, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
Well Tony I disagree with you here. If I remember correctly and I believe I do, Des said that Charlie would have to die to save everyone on the island. Everytime before Des has been right and he has saved his life, now why wouldnt he trust him? He had a moment where he didnt and he said something along the lines of ’so much for fate’ before he was disabling the jamming equipment. Now, if you believe in fate which the show has been harping on, then we would have to assume that if charlie didnt stay in there that the sequences wouldn’t have played out like they did and people may not have been saved.
Comment by Ryan — January 14, 2009 @ 8:54 am
sorry skipped a sentence, should read like this
Well Tony I disagree with you here. If I remember correctly and I believe I do, Des said that Charlie would have to die to save everyone on the island. Everytime before Des has been right and he has saved his life, now why wouldnt he trust him? He had a moment where he didnt and he said something along the lines of ’so much for fate’ before he was disabling the jamming equipment. after he had the brief lapse of fate that the invinsible man came up and blew up the looking glass which entrenched his belief in fate again which is why he stayed in there. Now, if you believe in fate which the show has been harping on, then we would have to assume that if charlie didnt stay in there that the sequences wouldn’t have played out like they did and people may not have been saved.
Comment by Ryan — January 14, 2009 @ 11:38 am
Charlie locked himself in the room on purpose because he knew Desmond would keep fore-seeing his death and that he was destined to die.
Another reason he locked himself in the room was because he so believed that if he sacrificed himself Claire and Aaron would make it off the island.
Comment by Adam R — January 14, 2009 @ 7:12 pm
Uhm, don’t forget that he shut the door on Desmond mainly so that Desmond wouldn’t rush into the room to see Penny, thus killing himself as well.
Comment by John — January 22, 2009 @ 6:59 pm