Reviews by Matt

Maybe I am a glutton for punishment, but I absolutely love “Lost.” Each new episode brings about the same thing for me. Sitting in my favorite chair, eyes glued to the screen, silently theorizing and waiting for answers. Each week questions are answered, but more are brought up. Without fail each week when the credits roll I get mad that I have more questions than answers, but come the next week I am back in that chair doing the same thing.

Season four picks up right where season three left off. The survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 had finally made contact with a freighter off shore. They were mere hours from being rescued from the mysterious island, but nothing has ever been that simple for the “Losties.”

The episode focused on Hugo “Hurley” Reyes (Jorge Garcia). He discovered his best friend, Charlie Pace (Dominic Monaghan) had drowned turning off the jamming equipment that blocked them from sending signals off the island.

In a flash-forward, Hurley’s life is unraveling. After leading the police on a car chase, he is arrested and when he begins seeing things, is put in a mental institution.

For those who have not been keeping up with the show, you may need a little background. For three seasons, the show has used flashbacks to show the main characters and their lives before the crash. In the final episode of the season, for the first time, a flash-forward was used. This provides the viewer with what has happened since they left the island.

The star of the episode has to be Reyes. Hurley has always been a happy go-lucky guy. He never has lost hope and, while others hunt for food and make sure the survivors are physically taken care of, Hurley likes to make sure they are happy. He built a golf course on the island, found and fixed an old van found in the jungle (long story).

In this episode, he is grief-stricken at the loss of his friend. He goes from doing a cannon ball into the ocean at the start of the episode, to depressed and adamant that they listen to Charlie’s message that the people coming to rescue them are not who they say they are. He takes it upon himself to tell Claire (Emily de Ravin), Charlie’s island gal pal, that he was dead. He makes a speech saying that they should listen to Charlie because he gave his life for them.

It is a new side of Hurley that has not been shown before. In this one episode he goes from funny sidekick to decision maker.

“Lost” is still one of the best-written, acted, developed and produced shows on television. It may be frustrating to watch, but as with any abusive relationship, you always go back for more.

Some have said that the lack of answers has hurt the show, and I agree. Now that there is an end date for the show (47 episodes left), things look to get going. The writers can end it on their terms and the way they want it. There is a story they want to tell and now they can tell it.

If you are not watching, you are missing out. If you are worried that you will be left out in the cold when it comes to the story, go to iTunes and download the free recap episode and that will give you a great starting point