The second "Mr. Eko" episode has somewhat less interesting flashbacks than the first ("The 23rd Psalm"), but in just about every other department it is one of the best episodes of Season 2, advancing the series' mythology/background as well as the characters. A new Dharma Initiative station - The Pearl - is discovered by Locke and Eko, and the orientation film that they find and watch inside completes Locke's transformation from a believer ("Orientation" - after the end of the film: "We're gonna have to watch this again") to a doubter ("S.O.S" - "Did you push that button, Henry? I need to know") to a non-believer ("?" - after the end of the film: "Do you want to watch this again? - "No, I've seen enough"). Terry O'Quinn's performance is powerful as usual ("every single second of my pathetic little life is as useless as that button"). Meanwhile, Eko takes his place as the man who becomes sure that he was brought on the island as part of his true destiny, which is to continue pushing the button. Other high points of "?" are a startling, unique dream sequence where person A has the dream as being person B (this is the kind of bold idea that the current season of LOST could use much more of), and the haunting scene of Libby's last word before her death, and the way Jack and Hurley cannot possibly know its true meaning. ***1/2 out of 4.
8 Reviews
Twists like no other!
insanechick19 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
In this episode, Locke and Eko go searching for the "?" symbol that we saw during the lock-down on a previous episode. Michael, having shot Ana Lucia and Libby, struggles with his actions as Libby inches closer to death.
The most interesting thing about this episode (I think). Is during the commercial break. Locke and Eko find a hatch under the plane that killed Boone in season one, and a new training video ends with "Copyright, The Hanso Foundation, 1989" In a following commercial break, a rather bizarre and nondescript commercial advertises "The Hanso Foundation" (a planted commercial), and the website advertised (www.sublymonal.com) leads the visitor through a world of information about life on the outside of LOST's storyline. A must see for all fans!
The most interesting thing about this episode (I think). Is during the commercial break. Locke and Eko find a hatch under the plane that killed Boone in season one, and a new training video ends with "Copyright, The Hanso Foundation, 1989" In a following commercial break, a rather bizarre and nondescript commercial advertises "The Hanso Foundation" (a planted commercial), and the website advertised (www.sublymonal.com) leads the visitor through a world of information about life on the outside of LOST's storyline. A must see for all fans!
Answering the call of the ? symbol.
shashikrishna11 May 2006
An Eko-centric episode the "?" explores the aftermath of the tragic events that rocked the castaways in the previous one. As the main characters John, Locke, Sawyer, Kate and Hurley come to terms with the incident in the hatch, Locke and Eko set out to find out where Henry took off to. As it turns out Eko is on a mission of his own trying to figure out the symbol ? which Locke had drawn on his sketch. We see flashes of Eko's life in Sydney as a priest who comes in contact with his brother through a stranger. We also witness the tragedy that struck the hatch boil down to a room temperature as Michael continues to remain a mystery.
An excellent LOST episode with many interesting turns.
An excellent LOST episode with many interesting turns.
Stunning
ametaphysicalshark18 October 2008
I suppose it's become something of a guarantee that anything written by Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof is going to be excellent (the only exception being "... And Found"). "?" is one of their best efforts, and in general one of the greatest and most surprisingly ignored episodes on "Lost". I'll never understand why this isn't regarded by fans as being on par with the generally accepted 'classics', even if it is very well-regarded in general.
The episode is phenomenally well-written, revisiting, even at its most 'genre', the main themes of the characters, the driving force of "Lost". The dialogue is absolutely brilliant, although it's almost a given since the main plot centers on Locke and Eko's quest to find one of the hatches the blast door map points to. There's a lot of philosophizing here, but it all feels intelligent and on par with its ambition, which is more than can be said for a lot of other film and television. Eko and Locke's conversations are genuinely thought-provoking, and Eko's monologue about Yemi and the importance of the work John has been doing is one of the best monologues on the show.
It's not surprising that Darren Aronofsky was slated to direct the episode but ended up having to cancel at the last minute; the episode is a bit odd and requires a cinematic touch, particularly during the excellent dream sequences. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje carries the episode during the flashback scenes, which show Eko, now an actual priest in Australia, dealing with claims of a miracle. There's an interesting connection featuring the psychic who met with Claire in season one, Richard Malkin (I think that's the name). The rest of the episode, concentrated on the aftermath of Libby and Ana-Lucia being shot, is also excellent, and features the first real dramatic acting Jorge Garcia has had to do as Hurley, and he pulls it off brilliantly.
"?" is a knockout of an episode. It's a stunning script, excelling at drama like few other episodes do, and subtly but strongly developing both the characters and the mythology. It provokes thought about more than just the mysteries of the island and what the hell DHARMA was/is doing (another intriguing orientation film shown here), asking questions about the nature of faith and belief, and showing many sides of human nature, both bad and good.
10/10
The episode is phenomenally well-written, revisiting, even at its most 'genre', the main themes of the characters, the driving force of "Lost". The dialogue is absolutely brilliant, although it's almost a given since the main plot centers on Locke and Eko's quest to find one of the hatches the blast door map points to. There's a lot of philosophizing here, but it all feels intelligent and on par with its ambition, which is more than can be said for a lot of other film and television. Eko and Locke's conversations are genuinely thought-provoking, and Eko's monologue about Yemi and the importance of the work John has been doing is one of the best monologues on the show.
It's not surprising that Darren Aronofsky was slated to direct the episode but ended up having to cancel at the last minute; the episode is a bit odd and requires a cinematic touch, particularly during the excellent dream sequences. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje carries the episode during the flashback scenes, which show Eko, now an actual priest in Australia, dealing with claims of a miracle. There's an interesting connection featuring the psychic who met with Claire in season one, Richard Malkin (I think that's the name). The rest of the episode, concentrated on the aftermath of Libby and Ana-Lucia being shot, is also excellent, and features the first real dramatic acting Jorge Garcia has had to do as Hurley, and he pulls it off brilliantly.
"?" is a knockout of an episode. It's a stunning script, excelling at drama like few other episodes do, and subtly but strongly developing both the characters and the mythology. It provokes thought about more than just the mysteries of the island and what the hell DHARMA was/is doing (another intriguing orientation film shown here), asking questions about the nature of faith and belief, and showing many sides of human nature, both bad and good.
10/10
Yet another Season 2 high point
TheLittleSongbird13 March 2018
When 'Lost' was in its prime, it was must-watch television. Remember first watching it, found it remarkably easy to get into, was hooked from the start and was on Season 3 by the end of one week. The general consensus is that the final season is a disappointment and cannot disagree.
Season 2 of 'Lost' to me was very solid with many good to outstanding episodes (with a notable exception being "Fire + Water", which took strangeness too literally). "?" is one of the season's best. Other previous Season 2 favourites are "Man of Science, Man of Faith", "Orientation", "The Other 48 Days", "The 23rd Psalm", "One of Them", "Lockdown" and "Two for the Road".
Following on from the devastating events of "Two for the Road", "?" has everything that makes 'Lost' so good and what a good episode of anything should do. It advances the island events and makes them even more intriguing.
In addition, it has many unexpected twists and turns, tension, suspense, emotional impact, intelligent philosophical elements, great character interaction (especially with the coming to terms with the devastating events of the previous episode) and flashbacks that fit within the story well and make an already fascinating character even more so.
Can't fault any of the acting, with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje giving an especially powerful performance.
Visually, 'Lost' continues to be stylish, atmospheric and beautiful in "?", as always making the most of the island setting. The music is as always chilling and understated, the writing is taut and smart and the episode is one of the best directed ones of Season 2.
Overall, fabulous and a Season 2 high. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Season 2 of 'Lost' to me was very solid with many good to outstanding episodes (with a notable exception being "Fire + Water", which took strangeness too literally). "?" is one of the season's best. Other previous Season 2 favourites are "Man of Science, Man of Faith", "Orientation", "The Other 48 Days", "The 23rd Psalm", "One of Them", "Lockdown" and "Two for the Road".
Following on from the devastating events of "Two for the Road", "?" has everything that makes 'Lost' so good and what a good episode of anything should do. It advances the island events and makes them even more intriguing.
In addition, it has many unexpected twists and turns, tension, suspense, emotional impact, intelligent philosophical elements, great character interaction (especially with the coming to terms with the devastating events of the previous episode) and flashbacks that fit within the story well and make an already fascinating character even more so.
Can't fault any of the acting, with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje giving an especially powerful performance.
Visually, 'Lost' continues to be stylish, atmospheric and beautiful in "?", as always making the most of the island setting. The music is as always chilling and understated, the writing is taut and smart and the episode is one of the best directed ones of Season 2.
Overall, fabulous and a Season 2 high. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Disclosing the Meaning of the "?" Symbol
claudio_carvalho7 July 2006
While sleeping, Mr. Eko is assigned by his brother Yemi (Adetokumboh McCormack) in a dream to go with John Locke to disclose the meaning of the "?" symbol. With the pretext of chasing Henry, Mr. Eko brings John with him and they find a second hatch called "Pearl" underground the question mark symbol marked on the field, where a video explains that the other hatch is a psychological experiment and people behavior pressing the buttons of the computer every 108 minutes are actually subjects. Meanwhile, Jack unsuccessfully tries to save Libby.
In this episode, John Locke loses his faith in the island when he finds that they have been monitored in the hatch. The disgusting Michael sees the anguishing Libby wishing that she was dead, while Hurley, Jack, Kate and Sawyer are suffering her pain, in a deep emotional contrast. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): Not Available
Note: On 01 April 2013, I saw this episode again.
In this episode, John Locke loses his faith in the island when he finds that they have been monitored in the hatch. The disgusting Michael sees the anguishing Libby wishing that she was dead, while Hurley, Jack, Kate and Sawyer are suffering her pain, in a deep emotional contrast. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): Not Available
Note: On 01 April 2013, I saw this episode again.
Can't help it, huh?
nemesis-887 December 2021
Even a great show like this one can't live without typical cliches. It is only after Jack has inserted the needle into Libby's arm and prepared to push the plunger that Hurley finally (!) got himself off the couch and decided he wants to talk to her. Where have you been for HOURS that Jack too to go find heroin bring it back, prepare the injection, etc, etc, etc!
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje!
Cristi_Ciopron3 August 2006
It is way too rare that you see such a quality acting on screen.It is,simply,stupendous.But,in fact,what else than a most powerful art could be expected from an Eko&John show?And not only these two,but EVERYBODY in this episode is astounding.The acting level is very high.
I don't know if the story goes some place,but every bit of it is excellent.I find the creativity and inventiveness of this show's authors outstanding.I don't mind very much about "DHARMA",instead I'm very interested about "John","Eko","Sawyer".(The story of the wonder,in this episode,was predictable,and yet,how wonderfully narrated.)
The music underscores very effectually a suspenseful scene.
As a matter a fact,till now each "Eko" episode,like this one,was a knockout.For me,"Eko" is the most interesting actor of this show.
I don't know if the story goes some place,but every bit of it is excellent.I find the creativity and inventiveness of this show's authors outstanding.I don't mind very much about "DHARMA",instead I'm very interested about "John","Eko","Sawyer".(The story of the wonder,in this episode,was predictable,and yet,how wonderfully narrated.)
The music underscores very effectually a suspenseful scene.
As a matter a fact,till now each "Eko" episode,like this one,was a knockout.For me,"Eko" is the most interesting actor of this show.
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