Lost (TV Series) ...In Translation (2005) User Reviews

"It's Lord of the Flies time."

[MaxBorg89 · 9/10 · 5 November 2010]

Besides the horrible pun in the title, the seventeenth episode of Lost has the ungrateful job of being the second Jin-centric story, after House of the Rising Sun which was rather light on fresh insights regarding the Korean survivor and his wife (even the revelation that she speaks English wasn't that shocking). However, with the arc plot gaining importance and the season reaching its end, ...In Translation proves to be a more solid and compelling piece of work.

Like many times before, the first glimpse we get of Sun and Jin is a scene of the two arguing because of her allegedly inappropriate conduct (she was wearing a bikini). A fight ensues, and Michael gets involved, causing Jin to be jealous. Similar feelings are in the air when Boone sees Shannon getting closer with Sayid, and the two men have a conversation on the topic. Everyone else is busy trying to build a raft, which gets burned during the night. The survivors suspect Jin, who is found with burns on his arms, and Sun has to break her silence in order to protect him.

Jin's violent behavior gets some kind of explanation in the episode's off-Island scenes: after asking Sun's father for permission to marry her, Jin was offered a job in the man's company. Having accepted the offer so he could fulfill his dream (being with Sun), the young man quickly realizes he's made a mistake, as his new job requires him to do all the dirty work for the man upstairs, leading to marital difficulties and a wish to "start over" (sound familiar?).

With Sun's secret finally out in the open, the couple gets the shot in the arm they needed in terms of characterization, and Daniel Dae Kim, no stranger to action-packed roles (he previously guest starred on 24 and Angel), takes his role in a new, thrilling direction. Other noteworthy cast members in this episode are Andrews, Grace and Somerhalder, involved in a love triangle (well, sort of) that's bound to have some kind of tragic outcome. Oh, and the answer to the question "Who burned the raft?" is a very interesting one...

Speaking the Universal Language

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 13 April 2006]

When Jin Kwon is having a serious quarrel with his wife Sun Kwon, Michael Dawson defends her. Later, when Michael's raft is burnt and Jin has his arms injured by heat, Michael and Sawyer blame him for the incident. Sun speaks in English to defend her husband and he feels ashamed leaving her. Jin recalls how his love for Sun was destroyed by her father. The author of the attempt is disclosed in the end and is the bigger surprise of the story.

"In Translation" is a great episode of "Lost" where the obscure past of Jin in South Korea is disclosed, showing how violent Sun's father is. This episode shows also the beginning of the romance between Sayid Jarrah and Shannon Rutherford. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "In Translation"

Note: On 22 March 2013, I saw this episode again.

A very good episode, and not just because it has Yunjin Kim in a bikini!

[gridoon2024 · 8/10 · 7 May 2009]

"House Of The Rising Sun" was our deeper introduction to the female side of the Korean couple of Sun and Jin; "In Translation" looks at things from the male perspective. Aside from the advantage of giving us new information, Jin's flashbacks here are interesting for one more reason: they show another character, much like Sayid, who is forced by circumstances to do violent things that contrast with his basically good nature. On the island, Jin gets suspected for setting Michael's raft on fire, and finally learns (along with everyone else) that his wife can speak English. There is one clever bit where everyone's arguing in English, and in Jin's ears the words get jumbled and begin sounding Korean. Like they usually do when they're trusted to carry episodes, Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim offer very good, emotional performances - and as a bonus, we get 2 rare views of Yunjin in a bikini (she has a rock-hard body). Locke is also awesome in this episode, from his Jack-like "We're not the only people on this island and we all know it!" speech to his revelation of the real person responsible for the burning of the raft (I never would have suspected him/her in a million years!), and, strangely, Michael and Walt are also more interesting here than they were in their "own" episode, "Special". About the only thing that doesn't quite work is the Sayid-Shannon romance - the actors try hard, but they just don't click as a couple. *** out of 4.

A simple but excellent social drama

[ametaphysicalshark · 23 July 2008]

I find both Jin and Sun, especially Jin, very interesting characters. I don't care so much for their dynamic as a couple (which never really realized its full potential until season four's "Ji Yeon"), but "... In Translation" is an excellent episode where the relationship works excellently as drama. On paper this episode sounds like part predictable soap opera and part repetitive social drama, but the script by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Leonard Dick is full of strong characterization, excellent dialogue, and an understanding of the social situations it is handling.

The flashback segments essentially fill the gaps and answer questions the "House of the Rising Sun" flashback raised. They are well-written, and the scene where Jin is forced into an act of violence is very effective, but the only truly interesting portion of the flashback is Jin's conversation with his father, which is in my opinion one of the key character development moments for Jin on the show.

The on-island events are where most of this episode's strengths lie. Part romance story between Sayid and Shannon and part social drama examining the effect of cultural differences, language barriers, and the danger of scapegoating on a secluded set of characters, "... In Translation" provides an intriguing but familiar concept that is handled wonderfully in the literate and intelligent script, creating many moments of key character and relationship development. The sub-plot with the raft has implications impacting the 'island kookiness' side of the mythology of "Lost", as one could interpret Walt's actions and what he says to Locke as further evidence of him being 'special'.

"... In Translation" is quite extraordinary visually. Tucker Gates' direction is extremely tasteful and smart, with several shots aided by Michael Bonivillain's photography being quite stunning and memorable such as the long shot of Sun and Jin on the beach after he learns that she speaks English, and the silhouette of Shannon and Sayid towards the end by the fire.

This is all around an excellent episode of "Lost", and probably my favorite Jin and Sun episode outside of "Ji Yeon".

8.5/10

Things are never as they seem

[FlikJedi719 · 9/10 · 7 January 2020]

The first time we see the scene of Jin running in the house with blood on his hands (Episode #6 - "House of the Rising Sun"), from Sun's perspective, it looks a lot more sinister than what it really is. Here we find out, despite the blood and the fact that Jin did beat a guy up, he actually in reality saved a guys life.

This is what I love about Lost. The whole series truly is a character study, and it is a good reminder to us that things are not always as they seem and that our perception is reality. For some reason, the bathroom scene stood out to me here more than the scene where Sun reveals to everyone she can actually speak English.

The scene between Sun and Jin in the cave where she admits to Jin she is going to leave him, albeit in English, is some exceptional acting on both parts as well.

... In Translation gets a 9/10.

Nothing has been lost in translation here

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 6 January 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.

In terms of advancing the story development of the mysteries of the island, "...In Translation" is not one of 'Lost's' best. It however excels brilliantly as a character study, expanding on and answering questions raised in "House of the Rising Sun" and for the characters of Jin and Sun and their relationship it's very insightful and a crucial turning point for especially Jin.

Didn't care much for Michael here, after doing such a good job with him in "Special" he is nowhere near as easy to identify with, like with his treatment of Jin it was like a different Michael.

"...In Translation" incorporates beautifully written and acted flashbacks that add a lot to particularly Jin. Their chemistry is very deeply felt.

The on-island scenes are also compelling and allows the other characters, seen in especially the romance with Sayid and Shannon, to shine/

Visually, "...In Translation" is one of Season 1's best-looking episodes, one of the most beautifully shot and skilfully directed. The island setting is both beautiful and mysterious still. The music is understated and chilling, even beautiful at times.

Overall, great episode that makes one appreciate Sun and Jin more. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Absolutely disappointed with the show, and here is why...

[pavlekladamusic · 6/10 · 7 October 2023]

I started watching "Lost" because it seemed like an eerie mysterious and adventurous fantasy, but soon into watching it became pretty obvious that this is just another trashy American soap opera masked in the surroundings of a mystery island. The last couple of episodes have nothing to do with the solving the mysteries of the said island, but they are rather focused on a personal drama of the people that ended there, and that's incredibly boring. This whole script could have been an episode of Grey's anatomy, or some other trashy tv-show if you would just transform the island into the hospital. I expected much more from this show, I have no idea why it is rated so good, possibly because of some kind of nostalgia?

I can't get over how racist this episode is

[el_monty_BCN · 4/10 · 30 July 2009]

I know that in this episode there's other stuff apart from what I am going to discuss, and in fact I think it has some virtues; for example, the fact, after we had been given a very negative opinion of Jin from seeing Sun's flashbacks in "House of the Rising Sun", we get to see Jin's side of things and get a new, more balanced understanding of his life.

But there is an element in this story that made me so deeply uncomfortable that it greatly dampened my enjoyment of the whole episode. Before now, in the scene where Jin appeared with blood on his hands and shirt, it had been hinted that Sun's father was someone who was getting rich through shady, illegal methods. I thought maybe he was a mob boss, even; mobs operate in Korea, just like in almost every other country in the world, so it was a reasonable possibility. However, in this episode we learn that Sun's father is in fact the boss (or a top executive) of a Korean automotive company, and that what Jin had been doing was physically attacking a government official (who was actually going to be murdered) on his behalf.

I may be especially touchy about this because I happen to work in the automotive industry, but I would say it is SPECTACULARLY offensive and racist to even suggest that this kind of thing goes on in Korea; that huge, serious companies like Hyundai or Kia (which must be the model for this fictitious car company, as they are the only ones that actually exist in reality) operate with these mafia-like methods, instead of like any normal automotive company of the West. it is just unbelievable to me that the writers would have the gall to write something like that into the story, and that there hasn't been an uproar in Korea over it. It feels like extraneous "Buy American!" propaganda, portraying foreign car companies as criminal, untrustworthy, third-world outfits.

The Korean couple

[gedikreverdi · 9 November 2021]

Someone burnt Michael's raft. The Korean man wanted to put it out but they thought it was him and Sun stood up for him. His husband knows she speaks English and the man walked out on her. Shannon and Sayed has become lovers. It was Walter who burnt the raft because he liked it there.