Homecoming

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.

Having been so impressed by "Special", which was an almost special episode, one of the best Michael-centric ones and a real step up from the two episodes before it, "Homecoming" sees quality dipping somewhat again. It is a well done with lots of good elements, but a pivotal turning point for 'Lost' in story promised a lot but delivery was not as consistent as it could have been.

Thoughts on the flashbacks were mixed, they're well acted and does a great job of providing a contrast of past-Charlie and present-Charlie. They do however add nothing new, hammering home what we already knew about Charlie but it was handled much better earlier, and it is agreed that it is a distraction from the events on the island.

For me, William Mapother didn't quite send chills up the spine in the way that he did in his previous appearances, and this should have been the episode where he should have done that the most considering that this promised to be Ethan at his most evil the whole season.

On the other hand, Dominic Monaghan does a great job, Charlie's anguish and fury wholly believable and harrowing. Of the rest of the cast, particularly impressive were Josh Holloway and Emilie De Ravin, adding emotion and urgency to the proceedings.

Charlie and Ethan's conflict and what it culminates in is handled with a lot of tension in the nail-biting sense. Charlie's actions (don't want to spoil) culminate in something that feels satisfying and one can see totally why they were done, though if what happened was opposite to what turned out perhaps a few of the mysteries may have been answered.

Visually, "Homecoming" is well made with the island as beautiful and mysterious as ever and is beautifully shot. The music is understated and chilling, even beautiful at times. The writing has smart and taut moments.

Overall, a lot of impressive elements but a little frustrating at the same time. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Def could have done without the Charlie flashbacks. They don't add anything to the story at all it's more filler. It was really unnecessary to the main storyline. I skip most of it while watching this episode as what happens to Ethan is more important.

"Homecoming" centers on Charlie Pace and the aftermath of Claire's return to the camp after her abduction. The episode opens with the survivors' relief at Claire's return, but tension quickly rises as Ethan, her abductor, threatens to kill others unless she is returned to him. The direction by Kevin Hooks effectively balances suspense, action, and emotional moments.

Dominic Monaghan delivers a standout performance as Charlie, capturing his desperation to protect Claire and redeem himself after his recent struggles with addiction. Emilie de Ravin also shines as Claire, portraying her trauma and gradual recovery. The interactions between Charlie and Claire are particularly poignant, highlighting their growing bond.

The writing in "Homecoming" explores themes of protection, redemption, and resilience. Charlie's determination to protect Claire and prove his worth creates a compelling character arc. The script effectively balances character development with high-stakes action, particularly in the tense confrontation with Ethan that culminates in a shocking and emotional climax.

The cinematography enhances the episode's suspenseful atmosphere, using shadows and tight framing to create a sense of danger and urgency. The editing maintains a brisk pace, ensuring a seamless flow between action scenes and character-driven moments. The sound design, including the use of tense music and ambient noises, heightens the episode's emotional and suspenseful elements.

In conclusion, "Homecoming" is a gripping and emotionally resonant episode that delves into Charlie Pace's character and the survivors' efforts to protect one another. The performances by Dominic Monaghan and Emilie de Ravin are powerful and heartfelt. The writing, direction, and cinematography work together to create a suspenseful and engaging narrative, adding depth to the series' character dynamics and overarching plot.

"Homecoming" is two unrelated episodes in one. Damon Lindelof, normally capable of writing scripts with real flow, penned "Homecoming", an episode with a hopelessly boring and completely pointless Charlie flashback, and an involving if flawed mythology-centric island story involving Ethan and Scott (or is that Steve?).

"Homecoming" is one of the episodes I tend to avoid watching too many times. It has several iconic scenes that one remembers so well, but virtually everything outside those iconic scenes is mediocre. Charlie's flashback does nothing but reiterate that he's struggling with addiction, and it is horrifically poorly-written by Lindelof, easily the worst work I've seen from him on this show.

The on-island events with Ethan's threats and Claire's return are fairly enjoyable, but hugely inconsistent, with some of the dialogue frankly making me cringe. The episode is directed terribly by Kevin Hooks, continuing the severe lack of visual quality in the first season of "Lost", where three out of the fifteen episodes thus far have been notably well-directed.

6/10