The Moth

Episode aired Nov 3, 2004
TV-14TV-14
43m

IMDb RATING

8.4/10

5.9K

YOUR RATING

S1.E7

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Jorge Garcia and Harold Perrineau in Lost (2004)

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Charlie begins a journey of withdrawal from drugs aided by Locke, whose true motive is a mystery. Jack is buried alive in a cave collapse.Charlie begins a journey of withdrawal from drugs aided by Locke, whose true motive is a mystery. Jack is buried alive in a cave collapse.Charlie begins a journey of withdrawal from drugs aided by Locke, whose true motive is a mystery. Jack is buried alive in a cave collapse.

IMDb RATING

8.4/10

5.9K

YOUR RATING

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Dominic Monaghan and Terry O'Quinn in Lost (2004)

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Storyline

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Trying to kick his drug habit with encouragement from Locke, Charlie starts to go through heroin withdrawl, struggling with his resolve. Jack is trapped in a cave-in, and Charlie becomes trapped with him when the first rescue tunnel collapses as well. Kate, Sayid, and Sawyer attempt to triangulate the position of the distress signal coming from the island. Charlie has flashbacks of his rock band, and his decent into drug abuse. —Lynne Boris Johnston

animal in episode title

cave

band

heroin

withdrawal

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Trivia
When Charlie snorts heroin, Dominic Monaghan is actually snorting brown sugar.

Goofs
In the flashback scene where Charlie visits his brother's home, the boom mic is reflected in the top of the window on the left side of the screen as Charlie knocks on the door.

Quotes
Locke: [to teach Charlie, who is struggling through heroin withdraw, a lesson] What do you suppose is in that cocoon, Charlie?
Charlie: I don't know. A - a - a butterfly, I guess.
Locke: No, it's much more beautiful than that. That's a moth cocoon. It's ironic - butterflies get all the attention, but moths, they spin silk. They're stronger. They're faster.
Charlie: That's wonderful, but...
Locke: You see this little hole? This moth's just about to emerge. It's in there right now, struggling. It's digging it's way through the thick hide of the cocoon. Now, I could help it - take my knife, gently widen the opening, and the moth would be free - but it would be too weak to survive. Struggle is nature's way of strengthening it. Now this is the second time you've asked me for your drugs back... ask me again, and it's yours.

Connections
Featured in The 57th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2005)

Soundtracks
You All Everybody
(uncredited)
Written by Jude Christodal, Chris Seefried and Dominic Monaghan
Performed by Drive Shaft

User reviews15

Review

Top review

7/10

Drug habits, cave-ins and moth metaphors

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.

Like "House of the Rising Sun", "The Moth" is not one of my favourite 'Lost' episodes. It doesn't even make it as one of my favourites of Season 1, and doesn't come close to the brilliance of "Pilot" and "Walkabout". Do agree with a few of the criticisms, especially with the blatant and heavy-handed use of the metaphors. The ending is on the predictable side, and more thought could have been put into the cave escape which didn't fare so well in the logic department.

Charlie's drug subplot however is written brilliantly, as is his interaction with Locke. The cave-in business has a good deal of tension.

The photography is excellent, with "The Moth" being made with a lot of atmosphere and slickness and with no cheapness at all, while the setting is both beautiful and mysterious.

Even for so early on, the writing is smart and taut as well as provoking a lot of thought. The music as ever is a good fit, both understated and chilling.

Dominic Monaghan and Terry O'Quinn give particularly wonderful performances here.

In conclusion, good episode but not a great or brilliant one. For a show that has numerous examples of both, good is just a little underwhelming. 7/10 Bethany Cox

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