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.
After a three month hiatus, Season 3 returned with "Not in Portland". One naturally does worry as to whether such a long break was a good decision, and whether the quality would get worse or stay the same. Personally liked a vast majority of the previous Season 3 episodes actually, apart from "Further Instructions", but none were classics. Luckily the break actually did improve the quality, gave the season some freshness and moved things forward better than the previous episodes.
Have nothing to fault here, the brainwashing scene was strange agreed but not enough for it to distract from the overall quality. The Hydra Island story is the most interesting and most momentum-filled it's been yet with a good deal of tension and complexity.
While the relationships and situations of Jack and Ben and Kate and Sawyer are handled beautifully, it is the fascinating character of Juliet and her illuminating and tautly and poignantly written back story where "Not in Portland" most excels.
All the acting is on point, Elizabeth Mitchell especially wrenches the heart and gut in one of the powerhouse performances of Season 3 and perhaps also up to this point in 'Lost'.
Can't fault the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effective use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction.
In summary, brilliant and the first episode of Season 3 to feel closer to a 'Lost' classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox