Confirmed Dead

"Confirmed Dead" is a bravura piece of pure genre storytelling, and there's nothing else to it. "The Beginning of the End" put everything in place for the rest of the season, and "Confirmed Dead" had the goal of pushing the story even further, really introducing us to the world of season four, and introducing us to the 'freighter four', if you will, and accomplished its goal very well.

The episode flashes back to the freighter four, Daniel Faraday, Miles, Charlotte, and Frank Lapidus all around the time the wreck of Flight 815 was 'discovered'. Daniel's is still the most interesting and enigmatic flashback (Miles' is just confusing and bewildering), simply because I just don't know who that woman is, don't understand why he was crying, and am also connected to him emotionally more than any of the other freighters. Charlotte's dig in the Tunisian desert was definitely a 'what the hell?' moment and is still a lot of fun. I like my polar bears to be skeletons in a desert a billion miles from where they're supposed to be, they're more interesting that way. Frank Lapidus was supposed to fly 815 eh? Interesting. I don't think there's more to him as a character, but we will probably see a Daniel flashback and a Charlotte flashback in season 5.

Naturally there is not much depth to the proceedings, but the action/adventure stuff on the island is pure adrenaline, Miles' awful couple of lines of exposition excluded, and it's just a bravura piece of storytelling in just about every way, and genuinely suspenseful at times. I'm kind of surprised that this episode holds up on repeat viewings, but it really does. It may not be up there with the show at its absolute peak, but it's definitely a great episode in its own way.

The second episode of the new "Lost" gives you just what its fans were lacking - a fair amount of riveting action. From the very first scene, you keep seeing brand new features you weren't expecting to encounter. It's the best proof that the series, ingoing its 4th season, is still alive and kicking hard.

Although the producers don't amaze us with some more flash-forwards this time, the return to flashbacks is more than satisfying, as it brings some shocking facts. The flashbacks introduce a few fresh characters, and the familiar ones turn out to be connected in a surprising way.

The fresh characters dominate the whole episode and I can't say it does any harm. Their scenario parts and their actors both do extremely well, providing us with a bracing feel - right after the episode, you'll realize that the show really needed people just like that. And here they are.

"Confirmed Dead" is full of gripping action and greatly written dialogues. I'm sure I'll quote the best scenes of the episode for the long time - they're just that good that they remain on the spectator's mind. The episode is entertaining, smart, and perky. You like "Lost", you have to watch it. My vote is ten.

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 3 was for me a solid if uneven season, with many brilliant episodes but a few slightly underwhelming ones, an inconsistent first part of the season and containing one of 'Lost's' low points "Stranger in a Strange Land". Season 4 had a good amount to live up, and its first episode "The Beginning of the End", was a brilliant start. This following episode "Confirmed Dead" is very nearly as great and already there are signs of a season that settled much quicker than the previous one.

The episode has pretty much everything that 'Lost' is all about. It's taut and thought-provoking, with utterly gripping on-island events. It may be primarily setting up and putting into place what is to come, but does that extremely well.

On top of all that, it introduces with enormous potential new characters, keeps the existing characters interesting, shows plot progression rather than repeating itself or being filler. The four "rescue team" members introduced add a lot of intrigue with their stories on the most part being compelling and interesting, Daniel's being the one that one learns from and remembers most and Lapidus being the most interesting.

Miles has great potential as a character and has a lot of presence, would have liked though for his story to have more clarity and care (my only real complaint of the episode).

Also found "Confirmed Dead" to be a non-stop thrill ride of insane entertainment value, edge of your seat tension and very emotional moments. Not to mention some shocking revelations and twists.

Can't fault the performances, Jeff Fahey being exceptional.

Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effectively understated and chilling use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction (one of the best of the season and perhaps of the show).

In conclusion, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Jack and Kate meet the physician Daniel Farady first and then the psychics Miles Straume and they demonstrate that have not come to the island with the intention of rescuing the survivors. Locke and his group find the anthropologist Charlotte Staples Lewis, and Ben Linus shoots her. Meanwhile, the group of Jack finds the pilot Frank Lapidus, who landed the helicopter with minor damages that can be repaired. Jack forces Miles to tell the real intention why they have come to the island.

The second episode of the Fourth Season returns to the island, with four new characters, stops the confusing "flash-forwards" and it seems that will finally be the beginning of the explanations that I (and most of the fans and viewers) expect to be provided in "Lost". Why the interest of the government in Ben Linus, and how he is informed from the boat are some of the questions that I expect to see in the next episodes. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): Not Available

Note: On 13 April 2013, I saw this episode again on DVD.

"Confirmed Dead" introduces the freighter's crew, adding new layers of mystery and complexity to the island's narrative. Directed by Stephen Williams, the episode begins with flashbacks that reveal the backstories of the freighter team members: Daniel Faraday, Miles Straume, Charlotte Lewis, and Frank Lapidus. These new characters bring with them a sense of urgency and danger, as their true motives remain shrouded in secrecy.

Jeremy Davies stands out as Daniel Faraday, portraying the character with a mix of eccentricity and vulnerability. His interactions with the other survivors, particularly with Jack and Kate, add an interesting dynamic to the group. The flashbacks provide insight into the new characters, effectively building tension and raising the stakes for the island's inhabitants.

The writing in "Confirmed Dead" expertly balances the introduction of new characters with the ongoing tension among the survivors. Themes of deception, loyalty, and the unknown are central to the episode, as the survivors struggle to discern friend from foe. The episode's pacing is brisk, maintaining a sense of urgency as the new arrivals begin to make their presence felt on the island.

Cinematography and direction contribute significantly to the episode's suspenseful atmosphere, with tight, close-up shots that emphasize the characters' uncertainty and unease. The editing is sharp, ensuring that the multiple storylines and character introductions are cohesive and engaging. The sound design, with its use of eerie, atmospheric music, complements the episode's tense and mysterious tone.

In conclusion, "Confirmed Dead" is an exciting and tension-filled episode that effectively introduces new characters while advancing the season's overarching narrative. The performances, particularly by Jeremy Davies, along with the strong writing, direction, and cinematography, create a captivating and suspenseful story that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.