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.
It, Season 6 that is, started promisingly enough with "LA X", both parts, before reaching disappointment with the still watchable "What Kate Does", which had great moments but a dull and soap-heavy central story. "The Substitute" was a step up and one of the best of the episodes up to this point of the season (second best), but not one of the best 'Lost' episodes, did find a couple of issues with it but can understand why critically it has been positively received. "Lighthouse" to me was uneven but decent.
Personally found "The Package" to be something of a let down after the outstanding "Ab Aeterno", the season's high point and one of 'Lost's' best, also think "Sundown" and "Dr Linus" to be much better. It is a good episode still if one of the lesser episodes up to this point of the season.
The non-island events to me were more interesting here. There is a lot of tension and emotion with Sun's story and while there could have more done with Jin it is hard not to feel for him and his situation has intensity. The non-island events were not perfectly executed though, what happens to Sun veers on the weird side and could have gone into more depth and the writing occasionally could have been tighter.
For me the island events did have intrigue and there are some nice reveals and shocks but were pace wise a touch stagnant and not as gripping as they could have been. There is a setting things up for what's to come feel and other episodes do better at moving things forward.
However, "The Package" is very well acted from everybody, with Yunjin Kim giving a deeply felt performance, matched by Alan Dale (managing to still intrigue and chill as Widmore). The characters are compelling and don't feel stereotypical or cartoonish. The character interaction adds to the tension and emotion and the ending has a great and hugely intriguing cliffhanger, even if not one of the most surprising.
Furthermore, "The Package" is a typically exceptionally well made episode on a visual level, being very stylish and atmospheric. The music is chilling and understated, while most of the writing is tight and the direction has control yet alertness.
Overall, good if not great. 7/10 Bethany Cox
