ONE MORE CHANCE?:

"Lost" returns after hiatus nearly as taxing as show itself (Florangela Davila, 2/07/07, Seattle Times)

[T]he genius of "Lost" is the mystery braided throughout. This is no ordinary island, with its hatches, its Dharma Initiative research project and its community of "Others" who appear to have a link to the civilized world. So while the backstories of the Losties stroke our hearts in one move, their island adventures creep us out in the next. We're pulled, then pushed -- and all the while our minds race to add up every seeming clue.

"Twin Peaks" did that -- the freaking-us-out part -- but it was so far out there, it lost its tether to reality. "The X-Files" thrilled us, but the mysteries largely wrapped up nicely every hour or so. "Heroes" holds the magic-and-spook factor, but it's rooted in fantasy. "24" is addictive and heart-pumping, but the set-ups and dialogue occasionally make us guffaw. [...]

Now the show is testing our loyalty. Year No. 3 and we're still drifting in confusion. Is the "Lost" island the land of the past, present or purgatory? We've grumbled: More answers! We've groaned: No repeats! And yes, some of us just quit.

ABC's response was to split this season into two: six episodes in the fall; a three-month hiatus; and, starting Wednesday, 16 new episodes through May. There's also now a one-hour later time slot, at 10 p.m., so as not to compete with "American Idol" and new favorite "Criminal Minds."

'Lost' found: ABC's hit drama returns with renewed vigor (Mark A. Perigard, February 7, 2007, Boston Herald)

In the first of what the network promises to be 16 uninterrupted new episodes, "Lost" finds its direction in an hour stuffed with action, betrayals and a dash of black humor.

In "Not in Portland," as the nefarious Ben (Michael Emerson) bleeds on the operating table, surgeon Jack (Matthew Fox) gives the Others a choice: free Kate (Evangeline Lilly) and Sawyer (Josh Holloway) or he'll let their shady leader die.

Kate is devastated at the thought of leaving Jack behind. Sawyer, not so much.

The two dish out some deserved payback for the physical and emotional torture they endured at the hands of the Others. Given the frustrating pace of the season, viewers may find the violence cathartic. In one crucial moment, Kate proves herself to be more of a badass than Sawyer. As the two race for safety, help arrives from unexpected sources.

Even though he's restrained on the operating table, Ben proves to be the consummate puppet master, manipulating both Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell) and another island native desperately seeking freedom.

Juliet's past is revealed in flashbacks that raise even more questions about the nature of the Others' compound.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 7, 2007 7:33 AM