Like many of you out there, I'm hooked on Lost like Charlie is hooked on the junk.

My guide is not meant to be a comprehensive episode guide, rather a forum to share my thoughts on notable episodes.  If I were smarter, I'd figure out all the allusions, hints, and what not that are sprinkled in every episode.  That said, I'll share any secrets that I find on other sites.  Come on back weekly for updates!

SPOILER ALERT!   

I'm keeping it real here, so if you haven't caught up with your TiVo stop right there and come on back when you're ready to play.

Episode 31:  Abandoned (aired 11/9/2005)

I have to say that it's annoying that the previews for the episode tipped the hand that one of the regulars would be killed off.  Note to producers:  you have our attention, don't spoil the fun.  Herein lies one of my issues with the episode - I spent the whole time "waiting" for the carnage, to the point that it was distracting. 

Ironic that they finally create some depth to Shannon's character just before her final hours (although no doubt we'll be seeing her again in flashbacks).  That said, a wicked stepmom backstory doesn't exactly measure up to the more compelling histories of Shannon's mates on the island.  I do love the fact that the episode established a link between Jack, his wife, and the death of Shannon's father - all through a cameo that you'd miss in a blink. 

Locke, as usual, is genius.  Again the producers can learn from their most intriguing character, whose choice words can say so much.  The Others are used to great effect - there's some genuine creepiness going on when the jungle whispers come on.  They play much better than the mecha-beast threat that was more prominent in Season 1. 

In case you were wondering, Entertainment Weekly took a stab at what Walt was saying in backward speak to Shannon: "They're coming and they're close."

Episode Rating:  6/9 (I rate things out of nine)

Episode 32:  The Other 48 Days (aired 11/16/2005)

I was shocked and amazed to hear lots of folks around the office singing the praises of this one.   The opening scene (a tranquil beach shot interrupted by very fake looking crash of the tail section) sums up my issues with this flawed episode - nice setup, but the payoff falls short. 

The idea of seeing how the Tailies got by on the island is an intriguing one, but in this case, their plight was better left to the imagination.  In earlier episodes, Anna Lucia and the rest of her crew pulled a Fight Club - no one talked about their early days on the island.  The rub is that The Others are much more frightening as Nathan (from season one) and the guys on the boat that took Walt.  In this episode we learn that they can indeed be killed (thanks to The Quiet Man) and that they clean-up nice to infiltrate the survivors (which we already knew).  

So enough with the Back to the Future II technique!  This season has gone to the "repeat day from other people's perspective" once too many.  Let's move that plot along!

Despite my frustrations, there were a few nice moments in this ep.  The scene between Anna Lucia and The Other spy-guy was effective.  The Quiet Man is setup to be an interesting character.  And The Others "take only the good ones."

Finally, has anyone noticed that this show is a reunion for former cast member of Ed (the under-rated NBC show from a couple years' back). 

Episode Rating:  4/9 

OK..so it's been a while.  Let's pick up at the latest ep.

Episode 42:  Dave (aired 4/6/2006)

Now we're cooking with gas. Season 2 is finally starting to build some momentum as it goes into the home stretch.  Hurley was bordering on becoming a one-dimensional, designated comic relief guy.  Here we see the most nuanced performance from Jorge Garcia yet.  I saw Hurley doing the Beautiful Mind thing 10 minutes into the episode, but this was a red herring for the real shocker at the end of the show.  I was convinced that Libby was an "Other" (and perhaps she still is), but I was completely caught off guard on that one.  Meanwhile, the castaway formerly known as Henry Gale continues to blossom into the most intriguing new character on the show.

Episode Rating: 7/9