YES! After last week's "Namaste", which was a well-done but exclusively "set-up" episode, LOST is back to its exciting self! I knew it was on the correct path right from the first few seconds, when the "Previously, on LOST" scenes included footage from two of my favorite episodes, "The Man Behind The Curtain" and "The Economist". It was confirmed a little later, when we get a long-term flashback (I had never realized how much I miss those!) about Sayid's childhood. But what really makes "He's Our You" stand out is that it's the first episode that asks so emphatically the questions that we've all been waiting to hear: if you knew the future, would you try to change it? It's great to see that Sayid doesn't believe in Daniel Faraday's suspense-killing "whatever happened, happened" theory (maybe because he has never heard of it!), and decides to DO something instead of sitting around waiting for the inevitable (?) to happen. What he does makes for a fantastic cliffhanger. I also loved how this episode jumped around to all sorts of different times & places, tying up loose ends from the past without ever confusing you (except when it's done on purpose!). And I have to mention that, based on her few minutes here, Zuleikha Robinson just became a strong candidate for sexiest LOST girl ever (though Nikki is hard to top). Even the sweet tones in the conversation between Kate and Juliet are a nice surprise. IMO, the best episode of Season 5 so far along with "316" and "The Life And Death Of Jeremy Bentham". ***1/2 out of 4.
8 Reviews
"I'm between jobs at the moment" - Best of the season so far?
gridoon202427 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Very surprising
Pruikhoofd5 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The episode starts with Jin finding Sayid in the jungle being handcuffed, from this point on Sayid is treated as a "Hostile". Of course, only Sawyer knows who he really is and this creates the usual drama.
Great episode with a very surprising ending, that's really open ended and leaves us with a lot of mystery around what's gonna happen next to Sayid and possibly Sawyer too, since everyone is probably going to think he let Sayid go.
Rating: 9/10.
Great episode with a very surprising ending, that's really open ended and leaves us with a lot of mystery around what's gonna happen next to Sayid and possibly Sawyer too, since everyone is probably going to think he let Sayid go.
Rating: 9/10.
There are 7 minutes from the Lost of which I could recommend to everyone. 3 of them are from this episode.
Pecsi-Istvan29 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Once upon a time, without watching or reading about it, based upon its ads, I have thought that the Lost is a pure, Survivor-like reality show costumed as a series. However that opinion became a subject to change: the pilot episode, as it featured a doctor in the leading role, made me think that the Lost is a not-so-juicy mix of a reality show and E.R. Most of my mates shared this opinion, so they quit watching it. However, being masochist enough, I have continued to watch the further episodes alone. And then in Walkabout, for my surprise, the series introduced the mystical character of John Locke in such a way that it easily made me an addict. However, convincing my friends of the series worth watching couldn't be done by spoiling the whole story. Therefore I have started to seek for a relatively short, few minutes long slice of Lost of which I could recommend them to watch. Firstly, I have found what I was looking for in the second season...
Make someone imagine a deserted island with no food on it, but fish and fruits - and the people who are forced to eat that stuff for 40 days. Some of them are already left on a raft. It's a good point to make your "victim" familiar with the faces of its passengers. Then make him/her watch Hurley's dream in Everybody Hates Hugo.
My second recommendation happens to be a dream also: Locke's one in Cabin Fever. You don't even have to compose a story for this one. It is essential.
The third and final one is the interrogation from this episode. To interpret it, it is enough to know that Sayid is a time traveler who have been captured by men from the past whom destiny he knows and is telling them the truth. Excellent play, well done music.
One thing is surely common in these shots: their exquisite grotesqueness.
Make someone imagine a deserted island with no food on it, but fish and fruits - and the people who are forced to eat that stuff for 40 days. Some of them are already left on a raft. It's a good point to make your "victim" familiar with the faces of its passengers. Then make him/her watch Hurley's dream in Everybody Hates Hugo.
My second recommendation happens to be a dream also: Locke's one in Cabin Fever. You don't even have to compose a story for this one. It is essential.
The third and final one is the interrogation from this episode. To interpret it, it is enough to know that Sayid is a time traveler who have been captured by men from the past whom destiny he knows and is telling them the truth. Excellent play, well done music.
One thing is surely common in these shots: their exquisite grotesqueness.
AdnanZ's Comment retort
mutable-genus30 March 2009
Warning: Spoilers
In response to AdnanZ's comment.
I disagree with you on the comment about the truth inducing drug. The drug was LSD, which was typically given in sugar cubes back in the 60's and 70's. This historical reference was spot on. Walden, the man administering the drug, can be seen living away from the Dharma infinitive's village. His hut looks like that of a crazed hermit, it is clear that Walden has used this drug quite a bit. Sayid's lack of motivation to escape after the incident shows that the drug made him have existential thoughts about the meaning of the island and the significance (or lack there of) of his time-lost existence.
I disagree with you on the comment about the truth inducing drug. The drug was LSD, which was typically given in sugar cubes back in the 60's and 70's. This historical reference was spot on. Walden, the man administering the drug, can be seen living away from the Dharma infinitive's village. His hut looks like that of a crazed hermit, it is clear that Walden has used this drug quite a bit. Sayid's lack of motivation to escape after the incident shows that the drug made him have existential thoughts about the meaning of the island and the significance (or lack there of) of his time-lost existence.
Excellent - but shows poor gun handling
mike-ryan45526 March 2009
First, I have to get something said. Lost made a gun handling error. They showed a guard holding a SKS-56 Chinese carbine with a spike bayonet. This was supposed to in 1977. They would be almost impossible to obtain in the USA back then. Except for an odd Viet Nam war trophy I think they would have been illegal to import. Ammunition would also have been difficult to obtain. A USA based group like the Dharma Initiative would have used something far more conventional.
OK, it's not a big deal for most people but for me it was rather surprising. Lost doesn't make mistakes very often. The story line is so wonderfully tight and consistent. It's become my favorite show. I could easily find massive errors with oh Battlestar Galactica, but Lost didn't disappoint.
I won't spoil the episode, except to say that it very, very logically fits. It fits so well and is so natural I am very curious how they will get out of it.
OK, it's not a big deal for most people but for me it was rather surprising. Lost doesn't make mistakes very often. The story line is so wonderfully tight and consistent. It's become my favorite show. I could easily find massive errors with oh Battlestar Galactica, but Lost didn't disappoint.
I won't spoil the episode, except to say that it very, very logically fits. It fits so well and is so natural I am very curious how they will get out of it.
Who is that man
TheLittleSongbird2 August 2018
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 4 was a solid season, with high points such as "The Beginning of the End", the three part finale and particularly "The Constant" and the only disappointments (though they were still decent) being "The Other Woman" and "Eggtown". "Because You Left" couldn't be a better way to start Season 5, definitely among the stronger 'Lost' season openers and one of the most confident and most settled. The episodes between that and this were also good to great, with the weakest "Jughead" still having a lot of great values.
"He's Our You" is a very good episode, albeit not one of the show's or season's best. It's not one of the most original episodes in terms of story and other episodes do much better in advancing the plot, events and general characterisation, can understand the "filler" complaint.
Also miss Desmond and Locke. Having said that, the episode is not dull and thought-provoking, providing new mysteries and questions as well as some answers. Everything here grips, past and present and things don't get too confusing. The young Ben stuff was intriguing.
There are surprising moments and also illuminating ones, Sayid is developed well and what is learnt about him doesn't give the impression that we are going round in circles.
Also found "He's Our You" to be an episode with enough entertainment value, tension and emotional moments to satisfy, though other 'Lost' episodes do all three better. The more dialogue-driven parts is a case of it being thought-probing, relevant and adding a lot rather than slowing things down and rambling.
Can't fault the performances, which are superb all round. Michael Emerson has yet to put a foot wrong and Naveen Andrews is terrific, for me some of his best acting in the role. Josh Holloway is also fine.
Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effectively understated and chilling use of music, smart writing and the controlled direction.
In summary, very good but not great. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Season 4 was a solid season, with high points such as "The Beginning of the End", the three part finale and particularly "The Constant" and the only disappointments (though they were still decent) being "The Other Woman" and "Eggtown". "Because You Left" couldn't be a better way to start Season 5, definitely among the stronger 'Lost' season openers and one of the most confident and most settled. The episodes between that and this were also good to great, with the weakest "Jughead" still having a lot of great values.
"He's Our You" is a very good episode, albeit not one of the show's or season's best. It's not one of the most original episodes in terms of story and other episodes do much better in advancing the plot, events and general characterisation, can understand the "filler" complaint.
Also miss Desmond and Locke. Having said that, the episode is not dull and thought-provoking, providing new mysteries and questions as well as some answers. Everything here grips, past and present and things don't get too confusing. The young Ben stuff was intriguing.
There are surprising moments and also illuminating ones, Sayid is developed well and what is learnt about him doesn't give the impression that we are going round in circles.
Also found "He's Our You" to be an episode with enough entertainment value, tension and emotional moments to satisfy, though other 'Lost' episodes do all three better. The more dialogue-driven parts is a case of it being thought-probing, relevant and adding a lot rather than slowing things down and rambling.
Can't fault the performances, which are superb all round. Michael Emerson has yet to put a foot wrong and Naveen Andrews is terrific, for me some of his best acting in the role. Josh Holloway is also fine.
Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effectively understated and chilling use of music, smart writing and the controlled direction.
In summary, very good but not great. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Sayid's Mission
claudio_carvalho19 April 2013
Sayid is locked in a jail mistakenly taken as a "Hostile" and remains in silence. The young Ben brings sandwiches for Sayid and asks him to take him to the Hostiles. When Sawyer advises him to tell that he had deserted the opponent group, Sayid does not accept his suggestion and tells that he has discovered that he has a mission in the island. When Ben releases Sayid from the jail, he accomplishes his assignment.
"He's Our You" is another silly and inconsistent episode about Sayid in the island and before taking the doomed flight. Things happen in the past and people do not have recollections in the future and the only way that the writers found to distract the viewers from this flaw is the discussion between Hurley and Miles about this subject. The conclusion is the best that this show can offer, with Sayid killing Ben. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "He's Our You"
"He's Our You" is another silly and inconsistent episode about Sayid in the island and before taking the doomed flight. Things happen in the past and people do not have recollections in the future and the only way that the writers found to distract the viewers from this flaw is the discussion between Hurley and Miles about this subject. The conclusion is the best that this show can offer, with Sayid killing Ben. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "He's Our You"
Dull filler
ametaphysicalshark26 March 2009
Few episodes of "Lost" are as dull and inconsequential as "He's Our You", and coming from writers as accomplished as Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz it's quite shocking how mediocre this script is. There is none of their usual humor or their knack for great character-driven drama here. Their last episode before this was "This Place is Death". If you compare both scripts and think this is even in the same league you need to correct your taste and get checked for mental health issues. Even the ending to this episode isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure it'll keep us chattering for a week but we know they'll solve it easily. If they don't I'll edit this out but until then I find nothing special about this ending, aside from an initial moment of surprise.
The episode is character-centric, but all "Lost" episodes are. It has become a common defense for some "Lost" fans to use when describing mediocre episodes with no action, regardless of whether or not the characters are interesting in the episode or not.. "He's Our You" will be defended by some as a great character episode, or a good character episode. It is not. It is a dumb, simplistic rehash of themes which have been present in Sayid episodes since season one's "Solitary". It adds nothing new to the mix and where it could have done so, in the relationship between Sayid and Ben, it didn't. At least not until near the end of the episode.
All the other character interactions are boring and pointless. The conclusion of Sayid's hit-man missions for Ben is perfunctory and uninteresting, same goes for Ilana's background and how her and Sayid ended up on the plane. When did "Lost" turn into "24"? The truth-telling drug was probably one of the silliest bits "Lost" has ever done. Poorly-written, poorly-conceived, extremely convenient, and a total disaster when it comes to the handling of tone in a scene. I blame director Greg Yaitanes for that bit. (edit: after seeing the episode again, I must disagree with myself on that point, but I don't like the episode much as a whole).
This episode is as close to 'filler' as we've gotten on "Lost" since the abominable Hydra island storyline.
The episode is character-centric, but all "Lost" episodes are. It has become a common defense for some "Lost" fans to use when describing mediocre episodes with no action, regardless of whether or not the characters are interesting in the episode or not.. "He's Our You" will be defended by some as a great character episode, or a good character episode. It is not. It is a dumb, simplistic rehash of themes which have been present in Sayid episodes since season one's "Solitary". It adds nothing new to the mix and where it could have done so, in the relationship between Sayid and Ben, it didn't. At least not until near the end of the episode.
All the other character interactions are boring and pointless. The conclusion of Sayid's hit-man missions for Ben is perfunctory and uninteresting, same goes for Ilana's background and how her and Sayid ended up on the plane. When did "Lost" turn into "24"? The truth-telling drug was probably one of the silliest bits "Lost" has ever done. Poorly-written, poorly-conceived, extremely convenient, and a total disaster when it comes to the handling of tone in a scene. I blame director Greg Yaitanes for that bit. (edit: after seeing the episode again, I must disagree with myself on that point, but I don't like the episode much as a whole).
This episode is as close to 'filler' as we've gotten on "Lost" since the abominable Hydra island storyline.
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