LogFAQs > #928071527

LOST - "Walkabout"
Nominated by: theiceisnice

Before I get into the meat of this episode, I've never had reason to mention this before, so I'll do it now - a good TV show constantly reinforces the names of characters. Show quality is directly proportional to how often the main and supporting characters reference each other's names. Why is this? Likely because you easily find yourself able to identify them. There's a subtle organizational structure involved in defining characters and the simplicity of identification is HUGELY important to characters being memorable. I don't know if these things are NECESSARILY connected with quality, but I've found that shows that make an effort to constantly reinforce names in early episodes are very often the best shows on TV. It's strange, but true.

What I love about Walkabout is what I love about LOST in general. At the heart of LOST, you find a show about self-discovery. And no episode better reinforces that thematic beat than Walkabout. We discover John Locke as John Locke discovers himself. The catalyst for change in his life proves to be this hugely tragic, traumatic event for everyone else. Until this point, three episodes have been focused on how this trauma is causing everyone to spiral and adjust on the fly. Survival is first and foremost, and the early mysteries of the island center around the simplicity of life and death.

Unlike many people, I find the entirety of LOST (with certain exceptions) to be a truly excellent class in storytelling. Season One especially lays out an ensemble cast and gives everyone involved a memorable, distinct role that stands apart from the rest, and yet gels excellently as part of the community. John Locke is one of the most important key characters, and this is the episode where we are given most of the important nuance for John Locke. Man of Faith is born here, as even in ruins, a flower can grow. Locke sees the miracle in disaster, and this makes him an unsettling character for some and a wise and heroic character for others. That divisiveness actually extends to the cast of characters itself, and the relationship between Jack and Locke defines this series more than any other.

Of course, every major character (except Jin is mostly absent from this episode) is given a chance to shine. The simplicity of a happy moment of respite for Charlie and Hurley can't be overlooked among the larger scenes of dramatic tension. Jack begins to explore the relationship with his deceased father, Kate really starts to become the wishy-washy runaway brat that will define her later on, and Shannon and Boone are honestly remarkably entertaining as spoiled rich kids.

Of course, this episode is nominated for the final moments. LOST is a show in love with symbolism, and few moments are as powerful as Locke's wheelchair burning in the fuselage with the bodies of the dead. That life is over. John Locke, as he is now, is a man reborn. And the trappings of that previous life are burned away in the metal wreck that birthed this new Locke. Thanks to the musical score provided by Michael Giacchino, this moment has become one of the greatest in a series chock full of great moments. Giacchino's music is, quite honestly, the best ever presented on television. It gives the characters distinct identities and colors every scene perfectly.

All in all, Walkabout is an excellent episode.

Writing: 9/10
Characterization: 10/10
Scarlet Factor: 10/10
Overall Rating: 29/30
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"It is too easy being monsters. Let us try to be human." ~Victor Frankenstein, Penny Dreadful