User reviews

Like most TV dramas, Lost saves the big emotional moments for the latter half of the season, and Do No Harm stands out as the episode with the most at stake, featuring a series of situations that provide plenty of build-up for the season finale.

Picking up from the end of Deus Ex Machina, Boone is seriously wounded, with a collapsed lung and a crushed leg. With Locke missing and Jack not really believing his story regarding the origin of the injuries, tensions are already high when a race against the clock to save Boone's life begins. Meanwhile, Sayid and Shannon take their relationship further, and Claire goes into labor, causing part of the survivors to help her and Charlie to freak out.

Jack's determination to fix Boone is reflected in the flashbacks, which depict the events leading up to his wedding. It is revealed that the bride, Sarah (Julie Bowen, who has previously guest starred on another show with Matthew Fox, namely Party of Five), was originally a patient who many believed to be beyond help. Jack saved her, but is now uncertain when it comes to writing his vows. Help comes from an unlikely source: his father.

Although nearly every cast member gets something to do, the episode belongs to Somerhalder and Fox: the former finally gets a really big moment in the spotlight (Hearts and Minds notwithstanding), enhancing the script's emotional power with a compelling, vulnerable performance; the latter, benefiting from another solid chunk of back-story, emerges more prominently as the show's real human anchor, while also showing a tougher side with a deliciously bad-ass closing line that qualifies as one of the program's most mouth-watering cliffhangers.

In this episode I went through a lot of emotions in barely ten minutes. Absolutely rollercoaster between crying and smiling and laughing. Outstanding

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.

"Do No Harm", as said in the review summary, does no harm to the show at all...quite the opposite. It may not quite advance the mysteries of the island as other Season 1, and since, episodes do, but it is a turning point character-wise for Jack, with some of the meatiest material he's had all season. It is also demonstrative that it was a real shame that Boone was gotten rid of so early when he was starting to really grow as a character.

Matthew Fox and Ian Somerhalder are exceptional here, Fox gives Jack humanity and toughness and Somerhalder is incredibly moving. Their scenes in "Do No Harm" are emotionally gut-wrenching, devastating and not an easy watch. Jack's flashbacks actually add to his character, rather than reiterating what is already known, and they don't distract from the main story either, in fact it adds to Jack's motivations.

The rest of the cast and characters are also compelling and far from wasted, especially with the labour subplot, but it's Jack and Boone's show all the way.

Visually, "Do No Harm" is slickly shot and makes the most of the beautiful but mysterious island. The direction is skilful in one of the season's better directed episodes, succeeding in getting the best out of the story's themes and bringing out the emotional power, intensity and urgency needed adeptly.

Regarding the writing, it is some of the season's best, smartest and tautest. There is not a dull spot in the story and the music is typically understated yet chilling.

Overall, a season high point. 10/10 Bethany Cox

John Locke brings the wounded Boone Carlyle to the caves and Dr. Jack Shephard realizes that he has severe internal injures, his lungs are perforated and his leg has an exposed fracture. Dr. Jack tries to fix Boone without the necessary resources, and recalls his former patient and fiancée Sarah (Julie Bowen), his engagement party and their vows. Meanwhile Claire is having contractions in the woods, and Kate helps her to deliver the baby. Shannon Rutherford is spending the night with Sayid Jarrah in a remote part of the beach.

"Do not Harm" is probably one of the most dramatic episode of "Lost", exposing many emotional situations simultaneously. The conclusion of the story is very tense, with Dr. Jack ready to chase Locke. I am absolutely impressed with the beauty of the Australian actress Emilie de Ravin. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil: "Do Not Harm"

Note: On 22 March 2013, I saw this episode again.

Janet Tamaro's only script for "Lost", "Do No Harm" is one of the most unpleasant episodes of the show and really quite hard to sit through, but it's a solid dramatic effort which emphasizes some of Jack's key character traits while developing his relationship with his wife. The island events deal with the aftermath of Boone's fall from the Nigerian drug plane while Claire gives birth to Aaron and Sayid takes Shannon for a romantic dinner.

The flashback scenes with Jack are the highlight of the episode, although the final five minutes feature wonderful use of montage to contrast birth and death, and Jack's mute conversation with Shannon is very tastefully-shot and acted and is quite powerful. We see Christian Shepard again, a fascinating character used well here.

I was personally sad to see Boone go as I found him quite an engaging character, but his death was handled quite well overall.

There's not really much to say about this episode. It's a straightforward drama with nothing new to add to the mythology or characters other than the two major events already covered.

7.5/10

"Do No Harm" is a heart-wrenching episode that centers on Jack Shephard and the dire circumstances surrounding Boone's injuries. The episode opens with Jack and Sun attempting to save Boone, whose condition rapidly deteriorates. The direction by Stephen Williams effectively captures the high-stakes tension and emotional gravity of the situation.

Matthew Fox delivers a standout performance as Jack, portraying his desperation and determination to save Boone at all costs. The flashbacks reveal Jack's wedding day, highlighting his commitment to helping others and the burden of responsibility he carries. Ian Somerhalder's portrayal of Boone in his final moments is equally compelling, adding emotional weight to the narrative.

The writing in "Do No Harm" explores themes of sacrifice, leadership, and the limits of human capability. Jack's struggle to save Boone and his eventual acceptance of his limitations create a compelling character arc. The script skillfully balances the intense medical drama with the emotional fallout, particularly through the parallel storyline of Claire going into labor.

The cinematography captures the episode's high-stakes tension, using tight framing and dynamic camera movements to convey the urgency of the medical procedures. The editing maintains a brisk pace, ensuring a seamless flow between the different storylines and heightening the episode's emotional impact. The sound design, including the use of dramatic music and ambient noises, enhances the episode's tension and emotional resonance.

In conclusion, "Do No Harm" is a powerful and emotionally charged episode that explores the limits of Jack Shephard's abilities and the high cost of leadership. The performances by Matthew Fox and Ian Somerhalder are compelling and heartfelt. The writing, direction, and cinematography create a gripping and emotionally resonant narrative, adding significant depth to the series' character dynamics and overarching themes.

This series is very underrated. I love that. Very perfect and very informative. Especially this episode. I cried at last of that. I think the writer of this episode is a great man or woman( I don't know him unfortunately) after this review I'll read about this incredible person. And my question is why this series doesn't have the best rate of series. I wish at least this episode had 10.

It showed as best as somebody can how hard and complicating is what a doctor does. And what a man does when he is on the edge of life and what a man does when he really care about others. I like it. Thank you all that made this series thanks for every moment of that.