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.
After the season being on such a high previously, "Whatever the Case May Be" is not 'Lost' at its best. It is still reasonably intriguing but it is hard not to feel disappointed, considering that all the previous episodes ranged from very good to outstanding and this was just pretty good but less than great. It is the weakest episode up to this point of 'Lost' and one of the lesser ones of the first season.
It does feel like a filler episode, something that "Whatever the Case May Be" has been criticised for, and this does affect the momentum which was in need of more kick in places.
For me too, "Whatever the Case May Be" could have done with focusing more on everything to do with the case and the Sayid and Shannon scenes didn't add as much as they could have done and would have fared better perhaps if in an episode of its own.
The Kate flashbacks on the other hand are suitably harrowing and interesting, it was nice to see more development to Kate, and the case stuff is very well done, there just needed to be more of it. Actually found the Charlie and Rose scene quite poignant.
Visually, "Whatever the Case May Be" is well made with the island as beautiful and mysterious as ever. The music is understated and chilling, even beautiful at times.
There is evidence of taut and smart writing in a script that could have done with more tightness. Acting is very good all round.
Concluding, pretty good but this felt disappointing considering the high standard of the previous episodes. 7/10 Bethany Cox