"Every Man for Himself" is everything wrong with the first six episodes of season 3 (other than "The Cost of Living", perhaps). The Hydra island storyline is the worst ever on "Lost", a completely useless example of prolonging the plot for the sake of prolonging the plot. Moreover, the episode barely even has enough good characterization in it to be worthwhile. The flashback is okay, though not great, and there's enough of Desmond and the regular island folk to make this watchable, but the Hydra island stuff is intolerable, especially Kate and Sawyer growling at each other from their cages, Pickett making faces, and (oh joy!) lots of shaky-cam which is apparently supposed to substitute for any actual tension. Also, Sawyer falls for Ben's con a bit too easily.
It's tough going, getting through five of these first six episodes. Luckily season 3 would rebound with "Not in Portland" and with one exception remain tremendously engaging and enjoyable.