10 reviews
- gridoon2024
- Mar 13, 2009
- Permalink
Jack successfully deals the freedom of Kate and Sawyer along the surgery of Ben, and Alex helps them to escape from The Others in her boat. Meanwhile, Juliet recalls her life in Miami, when she developed a successful research of pregnancy treatment having her own sister as guinea pig. Then she recalls when she was invited to lead a research team in a laboratory in Portland.
After three months without "Lost", the production released a great episode, where the past of Juliet and the reason why she wish the death of Ben are disclosed. The story is very tense, with the complicated surgery of Ben and the difficulties Kate and Sawyer face to escape from their chasers. The destiny of Jack, after the surgery of Ben, is totally unknown. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): Not Available
Note: On 7 April 2013, I saw this episode again on DVD.
After three months without "Lost", the production released a great episode, where the past of Juliet and the reason why she wish the death of Ben are disclosed. The story is very tense, with the complicated surgery of Ben and the difficulties Kate and Sawyer face to escape from their chasers. The destiny of Jack, after the surgery of Ben, is totally unknown. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): Not Available
Note: On 7 April 2013, I saw this episode again on DVD.
- claudio_carvalho
- Feb 16, 2007
- Permalink
- MrFilmAndTelevisionShow
- Sep 3, 2021
- Permalink
If you listen to podcasts and interviews with the head writers of "Lost" recorded before season three's opening six-episode mini-season/pod the intention behind those episodes becomes clear. They were excited to do a pure action/adventure story, a captivity/escape tale much like films and television they grew up with and enjoyed. We got something in that vein, but it never really came together, never blossomed into anything more than cheap, predictable melodrama. What's most remarkable about "Not in Portland", in many ways the final chapter of the Hydra island pod of stories (since "Stranger in a Strange Land" doesn't exist), is that it represents the Hydra island storyline FINALLY becoming what the writers must have had in their heads while planning it out.
"Not in Portland" doesn't lack some brilliant character-based writing, particularly for Juliet but also for Jack and even Ben, but it also doesn't lack the sort of thing the entire Hydra island pod should have had: loads of well-executed action within the established genre format of the jungle captivity/escape story. I can't think of anything that could have been done better here- "I Do", the previous episode, milked everything for cheap soap-opera tension. "Not in Portland" features very similar situations with lives hanging in the balance, dramatic attempts at escape, 'shock moments', etc. but it's all in the great "Lost" tradition of keeping everything deeply connected to the overall story and to the characters and mythos of the series. Everything here is worthwhile. Kate and Sawyer's escape and Ben's surgery are handled superbly, with a shift of focus in the writing to Juliet, already a compelling character, and in this episode proving to be one of the show's most intriguing and conflicted characters.
The flashback sees Juliet attempting to get her sister, who has cancer, pregnant through experimental science. Due to previous experiments and presumably this as well, The Others (naming themselves 'Mittelos Bioscience) led by Richard Alpert attempt to recruit Juliet and bring her to the island. This sort of thing can go horribly wrong if done without subtlety and grace (*cough*"Cabin Fever"*cough*), but it's all very strongly-written here by Carlton Cuse and Jeff Pinkner.
A massive return to form after an uncertain (to be kind) start to the season, this 'spring season debut' introduces us to the superb bulk of season three which would keep us on the edge of our collective seat until the spectacular, jaw-dropping audacity of the finale.
"Not in Portland" doesn't lack some brilliant character-based writing, particularly for Juliet but also for Jack and even Ben, but it also doesn't lack the sort of thing the entire Hydra island pod should have had: loads of well-executed action within the established genre format of the jungle captivity/escape story. I can't think of anything that could have been done better here- "I Do", the previous episode, milked everything for cheap soap-opera tension. "Not in Portland" features very similar situations with lives hanging in the balance, dramatic attempts at escape, 'shock moments', etc. but it's all in the great "Lost" tradition of keeping everything deeply connected to the overall story and to the characters and mythos of the series. Everything here is worthwhile. Kate and Sawyer's escape and Ben's surgery are handled superbly, with a shift of focus in the writing to Juliet, already a compelling character, and in this episode proving to be one of the show's most intriguing and conflicted characters.
The flashback sees Juliet attempting to get her sister, who has cancer, pregnant through experimental science. Due to previous experiments and presumably this as well, The Others (naming themselves 'Mittelos Bioscience) led by Richard Alpert attempt to recruit Juliet and bring her to the island. This sort of thing can go horribly wrong if done without subtlety and grace (*cough*"Cabin Fever"*cough*), but it's all very strongly-written here by Carlton Cuse and Jeff Pinkner.
A massive return to form after an uncertain (to be kind) start to the season, this 'spring season debut' introduces us to the superb bulk of season three which would keep us on the edge of our collective seat until the spectacular, jaw-dropping audacity of the finale.
- ametaphysicalshark
- Dec 7, 2008
- Permalink
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 a three month hiatus, Season 3 returned with "Not in Portland". One naturally does worry as to whether such a long break was a good decision, and whether the quality would get worse or stay the same. Personally liked a vast majority of the previous Season 3 episodes actually, apart from "Further Instructions", but none were classics. Luckily the break actually did improve the quality, gave the season some freshness and moved things forward better than the previous episodes.
Have nothing to fault here, the brainwashing scene was strange agreed but not enough for it to distract from the overall quality. The Hydra Island story is the most interesting and most momentum-filled it's been yet with a good deal of tension and complexity.
While the relationships and situations of Jack and Ben and Kate and Sawyer are handled beautifully, it is the fascinating character of Juliet and her illuminating and tautly and poignantly written back story where "Not in Portland" most excels.
All the acting is on point, Elizabeth Mitchell especially wrenches the heart and gut in one of the powerhouse performances of Season 3 and perhaps also up to this point in 'Lost'.
Can't fault the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effective use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction.
In summary, brilliant and the first episode of Season 3 to feel closer to a 'Lost' classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox
After a three month hiatus, Season 3 returned with "Not in Portland". One naturally does worry as to whether such a long break was a good decision, and whether the quality would get worse or stay the same. Personally liked a vast majority of the previous Season 3 episodes actually, apart from "Further Instructions", but none were classics. Luckily the break actually did improve the quality, gave the season some freshness and moved things forward better than the previous episodes.
Have nothing to fault here, the brainwashing scene was strange agreed but not enough for it to distract from the overall quality. The Hydra Island story is the most interesting and most momentum-filled it's been yet with a good deal of tension and complexity.
While the relationships and situations of Jack and Ben and Kate and Sawyer are handled beautifully, it is the fascinating character of Juliet and her illuminating and tautly and poignantly written back story where "Not in Portland" most excels.
All the acting is on point, Elizabeth Mitchell especially wrenches the heart and gut in one of the powerhouse performances of Season 3 and perhaps also up to this point in 'Lost'.
Can't fault the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effective use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction.
In summary, brilliant and the first episode of Season 3 to feel closer to a 'Lost' classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Apr 2, 2018
- Permalink
- kaczkahans
- Apr 1, 2021
- Permalink
"Not in Portland" is a pivotal episode that shifts the focus to Juliet, revealing her backstory and motivations. Directed by Stephen Williams, the episode opens with Juliet attempting to help Kate and Sawyer escape from the Others. Flashbacks provide insight into Juliet's life before the island, showcasing her struggles as a fertility doctor and her recruitment by the mysterious Mittelos Bioscience.
Elizabeth Mitchell delivers a standout performance as Juliet, portraying her as a complex character torn between duty and personal desires. The flashbacks are particularly effective in humanizing Juliet, showing her vulnerability and the coercion she faced. The interactions between Juliet and Ben, played by Michael Emerson, add tension and depth to her character arc.
The writing in "Not in Portland" explores themes of control, autonomy, and sacrifice. Juliet's flashbacks are seamlessly integrated into the present-day narrative, revealing her motivations and the pressures she faces. The episode's focus on Juliet's moral dilemmas adds a layer of intrigue and emotional resonance to the series.
The cinematography captures the episode's tense and dramatic moments, using dynamic camera angles and lighting to emphasize the high stakes. The editing ensures a smooth transition between flashbacks and present events, maintaining a steady pace throughout. The sound design, with its suspenseful music and ambient island noises, heightens the episode's tension and emotional impact.
In conclusion, "Not in Portland" is a compelling episode that deepens our understanding of Juliet and her complex motivations. Elizabeth Mitchell's performance is captivating and multifaceted. The writing, direction, and cinematography create a rich, engaging narrative that adds significant depth to the series' overarching themes.
Elizabeth Mitchell delivers a standout performance as Juliet, portraying her as a complex character torn between duty and personal desires. The flashbacks are particularly effective in humanizing Juliet, showing her vulnerability and the coercion she faced. The interactions between Juliet and Ben, played by Michael Emerson, add tension and depth to her character arc.
The writing in "Not in Portland" explores themes of control, autonomy, and sacrifice. Juliet's flashbacks are seamlessly integrated into the present-day narrative, revealing her motivations and the pressures she faces. The episode's focus on Juliet's moral dilemmas adds a layer of intrigue and emotional resonance to the series.
The cinematography captures the episode's tense and dramatic moments, using dynamic camera angles and lighting to emphasize the high stakes. The editing ensures a smooth transition between flashbacks and present events, maintaining a steady pace throughout. The sound design, with its suspenseful music and ambient island noises, heightens the episode's tension and emotional impact.
In conclusion, "Not in Portland" is a compelling episode that deepens our understanding of Juliet and her complex motivations. Elizabeth Mitchell's performance is captivating and multifaceted. The writing, direction, and cinematography create a rich, engaging narrative that adds significant depth to the series' overarching themes.
- fernandoschiavi
- Aug 6, 2024
- Permalink
- BruceWayne3
- Oct 13, 2020
- Permalink