Lost (TV Series) The Substitute (2010) User Reviews

A knockout Lost

[gizmomogwai · 9/10 · 18 February 2010]

Don't tell me what Lost can't do. This episode, part of the sixth and final season, is driven by the fundamental question as to why the plane crash survivors were brought to the island in the first place. The explanation given by the monster is equal parts revealing (if the monster is telling the truth) and mysterious (some things are still vague). The concept of the "candidate" is finally explained, or so it seems (I have a feeling the monster was telling the truth, at least in part). A candidate is someone who may take over the island from Jacob. It would be this new person's responsibility to protect the island- though the monster claims there's really nothing to protect it from. If that's true, it would make all of the struggles and deaths look tragically needless and absurd. It looks like Sawyer, who was always ambiguous as to whether he's a hero or villain, is about to form an alliance with the monster. I have a feeling Sawyer's role as an antagonist in the endgame will be epic.

Other highlights of the episode include a mysterious, eerie child who reminds the monster of the "rules"- allowing the fake Locke to yell out the real Locke's classic line. Part of Locke may live on, it seems. Seeing things from the monster's point of view allows for some interesting cinematography.

But this is also Locke's episode- the real Locke's episode- as we see him finally laid to rest in a funeral scene. Ben gives a favourable eulogy, fitting since he was sort of a friend but ironic as he was also Locke's killer, which he surprisingly openly admits. Meanwhile, Locke is still alive in the parallel universe, back from his failed walkabout, only to be fired by Randy. It's tragic, but one can see why he was fired. And we get some good drama as he and and Helen, who are still together in this universe, debate whether Locke can be healed. My only question is why Hurley was so quick to help out Locke after he had been fired. He might feel bad about the parking job or it may be just because he doesn't like Randy, but he doesn't even ask why Locke was fired. Oh well- these parallel scenes still make one of the more interesting off-island stories and this whole episode is one of the best of the series. A+

Good mix of character and mythology focus

[gridoon2024 · 8/10 · 17 February 2010]

Well, if there were any last traces of doubt left, "The Substitute" removes them: Jacob's enemy can take the form of the Smoke Monster. Pretty practical too, not only for eliminating your targets but also for moving around the island in a speedy way. There is a great sequence shot from the monster's POV near the start, where "it" checks out the barracks first, then goes back into the middle of the jungle and turns into "Locke", staying in that form from that point on. It appears that "he" is recruiting, and Sawyer is his first selection. And "Flocke" knows which buttons to push: Sawyer has nothing left to live for on the island, he wants answers and maybe a way out. But the most intriguing part of this section are the two ghost-like appearances in the jungle of a never previously seen kid, who might just be the younger version of Jacob (then again, he might not). One of those encounters leads to Flocke uttering Locke's trademark line: "Don't tell me what I can't do!". There is also a remarkably eerie climax set in an undiscovered cave near sea level, where Sawyer learns what we pretty much already knew from "The Incident" - that certain Losties were selected and brought onto the island by Jacob, giving each of them a number - a very familiar number. The best moments of the "foot group" are a) Ilana gathering some of Jacob's dust, b) Ben saying a few words at the real Locke's burial. As for the alternate reality scenes, their purpose is still undetermined. Though the more I think about it, the more likely the theories that are suggesting it's not an alternate, but a future (despite currently being set in 2004) timeline begin to seem. Anyway, I loved seeing Peggy Bundy....er, I mean Katey Sagal again, and she still looks great in her mid fifties. Overall, "The Substitute" is arguably even better than "LA X", but "The Brig" remains the definitive Sawyer-Locke episode. *** out of 4.

The interesting substitute

[TheLittleSongbird · 8/10 · 9 September 2018]

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.

It, Season 6 that is, started promisingly enough with "LA X", both parts, before reaching disappointment with the still watchable "What Kate Does", which had great moments but a dull and soap-heavy central story. "The Substitute" is a step up and perhaps the best of the four episodes up to this point of the season, but not one of the best 'Lost' episodes. Did find a couple of issues with it but can understand why critically it has been positively received.

Lets start with the issues. There are no real answers provided here, there are explanations that easily could have been provided but don't come and felt overdue at this stage like with the Oceanic Flight 815.

Not all the character motivations are clear enough either, it can be frustrating when one doesn't understand some of why certain characters behave the way they do and what their goals here in a season where it's preferable to have loose ends tied up all the time. Maybe structurally it's occasionally slightly rushed as well.

However, "The Substitute" really excels in the characterisation, character work and character interaction, much of it evoking classic 'Lost'. It is a terrific showcase for one of the show's greatest characters in Locke, one of few to remain consistent and interesting in terms of writing and acting quality throughout. His story, both in flash-sideways and original timelines, here is not repetitive of what we already know about him and is compelling and emotional. Also was intrigued by the six numbers/names mystery and with Jacob, which did grab the attention and didn't confuse too much.

Cannot fault the acting, which is uniformly very good. Superb in the case of Terry O'Quinn. The visuals are stylish and atmospheric, while the music is understated and chilling and the writing taut. The directing has breathing space and alertness.

In conclusion, very interesting and well done episode. 8/10 Bethany Cox

4 8 15 16 23 42

[abdelrhmansamy-15224 · 10/10 · 1 August 2019]

4 - Sawyer 8 - Jack 15 - Locke 16 - Hugo 23 - Sayid 42 - "Kwon"

best episode yet

[abortamir · 10/10 · 11 March 2021]

John locke is the most interesting and develop character in this series. Without him the show will be lost.

The Three Choices

[claudio_carvalho · 6/10 · 21 April 2013]

In the island, John Locke tries to convince Richard to follow him. Meanwhile Ilana asks Ben what happened to Jacob and to her friends and Ben tells that Locke turned into the smoke monster and killed all of them and burnt Jacob; Ilana takes his ashes. Locke meets Sawyer and he asks who he is since John was a frightened guy. Sawyer follows Locke and they see a boy in the woods. When Locke chases the kid, Richard warns Sawyer about Locke. But Sawyer follows him to a cave in a cliff by the sea and Locke shows the reason why they are in the island. Ilana summons Sun, Frank and Ben to go with her to the temple and they bury John Locke first.

In the parallel reality, John Locke lies about a conference in Sidney that he missed and is fired by his chief, Randy. When he is leaving the company, he meets Hugo, who owns the company and offers him to call an employment agency that also belongs to him to find a new position. John has an interview with the supervisor of the agency, Rose, and asks her a position in a construction site. John tells to Helen that he was fired and he begins to work as a substitute teacher in a school where Ben Linus is the European History teacher.

"The Substitute" is an episode about John Locke that shows a new mystery, with a cave with the name of Jack, Kate, Hurley, Kwon, Sayid, Sawyer and Locke associated to numbers, but no explanation about what has happened to the Oceanic Flight 815 and a boring parallel life of Locke. Will the writers be able to come to an ending of "Lost"? I hope so. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "The Substitute"

Inspiring urban John story but average island one, sweet connections and references, unoriginal and rushed editing

[igoatabase · 17 February 2010]

The past episode was about Kate and this one was about What John Does. On the island we know Locke is dead and that the Smoke Monster uses his appearance. In the city John is alive and we witness his daily life, in a wheelchair. In What Kate Does he made me realize why I was so disappointed by James Cameron's Avatar. It's because I couldn't help comparing its protagonist, Jake Sully, to John Locke. His character grew on us for five seasons when in Avatar we only had five minutes to relate to Jake. As expected he ran into other characters, like it happened to Kate. These encounters were short but very helpful to better understand him. Different scenes and dialogs brought their lot of emotions so I found his urban destiny quite inspiring.

As for John of the jungle it seems he has a plan and we learned more about what he had in mind for Richard and the others. However I was slightly disappointed by how his arc was written even if it was intriguing enough. The end was nearly a disaster because it just didn't make sense. But the decisions that were made could lead to some intense events so I guess we'll have to wait a little longer for the story to surprise us. As for Sawyer I really liked his reference to Of Mice and Men because it was quite pertinent and smart considering what was happening to him.

The Substitute was only about John and the temple was only mentioned. I didn't miss it considering how I feel about it. Moreover like for Kate both stories developed in parallel and I'm quite fond of these new twin connections and cross-references to past bomb events. It's refreshing and original compared to the usual character ones. For example in the past episode Claire appeared on the island right after Kate left her in the city. This time it also happened to John but that sparkling moment was far much more subtle. So it's definitely the kind of episode you might want to watch again to make sure you haven't missed something. However I can't help thinking, in fact since LA X, that Lost and its viewers deserve more for a finale season. I was expecting to be blown away every single episodes when it seems they have decided to follow their own recipes, specially the featured character one. Don't get me wrong John's story was great but the few cons I mentioned left me with a mixed opinion.

So I really hope they'll soon take things to a whole new level or else I might lose interest. For the moment what's happening on the island is not really interesting and I'm far much more convinced by the urban stories. I just wish the constant jumps between the two weren't so sharp. It's like they directed the stories separately and relied on the editing process to blend them. Well it's not enough. I prefer Spartacus : Blood and Sand creative transitions. It would be great if city characters had daydreams about their parallel lives on the island for example. I'm sure crazy things will soon happen but I worry they won't. It reminds me of how the story became conventional in the first season after the polar bear was shot. I was expecting Lost to turn into a twisted version of the video game Far Cry but instead the events leaded to the hatch and The Others. Things greatly improved in season four so I hope Lost will soon amaze us like it did in the past, so many times.