The Sayid-centered episodes of LOST are usually strong, and "One Of Them" is no exception. His flashbacks are compelling because they contrast his basically humane nature with the awful things he is forced (or manipulated) to do. But "One Of Them" is a can't-miss episode for another reason as well: the introduction of "Henry Gale", a character who, needless to say, will become hugely important as the series progresses. There are some absolutely awesome moments here: a new Danielle appearance, "Sayid, what are you doing?" - "What needs to be done", the Jack-Locke conflict about pushing the button, and our first glimpse of what might happen if the button does NOT get pushed, when Locke is late about a second in entering the code and the numbers on the clock momentarily turn into some strange symbols. In short, the best Season 2 episode since "Orientation". ***1/2 out of 4.
9 Reviews
The long awaited Naveen Andrews episode!
Cristi_Ciopron27 July 2006
I was waiting for Sayid to get a bigger part,or his episode.
This hour of manly and amazing TV show gathers the finest actors of the serial ("Sayid","John","Sawyer","Hurley").I missed Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje/"Eko".
"One of Them " is one of my favorite episodes of "Lost"'s second season (the others are:"Fire + Water " and "The 23rd Psalm ").An hour of pure delight and unequaled fun.The script is intelligent and original.
"Sawyer" and "Hurley" draw some kind of a funny buddy film .(Jorge Garcia is a very skilled and interesting actor,and,of course,his role is fine written.)
Visually,this episode is amazing,and astonishingly well-done."Lost" is great cinema.
This hour of manly and amazing TV show gathers the finest actors of the serial ("Sayid","John","Sawyer","Hurley").I missed Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje/"Eko".
"One of Them " is one of my favorite episodes of "Lost"'s second season (the others are:"Fire + Water " and "The 23rd Psalm ").An hour of pure delight and unequaled fun.The script is intelligent and original.
"Sawyer" and "Hurley" draw some kind of a funny buddy film .(Jorge Garcia is a very skilled and interesting actor,and,of course,his role is fine written.)
Visually,this episode is amazing,and astonishingly well-done."Lost" is great cinema.
Feeling no Sorrow
claudio_carvalho12 June 2006
Ana Lucia shows Sayid a person hidden in the woods, and Sayid identifies Danielle Rousseau, who tells him that she has captured one of The Others. She convinces Sayid to go with her into the forest and Sayid releases the prisoner, who claims to be Henry Gale (Michael Emerson) from Minnesota. When Henry escapes, Danielle shots him through his shoulder with an arrow. Sayid brings Henry to the shelter decided to interrogate him with the support of John, but Jack opposes to the torture. Meanwhile, Sayid recalls the American invasion to Iraq and how he became a torturer. Sawyer blackmails Hurley to help him to chase a noisy frog.
In "One of Them", it is finally disclosed how Sayid was convinced to torture by the American Joe Inman (Clancy Brown). Jack is ridiculous with his attitude, risking the lives of the other survivors to protect an unknown man that may be their enemy. The sequence of Sawyer and Hurley is very silly and unnecessary. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): Not Available
Note: On 29 March 2013, I saw this episode again.
In "One of Them", it is finally disclosed how Sayid was convinced to torture by the American Joe Inman (Clancy Brown). Jack is ridiculous with his attitude, risking the lives of the other survivors to protect an unknown man that may be their enemy. The sequence of Sawyer and Hurley is very silly and unnecessary. My vote is nine.
Title (Brazil): Not Available
Note: On 29 March 2013, I saw this episode again.
A truly outstanding character-focused episode
ametaphysicalshark30 September 2008
SPOILER: "One of Them" is a truly great character-focused episode, and the first episode in season two since "Orientation" to be a classic, well-drawn, well-rounded script which examines the actions of a character in depth while building a strong bridge between the flashbacks and the on-island events, creating a complete, whole narrative that flows much better than many other episodes in the first half of season two. This should come as no surprise since the showrunners and key creative forces on "Lost", Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, wrote the episode.
The flashbacks show in detail how Sayid became a torturer, and feature an excellent guest turn from Clancy Brown. The flashback scenes are all excellent and show a good understanding of the psychology of soldiers in war, in addition to good handling of Sayid as a character. We see how troubled he is by his actions, how devastated, and Naveen Andrews brings this to life brilliantly. There was also care taken to have Sayid speak only Arabic when speaking to other Arabs without American company, as this was an annoying inconsistency in earlier Sayid flashbacks.
The flashbacks are only a small part of the sheer intensity and power of "One of Them", however. The episode sees, of course, the introduction of the highly entertaining *cough* Henry Gale. Michael Emerson is terrific in this guest-starring role and really makes the character his own. Later developments are not surprising considering Emerson's wonderful performance here. Like "Confidence Man" with Sawyer it's not easy to watch Sayid torturing Fenry, but the violence is used effectively and is necessary. One of the other key moments is the button being pushed a fraction of a second too late resulting in not a catastrophe but the appearance of hieroglyphics where the numbers should be. Henry Gale is a lot of fun, and I have to admit completely sympathizing with him at this point when I originally saw it. "Got any milk?" was coming right up, though.
10/10
The flashbacks show in detail how Sayid became a torturer, and feature an excellent guest turn from Clancy Brown. The flashback scenes are all excellent and show a good understanding of the psychology of soldiers in war, in addition to good handling of Sayid as a character. We see how troubled he is by his actions, how devastated, and Naveen Andrews brings this to life brilliantly. There was also care taken to have Sayid speak only Arabic when speaking to other Arabs without American company, as this was an annoying inconsistency in earlier Sayid flashbacks.
The flashbacks are only a small part of the sheer intensity and power of "One of Them", however. The episode sees, of course, the introduction of the highly entertaining *cough* Henry Gale. Michael Emerson is terrific in this guest-starring role and really makes the character his own. Later developments are not surprising considering Emerson's wonderful performance here. Like "Confidence Man" with Sawyer it's not easy to watch Sayid torturing Fenry, but the violence is used effectively and is necessary. One of the other key moments is the button being pushed a fraction of a second too late resulting in not a catastrophe but the appearance of hieroglyphics where the numbers should be. Henry Gale is a lot of fun, and I have to admit completely sympathizing with him at this point when I originally saw it. "Got any milk?" was coming right up, though.
10/10
Absolutely underrated episode
kinoohnepopcorn7 June 2023
One of the best ones so far. Sayid is such a fascinating character. I feel like by this point lots of the flashbacks are kinda unnecessary filler, but his are still absolutely amazing. There are simply so many sides to Sayid that can be explored.
But not only he shines. This is such a character driven episode, oh my god. They fight so hard, and yet every one is understandable. Fantastic character work, especially Locke and Jack (and Sayid of course).
Also, the music in this one was sooo good. The intense scenes were INTENSE. Especially the last dialogue scenes gave me the chills.
The episode even elaborated on some of the mysteries a little, more than we mostly get.
All in all a perfect Lost episode.
But not only he shines. This is such a character driven episode, oh my god. They fight so hard, and yet every one is understandable. Fantastic character work, especially Locke and Jack (and Sayid of course).
Also, the music in this one was sooo good. The intense scenes were INTENSE. Especially the last dialogue scenes gave me the chills.
The episode even elaborated on some of the mysteries a little, more than we mostly get.
All in all a perfect Lost episode.
One of the 'Lost' classics
TheLittleSongbird19 February 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.
Although Season 2 of 'Lost' to me was very solid with many good to outstanding episodes (with a notable exception being "Fire + Water", which took strangeness too literally), "One of Them" is one of its best. Not just that, it is also for me one of the best 'Lost' episodes and agreed the best one since "Orientation".
"One of Them" sets up what was to follow brilliantly, making one highly anticipate how things will evolve, while managing as well to move things forward. The island events are riveting to watch unfold and the flashback is among the show's best.
A fine example of a flashback that advances the development of the character in question (in this case Sayid in one of his best and most illuminating flashbacks that corrects what wasn't quite so good before), has plenty of intensity and psychological interest and one that blends well with the present story, adds to it and actually feels relevant, nothing distracts here.
The other characters are just as interesting, especially Locke and the notable introduction to Henry Gale, who later went on to be one of 'Lost's' best characters. The acting is great all round, particularly from Naveen Andrews, Michael Emerson and Clancy Brown. Terry O'Quinn shows why Locke is one of the show's most interesting characters, and the presences of Jorge Garcia and Josh Holloway are welcome and bring some well-timed amusement.
Visually, 'Lost' continues to be stylish, atmospheric and beautiful in "One of Them", as always making the most of the island setting. The music is as always chilling and understated, the writing is tight and smart (one of the season's and show's best written) and the direction is skilled throughout.
In summary, a 'Lost' classic and one of the must watch episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Although Season 2 of 'Lost' to me was very solid with many good to outstanding episodes (with a notable exception being "Fire + Water", which took strangeness too literally), "One of Them" is one of its best. Not just that, it is also for me one of the best 'Lost' episodes and agreed the best one since "Orientation".
"One of Them" sets up what was to follow brilliantly, making one highly anticipate how things will evolve, while managing as well to move things forward. The island events are riveting to watch unfold and the flashback is among the show's best.
A fine example of a flashback that advances the development of the character in question (in this case Sayid in one of his best and most illuminating flashbacks that corrects what wasn't quite so good before), has plenty of intensity and psychological interest and one that blends well with the present story, adds to it and actually feels relevant, nothing distracts here.
The other characters are just as interesting, especially Locke and the notable introduction to Henry Gale, who later went on to be one of 'Lost's' best characters. The acting is great all round, particularly from Naveen Andrews, Michael Emerson and Clancy Brown. Terry O'Quinn shows why Locke is one of the show's most interesting characters, and the presences of Jorge Garcia and Josh Holloway are welcome and bring some well-timed amusement.
Visually, 'Lost' continues to be stylish, atmospheric and beautiful in "One of Them", as always making the most of the island setting. The music is as always chilling and understated, the writing is tight and smart (one of the season's and show's best written) and the direction is skilled throughout.
In summary, a 'Lost' classic and one of the must watch episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Why does Locke encourage Sayid to torture Henry Gale?
dosomeeffingscience28 July 2006
Locke's actions in this episode seem completely out of character. I know he's a survivalist and has hypocritical tendencies, but he also seems to see himself as a sound moral and ethical judge. So why does he support and assist the torture of Henry Gale?
I can only assume that the writers had to make Locke do so because (1) Locke can change the combination of the armoury and seal Sayid and Gale in there, and (2) the first reason sets up the dramatic conclusion where Jack forces Locke to choose between keeping the armoury locked or entering the computer code.
Furthermore, why does Sayid go to Charlie to talk everything over, explaining that everyone else is forgetting how ruthless The Others can be (Charlie hasn't forgotten, because of his experience when Claire was kidnapped). What about discussing it with Locke, who helped Sayid with the torturing; or Jack & Ana Lucia who wanted to train an army to defend everyone against The Others; or Sawyer and Jin who faced The Others on the raft; or Kate who's head The Others put a gun to; or any of the Tailies?
I can only assume that the writers had to make Locke do so because (1) Locke can change the combination of the armoury and seal Sayid and Gale in there, and (2) the first reason sets up the dramatic conclusion where Jack forces Locke to choose between keeping the armoury locked or entering the computer code.
Furthermore, why does Sayid go to Charlie to talk everything over, explaining that everyone else is forgetting how ruthless The Others can be (Charlie hasn't forgotten, because of his experience when Claire was kidnapped). What about discussing it with Locke, who helped Sayid with the torturing; or Jack & Ana Lucia who wanted to train an army to defend everyone against The Others; or Sawyer and Jin who faced The Others on the raft; or Kate who's head The Others put a gun to; or any of the Tailies?
Irritants
nananow30 March 2022
Between Annie Oakley waving her gun and threats, Claire's chronic and constant whining and stamping her feet behavior and the baby screaming, I thought I would lose my mind with this episode. I know many see this as an epic chapter but I needed to zone out periodically. It did certainly bring us more info on "the others", but gathering that info can be exhausting.
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