LOST. The Best Episodes of the Series

On September 22, 2004, ABC aired the first episode of “Lost”, kicking off an adventure that would last for the next six years. The creators of the series probably didn’t expect it to become such a massive phenomenon, captivating so many viewers who would spend the following weeks analyzing each episode, searching for connections, and theorizing about what might happen or what had already occurred on the mysterious island. “Lost” was truly a cultural phenomenon.

To celebrate the upcoming anniversary of the premiere, I invite you to check out my list of the best episodes of the series (in chronological order). This wasn’t an easy selection, as many episodes of “Lost” are remarkable achievements. Feel free to add your own suggestions in the comments! Beware of spoilers!

Here’s my article on the phenomenon of the series: CLICK.

Pilot, Part 1 and Pilot, Part 2 (1×01–02)

These are the episodes where it all began. It’s hard to imagine a pilot that could engage the audience more and encourage them to join the survivors of a plane crash on their shared adventure. The creators (remember that J.J. Abrams was one of the writers!) managed to pack into these two hours everything that defines the quality of “Lost”—great dialogue, fantastic character interactions, successful action sequences, and a chilling dose of mystery and puzzles. These episodes were so well-written that waiting for the next ones became an integral part of each week.

Read the full article dedicated to these episodes HERE.

Deus Ex Machina (1×19)

This is the second episode dedicated to John Locke—the first, “Walkabout”, often appears on lists of the best episodes of the series (largely thanks to the ending twist), but I personally prefer “Deus Ex Machina”. Locke is one of the most tragic characters in the series—a man who has suffered greatly in life, yet still remains a man of faith, believing that the island can help him. All of this is brilliantly conveyed in this episode. John’s flashbacks reveal one of the saddest events of his life, while the main action brings another disappointment that he must face. The last few minutes of the episode are some of the most poignant moments of the entire series, thanks in large part to Terry O’Quinn’s acting and Michael Giacchino’s beautiful music.

Exodus, Part 2 (1×24)

The finale of the first season started a tradition where each series ended with a journey by the characters—here, Locke and Jack’s group heads into the jungle to find dynamite to blow up the mysterious hatch. The second major storyline follows Sawyer and Michael, who, along with Walt and Jin, set sail on a raft in search of rescue. The creators use Jack and Locke’s journey to not only present more mysteries of the island but also to highlight the ideological differences between the two characters, which will continue to drive their relationship. The last several minutes of the episode, especially the cliffhanger, are among the best parts of the entire series—the wait for the second season was unbearable!

Live Together, Die Alone (2×23–24)

The second season of “Lost” expanded the world of the series with the introduction of the DHARMA Initiative, a scientific group that had been on the island decades earlier, stationed in various research facilities with different purposes. We also met new survivors from another part of the plane and a mysterious man found in the jungle. These plotlines were superbly wrapped up in the season finale, which was highly dramatic and marked by tragic events from previous episodes. Conflicts between characters escalate, surprises abound, and certain elements will never be the same again. A brilliant finale!

Man Behind the Curtain (3×20)

Benjamin Linus is one of the most fascinating characters in the entire series. A manipulator, schemer, and liar, but also a deeply unhappy man (much like John Locke) who has been deceived for years. The tragedy of this character was often emphasized in “Lost”, thanks in large part to Michael Emerson’s incredible acting. “Man Behind the Curtain” is the first episode entirely devoted to Ben—we finally get a glimpse of his past, which is as dramatic as his character. The current events are equally intriguing—this is where we first hear about the mysterious Jacob, in a scene that could easily belong in a horror film.

Greatest Hits (3×21)

Episodes focused on Charlie didn’t always deliver (the infamous “Fire + Water” from the second season), but this one—essentially a farewell to the character—is fantastic. The flashbacks take the form of those moments in Charlie’s life that he considers his best—the titular greatest hits. The result is a deeply sentimental and emotional tone, especially when we discover the number one item on Pace’s list. Moreover, “Greatest Hits” effectively sets the stage for the next episode, which is the season three finale. That’s where both Charlie’s storyline and the rest of the survivors’ preparations to leave the island come to a head.

Through the Looking Glass (3×22–23)

This finale might be the best in the entire series. Packed with fantastic moments, seamlessly blending elements of drama, thriller, and action, it keeps you on the edge of your seat for two hours without letting up for a second. The final twist and cliffhanger are as brilliant as they are cruel, but there’s probably no better way to entice viewers to patiently wait for the next season. “Through the Looking Glass” also wraps up Charlie’s storyline, delivering one of the most moving scenes in “Lost”, tugging at your heartstrings even if you weren’t particularly fond of the character.

The Constant (4×05)

Episodes focused on Desmond almost always broke the mold and were the ones that especially sparked viewers’ imaginations. This was no different with “The Constant”, whose concept could easily serve as the plot of a feature-length science fiction film. But let’s set aside the island’s mysterious effects—in this episode, we find a phone conversation scene that is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen not only in “Lost” but in cinema as a whole. Pure emotion, wonderful acting, and a beautiful milestone in Desmond’s storyline.

Read the full article dedicated to this episode HERE.

The Incident (5×16–17)

The fifth season of “Lost” made no attempt to hide that the show had fully embraced science fiction—the use of time travel is something no one would have expected after watching the first, second, or even third season. But going in this direction didn’t harm the series; in fact, it allowed the creators to explore territory where they could skillfully play with the show’s mythology. This is also true for the season finale, where the writers reveal several important plot points, deliver some excellent action scenes, and, as usual, set off an emotional bombshell (almost literally this time). A perfect ending that heightened expectations for the sixth and final season.

Ab Aeterno (6×09)

The aforementioned hopes turned out to be dashed for many. The sixth and final season of “Lost” has been controversial for years and is often listed among the worst TV endings in history. I admit that I was disappointed watching the final episodes for the first time—they resonated with me much better when I rewatched the entire series. However, the sixth season did feature some gems. One of them is the mythological episode focused on Richard, which feels like a completely standalone story, executed with great skill, superbly acted, and most importantly, excellently builds the character. It’s a pity that the second mythological episode of the season, “Across the Sea”, was such a huge letdown.

As I mentioned at the beginning, choosing these ten episodes wasn’t easy, and there are still other excellent episodes that contributed to the series, either by building the mythology or developing the characters (in which the writers excelled). Which episodes do you like the most?