Lost: 1x8 Full Reaction
Added 2026-02-04 16:00:13 +0000 UTC
Comments
Sayid was one of my favs after this epi
assCrackBandit
2026-03-12 01:09:33 +0000 UTClol I feel you so much on the Sawyer stuff. I wanted to bloody kill him in this episode and even watching it back (after finishing the show) I think the correct response to Sawyer in these few beginning episodes is total hatred. Anyone who is in this kind of situation and goes out of their way to make it harder for everyone else... That is why I also can forgive Sayid/Jack/Charlie and other characters for any wrongdoings in the same episodes - because of course people are going to act irrationally and make stupid decisions in this kind of situation. But their first instinct was to help. So while he might be an interesting character to watch, Sawyer was not one I ever saw myself liking.
Harriet Loughnan
2026-02-13 09:06:21 +0000 UTCYeah definitely a sign of the era unfortunately. I remember the post 9/11 casual islamaphobia well. That said, there is a counterpoint with the show's writing being genuinely revolutionary of its portrayal of Sayid as a character. The war where he fought against the US was NOT that long ago when this show came out. And just 3 short years after 9/11, they wrote this complex Iraqi Muslim man who has all the complexity and humanity and three-dimensionality that all the other characters have is quite incredible in that context. Given that, I'm very surprised that ABC let the show have such a character on the show and also be the first actor named in the credits (yes, I know they did it alphabetical order, but still).
George Daugherty
2026-02-07 01:57:34 +0000 UTCloving the Lost journey!
Frelle
2026-02-05 04:19:19 +0000 UTCSawyer's casual racism is a reflection of the times this show was written unfortunately. Obviously the show treats him like the bad guy, so its not like they're saying racism is acceptable, but the constant jokes and the fact that no one ever calls it out is kinda a sign that it wasn't seen as that big of a deal in the early 2000's (especially with how prevalent islamophobia was in the post 9/11 America). The one tiny silver lining, character wise at least, is this self-hatred complex he has. Him constantly taking shots at everyone (not just race, but weight and sexuality too) is more just using insults to try and make people hate him. Again, doesn't mean its not racist, but I think its a different kind than like a dyed in the wool ideological bigot, you know. Definitely a frustrating and dated part of his character though, but there's lots more show to see where it goes...
Gene Parmesan
2026-02-05 00:37:50 +0000 UTCI plot your rubric scarab, I steal your satellite I want your wife to be my baby tonight I choose to steal what you chose to show And you know I will not apologize You're mine for the taking I'm making a career of evil I'm making a career of evil I'm making a career of evil This actually might be the best reaction for Lost yet, because as understandably frustrated as you are with Sawyer (and oh boy, even with the added shades of nuance he does not come off well in this episode) I couldn’t help but notice how much fun you had with him regardless; he introduces such excellent conflict and you seemed to have a blast dissecting him at the end. I think that’s a pretty terrific character: not someone you need to necessarily like, let alone approve of, but someone with complexities and contradictions that stir the most curious parts of the mind. Sawyer, as crass and horrible as he might be, is someone with genuine emotional intelligence. He’s very insightful of others and himself, so it maybe says something that this obsessive hatred is so bone-deep in him that he can recognise it, but not take control of it. And it all contributes to this self-loathing merry-go-round he’s stepped on and feels too scared to step off. He’s sort of a terrific character partly because he goes out of his way to be loathsome. I also think his racism fits into the same category as targeting Hurley for his weight, he’s picking what’s going to get him the most hate. That said, I think he does have genuine racism in him, or at least pre-conceived stereotypes that flare into something hateful when the stars align. It’s certainly not a defensible trait to have. Josh Holloway was great throughout this episode, but everyone seemed to get a moment to shine with their most prominent traits on display: Locke displays a certain ambiguous wisdom when advising Sayid, Hurley is good comedic interest with Charlie, Boone once again tries to do the right thing the wrong way, and Sun quietly goes about saving the day. We also got some sympathy for Shannon, but the MVP for me was Naveen Andrews as Sayid. He doesn’t have to do much with his expression to communicate a great depth of feeling; he says so much with stillness at the right time. Even more than Jack, I think I’d want Sayid on the island with me. If Charlie had pulled that peanut butter shit with me, he’d be going in the ocean. If I’m craving peanut butter don’t wave an empty jar in front of him while describing it in semi-erotic detail. Get thee back, English.
Jorgalorg
2026-02-04 20:38:31 +0000 UTCthat's one of the best things about this show: every character is multi-layered and complex that even the ones you hate, you feel bad for.
Nicolas Bloch
2026-02-04 16:28:46 +0000 UTC
