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{{good article}}
{{Infobox Television episode {{Infobox television episode
|Title = Because You Left
|Series = ] |series = ]
|image =
|Image = ]
|caption =
|Caption = A shirtless Sawyer reacts angrily to the island's moves through time.
|Season = 5 |season = 5
|Episode = 1 |episode = 1
|Writer = ]<br>] |writer = ]<br>]
|Director = ] |director = ]
|Guests = ]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>]<br>William Blanchette<br>]<br>]<br>Michael Dempsey<br>Stephanie Smart<br>Leslie Ishii<br>Cindy Paliracio<br>Brad Berryhill<br>Sven Lindstrom<br>Chantal Boomla<br>Jeremy Colvin |guests = ] as ]<br>] as ]<br>] as ]<br>] as Ethan Rom<br>] as Dr. Pierre Chang<br>] as ]<br>] as ]<br>William Blanchette as Aaron<br>] as Neil "Frogurt"<br>] as Dan Norton
|Airdate = January 21, 2009 |airdate = {{Start date|2009|01|21}}
|production = 501
|Episode list = ]<br>]
| season_article = Lost season 5
⚫ |Prev = ]
|Next = ] | episode_list = List of Lost episodes
⚫ |prev = ]
|next = ]
| length = 43 minutes<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.netflix.com/au/title/70136118 | title=Lost – Netflix | publisher=] | access-date=24 November 2017 | archive-date=8 March 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308140214/https://www.netflix.com/au/title/70136118 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
}} }}

"'''Because You Left'''" is the television ] of the ]'s ] of the ] ] ] '']''.<ref name=pr1>{{cite web |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=123108_06 |title=Lost (1/21; Season Premiere) |publisher=] Medianet |date=December 31, 2008 |accessdate=December 31, 2008}}</ref> The episode is the eighty-fourth episode of the show overall. It first aired on January 21, 2009 on ABC in the United States and was ] on ] in Canada.<ref>], (December 10, 2008) "", ]. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> "Because You Left" is the first original ''Lost'' episode to be aired on a Wednesday (in the US) since the ].<ref>Jensen, Jeff, (November 7, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on November 7, 2008.</ref> It aired immediately after a ] that recaps the first four seasons and aired back-to-back with the next episode, "]".<ref>Broadcasting & Cable, (December 2, 2008) "". Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> The episode was written by ]/]s ] and ] and directed by co-executive producer ].<ref name=pr1/>
"'''Because You Left'''" is the first episode of the ] of the ]'s ] ] '']''. The episode is the 87th episode of the show overall, and was written by ]/]s ] and ] and directed by co-executive producer ]. It first aired on January 21, 2009, on ABC in the United States and was ] on ] in Canada. It aired immediately after a ] that recaps the first four seasons and aired back-to-back with the next episode, "]".

In 2007, ] and ] start their quest to reunite the "Oceanic 6". ] and ] are ambushed at their safehouse. ] is confronted by ]. ] and ] flee from their home after being ordered to submit a maternity test. ], ], ], ], ], ], and the other survivors of Oceanic 815 left on the island erratically travel through time upon the island's move. "Because You Left" averaged 11.347 million viewers in the United States, and received good reviews, praising the writing and the unraveling of new elements.


==Plot== ==Plot==
The episode begins in the late 1970s, when the ] has begun to build stations on the island. ] (])<!-- DO NOT add whom he identifies himself as. It is not needed. --> begins to film the orientation film for the ], when he is informed of an incident at the construction site of the ]. Upon arriving there, he realizes that the workers have found the "unlimited" energy source that the Dharma Initiative has been looking for, which will enable them to manipulate time. As he leaves the station, he bumps into ] (]), who is dressed as a Dharma construction worker. In the late 1970s, when the ] has begun to build stations on the island, ] (]) <!--DO NOT add whom he identifies himself as. It is not needed in this particular episode summary--> begins to film the orientation film for the ], using the name Marvin Candle, when he is informed of an incident at the construction site of the ]. Upon arriving there, he realizes that the workers have found the "unlimited" energy source that the Dharma Initiative has been looking for, which will enable them to manipulate time. As he leaves the station, he bumps into ] (]), who is dressed as a Dharma construction worker.


On December 30, 2004, following the island being moved in "]", the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, the freighter team, and ] (]) begin to erratically jump through time, while the ] are unaffected. The first jump takes them to the day when the ] carrying ]'s brother crashes onto the island. ] is shot in the leg by ] (]), who has not yet met him and therefore does not recognize him, while trying to help. Meanwhile, ] (]), Juliet and the freighter team head to the ] in order to determine when they are. A second jump brings the group forward in time to after the destruction of the station, saving Locke from Ethan in the process. When pressed for an explanation by Sawyer, Daniel Faraday likens the experience to a record skipping. Locke is approached by ] (]), who recognizes Locke and treats his wound. He informs Locke that they will be strangers at their next meeting, and thus gives him a compass to get his younger self to trust Locke. He explains that the only way to stop the erratic movements through time is to bring back everyone who has left the island, and to do that Locke will have to die. At the Swan station, which is now intact, Sawyer attempts to make contact with ] (]), who he believes is inside. When no one answers and Daniel explains that the past can not be changed, everyone heads back to the beach. However, Daniel stays behind and talks to Desmond (in a ]), telling him that if Desmond's future self and the survivors of 815 made it off the island on the helicopter then he should go to ] and find his mother, in order to help the survivors. Another jump occurs just before Daniel can give his mother's name. After the island is moved on December 30, 2004,{{refn|name=Timeline|group=N|As depicted in '']''.}} the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, the freighter team, and ] (]) begin to erratically jump through time – something Faraday likens to standing on a ] – while the ] are unaffected. The first jump takes them to the day when the ] carrying ]'s brother crashes onto the island. ] is shot in the leg by ] (]), who has not yet met him and therefore does not recognize him. Meanwhile, ] (]), Juliet, and the freighter team head to the ] in order to determine when they are. A second jump brings the group forward in time to after the destruction of the station, while Locke is approached by ] (]), who recognizes Locke and treats his wound. He informs Locke that they will be strangers at their next meeting,{{refn|name=Timeline2|group=N|As depicted in '']''.}} and explains that the only way to stop the erratic movements through time is to bring back everyone who has left the island, and to do that, Locke will have to die.


Another jump brings them to the past, and they find that the Swan station is now intact. Sawyer tries to contact ] (]), who is inside, but Daniel asserts that the past can not be changed, and since Desmond did not know Sawyer already when they first met, Sawyer cannot be successful. No one answers, and everyone heads back to the beach. Daniel stays behind and knocks again, and Desmond emerges dressed in a ], thus belying Daniel's original assertion. Daniel tells him that if Desmond's future self and the survivors of 815 make it off the island on the helicopter, then he should go to ] and find Daniel's mother, in order to help the survivors. Another jump occurs just before Daniel can give his mother's name.
⚫ In 2007, following ]'s (]) breakout of a mental institution, he and ] (]) go to a safehouse, which has been infiltrated by two armed men. Sayid kills the men, but not before one of them shoots him with two potent drugged darts, knocking him unconscious. In ], ], while en route to ], ] (]) is confronted by ] (]) at the airport. She tells him that she wants to kill ] (]), a desire they seem to have in common. Back in Los Angeles, two lawyers visit ] (]) and serve her with a court order for a maternity test for her and ], ]'s (]) son, whom Kate is raising as her own, but they refuse to reveal their client's identity. Meanwhile, Ben and ] (]) have left the funeral parlor with Locke's body. They discover that Hurley has broken out, hindering Ben's plan to reunite the ]. On a boat in an unknown location, Desmond wakes up, having remembered what Daniel told him, and sets off for Oxford.


⚫ In 2007, back in Los Angeles, two lawyers deliver a court order to ] (]), demanding a maternity test for her and ], ]'s (]) son, whom Kate is raising as her own, but refuse to reveal their client's identity. In ] while en route to ], ] (]) is confronted by ] (]) at the airport. She tells him that she wants to kill ] (]), a desire they seem to have in common. Ben and Jack learn from the TV that ] (]) has broken out, hindering Ben's plan to reunite the ]. After his escape, Hurley and ] (]) go to a safehouse, which has been infiltrated by two armed men. Sayid kills the men, but not before one of them shoots him with two potent drugged darts, knocking him unconscious. Meanwhile, Ben and ] (]) have left the funeral parlor with Locke's body. On a boat in an unknown location, Desmond wakes up, having remembered what Daniel told him, and sets off for Oxford.
⚫ ==Production==
⚫ Following a writing "mini-camp" to map out the fifth season,<ref>Faraci, Devin, (December 2, 2008) "", Cinematic Happenings Under Development. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.</ref> the premiere's script was written and filming began on August 19.<ref name=ask>] & Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (August 19, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on August 28, 2008.</ref> The season premiere is the first ''Lost'' episode to not only be filmed in ], but also edited in it.<ref>Frazer, Brian, (December 16, 2008) "", StudioDaily. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref>


⚫ ==Production==
As of "Because You Left", ] and ],<ref>Malcolm, Shawna, (May 30, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> who respectively play ] and ],<ref>], (September 21, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> are no longer included in the main cast. In the fourth season, ] as ], ] as ] and ] as ] were credited in the main cast in the on-screen episode credits, but billed as guest stars in news releases and other media; in the fifth season, they are now billed fully in the main cast. As part of a three-year deal that began with the fourth season, writing team ] and ] now receive the executive producer title.<ref>Frutkin, A.J., (March 1, 2007) "", '']''. Retrieved on June 15, 2007.</ref> Staff writer ] is upgraded to a producer with this season<ref>], (June 19, 2008) "". Retrieved on September 21, 2008.</ref> and Paul Zbyszewski and Melinda Hsu Taylor join the writing staff.<ref>Bennett, Tara, (October 14, 2008) "Tales From the Freighter: New Transmissions – Unearthed Treasures". ''Lost: The Official Magazine'', ]. Issue #19.</ref>
]s ] and ] wrote "Because You Left".|alt=Two men seated in front of a table with microphones. The San Diego Comic Con logo can be seen in a panel behind them.]]
⚫ Following a writing "mini-camp" to map out the fifth season,<ref>Faraci, Devin, (December 2, 2008) " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015043352/http://chud.com/articles/articles/17244/0/THUD-LIVE-BLOG-OF-THE-LOST-SEASON-4-DVD-CYBER-ROUNDTABLE/Page0.html |date=2009-10-15 }}", Cinematic Happenings Under Development. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.</ref> the premiere's script was written and filming began on August 19.<ref name=ask>] & Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (August 19, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828030649/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2008/08/ask-ausiello--2.html |date=2008-08-28 }}", '']''. Retrieved on August 28, 2008.</ref> ]s ] and ] wrote "Because You Left", and decided to put in the episode a setup for most elements of season 5, especially time travel. In order to avert implementing the time travel in a confusing way, the exposition of Faraday's theories was rewritten to start earlier and be more specific.<ref name=comm/> While previous seasons had been filmed in high definition, this season premiere was the first ''Lost'' episode to be edited in it.<ref>Frazer, Brian, (December 16, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229154408/http://www.studiodaily.com/hdstudio/q%26a/10296.html |date=2008-12-29 }}", StudioDaily. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref>


Co-creator/executive producer/head writer/] Damon Lindelof has stated that "When season five starts, you won't know when or where you are. And the way we tell stories will be different too." Lindelof also confirmed that the "whooshing sound" effect will continue to be used as the transition for the new storytelling device.<ref>] & ], (July 28, 2008) "", ]. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> When asked if episodes continue to focus on specific and different characters, actor ], who portrays ], replied that "It's not as clear cut as it's been in the past. We don't have the moments where someone stares off into space and then we cut to something that happened in their previous life. They've gone in a slightly different direction as far as how they're telling the story and they're definitely trying to show what's going on with more people in every given episode."<ref>Ghosh, Korbi, (September 21, 2008) "", Zap2it. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> Lindelof stated that "When season five starts, you won't know when or where you are. And the way we tell stories will be different too", and confirmed that the "whooshing sound" effect will continue to be used as the transition for the new storytelling device.<ref>] & ], (July 28, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229212838/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7529356.stm |date=2008-12-29 }}", ]. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> When asked if episodes continue to focus on specific and different characters, actor ], who portrays ], replied that "It's not as clear cut as it's been in the past. We don't have the moments where someone stares off into space and then we cut to something that happened in their previous life. They've gone in a slightly different direction as far as how they're telling the story and they're definitely trying to show what's going on with more people in every given episode."<ref>Ghosh, Korbi, (September 21, 2008) " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229182535/http://blog.zap2it.com/korbitv/2008/09/emmys.html |date=2008-12-29 }}", Zap2it. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> The script included scenes with all the main characters, including Desmond in the ending, because the writers felt that after a long break the audience would like to see every character again. Like the previous three season openers, the opening scene was meant to make viewers "not supposed to have any sense of where and when we are". But while the other premieres had the teaser connecting into the main plot of the episode, the writers decided to put a scene that would only return in the fourteenth episode, "]". The time flashes were designed in a way that demonstrated both the castaways at the beach and John Locke in the jungle were "skipping" to the same time periods,<ref name=comm>{{cite video |people=], ] |date=2009 |section=] for "Because You Left"| medium=DVD |publisher=] Television |title=Lost: The Complete Fifth Season — The Journey Back |at=Disc 1 }}</ref> and also to show that time travel was painful for the characters.<ref>{{cite video |date=2009 |section=Making Up For the Lost Time| medium=DVD |publisher=] Television |title=Lost: The Complete Fifth Season — The Journey Back |at=Disc 5}}</ref>


In regard to what Lindelof described as "the Zodiac boat with Faraday and the five people that have never spoken a line on show", executive producer/writer/show runner Carlton Cuse said that "I'd be a little bit more worried about the non-line speakers than Faraday", while Lindelof added that "things are looking up for Faraday" and "there is a monsoon coming."<ref>] & ] & ], (August 1, 2008) "", ]. Retrieved on August 28, 2008.</ref> Regarding the background survivors in general, Carlton Cuse has responded that there is "a very tragic event that happens this season."<ref>Goldman, Eric, (November 15, 2008) "", ]. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> According to Lindelof, Neil "Frogurt" (]), a background survivor who has appeared solely in the '']'' ]s,<ref>], (November 19, 2007) "". Retrieved on January 26, 2008.</ref> "will rise up this season in the grand tradition of ] <nowiki>]<nowiki>]</nowiki> to let his feelings be known."<ref>], (October 14, 2008) "Tales From the Freighter: Pearls of Wisdom". ''Lost: The Official Magazine'', ]. Issue #19.</ref> The character of ] (]) is shirtless throughout the episode. Holloway kept fit in the summer break before shooting and noted this as "really disturbing. Coming after a hiatus, that ain't fair!"<ref>Keck, William, " Josh Takes a ''Lost'' Break", '']''. August 4, 2008 issue.</ref> In regard to what Lindelof described as "the Zodiac boat with Faraday and the five people that have never spoken a line on show", executive producer/writer/show runner Carlton Cuse said that "I'd be a little bit more worried about the non-line speakers than Faraday", while Lindelof added that "things are looking up for Faraday" and "there is a monsoon coming."<ref>] & ] & ], (August 1, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210190442/http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/audio/itunes/LOST_2008%20ComicCon_audio_podcast_43d56421-8030-48a4-a2ef-75de6920e61c_1749705.mp3 |date=2012-02-10 }}", ]. Retrieved on August 28, 2008.</ref> Regarding the background survivors in general, Carlton Cuse has responded that there is "a very tragic event that happens this season."<ref>Goldman, Eric, (November 15, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229205320/http://tv.ign.com/articles/930/930680p3.html |date=2008-12-29 }}", ]. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> According to Lindelof, Neil "Frogurt" (]), a background survivor who has appeared solely in the '']'' ]s,<ref>], (November 19, 2007) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090804014626/http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/missingpieces/index?pn=missingpiecescredits#t=0&d=56823 |date=2009-08-04 }}". Retrieved on January 26, 2008.</ref> "will rise up this season in the grand tradition of ] <nowiki>]<nowiki>]</nowiki> to let his feelings be known."<ref>], (October 14, 2008) "Tales From the Freighter: Pearls of Wisdom". ''Lost: The Official Magazine'', ]. Issue #19.</ref> ] is shirtless throughout the episode. Cuse jokingly justified as that "for people who really couldn't grasp the time travel aspects of the show, there would be Sawyer without his shirt on for the entire hour."<ref name=comm/> His actor, Josh Holloway, kept fit in the summer break before shooting and noted this as "really disturbing. Coming after a hiatus, that ain't fair!"<ref>Keck, William, " Josh Takes a ''Lost'' Break", '']''. August 4, 2008 issue.</ref>


==Release and reception==
"Because You Left" introduces a character who was named during casting as "Martha" and described as an attractive, smart and capable Asian scientist who is taking a break to raise her baby.<ref name=ask/> "Dan" is a friendly yet villainous, successful attorney with a "real menace lurking below the surface".<ref>]; Rice, Lynette; Jensen, Doc, (August 15, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on August 28, 2008.</ref>
⚫ The fifth season of ''Lost'' was promoted with a music video for the song "]" by ] intercut with new ''Lost'' scenes and the ], "Destiny Calls".<ref>Ben-Yehuda, Ayala, (November 14, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110135346/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/exclusive-the-fray-debuting-single-on-abc-1003891817.story |date=2012-11-10 }}", '']''. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> Television critic Maureen Ryan of the '']'' has deemed the latter an "endlessly mockable slogan";<ref>Ryan, Maureen, (December 3, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220124046/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/12/lost-abc.html |date=2008-12-20 }}", '']''. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> Don Williams of ] gave a more positive review, summing it up as "a fitting way to describe the upcoming season."<ref>Williams, Don, (December 6, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209080148/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/abc-unveils-new-lost-music-vid-25063.aspx |date=2008-12-09 }}", ]. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> The staff of ] ranked the fifth season first on their "Most Anticipated of Early 2009" list.<ref>], (December 19, 2008) " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231153941/http://www.tv.com/story/12035.html |date=2008-12-31 }}". Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Christopher Rosen of '']'' went so far as to deem the return of ''Lost'' a "bigge event" than other happenings in that week, specifically the unveiling of the ] nominations and the ] of ].<ref>Rosen, Christopher, (December 31, 2008) " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090103073303/http://www.observer.com/2008/o2/reviews-season-premiere-i-lost-i-make-us-hyperventilate |date=2009-01-03 }}", '']''. Retrieved on December 31, 2008.</ref> "Because You Left", as well as the following episode "]" averaged 11.347 million viewers in the ],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=012709_06 |title=Weekly Rankings, January 19–25 |publisher=] |date=January 27, 2009 |access-date=January 12, 2010 |archive-date=March 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150311221304/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=012709_06 |url-status=live }}</ref> and 1.195 million in the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10/ |title=BARB's multichannel top 10 programmes (Go on w/e 25/01/09, and scroll down to Sky 1) |publisher=barb.co.uk |access-date=2009-02-05 |archive-date=2016-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308165825/http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> The episode, aired by itself, brought in 405,000 ]n viewers.<ref>Dale, David, (February 16, 2009) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213134420/http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2009/02/the_who_we_are_24.html |date=2009-02-13 }}", '']''. Retrieved on February 25, 2009.</ref> "Because You Left" and "The Lie" were uploaded to ABC's media website—ABC Medianet—on December 29, 2008, to be viewed by members of the press for advance reviews attached to limited confidentiality agreements.<ref>Thomas, Jennifer, ( {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122075020/http://blogs.pioneerlocal.com/entertainment/2008/12/unlocked_in_time_a_look_at_the.html |date=2009-01-22 }}", ]. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> "Because You Left" was first broadcast on January 21, 2009, on ABC in the United States and was ] on ] in Canada,<ref>], (December 10, 2008) "", ]. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref><ref name=pr1>{{cite web |url=http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=123108_06 |title=Lost (1/21; Season Premiere) |publisher=] Medianet |date=December 31, 2008 |access-date=December 31, 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090108004217/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=123108_06| archive-date= 8 January 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> back-to-back with the next episode, "]". Before the broadcast was aired "Lost: Destiny Calls", a ] recapping the first four seasons.<ref>Broadcasting & Cable, (December 2, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229182421/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6619171.html |date=2008-12-29 }}". Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> It marked ''Lost''{{'}}s return to its original timeslot on Wednesdays.<ref>Jensen, Jeff, (November 7, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on November 7, 2008.</ref>


⚫ Reviews were positive. James Poniewozik of '']'' thought that "Because You Left" provided a good balance of characterization and mythology and commended the character of Faraday, partially "because a perfectly-cast Jeremy Davies has turned him into a likeable, flawed, brusque, slightly-in-over-his-head nebbish-god."<ref>Poniewozik, James, (January 21, 2009) " ", '']''. Retrieved on February 8, 2009.</ref> Matt Mitovich of '']'' stated that the premiere "offer compelling twists … the foundation is laid for a pivotal penultimate season … it sends the mind reeling and uncorks infinite possibilities."<ref>Mitovich, Matt, (December 30, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008102107/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Review-Lost-Season-1001219.aspx |date=2012-10-08 }}", '']''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Robert Bianco of '']'' wrote that "it's hard to name a series that is as engaging, surprising and flat-out gorgeous as ''Lost'', or one in which every effort and penny expended seems to be put to shimmering good use. This is an epic big-screen adventure done for the small screen—and done in a way that makes most big-screen versions pale in comparison." Bianco also commended the characterizations, noting them as realistic and compelling.<ref>Bianco, Robert, (January 20, 2009) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910080700/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2009-01-20-lost_N.htm |date=2012-09-10 }}", '']''. Retrieved on January 23, 2009.</ref> Maureen Ryan of the ''Chicago Tribune'' praised the opening sequence, calling it "really, really great … nerd-tastic for hardcore ''Lost'' fan; it's full of shout-outs and callbacks to classic ''Lost'' moments and trivia." She concluded that the premiere is "quite good" (three and a half out of four stars) with "a lot to like", specifically the expanded screen time for Faraday; however, Ryan expressed difficulty in understanding the use of time (travel) in the show and felt that one to two more viewings were warranted for her to give a better review of that aspect.<ref>Ryan, Maureen, (December 30, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101135530/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/12/lost-abc-sawy-1.html |date=2009-01-01 }}", ''Chicago Tribune''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Verne Gay of '']'' summed up that "The season's premiere represents pig-in-the-python storytelling—there's so much to work through, so many details, stories, characters and time dimensions to attend to, that after a while this all starts to feel like a very full meal. A bloated feeling may result."<ref>Gay, Verne, (January 21, 2009) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421095217/https://www.newsday.com/ |date=2023-04-21 }}", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Among other pieces of praise, Tim Goodman of the '']'' was impressed by the "parallel plotting" of the characters on and off the island in different times.<ref>Goodman, Tim, (January 21, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629061449/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/01/21/DDNK15DKAG.DTL |date=2011-06-29 }}", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Despite deeming the premiere "riveting" and the script "tantalizing as ever", Matthew Gilbert of '']'' had a mixed response, for he worried that he would not be able to handle a season's worth of time travel, stating that "I may be alone in this, and I hope I will be proven wrong, but I expected the solution to "Lost" to be more metaphysical, and more original, than simply people being unstuck in time."<ref>Gilbert, Matthew, (January 21, 2009) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150228124007/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2009/01/21/a_riveting_premiere_and_a_slew_of_clues/ |date=2015-02-28 }}", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Alan Sepinwall of '']'' deemed it "really good, in terms of keeping the momentum from last season going, servicing the characters and their emotions, and providing an appropriate number of 'Whoa's per hour."<ref>Sepinwall, Alan, (December 30, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125043237/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2008/12/speaking_of_pure_evil_ive_seen.html |date=2009-01-25 }}", '']''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> In a three out of four stars review, Thomas Connor of the '']'' stated that "the time-travel training wheels are coming off—and the path thus far seems blissfully free of the usual stumbling blocks", due to the previous four seasons of "baby steps" that set up the science fiction driven fifth season.<ref>Connor, Thomas, (January 21, 2009) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122204627/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/television/1387931,lost-season-five-island-012009.article#Comments_Container |date=2009-01-22 }}", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Caryn Kunz of the '']'' said that "This was a great episode to get back into every aspect of our favorite show: relationships, mythology, reunions/cameos, and enough whoa moments to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout."<ref>Kunz, Caryn, (January 21, 2009) " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712215403/http://lostinhawaii.honadvblogs.com/2009/01/21/and-were-back-2/ |date=2011-07-12 }}", '']''. Retrieved on February 8, 2009.</ref>
==Reception==
⚫ The fifth season of ''Lost'' was promoted with a music video for the song "]" by ] intercut with new ''Lost'' scenes and the ], "Destiny Calls".<ref>Ben-Yehuda, Ayala, (November 14, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> Television critic Maureen Ryan of '']'' has deemed the latter an "endlessly mockable slogan";<ref>Ryan, Maureen, (December 3, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> Don Williams of ] gave a more positive review, summing it up as "a fitting way to describe the upcoming season."<ref>Williams, Don, (December 6, 2008) "", ]. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.</ref> The staff of ] ranked the fifth season first on their "Most Anticipated of Early 2009" list.<ref>], (December 19, 2008) "". Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Christopher Rosen of '']'' went so far as to deem the return of ''Lost'' a "bigge event" than other happenings in that week, specifically the unveiling of the ] nominations and the ] of ].<ref>Rosen, Christopher, (December 31, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on December 31, 2008.</ref> "Because You Left", as well as the following episode "]" averaged 11.347 million viewers in the ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/category/ratings/top-shows-by-network/abc-tv-ratings |title=Top ABC Primetime Shows, January 19-25 |publisher=TV by the Numbers |author=Seidman, Robert |date=January 27, 2009 |accessdate=February 5, 2009}}</ref> and 1.195 million in the ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.barb.co.uk/report/weeklyTopProgrammes/? |title=BARB's multichannel top 10 programmes (Go on w/e 25/01/09, and scroll down to Sky 1) |publisher=barb.co.uk |accessdate=2009-02-05}}</ref> The episode, aired by itself, brought in 405,000 ]n viewers.<ref>Dale, David, (February 16, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on February 25, 2009.</ref> "Because You Left" and "The Lie" were uploaded to ABC's media website—ABC Medianet—on December 29, 2008 to be viewed by members of the press for advance reviews attached to limited confidentiality agreements.<ref>Thomas, Jennifer, (", ]. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Aggregate review website Metacritic assigned a metascore—weighted average out of 100 based on impressions of fourteen critics—of 77.


⚫ Jeff Jensen of '']'' summed up the entirety of the premiere as "pretty cool" and "worth the wait". He wrote that "''Lost''{{'s}} tradition of opening the year with a killer, capture-the-imagination sequence is honored and upheld, though the thing I loved most was how it was brazenly frank (and engagingly funny) about the heady high-concept conceit that will define the season."<ref>Jensen, Jeff, (December 30, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231061424/http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/losts-season-pr.html |date=2008-12-31 }}", '']''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Brian Lowry of '']'' concluded that "''Lost'' … approaches its twists with what appears to be a greater degree of intellectual rigor than almost anything else on primetime. Even when it's difficult to keep track of the myriad connections, a sense lingers that somebody knows—which is strangely reassuring."<ref>Lowry, Brian, (January 15, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Despite being more interested in the romantic aspirations of the show's characters, Jennifer Godwin of ] remarked that "] is a miracle to behold. It's grandiose, compelling, gaspworthy and, despite what the haters would have you believe, altogether satisfying".<ref>Godwin, Jennifer, (December 30, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107091851/http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b76967_lost_premiere_preview_love_story.html |date=2009-01-07 }}", ]. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Katherine Nichols of the '']'' enjoyed the opening scene, "but the rest of it didn't capture as hoped it would", citing high expectations due to the eight-month hiatus after the fourth-season finale and a possible "yearning for more character-driven stories over machinations revolving around time travel, however clever they might be."<ref>Nichols, Katherine, (January 23, 2009) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206154318/http://www.starbulletin.com/features/20090123_Lost_welcomes_new_viewers_with_deft_recap.html |date=2009-02-06 }}", '']''. Retrieved on February 8, 2009.</ref> John Kubicek of ] said that "the opening scene itself will leave your mouth wide open and you'll probably forget to close it for a few minutes." He also wrote the premiere episodes "are vintage ''Lost'', full of some unbelievable twists and a whole lot of groundwork".<ref>Kubicke, John, (December 31, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121124903/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-season-5-premiere-review-25435.aspx |date=2009-01-21 }}", ]. Retrieved on December 31, 2008.</ref> H.T. Strong of ] said that "Because You Left" "is a corker, aggressively advancing the story in all kinds of directions."<ref>Strong, H.T. "Hercules", (December 30, 2008) " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919061733/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39624 |date=2018-09-19 }}", ]. Retrieved on December 31, 2008.</ref>
⚫ James Poniewozik of '']'' thought that "Because You Left" provided a good balance of characterization and mythology and commended the character of Faraday, partially "because a perfectly-cast Jeremy Davies has turned him into a likeable, flawed, brusque, slightly-in-over-his-head nebbish-god."<ref>Poniewozik, James, (January 21, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on February 8, 2009.</ref> Matt Mitovich of '']'' stated that the premiere "offer compelling twists … the foundation is laid for a pivotal penultimate season … it sends the mind reeling and uncorks infinite possibilities."<ref>Mitovich, Matt, (December 30, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Robert Bianco of '']'' wrote that "it's hard to name a series that is as engaging, surprising and flat-out gorgeous as ''Lost'', or one in which every effort and penny expended seems to be put to shimmering good use. This is an epic big-screen adventure done for the small screen—and done in a way that makes most big-screen versions pale in comparison." Bianco also commended the characterizations, noting them as realistic and compelling.<ref>Bianco, Robert, (January 20, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on January 23, 2009.</ref> Maureen Ryan of ''The Chicago Tribune'' praised the opening sequence, calling it "really, really great … nerd-tastic for hardcore ''Lost'' fan; it's full of shout-outs and callbacks to classic ''Lost'' moments and trivia." She concluded that the premiere is "quite good" (three and a half out of four stars) with "a lot to like", specifically the expanded screen time for Faraday; however, Ryan expressed difficulty in understanding the use of time (travel) in the show and felt that one to two more viewings were warranted for her to give a better review of that aspect.<ref>Ryan, Maureen, (December 30, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Verne Gay of '']'' summed up that "The season's premiere represents pig-in-the-python storytelling—there's so much to work through, so many details, stories, characters and time dimensions to attend to, that after a while this all starts to feel like a very full meal. A bloated feeling may result."<ref>Gay, Verne, (January 21, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Among other pieces of praise, Tim Goodman of the '']'' was impressed by the "parallel plotting" of the characters on and off the island in different times.<ref>Goodman, Tim, (January 21, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Despite deeming the premiere "riveting" and the script "tantalizing as ever", Matthew Gilbert of '']'' had a mixed response, for he worried that he would not be able to handle a season's worth of time travel, stating that "I may be alone in this, and I hope I will be proven wrong, but I expected the solution to "Lost" to be more metaphysical, and more original, than simply people being unstuck in time."<ref>Gilbert, Matthew, (January 21, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Alan Sepinwall of '']'' deemed it "really good, in terms of keeping the momentum from last season going, servicing the characters and their emotions, and providing an appropriate number of 'Whoa's per hour."<ref>Sepinwall, Alan, (December 30, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> In a three out of four stars review, Thomas Connor of the '']'' stated that "the time-travel training wheels are coming off—and the path thus far seems blissfully free of the usual stumbling blocks", due to the previous four seasons of "baby steps" that set up the science fiction driven fifth season.<ref>Connor, Thomas, (January 21, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Caryn Kunz of the '']'' said that "This was a great episode to get back into every aspect of our favorite show: relationships, mythology, reunions/cameos, and enough whoa moments to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout."<ref>Kunz, Caryn, (January 21, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on February 8, 2009.</ref>


== Notes ==
⚫ Jeff Jensen of '']'' summed up the entirety of the premiere as "pretty cool" and "worth the wait". He wrote that "''Lost''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s tradition of opening the year with a killer, capture-the-imagination sequence is honored and upheld, though the thing I loved most was how it was brazenly frank (and engagingly funny) about the heady high-concept conceit that will define the season."<ref>Jensen, Jeff, (December 30, 2008) "", '']''. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Brian Lowry of '']'' concluded that "''Lost'' … approaches its twists with what appears to be a greater degree of intellectual rigor than almost anything else on primetime. Even when it's difficult to keep track of the myriad connections, a sense lingers that somebody knows—which is strangely reassuring."<ref>Lowry, Brian, (January 15, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on January 24, 2009.</ref> Despite being more interested in the romantic aspirations of the show's characters, Jennifer Godwin of ] remarked that "] is a miracle to behold. It's grandiose, compelling, gaspworthy and, despite what the haters would have you believe, altogether satisfying".<ref>Godwin, Jennifer, (December 30, 2008) "", ]. Retrieved on December 30, 2008.</ref> Katherine Nichols of the '']'' enjoyed the opening scene, "but the rest of it didn't capture as hoped it would", citing high expections due to the eight-month hiatus after the fourth season finale and a possible "yearning for more character-driven stories over machinations revolving around time travel, however clever they might be."<ref>Nichols, Katherine, (January 23, 2009) "", '']''. Retrieved on February 8, 2009.</ref> John Kubicek of ] said that "the opening scene itself will leave your mouth wide open and you'll probably forget to close it for a few minutes." He also wrote the premiere episodes "are vintage ''Lost'', full of some unbelievable twists and a whole lot of groundwork".<ref>Kubicke, John, (December 31, 2008) "", ]. Retrieved on December 31, 2008.</ref> H.T. Strong of ] said that "Because You Left" "is a corker, aggressively advancing the story in all kinds of directions."<ref>Strong, H.T. "Hercules", (December 30, 2008) "", ]. Retrieved on December 31, 2008.</ref>
{{Reflist|group=N}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist|2}} {{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
{{LostNav}}
{{wikiquote|Lost#Because_You_Left_.5B5.01.5D|Because You Left}}
{{LostSeason5}}
* at ABC
* {{IMDb episode|1280267}}


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Latest revision as of 03:28, 17 November 2024

1st episode of the 5th season of Lost
"Because You Left"
Lost episode
Episode no.Season 5
Episode 1
Directed byStephen Williams
Written byDamon Lindelof
Carlton Cuse
Production code501
Original air dateJanuary 21, 2009 (2009-01-21)
Running time43 minutes
Guest appearances
L. Scott Caldwell as Rose Nadler
Sam Anderson as Bernard Nadler
Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert
William Mapother as Ethan Rom
François Chau as Dr. Pierre Chang
Sonya Walger as Penny Widmore
Alan Dale as Charles Widmore
William Blanchette as Aaron
Sean Whalen as Neil "Frogurt"
Tom Irwin as Dan Norton
Episode chronology
← Previous
"There's No Place Like Home" 		Next →
"The Lie"
Lost season 5
List of episodes

"Because You Left" is the first episode of the fifth season of the American Broadcasting Company's drama television series Lost. The episode is the 87th episode of the show overall, and was written by executive producers/show runners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse and directed by co-executive producer Stephen Williams. It first aired on January 21, 2009, on ABC in the United States and was simulcast on A in Canada. It aired immediately after a clip-show that recaps the first four seasons and aired back-to-back with the next episode, "The Lie".

In 2007, Jack Shephard and Benjamin Linus start their quest to reunite the "Oceanic 6". Hugo "Hurley" Reyes and Sayid Jarrah are ambushed at their safehouse. Sun-Hwa Kwon is confronted by Charles Widmore. Kate Austen and Aaron Littleton flee from their home after being ordered to submit a maternity test. James "Sawyer" Ford, Daniel Faraday, Juliet Burke, Charlotte Lewis, Miles Straume, John Locke, and the other survivors of Oceanic 815 left on the island erratically travel through time upon the island's move. "Because You Left" averaged 11.347 million viewers in the United States, and received good reviews, praising the writing and the unraveling of new elements.

Plot

In the late 1970s, when the Dharma Initiative has begun to build stations on the island, Dr. Pierre Chang (François Chau) begins to film the orientation film for the Arrow Station, using the name Marvin Candle, when he is informed of an incident at the construction site of the Orchid Station. Upon arriving there, he realizes that the workers have found the "unlimited" energy source that the Dharma Initiative has been looking for, which will enable them to manipulate time. As he leaves the station, he bumps into Daniel Faraday (Jeremy Davies), who is dressed as a Dharma construction worker.

After the island is moved on December 30, 2004, the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, the freighter team, and Juliet Burke (Elizabeth Mitchell) begin to erratically jump through time – something Faraday likens to standing on a skipping record – while the Others are unaffected. The first jump takes them to the day when the Beechcraft carrying Mr. Eko's brother crashes onto the island. John Locke is shot in the leg by Ethan Rom (William Mapother), who has not yet met him and therefore does not recognize him. Meanwhile, James "Sawyer" Ford (Josh Holloway), Juliet, and the freighter team head to the Swan Station in order to determine when they are. A second jump brings the group forward in time to after the destruction of the station, while Locke is approached by Richard Alpert (Nestor Carbonell), who recognizes Locke and treats his wound. He informs Locke that they will be strangers at their next meeting, and explains that the only way to stop the erratic movements through time is to bring back everyone who has left the island, and to do that, Locke will have to die.

Another jump brings them to the past, and they find that the Swan station is now intact. Sawyer tries to contact Desmond Hume (Henry Ian Cusick), who is inside, but Daniel asserts that the past can not be changed, and since Desmond did not know Sawyer already when they first met, Sawyer cannot be successful. No one answers, and everyone heads back to the beach. Daniel stays behind and knocks again, and Desmond emerges dressed in a hazmat suit, thus belying Daniel's original assertion. Daniel tells him that if Desmond's future self and the survivors of 815 make it off the island on the helicopter, then he should go to Oxford University and find Daniel's mother, in order to help the survivors. Another jump occurs just before Daniel can give his mother's name.

In 2007, back in Los Angeles, two lawyers deliver a court order to Kate Austen (Evangeline Lilly), demanding a maternity test for her and Aaron, Claire Littleton's (Emilie de Ravin) son, whom Kate is raising as her own, but refuse to reveal their client's identity. In London while en route to Los Angeles, Sun-Hwa Kwon (Yunjin Kim) is confronted by Charles Widmore (Alan Dale) at the airport. She tells him that she wants to kill Benjamin Linus (Michael Emerson), a desire they seem to have in common. Ben and Jack learn from the TV that Hugo "Hurley" Reyes (Jorge Garcia) has broken out, hindering Ben's plan to reunite the Oceanic Six. After his escape, Hurley and Sayid Jarrah (Naveen Andrews) go to a safehouse, which has been infiltrated by two armed men. Sayid kills the men, but not before one of them shoots him with two potent drugged darts, knocking him unconscious. Meanwhile, Ben and Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox) have left the funeral parlor with Locke's body. On a boat in an unknown location, Desmond wakes up, having remembered what Daniel told him, and sets off for Oxford.

Production

Two men seated in front of a table with microphones. The San Diego Comic Con logo can be seen in a panel behind them.
Show runners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse wrote "Because You Left".

Following a writing "mini-camp" to map out the fifth season, the premiere's script was written and filming began on August 19. Show runners Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse wrote "Because You Left", and decided to put in the episode a setup for most elements of season 5, especially time travel. In order to avert implementing the time travel in a confusing way, the exposition of Faraday's theories was rewritten to start earlier and be more specific. While previous seasons had been filmed in high definition, this season premiere was the first Lost episode to be edited in it.

Lindelof stated that "When season five starts, you won't know when or where you are. And the way we tell stories will be different too", and confirmed that the "whooshing sound" effect will continue to be used as the transition for the new storytelling device. When asked if episodes continue to focus on specific and different characters, actor Jorge Garcia, who portrays Hurley Reyes, replied that "It's not as clear cut as it's been in the past. We don't have the moments where someone stares off into space and then we cut to something that happened in their previous life. They've gone in a slightly different direction as far as how they're telling the story and they're definitely trying to show what's going on with more people in every given episode." The script included scenes with all the main characters, including Desmond in the ending, because the writers felt that after a long break the audience would like to see every character again. Like the previous three season openers, the opening scene was meant to make viewers "not supposed to have any sense of where and when we are". But while the other premieres had the teaser connecting into the main plot of the episode, the writers decided to put a scene that would only return in the fourteenth episode, "The Variable". The time flashes were designed in a way that demonstrated both the castaways at the beach and John Locke in the jungle were "skipping" to the same time periods, and also to show that time travel was painful for the characters.

In regard to what Lindelof described as "the Zodiac boat with Faraday and the five people that have never spoken a line on show", executive producer/writer/show runner Carlton Cuse said that "I'd be a little bit more worried about the non-line speakers than Faraday", while Lindelof added that "things are looking up for Faraday" and "there is a monsoon coming." Regarding the background survivors in general, Carlton Cuse has responded that there is "a very tragic event that happens this season." According to Lindelof, Neil "Frogurt" (Sean Whalen), a background survivor who has appeared solely in the Lost: Missing Pieces mobisodes, "will rise up this season in the grand tradition of Dr. Arzt to let his feelings be known." Sawyer is shirtless throughout the episode. Cuse jokingly justified as that "for people who really couldn't grasp the time travel aspects of the show, there would be Sawyer without his shirt on for the entire hour." His actor, Josh Holloway, kept fit in the summer break before shooting and noted this as "really disturbing. Coming after a hiatus, that ain't fair!"

Release and reception

The fifth season of Lost was promoted with a music video for the song "You Found Me" by The Fray intercut with new Lost scenes and the tagline, "Destiny Calls". Television critic Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune has deemed the latter an "endlessly mockable slogan"; Don Williams of BuddyTV gave a more positive review, summing it up as "a fitting way to describe the upcoming season." The staff of TV.com ranked the fifth season first on their "Most Anticipated of Early 2009" list. Christopher Rosen of The New York Observer went so far as to deem the return of Lost a "bigge event" than other happenings in that week, specifically the unveiling of the 81st Academy Awards nominations and the United States presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. "Because You Left", as well as the following episode "The Lie" averaged 11.347 million viewers in the US, and 1.195 million in the UK. The episode, aired by itself, brought in 405,000 Australian viewers. "Because You Left" and "The Lie" were uploaded to ABC's media website—ABC Medianet—on December 29, 2008, to be viewed by members of the press for advance reviews attached to limited confidentiality agreements. "Because You Left" was first broadcast on January 21, 2009, on ABC in the United States and was simulcast on A in Canada, back-to-back with the next episode, "The Lie". Before the broadcast was aired "Lost: Destiny Calls", a clip-show recapping the first four seasons. It marked Lost's return to its original timeslot on Wednesdays.

Reviews were positive. James Poniewozik of Time thought that "Because You Left" provided a good balance of characterization and mythology and commended the character of Faraday, partially "because a perfectly-cast Jeremy Davies has turned him into a likeable, flawed, brusque, slightly-in-over-his-head nebbish-god." Matt Mitovich of TV Guide stated that the premiere "offer compelling twists … the foundation is laid for a pivotal penultimate season … it sends the mind reeling and uncorks infinite possibilities." Robert Bianco of USA Today wrote that "it's hard to name a series that is as engaging, surprising and flat-out gorgeous as Lost, or one in which every effort and penny expended seems to be put to shimmering good use. This is an epic big-screen adventure done for the small screen—and done in a way that makes most big-screen versions pale in comparison." Bianco also commended the characterizations, noting them as realistic and compelling. Maureen Ryan of the Chicago Tribune praised the opening sequence, calling it "really, really great … nerd-tastic for hardcore Lost fan; it's full of shout-outs and callbacks to classic Lost moments and trivia." She concluded that the premiere is "quite good" (three and a half out of four stars) with "a lot to like", specifically the expanded screen time for Faraday; however, Ryan expressed difficulty in understanding the use of time (travel) in the show and felt that one to two more viewings were warranted for her to give a better review of that aspect. Verne Gay of Newsday summed up that "The season's premiere represents pig-in-the-python storytelling—there's so much to work through, so many details, stories, characters and time dimensions to attend to, that after a while this all starts to feel like a very full meal. A bloated feeling may result." Among other pieces of praise, Tim Goodman of the San Francisco Chronicle was impressed by the "parallel plotting" of the characters on and off the island in different times. Despite deeming the premiere "riveting" and the script "tantalizing as ever", Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe had a mixed response, for he worried that he would not be able to handle a season's worth of time travel, stating that "I may be alone in this, and I hope I will be proven wrong, but I expected the solution to "Lost" to be more metaphysical, and more original, than simply people being unstuck in time." Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger deemed it "really good, in terms of keeping the momentum from last season going, servicing the characters and their emotions, and providing an appropriate number of 'Whoa's per hour." In a three out of four stars review, Thomas Connor of the Chicago Sun-Times stated that "the time-travel training wheels are coming off—and the path thus far seems blissfully free of the usual stumbling blocks", due to the previous four seasons of "baby steps" that set up the science fiction driven fifth season. Caryn Kunz of the Honolulu Advertiser said that "This was a great episode to get back into every aspect of our favorite show: relationships, mythology, reunions/cameos, and enough whoa moments to keep me on the edge of my seat throughout."

Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly summed up the entirety of the premiere as "pretty cool" and "worth the wait". He wrote that "Lost's tradition of opening the year with a killer, capture-the-imagination sequence is honored and upheld, though the thing I loved most was how it was brazenly frank (and engagingly funny) about the heady high-concept conceit that will define the season." Brian Lowry of Variety concluded that "Lost … approaches its twists with what appears to be a greater degree of intellectual rigor than almost anything else on primetime. Even when it's difficult to keep track of the myriad connections, a sense lingers that somebody knows—which is strangely reassuring." Despite being more interested in the romantic aspirations of the show's characters, Jennifer Godwin of E! remarked that "the Lost mythology is a miracle to behold. It's grandiose, compelling, gaspworthy and, despite what the haters would have you believe, altogether satisfying". Katherine Nichols of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin enjoyed the opening scene, "but the rest of it didn't capture as hoped it would", citing high expectations due to the eight-month hiatus after the fourth-season finale and a possible "yearning for more character-driven stories over machinations revolving around time travel, however clever they might be." John Kubicek of BuddyTV said that "the opening scene itself will leave your mouth wide open and you'll probably forget to close it for a few minutes." He also wrote the premiere episodes "are vintage Lost, full of some unbelievable twists and a whole lot of groundwork". H.T. Strong of Ain't It Cool News said that "Because You Left" "is a corker, aggressively advancing the story in all kinds of directions."

Notes

  1. As depicted in There's No Place Like Home.
  2. As depicted in Jughead.

References

  1. "Lost – Netflix". Netflix. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2017.
  2. Faraci, Devin, (December 2, 2008) "Live Blog of the Lost Season 4 DVD Cyber Roundtable! Archived 2009-10-15 at the Wayback Machine", Cinematic Happenings Under Development. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
  3. Ausiello, Michael & Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (August 19, 2008) "Spoilers on Lost, Grey's, Dexter, Smallville, Gossip Girl, and More! Archived 2008-08-28 at the Wayback Machine", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on August 28, 2008.
  4. ^ Damon Lindelof, Carlton Cuse (2009). "Audio commentary for "Because You Left"". Lost: The Complete Fifth Season — The Journey Back (DVD). Buena Vista Home Entertainment Television.
  5. Frazer, Brian, (December 16, 2008) "60-Second Q&A: Jim Longeretta, CEO, Digital Vortechs Archived 2008-12-29 at the Wayback Machine", StudioDaily. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.
  6. Lindelof, Damon & Cuse, Carlton, (July 28, 2008) "TV's Lost Audience 'Will Be Lost' Archived 2008-12-29 at the Wayback Machine", BBC. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.
  7. Ghosh, Korbi, (September 21, 2008) "Scoop on Lost, The Office, Mad Men & More Straight from the Emmy Red Carpet Archived 2008-12-29 at the Wayback Machine", Zap2it. Retrieved on December 20, 2008.
  8. "Making Up For the Lost Time". Lost: The Complete Fifth Season — The Journey Back (DVD). Buena Vista Home Entertainment Television. 2009.
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External links

Lost episodes
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Webisodes
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Epilogue
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