Lost: The Complete Fourth Season

Genre : DVD ( DVD )
Release : 2008/12/09
Price : $25.49

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Season four of Lost was a fine return to form for the series, which polarized its audience the year before with its focus on The Others and not enough on our original crash victims. That season's finale introduced a new storytelling device--the flash-forward--that's employed to great effect this time around; by showing who actually got off the island (known as the Oceanic Six), the viewer is able to put to bed some longstanding loose ends. As the finale attests, we see that in the future Jack (Matthew Fox) is broken, bearded, and not sober, while Kate (Evangeline Lilly) is estranged from Jack and with another guy (the identity may surprise you). Four others do make it back to their homes, but as the flash-forwards show, it's definitely not the end of their connection to the island. Back in present day, however, the islanders are visited by the denizens of a so-called rescue ship, who have agendas of their own. While Jack works with the newcomers to try to get off the island, Locke (Terry O'Quinn), with a few followers of his own, forms an uneasy alliance with Ben (Michael Emerson) against the suspicious gang. Some episodes featuring the new characters feel like filler, but the evolution of such characters as Sun and Jin (Yunjin Kim and Daniel Dae Kim) is this season's strength; plus, the love story of Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick) and Penny (Sonya Walger) provides some of the show's emotional highlights. As is the custom with Lost, bullets fly and characters die (while others may or may not have). Moreover, the fate of Michael (Harold Perrineau), last seen traitorously sailing off to civilization in season two, as well as the flash-forwards of the Oceanic Six, shows you never quite leave the island once you've left. There's a force that pulls them in, and it's a hook that keeps you watching.

Season four was a shorter 13 episodes instead of the usual 22 due to the 2008 writers' strike; nonetheless, the set comes with two discs of extras. One of the best features is "LOST in 8:15," which is a rapid-fire summation of the series thus far in eight minutes, 15 seconds. Narrated by a hilariously droll female, it includes lines such as "Jack meets Kate. Kate stitches up Jack. They bond." and "They see Jack play football with Mr. Friendly. Mr. Friendly throws like a girl." The featurette "The Right to Bear Arms" takes a fun look at the prop masters responsible for supplying the castaways with guns--and keeping track of who has one and who doesn't (best here is Sawyer's (Josh Holloway) assertion that characters often cock their guns just to look cool). Cast members Lilly, Garcia, Yunjin Kim, and Daniel Dae Kim provide a few of the commentaries, and the set even comes with an amusing safety guide for Oceanic Airlines. (Example: "if you notice black smoke emanating from the plane, please alert the captain. It is either a problem with the engines or a mysterious creature.") Finally, for those who bought the standard-def DVD, take a closer look at the front cover after you've removed the O-sleeve; you'll notice the entire cast has been blacked out save for a few: the Oceanic Six. --Ellen A. Kim

Stills from Lost : The Complete Fourth Season (Click for larger image)

Lost Season four is a good television series. It is very enjoyable for the suspense of the series.

This show never stops amazing me. There are so many twists and turns and more questions to keep you watching. Gotta love it. :)

Could it be? Is it possible that the best/safest place for our castaways is on The Island with The Others, Smokey, magnetic & time anomalies? Is it possible they shouldn't leave? That's the question Season 4 asks as life on the Island gets worse, but it's shown that life off the Island is even worse. Make no mistake about it, season 4 is quite different than the seasons proceeding it as the story starts building towards something, and the sci-fi elements of it get that much stranger. And oh the complexity!

Highlight Episodes:
The Economist
The Constant
The Shape of Things to Come
There's No Place Like Home

Naturally with the more story-driven nature of the season, the characters are kind of pushed aside, but that's not totally on the fault of the series. While we are given new characters to get to know, we've already know inside and out the regular castaways. And probably the biggest fault of the "flash-forwards" is that we don't really get that much character development. We might see a new side of Kate, but it's Kate & it's a logical progression for the character I'm not exactly sure we needed to see. Sure, it sets up the later season, but I'm not convinced it really works in tangent with this season. It doesn't hurt the character development like Season 2 did, but it doesn't really help and/or do anything for them either. The lone exception to this however is probably Ben Linus, who progresses significantly then what we've seen of him previously. Plus, Michael Emerson could be doing nothing and I'd still be fascinated with him & his character.

But again, Season 4 is focused primarily on the story. Sure, it may be slow towards the middle of the season, but there's just so many great moments here. The whole Freighter storyline is played well, and the foreshadowing and setting-up in this season is all compelling. And what's best is that besides being just fascinating to watch, it's also original, which is a great thing to say when a show is in its 4th year. I mean, I know "The Constant" has been praised to no end, but the episode just works so well as both a sci-fi and character piece. Make no mistake about it, an episode featuring Desmond is always a good one, and "The Constant" is one of the series' best.

Overall, Season 4 is a thrilling ride, and it's worth the trek if only for "The Constant" and 'No Place Like Home.' It's not the best season, and it may not move the characters along as much as I would like, but its primary function is foreshadowing and setting up the events to come. It has so many great moments, both story & character-wise, making Season 4 well worth the trip.

Real Score: 4.5/5

This DVD collections is brilliant and should definitely be in all Lost fans DVD collection. Season 4 is definitely the most action packed intense thrill ride known to man. Great show!

I bought this for my son's birthday. No complaints from him, and he and his fiancee are major Lost fans. It arrived on time; no problems. I guess all is well!