Top Five All Time Favorite Episodes of “Lost”

Imagine a world without “Lost.” This time next week we will know how that world feels. I’ll either be furiously dissatisfied or filled with a sense of serenity and relief that 6 years worth of angst has been relieved once and for all.

One week.

In the meantime, whether you have high hopes or have lost all faith, I say revel in it. I hope you’re all planning on going to a “Lost” party or have plans to camp at your local bar. Like it or not, this is a once in a lifetime event.

As the end is drawing nearer, I admit I’m getting a bit nostalgic for happier times when Charlie was trying to kick his heroin addiction, Boone was in love with his sister, Arzt was in one piece, and those numbers were driving me nuts. In the spirit of High Fidelity, I came up with my Top Five, All Time Favorite Episodes of “Lost”:

1. “The Constant”

Episode 5, Season 4

This episode is by far my favorite. It has the simplicity and depth of a short film that can stand on its own, apart from the rest of the series–which in turn considerably enriches the series as a whole. The storyline was a fabulous mix between romance and science fiction with a teary feel-good ending. I was a goner for the Desmond and Penny after this episode, and admit that whenever I re-watch this I burst into tears when they say “I love you” at the same time. I know. I’m a girl.

© American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

 2. “Greatest Hits”

Season 3, Episode 21

The last hurrah of Charlie, our beloved hobbit-turned-heroin addicted rock star. I admit although I love Dominic Monahan, I always found myself a bit annoyed at Charlie, and this episode let me make my peace with him. This episode was tender and inspiring, and especially painful because we know of course that Desmond is right and Charlie will soon be dead.

© American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

3. “The 23^rd Psalm”

Season 2, Episode 10

Back when the fate versus free will debate hadn’t been ground into the dirt, and was kept cool mainly because of Locke’s own moral struggles. Locke was such an awesome character. Eko was a badass too. This is the episode where his brother gets shot and Eko takes his place as village priest. It’s a signature LOST move to pit two opposites together in a single episode, and I thought the Eko/Locke duality was particularly well developed.

© American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

4. “Ab Aeterno”

Episode 9, Season 6

While met with a bit of backlash, I think that that its ability to stand alone (much like “The Constant”) should be an indicator as to how fantastic this episode really is. After watching this episode, go back and look at older episodes when Richard appears (both on and off the island), and remember that he began as a poor Spanish farmer a few centuries ago who only wanted to save his dying wife. Nestor Carbonell owned that role. Also, the twist where the smoke monster spares Richard makes total sense now that we’ve seen last Tuesday’s episode, “Across the Sea.”

© American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

5. “Some Like It Hoth”

Season 5, Episode 13

I like this episode because a) Because of the “Some Like It Hot” reference in the title (which doesn’t end up having anything really to do with the episode–although it would have been hilarious if Jack and Sawyer have to dress in drag perhaps to escape the others, and when Kate takes them into her confidence as a close girlfriends, one (let’s say Jack) realizes he’s in love with her. Hilarious slapstick and mistaken identity shenanigans abound), and b) because Hurley starts writing The Empire Strikes Back for George Lucas. Hurley’s comic relief is truly relieving–he is a welcome break when LOST gets a little too serious. Also, I can’t leave out Miles’ tender yet silent reconciliation with his father, the mysterious Dr. Chang.

© American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.

I know that the “Lost” writers cranked out a ton of great episodes over the years (and some that were more aggravating than enjoyable), so let me know which ones you think I’ve missed!