Post by bobdoc on Mar 7, 2008 12:18:52 GMT -4
Responses seem to be mixed about last night's episode- I feared it would be even before seeing the episode, especially after all the raves people gave to "The Constant" But once again, our Michael seems to have risen about it. A couple of articles recapping and reviewing the episode confirm it. A couple spoilers are in these articles, for those who still haven't seen it.
Here's two article from Entertainment Weekly's website. One is from tvfan.ew.com/shows/Lost/recap/300
Another bit of Michael praise is from the traditional EW post episode article, at Source
And here's something from the website TV Squad, at www.tvsquad.com/2008/03/07/lost-the-other-woman/
Here's one from buzzsugar.com/1100518
And from blog.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2008/03/lost_dueling_analyses_the_othe.html
Still another rave from www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-every-episode-is-a-ben-ep-17381.aspx
Here's two article from Entertainment Weekly's website. One is from tvfan.ew.com/shows/Lost/recap/300
Why Lost is So Awesome: Reason #4.06
Benjamin Linus.
This is an easy one. Michael Emerson has played the uber-Other with a creepy conviction that can't be rivaled on TV right now. In tonight's episode we got a big fat chunk of new characterization from him, and it was in the form of...a crush.
That's right, Big Bad Ben is jones'n for sweet Juliet. I gotta say I did not see that one coming! All the signs were there, as The Other Woman so eloquently pointed out. (I always love the way Lost is able to blend new story into previously shot footage seamlessly.)
"How obvious could it be?" the show asks.
"You're right, Lost, I feel pretty silly," I say.
Anyway, the moral of the story this week is don't F with Ben Linus! Juliet pleaded this to Jack, because, it would seem, this dude is in control at all times, especially when it seems like he's not...
Biggest laugh: Ben's cute excitement over his "dinner-date" with Juliet.
Benjamin Linus.
This is an easy one. Michael Emerson has played the uber-Other with a creepy conviction that can't be rivaled on TV right now. In tonight's episode we got a big fat chunk of new characterization from him, and it was in the form of...a crush.
That's right, Big Bad Ben is jones'n for sweet Juliet. I gotta say I did not see that one coming! All the signs were there, as The Other Woman so eloquently pointed out. (I always love the way Lost is able to blend new story into previously shot footage seamlessly.)
"How obvious could it be?" the show asks.
"You're right, Lost, I feel pretty silly," I say.
Anyway, the moral of the story this week is don't F with Ben Linus! Juliet pleaded this to Jack, because, it would seem, this dude is in control at all times, especially when it seems like he's not...
Biggest laugh: Ben's cute excitement over his "dinner-date" with Juliet.
Another bit of Michael praise is from the traditional EW post episode article, at Source
I loved the part where Ben took Juliet to Goodwin's corpse, told her ''You're mine!'' then graciously allowed her to grieve by saying, with apparent sincerity, ''Take as much time as you need.'' If I haven't said so before, Michael Emerson is just genius in this role.
And here's something from the website TV Squad, at www.tvsquad.com/2008/03/07/lost-the-other-woman/
I didn't think it was possible, but the Lost writers actually found a way to make Ben creepier. All they had to do was add a "lovesick stalker" dimension to his personality. For a Juliet-centric episode, it seemed like we learned a lot more about Ben than the intriguing Dr. Burke. We also got some significant answers about who's behind the freighter mission--from Ben, of course. Perhaps the only thing Ben doesn't know is how to have a healthy romantic relationship.
Is it just me, or did Michael Emerson totally steal this episode from Elizabeth Mitchell? His performance in both the flashback and his "manipulation of the week" scene with Locke were outstanding. I was fascinated by the lovesick version of Ben. He was almost sweet there for a minute. Also, his casual greeting to Hurley and Sawyer at the end of the episode was too funny for words.
Is it just me, or did Michael Emerson totally steal this episode from Elizabeth Mitchell? His performance in both the flashback and his "manipulation of the week" scene with Locke were outstanding. I was fascinated by the lovesick version of Ben. He was almost sweet there for a minute. Also, his casual greeting to Hurley and Sawyer at the end of the episode was too funny for words.
Here's one from buzzsugar.com/1100518
Michael Emerson, who plays Ben is simply one of the best actors working on TV right now. Unbelievable.
I always suspected something weird was up between Ben and Juliet. But holy cow he's a psychopath. "You're mine!"
I always suspected something weird was up between Ben and Juliet. But holy cow he's a psychopath. "You're mine!"
And from blog.washingtonpost.com/celebritology/2008/03/lost_dueling_analyses_the_othe.html
Liz: Last night's episode title was clearly meant to throw the spotlight on to Juliet, the hour's prime mover and first flashback of season four. But I'm thinking this was really all about Ben, who deftly shifted between his portrayals of the puppet master and the man-child who smashes his toys when they don't bow to his desires. I worship at the altar of Michael Emerson, whose diabolical portrayal of an emotionally stunted basket case with brains to spare is a performance for the ages. But I have to ask:
How's that theory about Ben actually being one of the good guys faring? I'm wondering if it's a little anemic after last night's episode in which he was revealed to be a calculating murderer (yet again) and a stalker to fair Juliet, who just wants to be left in peace to love her Romeo -- be he Goodwin or Jack.
Jen: I, too, worship at the altar of Michael Emerson. Would someone please give him an Emmy for this performance, like, yesterday? His line deliveries are borderline poetry. Just listen to the way he told Locke: "Your people are going to be so angry when they realize you still don't have a plan." Genius. Clearly Ben has some serious problems, not the least of which is his mommy fixation. As Harper suggested, Juliet looks an awful lot like Ben's mother (who, to make things more freaky, is played by Emerson's real-life wife). It's hard to see how his means can possibly justify his ends. But I still contend that he believes he is working for a higher purpose that, if evaluated on its own merits without the messy knowledge that Ben has killed people because of it, may be a noble one. Is that mushy enough for you?
How's that theory about Ben actually being one of the good guys faring? I'm wondering if it's a little anemic after last night's episode in which he was revealed to be a calculating murderer (yet again) and a stalker to fair Juliet, who just wants to be left in peace to love her Romeo -- be he Goodwin or Jack.
Jen: I, too, worship at the altar of Michael Emerson. Would someone please give him an Emmy for this performance, like, yesterday? His line deliveries are borderline poetry. Just listen to the way he told Locke: "Your people are going to be so angry when they realize you still don't have a plan." Genius. Clearly Ben has some serious problems, not the least of which is his mommy fixation. As Harper suggested, Juliet looks an awful lot like Ben's mother (who, to make things more freaky, is played by Emerson's real-life wife). It's hard to see how his means can possibly justify his ends. But I still contend that he believes he is working for a higher purpose that, if evaluated on its own merits without the messy knowledge that Ben has killed people because of it, may be a noble one. Is that mushy enough for you?
Still another rave from www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-every-episode-is-a-ben-ep-17381.aspx
Lost: Every Episode is a Ben Episode
Michael Emerson is a god. There's no getting around it. Without Emerson as Ben, Lost would not be the series it's become. When Emerson was originally cast as Henry Gale, Cuse and Lindelof famously left themselves some flexibility with the character. Had Emerson not worked out, he'd only have to be there for a few episodes – maybe he'd be the leader of the Others, maybe he wouldn't. Of course, Emerson rocked it hard, and the rest is history. While last night's Lost, “The Other Woman,” was ostensibly a Juliet episode, Ben's presence made a far bigger impression on me. We saw Jealous Ben and Smitten Ben for the first time - it was frightening and enlightening and a little pathetic.
Considering where Lost has been this season, last night was a throwback. It felt like something in season one or two. Nothing in Juliet's flash back was all that enlightening for her character. Gaps were filled, specifics were revealed, but nothing that fans couldn't have inferred themselves. As I said, the appeal of the episode was Ben's presence throughout, both in the flash backs and in the present with Locke. With Emerson and Ben, it's the perfect meld of actor and character, both of whom are enigmatic, creepy and impossible to get a handle on. I could probably watch Michael Emerson sit on a folding chair and read an According to Jim script and be entertained. So, maybe that he was the highlight of an otherwise forgettable episode isn't surprising. However, I don't think it can be stated enough – the character of Ben has been the driving force of Lost over the last two seasons.
Michael Emerson is a god. There's no getting around it. Without Emerson as Ben, Lost would not be the series it's become. When Emerson was originally cast as Henry Gale, Cuse and Lindelof famously left themselves some flexibility with the character. Had Emerson not worked out, he'd only have to be there for a few episodes – maybe he'd be the leader of the Others, maybe he wouldn't. Of course, Emerson rocked it hard, and the rest is history. While last night's Lost, “The Other Woman,” was ostensibly a Juliet episode, Ben's presence made a far bigger impression on me. We saw Jealous Ben and Smitten Ben for the first time - it was frightening and enlightening and a little pathetic.
Considering where Lost has been this season, last night was a throwback. It felt like something in season one or two. Nothing in Juliet's flash back was all that enlightening for her character. Gaps were filled, specifics were revealed, but nothing that fans couldn't have inferred themselves. As I said, the appeal of the episode was Ben's presence throughout, both in the flash backs and in the present with Locke. With Emerson and Ben, it's the perfect meld of actor and character, both of whom are enigmatic, creepy and impossible to get a handle on. I could probably watch Michael Emerson sit on a folding chair and read an According to Jim script and be entertained. So, maybe that he was the highlight of an otherwise forgettable episode isn't surprising. However, I don't think it can be stated enough – the character of Ben has been the driving force of Lost over the last two seasons.
