User Reviews

One of the most amusing special features on the DVD box set of Lost's first season is the Q & A with the cast, in which Harold Perrineau reveals no one really knew what the show was about when they first auditioned. They just went for it because they heard J.J. Abrams, still benefiting from the success of Alias, was involved as a co-creator and executive producer (plus, he won an Emmy for directing the pilot). It's probably the same thing that happened when people watched the show for the first time: they didn't quite know what to expect, but trusted Abrams to deliver something special. And boy, did he deliver.

The first episode of Lost is remarkable for one reason: no matter how much time has passed since it originally aired, it still impresses. Then again, how many writers could get away with pitching a series about a group of people who survive a plane crash and end up on a desert island? Considering America was still recovering from 9/11, such a scenario was risky. Which is why Abrams added that extra ingredient, which makes these first 40 minutes of the show every bit as thrilling as all that has come after-wards: the island ain't normal. Okay, so that fact is shown to a minimum in the first half of the pilot, but there's a definite sense of bizarre mystery to the misadventures the stranded passengers of the ill-fated Oceanic Fight 815 must face.

The first episode focuses mainly on three characters: Jack Shepard (Matthew Fox), who is revealed to be a doctor in the show's trademark flashback sequences, Kate Austen (Evageline Lilly), the first person he encounters on the island, and Charlie Pace (Dominic Monaghan), a has-been rock star who joins them in order to kill time. We get a glimpse of the other survivors as well, especially in another flashback which depicts part of the actual crash (the plane went off course while flying from Sydney to Los Angeles).

The complicate time structure is, by itself, a very good reason to watch the series: whereas most mainstream shows, both past and present, insist on linearity, Abrams and Damon Lindelof's willingness to trust the audience to connect the dots, reminiscent of Chris Carter's pact with viewers regarding the mythology arc of The X-Files, gives the program a sense of real, unpretentious intelligence. The huge ensemble cast is also very good, and it is to Abrams' eternal credit that he manages to give everyone (even Terry O' Quinn, who has about a minute of screen time in the first part of the pilot) at least one attention-worthy moment over the course of 40 minutes.

And then, last but not least, we have the suspense, the Twin Peaks-like questions which pile up and spend a lot of time unanswered. "Guys, how does something like this happen?" one character asks regarding the final events of Part 1. Referring to the series, the answer is deceptively simple: it just does.

The opening of LOST is about as disorientating as anything in the past ten years of cinema or film-making. If it were, indeed, a student film it would be praised to the sky as something almost without comparison. But since it's JJ Abrams, it's just the start of the ride, as Jack (Fox) wakes up in a jungle, perplexed, stumbling, and in one very long take Abrams tracks along on a beach as Jack passes by the wreckage of a plane crash and everyone else running for cover this way and that. It's a spectacular action sequence filmed with a lot of energy and violence, but keeping it within the range for an ABC television show. We're also introduced to (some of) the characters, and the start of the spooky, uncertain mood that will pervade the show as a whole.

It's clever, wickedly engaging writing that keeps up moving from the immense nightmare of the plane crash to the 'what-do-we-do-next' feeling of the dozens of people on the beach, looking to Jack since he is a) a doctor, and b) a natural leader. It's one half of a pilot that sucks you in just based on the prowess of the storytelling and the sucking-you-in factor of the actors, who are all top-notch- especially the ones (i.e. Evangeline Lilly, Jorge Garcia, Terry O'Quinn, for me Matthew Fox) one hasn't heard before. It's further great that there will be more to come just in the second half. The pilot of Lost function as a mix of action and excitement, tragedy and velocity, and the inklings of a Twin Peaks style surrealism.

The beginning of LOST & The Walking Dead is the best beginnings in the history of the TV

I am watching Lost for the second time and I can say that this is one of my favorite pilots ever.. SO GOOD

Four years have passed since the first time I watched part one of Lost's pilot. When it happened and I didn't have any expectations as I was new to the show. The only thing I knew was that it was about characters crashing on a deserted island. I had Robinson Crusoe in mind and already seen a few films on the subject, like The Blue Lagoon and Castaway, but nothing could have prepared me for the things I saw. Today it even felt better because I'm a huge fan of Lost and the characters have grown up so much on me in the last past years. So watching their first steps in the jungle or on the beach was just mesmerizing. If you're new to Lost you'll just fall in love with it like most of the viewers did at the time it was first aired. If you're already a follower then you'll just be blown away like I did. The first scene with Jack felt like a fairytale, as Alice opening the door to Wonderland. An other cult scene is the first encounter between him and Kate. Moreover the acting is so good that it makes such scenes even better. But it's only half of the strawberry on the shortcake as other major characters haven't been properly introduced yet. In fact I'm quite surprised the pilot episodes were aired at different dates. I'll definitely not wait for a week to watch part two once I've written this very review. Yes because it's the issue with Lost, you'll get addicted to it. But you can choose your path like the characters will. You can either channel your energy into something productive or just get lost. It's one thing the story helped me better understand. It's specially interesting as horror, fantasy and contemporary elements are mixed. The last scenes with Jack, Kate and Charlie are specially scary and you'll definitely want to switch on some lights to feel more comfortable. My only complain would be the production quality that could be better. Some scenes are really high-end and the direction is perfect but others look average with their studio elements : Approximate lighting, character incrustations over fake backgrounds… But overall you really feel like if events were taking place on a deserted island. It also looks that the budget was heavy on the crash scenes as it really looks like a puzzle to solve.

The first episode of Lost is, without a doubt, the best pilot for a TV show that I have ever seen. Good acting, a wonderful script, and very good directing by JJ Abrams make this an exciting 2 hours.

A group of people survive a plane crash but find themselves stuck on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. While most of them try to set up camp on the beach, three of them go into the jungle to find the cockpit of the plane - the plane had broken apart in midair - to find the transceiver (radio) so they can try to call for help. They succeed but but with deadly complications.Later another group goes off to take the transceiver to the highest point on the island to try and get a better signal. What they find is makes one of them ask the main question of the series - "Where are we"? The episode is fast paced and beautifully shot (the show is filmed in Hawaii). You have to suspend your disbelief that forty some odd people could survive a plane coming apart in midair and crashing on an island with little more than scratches to show for it. Still if you like interesting characters, complex plots and intriguing mysteries then this show is for you.

When 'Lost' was in its prime, it was must-watch television. Remember first watching it, found it remarkably easy to get into, was hooked from the start and was on Season 3 by the end of one week. The general consensus is that the final season is a disappointment and cannot disagree.

There is the agreement that as far as pilot episodes go, that for 'Lost' is among the best of them. It couldn't be a more perfect beginning to a wonderful show and six seasons on it's still among the best episodes. Although the characterisation and back-stories admittedly became deeper, richer and more developed over the course of the show, "Pilot Part 1" still establishes the featured characters very well, making them easy to root for and feeling every inch of their emotions rather than getting frustrated at them. In just one episode, Jack and Kate in particular are interesting.

"Pilot Part 1" is excellently photographed, made with a lot of atmosphere and slickness and with no cheapness at all, while the setting has a suitable amount of claustrophobia and the plane effects are better than many disaster films featuring anything with a plane. The music is understated yet chilling.

Even for so early on, the writing is smart and taut as well as provoking a lot of thought. Although not the most character rich in terms of depth, the story has emotion, a genuine sense of dread and nail-biting suspense that have rarely been done more strongly since on 'Lost' and does it far better than most films.

Acting throughout is very good indeed, particularly from Matthew Fox and Evangeline Lilly. The chemistry between the whole cast is expertly done.

In summary, a perfect start. 10/10 Bethany Cox

If we've learned anything about islands in historical fiction, it's that they're a hoarded wealth of intrigue, danger, suspense, spirituality and sensuality. From the economically-concerned survivalism of Robinson Crusoe to the web of love and retribution in Shakespeare's The Tempest, they are one of the commonest but most captivating plot devices. They are apart from civilized society. They are home to exotic fauna and foliage. Not all of that fauna and foliage is happy to have visitors. Murder and crime are more easily accomplished without the constraints of civilized society. I think you can connect the dots.

Lost is the brainchild of J.J. Abrams, who created the espionage thriller Alias and college drama Felicity before that. Based on his resume we can already predict character development and long-term plot arcs will be the standard. Add in that this two-part pilot was the most expensive ever produced for ABC (resulting in the truly ironic firing of former chairman Lloyd Braun, who had greenlighted the project in the face of dwindling network ratings), reportedly costing anywhere between $10 and $14 million. That this show was even given a second thought speaks volumes about the amount of faith the network put into it, as it easily could have been a colossal disaster.

Fortunately that faith was well-invested, because not only is the premiere of Lost viscerally and sensorially astounding, but it's also compelling, chronicling the plane crash and miraculous survival of 48 passengers (with fourteen being regular cast members). As if in real life, the individuals remain innominate until the situation demands their introduction.

We meet Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox, Party of Five), a spinal surgeon from Los Angeles who gets dropped in the middle of a serious crisis, risking himself to save the lives of others wounded in the crash. A more enigmatic but equally important character is Kate Austen (Evangeline Lilly), who despite being out of her element is driven by a strong will and versatility. The scene where an anxious Kate stitches up Jack's wound is one of the most iconic of the series' run.

Few of the other characters are given little more than a fugitive introduction. There's the washed-up rock star Charlie Pace (Dominic Monhagan, The Lord of the Rings), whose shadowed eyes belie his comic disposition. There's a very pregnant woman named Claire Littleton (Emilie de Ravin, The Hills Have Eyes), who seems oddly cheery in spite of all the turmoil. There's an older man played by Terry O'Quinn (Millennium, The X-Files) who seems to be of importance but has little to do in this episode. More curious is an Asian couple (Daniel Dae Kim and Yunjin Kim) alienated not only by their lack of English but also antiquated gender roles. A Middle Eastern man named Sayid (Naveen Andrews, The English Patient), a foul-mouthed redneck (Josh Holloway), and a larger-than-life guy you just want to hug (Jorge Garcia) all beg stories to be told, while a pair of bickering siblings, the unnerved Boone (Ian Somerhalder, The Vampire Diaries) and the comparatively bitchy Shannon (Maggie Grace, Taken) are decidedly less inspiring. Rounding out the cast are the overprotective father Michael (Harold Perrineau, The Matrix trilogy) and son Walt (Malcolm David Kelley), and a soundless but sharp woman (L. Scott Caldwell) who Jack brings from the cusp of death.

It's awfully odd that all of these survivors would be so cushioned in the fall so as not to wind up with more than mere flesh wounds, but odder still are the grotesque noises heard in the jungle at night. From the get-go it is clear that there is something not quite right with the island, and while ABC's decision to split the pilot into two halves may not do its story total justice, it certainly serves as an engaging doorway into a storyline bound to be riddled with mysteries. A more comprehensive outline of the plot will follow in my review of Part 2.

I had seen the sixth season because I had nothing better to do. People complained it didn't come together and that the ending was awful. I, on one hand, loved it and decided to watch the whole thing and see what my opinion was after all five other seasons. So here goes.

"Pilot Part 1" I knew this show was promising from the first 3 minutes with the excellent plane wreckage effects and it all seemed so real. The rest of the episode was even better. The ending was fabulous and you could totally relate to the characters. The don't really tell you all their names, but so far, my favorite character is Sayid. It makes me sad about what he goes through in Season 6. Overall, great cast with great characters and a great plot for a mystery/sci-fi/fantasy/drama show that I hope will come together. 10/10

I started to watch this second time. It's been two years when I watched this very first time. Im still thrilled what happens next waiting the backround stories of the charters and watch how they grow and involve. We have not nothing like this anymore, this is a greatest idea a survivorstory series.

A man wakes up in a forest, and soon realizes he has survived a plane crash on a Pacific island. He finds a handful of other survivors, and being a medical doctor, becomes their de facto leader. Some understand they may be on this island for awhile. Others do not. The doctor and a couple of others track down the plane's transceiver and almost fall prey to what sounds like the world's biggest bull elephant, although they never get a good look at it. The first half of the pilot builds up reasonable suspense, and is very nicely filmed on a beach in Oahu. Too many of the survivors are young and pretty and wooden, a common fault of almost every network TV show on the air. Because of this, it is hard not to believe you are watching a fancy, slightly surreal soap opera. Well, actually, that's exactly what LOST is. But it is definitely watchable.

Ofc the adventurous woman is going to follow jack,the main protagonist is jack,even the name is copied,Very creative. The show s name is lost, allthough i was expecting something different than avg. Island mystery,its just the same. A bald guy with a creepy smile not talking to anybody probably knows stuff about this island ,yeah present.very creative.

The co-pilot gets murdered by a thing,but nobody saw the thing, of course,predictable. A flirty guy is constantly there, adding a few grain Of salt to the show, present. An only fat guy with stupid questions, present.



This 4 is only for acting. Without doubt everything else is predictable from the 1st episode of a show called lost. J.j. you just suck.

The opening episode of "Lost" will always be iconic- that opening shot of Jack's eye, the progressive heightening of the tension in Michael Giacchino's music, and Matthew Fox's excellent acting as the character of Jack slowly realizes the scope of what just happened. The subtle introduction of numerous characters makes for outstanding character writing as well.

However, as with most pilot episodes, I find this script becomes too bogged down in being an introductory piece that it doesn't quite blossom as a full episode. Take for example one of the great pilot episodes in my opinion- "The Way Back" from Blake's 7. By the end of that episode you get the basic premise for the show, the characters, the nemesis, etc. Few pilot episodes accomplish that much and to be honest it is Part 2 of the "Lost" pilot that it successful in that regard- very, very successful.

"Pilot, Part 1" is iconic because it's the episode that hooked most of the people that are faithful to "Lost" to this day. When you look at how well it manages to introduce and develop these characters in 40 minutes it is an outstanding achievement, but for pure entertainment value and rewatchability when compared to many other episodes of the series? It's not quite one of the best episodes, and the second part of the pilot vastly improves on this.

J.J. Abrams proves his worth as director here, setting the bar for excellence in direction on this show and TV in general fairly high here.

Best scene- The first ever flashback aboard Flight 815 just before the crash.

Best shot- The introduction of John Locke, orange in mouth and all.

Questions in light of the remainder of the series: why did the monster kill the pilot?

8/10

What an exciting pilot, it is by far the best pilot i have ever seen before. The background plot is genius and is so simple but good, I'm surprised it was created earlier. The writers are complete genius' and have a talent.

It is brilliant how they have shown "Jack" who is middle aged doctor seems to be and makes him stand out as the leader. Matthew Fox plays this character excellent. They make him out to be all big and calm but they show a side of him that still makes him human and one them.

It is a good idea to have flashbacks of before they came to the island so when he was on the plane. This works very nicely and is a good touch.

There are also other characters that looks to be other main characters, there is a man with his son who are made out to be the dad is over protective of his son, there is a pregnant girl, a youngish guy called Hurley, a bald man who sits out in the rain which shows there's a mystery behind this man, the is a rough looking man with slick back hair and a cigarette and he may be the bad one in the group, the is a Arab guy there, there is a hooded fella from england who looks mysterious as well, there is a foreign couple who look like they are out of place, there is a man and woman who seem to be family and are the arguing type.

This pilot is action packed with a mysterious sound coming from the forest and everyone seems scared and anxious about what is it, this is brilliant and grabs the viewer in and makes them want to find out what is and when jack, Kate and Charlie get chased by it makes your heart pound thinking that they will be caught by this thing.

I would recommend this show to everyone it is full of everything action packed from the word go, the show has so much potential and seems like an excellent show. AWESOME!!

This is the kick-off to one of the best shows in television history, and wow, what a kick-off it is. I have watched this show all the way through at least six times and I never tire of this pilot. This is how you start a show!

After surviving a plane crash in a remote island, forty-eight survivors tries to organize themselves under the leadership of Dr. Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox). He decides to look for the transceiver in the cockpit of the plane, and travels through a forest with the mysterious Kate (Evangeline Lilly) and the rock and roll bass player Charlie Pace (Dominic Monaghan). Along their journey, they realize that there is a kind of predator in the woods threatening the safety of the group that has just killed the pilot.

The first part of the pilot episode of "Lost" is a tense show, and tries to glance over the survivors of the crash and their environment. It recalls the 1987 "Predator" with an invisible strong monster slaughtering the pilot of the plane and chasing the trio in the forest. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Pilot Part 1"

Note: On 17 March 2013, I saw this episode again. My vote is nine.

I know many who had completed watching this series hates this because of lack of answers/clarity they get at the end but LOST still and always be my favourite. Yeah I agree that lack of justifications caused impatience to viewers but its the characters and their stories that make this show impressive. Its really one of a kind series where every episode ends with some twist and makes us curious about whats gonna happen next?

Pilot 1 is all about the basic premise and the introduction of various main characters like jack, Kate and charlie. Its just amazing and right from first episode you start wonders what is this island about and whats gonna unveil next? It's a good start overall.