LOST Returns

I say that because in my opinion the show hasn't been what I've been used since "A Tale of Two Cities." Since then we learned:

Off the Island:

1. that Sun actually had an an affair (but she's been one of the best characters at hiding stuff this really doesn't matter);

2. Locke's not above working for people who make "the Mary Jane" (who cares?);

3. that Jack has a semi-cursed tattoo (most boring FlashJack ever);

4. Sawyer may have a child (but we already know that kids are his weakness, so nothing groundbreaking here);

5. Hurley has daddy issues (who doesn't on this show?).

On the Island:

1. that the Other live in their own little suburban island community (but Walt's "they're pretending" comments hinted at that);

2. the Others are slightly smarter than Jake, Kate and Sawyer combined (no surprise, really);

3. Desmond can see the future (which makes no sense whatsoever);

4. the Others have factions (which are a little more defined then the ones amongst the Lostaways, but still not a real surprise);

5. the Monster may let you go once, but that doesn't mean it'll let you go a second time.

In other words, we haven't learned much about the character's respective pasts or what's going on on the island. The flashbacks have been "things that happened" but didn't give us anymore insight into the characters than their earlier flashbacks have. No new revelations, no exposed secrets. And on the island, you'd expect one of two mindsets: either these guys are trying to get off the damn island, of they've resigned to their fate to stay and therefore need to stake their claim (aka, confront the Others).

Up until last night's episode, neither has happened. The Jack/Sawyer/Kate trio gave up fighting way before "I Do," and the rest of the Lostaways all but admitted that they didn't really have a reason or desire to go after them. There hadn't been an idea to leave since Bernard's "SOS" plan.

Last night was different: Kate's Rescue Party (her, Locke, Sayid and Danielle) found and confronted Others. They got information (albeit shaky considering the source) and a clue on how to find Jack.

We also learned more about the characters as they are on the Island than in the last few flashbacks: Hurley plays a mean game of ping-pong, Locke's game fixation is potentially dangerous, Locke and Kate are big-time snoops, Sayid is easily the most observant Lostaway, Sawyer honors his bets (I mean really, he didn't have to call Hurley "Hugo") and Kate is spoiled (she was the first to rush into the shower at the hatch and last night she was all about ice cubes in her tea).

All and all, a definite step in the right direction.