LOST 5.07 metareview

“The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham,” the 7th episode of Lost Season 5, generated the most mixed responses of any episode yet this year. Some are fiercely passionate about the show’s sudden return to more emotion-based storytelling, while others feel let down that John Locke’s adventures off the island provided so few surprises. (Does it say something about us as fans that some of us base our enjoyment of an episode not on the drama or the characters or the writing, but on how many rabbits the show pulls out of its hat per hour?)

The one thing everybody seems to agree on: Terry O’Quinn rocks. Hard.

This week you’ll notice more Xs than checks, because even though some of the reviewers clearly adore Lost and hated saying anything negative about it, they just couldn’t hide their disappointment in the episode.

Entertainment Weekly’s Doc Jensen: Locke’s globetrotting, let’s-put-the-band-back-together journey began with a scene of massive mythological importance, and ended with an all-time awesome scene.

The Chicago Tribune’s Maureen Ryan: It’s not that I thought it was bad. It was just more of a “phfffft” episode than a “wow” episode. I think the problem is that my expectations were high, and the episode was just sort of… there.

Time’s James Poniewozik: You know when you watch a Locke episode that your heart is going to get kicked around for a while; O’Quinn is just the athlete for that job.

Variety’s Cynthia Littleton: Abaddon’s return to Lost in episode seven, “The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham,” was the maraschino cherry and jim-jims on top of a six-scoop (one for each of tonight’s extra minutes) hot fudge sundae. What did we do in our past time travels to deserve such a wonder on Wednesday night.

E! Online’s Kristin Dos Santos: …some thrilling flashpresents, a visit from a beloved season-one original character and whirlwind tour of the Oceanic Six homesteads…

Zap2It’s Ryan McGee: While providing several powerful and shocking moments, it failed to provide a compelling overall episode.

Televisionary, aka Jace Lacob: …I couldn’t sleep last night as my mind is still reeling after yet another neck-snapping plot twist from Team Darlton.

The Star-Ledger’s Allan Sepinwall: “Jeremy Bentham” was compelling throughout because Lindelof and Cuse have crafted such a memorable character, and because O’Quinn plays him with such soul that I really don’t care that I knew almost everything that was going to happen through the mainland sections of the hour.

Huffington Post’s Jay Glatfelter: Who has just moved up to the number one spot on the all-time “Most Evil T.V. Bad Guys” list? Ben.

The L.A. Times‘ Patrick Kevin Day: “The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham”… in grand Lost tradition, mixed masterful, broad canvas storytelling with intimate moments of deep emotion.

UGO TV Blog’s Jon Lachonis: Savor the last few game changers while you can, because before you know it the remaining episodes of LOST will be in the single digits — and the mysteries of the island will be coming to a resolute end.

Film School Rejects‘ Adam Sweeney: It’s no surprise that the death and resurrection of the character would be so satisfying… The difference between Locke as he is presented as a desperate old man to the Oceanic 6, then comparing that to the cool customer he is once he returns to the island is a display of how masterfully O’Quinn can portray the character.

TV Squad’s Jonathan Toomey: The entire hour played out as a laundry list of confirmations – things that we either kind-of-sort-of knew based on past episodes or things that most avid fans of Lost assumed to be true anyway.

Paste Magazine’s Rachel Dovey: While the story was interesting, and obviously needed to be told, the episode was a little slow… After watching them plop from the sky and back onto the island, it was almost yawn-inducing to see Jack and Kate struggling with their faith in Locke’s message again.

If Magazine’s Emerson Parker: It’s official. Lost has gotten good again.

Cinema Blend’s Katey Rich: …once again, we get an episode that sums up what might have taken an entire season to reveal in earlier years. The line between good and evil and Ben and Widmore gets shakier every time we meet either of them…

Pop + Politics‘ Courtney Reimer: Of all the episodes this season, this one was the most satisfying from a storyline perspective. The pace was quick, it didn’t get too caught up in dropping arcane, red-herring numbers and figures, and it brought us a staggering climax to the Locke story that’s been slow-brewing all season.

New York Magazine’s Emily Nussbaum: John Locke, best (and most original) character on the show, light of our life, fire of our loins, anti-hero of our favorite episodes! In this excellent installment, our miserable savior is snubbed, bitchily psychoanalyzed, crippled (per usual), puppeteered by both sides of the Global Game of Find the Island, and, in a genuinely disturbing sequence, strings up a noose of electrical cord… Also, our friend who is always defending Ben, coming up with baroque explanations for how he’s the good guy? Abandon hope.

The Birmingham News‘ Dave Sharp: …after last night’s satisfying story of, well, the life and death of Jeremy Bentham (a.k.a. island savior John Locke), the sides of the coming war are no clearer to me than they’ve ever been.

io9’s Lynn Peril: I think part of my slight-but-lingering disappointment with “The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham” is due to Locke’s ongoing willingness to believe just about anything anybody tells him. Widmore: “You’re special! Ben’s bad.” Locke: “Okay.” Ben: “You’re special! Widmore’s bad. And here, let me help you with that noose.” Locke: “Okey-doke.”

mlive.com’s Troy Reimink: As was teased last week, this was the long-awaited “what happened to John Locke” episode, and par for the course, there was much blather about sacrifice and Locke’s specialness.

Hitfix’s Drew McWeeny: this is one of the things I dearly love about this show… Terry O’Quinn’s performance is just awesome, week in and week out.

Mania’s Joe Oesterle: The island wouldn’t have accepted John if he lost his faith, but it did need him dead, so Ben not only restores his faith, and then takes John’s life, insuring him life-after death, he also gives that old fleabag hotel a cleaning like it hadn’t had since that LIFE magazine article was current.

Creative Loafing’s Allison Keene: The main thrust of the episode came in the form of a chess match of manipulation between Charles Widmore and Ben, with Locke as the pawn.