What They Died For
- Episode aired May 18, 2010
- TV-14
- 43m
Jacob appears to the survivors of the submarine explosion and tells them what they were chosen for. Ben joins forces with Locke, as they both have a final showdown with Charles Widmore.Jacob appears to the survivors of the submarine explosion and tells them what they were chosen for. Ben joins forces with Locke, as they both have a final showdown with Charles Widmore.Jacob appears to the survivors of the submarine explosion and tells them what they were chosen for. Ben joins forces with Locke, as they both have a final showdown with Charles Widmore.
- Frank Lapidus
- (credit only)
- Jin-Soo Kwon
- (credit only)
- Sun-Hwa Kwon
- (credit only)
- Ilana Verdansky
- (credit only)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn L.A, Jack tells Locke he is mistaking coincidence for fate. This is exactly what Mr. Eko tells Locke not to do earlier in the series.
- GoofsJacob says that Kate's name was crossed off the list when she became a mother. However, Jin and Sun became parents and their name wasn't crossed off.
- Quotes
Ben Linus: Are you thirsty?
John Locke: This is the well I threw Desmond Hume into.
Ben Linus: What's the matter?
John Locke: I sent Sayid to kill Desmond. Obviously he didn't.
Ben Linus: Looks like someone helped him out.
John Locke: No, Ben, someone helped *me* out.
Ben Linus: What did Widmore say to you?
John Locke: He said Desmond was a fail safe. Jacob's last resort in case, God forbid, I managed to kill all of his beloved candidates. One final way to make sure that I never leave this place.
Ben Linus: Then... why are you happy that he's still alive?
John Locke: Because I'm gonna find Desmond, and when I do, he's gonna help me do the one thing that I could never do myself. I'm gonna destroy the island.
- ConnectionsSpoofed in Lost: Untangled: What They Died For (2010)
Not that Season 6 was a bad season. It did boast excellent episodes such as "Sundown", "Dr Linus", "Happily Ever After", "The Last Recruit", "The Candidate" and the season's high point "Ab Aeterno" too. Most episodes were actually solid to very good. Just not quite classic 'Lost' standard with the previous five seasons were a little more consistent in the high quality stakes and a higher number of great and more episodes. The season did have the largest number of disappointing episodes compared to the previous five seasons, "The Package", "Lighthouse" and "What Kate Does" could have been better than they were though they weren't misfires. That all changed with the previous episode "Across the Sea", one of my bottom 3 'Lost' episodes along with "Stranger in a Strange Land" and "Fire + Water", was mixed too on "Expose".
It was such a big relief that "What They Died For" was a big improvement on every level. Not one of the very best episodes of Season 6, though in the better half, and not amazing. It is very good though and works well as a set up for the finale.
Do think that the alternate universe storyline is a little more compelling than the island events. The island events still gripped, but there are more questions raised than answers.
Along with a few inconsistencies like the with Ben and Widmore mentioned elsewhere and parts resolved a bit too easily and generically, Widmore's defeat should have been much bigger and more tense than it was considering how interesting and repellent a character he was.
However, "What They Died For" boasts some typically beautifully stylish and atmospheric visuals with much better editing than in "Across the Sea". The music is chilling and understated, while the writing is a return to the taut and smart writing of 'Lost' on form. The same can be said for the direction, which never misses a beat and allows breathing space than needed. There is forward momentum and story progression and character development has certainly not gone backwards.
Loved the alternate storyline and Desmond plays a fascinating role, have always liked the character and his material here is some of his meatiest. All the performances are top-notch, with Henry Ian Cusick is particularly excellent. "What They Died For" has a great mix of funny moments, poignant moments, shocking moments and suspenseful moments, the tonal shifts never jarring for an episode that kept changing in tone as it progressed, while although things are still vague there is a sense that things are starting to come together.
Summarising, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Nov 1, 2018