This episode is the reason why I got into Lost in first place because of Jack Bender. Jack Bender's work deserved more recognization and that's what a director should do, to keep things moving well and to keep people entertained.
When this episode opens, I was in such an awe and I knew exactly what to expect from the director but the more he did with this episode, the more I was smiling and cheering because of amazing camera work.
The music is what made the whole episode work so well. In most of Jack Bender's episodes on Lost or Alias...the music always sounds so emotional and deeply-moving especially fits with a moving picture so well. That's what made things so well in an episode. I kept saying "Wow...so wow." every time when commericals came on after the show takes a break.
In this emotional and powerful season finale, it had full of action, great timing of humors despite to a dark episode of the show, the directing was such a perfection! especially with camera work.
I actually loved every moment of this finale. After seeing this one, I wasn't sure if I actually liked this episode more than "Live Together, Die Alone" but I think I actually do because this finale was much faster paced and full of action that doesn't slow things down like in "Live Together, Die Alone." Even I felt the direction was much better in this one.
I almost felt like so heartbreaking while seeing the camera work because of how great it was. I will list down the scenes that I loved from the camera work that Jack Bender did in this finale.
- the camera was moving slowly surround Jack in the opening while he was in the car then follows him to the edge of the bridge. It captured so WELL!!!
- the camera swifts at Syaid when he was aiming the gun at one of the Others during the credits when it said "directed by Jack Bender", that fits perfectly because that's exactly when the action actually began and never stops from there.
- the camera was at the floor, moving up and rotates around on Charlie and Desmond when they were questioning the lady in the hatch underwater right after the commericals ended.
- the survivors walked toward the record tower and the camera pulls away from them to show the tower, it was shot beautifully. It always apparent that when Jack Bender is directing an episode...he always have a shot showing the location, like at the ending of Exodus part 1 when Jin, Michael, Walt and Saywer were leaving on the raft and again in "Live Together, Die Alone", Syaid, Jin and Sun were on the boat surfing around and we saw a shot of 4 toed feet statue and plus after electronic magnetic went off, when things were settled down, the camera was tracking through the people on the beach. Lots of good trademarks in this episode from Jack Bender which I loved.
Now with the performances...some of actors deserved to win an emmy for their excellent work on this episode. Now with the directing...Jack Bender MUST win an emmy for his directing because it is absolutely PERFECT!!! It will not going to be ironic if he gets nominated again especially getting nominated two times in row.
With Charlie's death, I was never really upset about any characters' death but I always thought this death was well done and shot beautifully.
I'm actually glad that Bender directed all season finales so far and they all were GREAT!! especially this one. After seeing his direction on this finale made me think why don't he ever do another major picture someday since he only has done one in his career which was way back in 1991 titled Child's Play 3. As well...I hope Bender stays with the show until it ends in 2010 because I wouldn't want Stephen Williams to take over his place if he leaves the show but I'm not going to argue about Williams's direction though.
So a 15/10 for this episode.
And...my mind is still shaking right now after I saw this episode and it has been shaking every single day since the day it aired because of how great the direction was.
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