Fischler Finally Gets His Break

I knew it would happen; I've been waiting for it to happen for a long long time now; and i couldn't be more delighted that it has. Patrick Fischler has finally hit the big time.  The actor popped up over the last fortnight in two fantastic episodes of LOST as Dharma worker 'Phil,' and he's also been hilarious as Jimmy Barret in this season of Mad Men.

I first noticed Fischler as a video store clerk in the film Ghost World and since then i've been hooked, looking out for his quirky cameos all over the place, secretly yearning for him to actually take on a leading role, something he would easily be capable of. 

Though his two most recent stints aren't his first shots at the TV big time, their certainly his most notable, and they couldn't be more different. On Mad Men he's a shlocky comedian, insulting everyone in his path and incredibly difficult to control. His Lost role is far more understated as the increasingly suspicious and expressive Phil. He plays both roles with just the right amount of quirk, something he possess in spades. 

Even with his growing acclaim, i will probably best remember him for his incredible turn in Mullholland Dr. As a man afflicted by a waking dream, check it out! 

LOST "Jughead" (Sunday 9PM Skyone)

Lost continued at quick pace this week with the episode "Jughead;" like "The Lie" before it, Jughead actually moves the story forward alot more than most would expect of Lost. The biggest complaint i hear about the show from "non viewers" is that "nothing is ever revealed." In honesty that is rubbish; i have been suprised though, at the amount of secrets that are being revealed. In this episode alone we learn of Desmonds new born son (Named Charlie, though i thought Jughead might have been more appropriate) We learn that Charles Widmore was once on the Island as an other (interesting, but the reveal was slightly unremarkable) and most interestingly IMO we were told Widmore has funded Daniel Faradays research for most of his life. 

I didn't quite grasp the implications of this; surely Faraday is unaware of the grander picture of Widmores plan; he seems far too aloof to be revealed as a 'villain.'

This episode was focussed totally on Desmond and the islanders, Jack, Kate, and the rest of the Oceanic Six didn't appear and the episode probably suffered for it. As much as i like the periphery characters their stories don't quite have the gravity of the familiar ones. Though i'd love to see more of Miles and Charlotte they've been dominated by Faraday so far this season, and i hope they are not ostracised or god forbid killed. 

Desmonds story flowed along nicely and his pursuit of Faraday's mother came to an abrubt end at the end of the episode but we all know it won't end there, one for the future for sure.

The on island stuff was fine enough but the confrontation with "Jughead," a nuke from the 1950's was truly mundane; when the islanders were once again transported Charlotte had a severe hemorrhage (She needs a constant!) and left us wondering if she will survive (surely she will!) 

This was one of them Lost episodes that moves the story along nicely; but doesn't pull up any trees in the excitement stakes. It has to be truly terrible for me not to like an episode of Lost so predictably i thought it was good. 

8/10! 

LOST "Because You Left" (Sky one Sunday 9PM)

As season openers of Lost go Because You Left, the long awaited season 5 opener, ranks highly, though having being spoilt by previous opening scenes this one was less than thrilling it has to be said.  The revelation that Daniel Faraday is a Dharma worker attempting to drill through to the mystical wheel that 'moved' the island was interesting; but didn't evoke the incredible thrill i felt after watching the superb season 2 opener which revealed the inside of the hatch. 

The episode catches us up with the Oceanic Six who have been, it is revealed, off Island for three years, and are still struggling with their various afflictions, when Ben demands they all return to the island or risk an incredible catastrophe. We see Hurley and Sayid team up to disastrous effects; and an unlikely pairing of Jack and Ben doesn't go a whole lot better; though disappointingly it leads to the shaving of Jacks infamous "junkie beard.' 

Kate is still living a lie, looking after 'son' Aaron though one plot point for the future is revealed when lawyers demand she give a blood test causing her to baulk and leave home.  Who is behind the law suit will surely drag on throughout this season (someone representing Claire?) 

The real interesting stuff happens on the island; where Sawyer et al realise the effects of the islands move; they are now stuck within a series of 'Flashes' which transports them to various times in the islands history, or indeed, future. The writers now have infinity to play with, a clever move; expect to see the islands transported back to when the four toed statue is complete in the near future. 

The episode certainly sets up the rest of the season nicely; and it was lovely to see a television heavy weight back in the fray; but i can't shake that feeling that it didn't quite have the 'punch' of previous season openers. 

LOST is Back... Big 'Time'...

Rejoice! Lost has finally found its way back on to our screens after what seems like a ridiculously long hiatus; the length of which was no doubt influenced by the frustrating writers strike which caused a complete shut down of most quality American dramas and thus in turn destroyed the lives of many a fan; me included.

Lost was back last night in the states (airs on SKYone in the UK later this week) with a two hour season opener which reacquainted us with our favourite losties, on, and off the island. 

The First of the two episodes dealt mostly with on island shenanigans, while the second part was a slower more concentrated look at how the "oceanic six" have coped with "lying" about the true nature of their island exits. 

Was i impressed? Yes... Both episodes we're thumbs up all round, with the first hour just slightly ahead in the entertainment stakes. There were also a couple of nice surprises with an on island reprise for Ethan, and a great Cameo appearance by the long lost Ana-Lucia.

A proper "blow by blow" review of the two episodes is upcoming, but for now, its great to see one of TV's heavyweights back with a bang.