Lost: Season 1 Episode 5 "White Rabbit" Review

"If we can't live together, we're gonna die alone."

-Jack Shephard

The 5th episode of Lost focuses on Dr. Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox) who manages to save Boone (Ian Somerhalder) from drowning, but is unable to save another castaway, Joanna.  Jack is very hard on himself, as is Boone.  Jack continues seeing visions of a man in a suit, who we learn is Jack's father, Christian (John Terry), and Jack chases his father into the jungle and nearly falls off a cliff in the process, but John Locke (Terry O'Quinn) saves his life and urges him to continue to search for what he is looking for.  Jack comes across a cave system with fresh water, the first they've found on the island.  He also finds the coffin that contained his father's body.  Jack opens it and finds it empty, so Jack smashes it to pieces.

Water is in very short supply, with only a few bottles left.  When Claire (Emilie de Ravin) collapses from the heat, Charlie (Dominic Monaghan) discovers the remaining water is missing.  Kate (Evangeline Lilly) and Sayid (Naveen Andrews) start an investigation to find the water, but are unsuccessful.

That night, Charlie catches Boone returning the water and giving some to Claire.  The others confront Boone and just before the situation turns ugly, Jack returns.  He gives a speech telling the others he has found water and that they need to start working together to survive or they aren't going to make it.  In doing this, Jack finally accepts his position as the leader.

In flashbacks, we get a glimpse into the strained relationship between Jack and his father, which started at a young age when Christian told Jack he didn't have what it takes to be a leader.  Many years later, Christian goes off to Australia and Jack's mother (Veronical Hamel) sends a reluctant Jack after him.  He eventually discovers his father died of a heart attack from heavy drinking.  Jack takes his father's body on Oceanic 815 to go home for the funeral.

What Works:

This is the episode that really kicks off the relationship between Jack and Locke, which is one of the best parts of Lost.  Most of the series, Jack and Locke are on opposing sides, but in this episode and the majority of season 1, Jack and Locke are friends.  Locke saves Jack's life and the two of them have a deep discussion in the jungle.  This is my favorite scene of the episode and it's refreshing to see Jack be open to what Locke has to say.  That won't be the case for long.

Jack's storyline in this episode is very solid and I love the camerawork during Jack's search through the jungle.  The episode does a good job of getting us in Jack's headspace.  We're wondering if he's going crazy and Jack is wondering the same thing.  Its fun to have such a serious and straightforward character taken off on this wacky side-quest.  With what we learn about the Man in Black by the end of the show, "White Rabbit" is even more interesting on the rewatch.  I think it's safe to assume the Man in Black was trying to lure Jack off a cliff to his death.

The opening sequence is also excellent.  The music and the cinematography really put you in the stressfulness of the moment.  The realization that there is someone else besides Boone in the water is bone-chilling.  It's an excellently done sequence and a great way to start the episode.

What Sucks:

The only thing I don't like about the episode is the lack of Boone.  I think we could have used some more scenes with him to properly develop his motive some more.  They kind of brush over why he took the water in the final confrontation, but I think it could have worked with some more development.  We also could have used some scenes between him and Shannon (Maggie Grace).  I would have liked to see her reaction to his near-drowning or discovering that he was the thief.

Platinum Polar Bear:

Every episode, I want to give out an award for the most useful character in the episode.  I forgot to do this last time, so for "Walkabout", I give the Platinum Polar Bear to John Locke for getting a boar for the survivors to eat.  Sure, he didn't kill it, the monster did, but Locke returned with it and they all got to eat it just the same.

For "White Rabbit" the Platinum Polar Bear goes to Jack Shephard.  Not only did he save Boone's life, but he found water for the survivors and stopped them from beating the crap out of Boone.  This is Jack's second Platinum Polar Bear, which puts him in the lead.

Jack: 2

Sayid: 1

Sawyer: 1

Locke: 1

Verdict:

"White Rabbit" is another solid episode of Lost that has improved since the show ended.  Jack's storyline is very interesting, I love the scene between him and Locke, and the opening sequence is fantastic.  Boone could have used some stronger development, but this episode has absolutely got it going on.

 9/10: Great