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After waiting about eight months between seasons three and four of "Lost," it should be easier for fans to accept only one month between episodes, but with a season like this one, it is nigh impossible to wait even seven days!

In "Meet Kevin Johnson," the fans learned what happened to Michael once he and Walt got off the Island and how he came to be a spy for Ben upon "Not Penny's" boat. This ended with Sayid exposing Michael as a traitor to the Captain, which still seems like an extremely bad idea after watching this week's episode, and finally Rousseau and Karl were gunned down, while Alex was spared. Everyone caught up? Not even a little? Too bad, let's continue. There could be spoilers ahead, so beware.

"The Shape of Things to Come" starts out slow on the beach with Jack having a stomach flu and Kate flirting with him. Suddenly it is season one again. But this time their moment is interrupted by Bernard finding the dead body of doctor Ray from the freighter, and his throat is slit. Faraday uses Morse code to get in touch with the boat and lies to the Beachies about what is said. Bernard calls him on it, and Jack gets Faraday to admit they never intended to rescue anyone. Well duh, Jack, glad you've caught up with the rest of the show.

In the Others village, Hurley, Sawyer and Locke are hilariously playing Risk. Alex is seen captured by the mercenaries, and they force her to let them through the fence into the village. The phone rings with a voice saying Code 14J, which causes Ben to immediately snatch a shotgun. They are under attack! What follows is an incredibly tense series of scenes involving the mercenaries, Ben, Alex, and the smoke monster. They manage to get out unscathed, physically at least. Sawyer, Claire, Aaron and Miles are going back to the beach, while Locke, Ben and Hurley are going on a quest to find Jacob's cabin.

In the flash forward, Ben wakes up in Tunisia wearing a Dharma jacket. He proceeds to be the dangerous little psychopath we know and love when he sneaks to the funeral of Sayid's wife Nadia (!!!!!) with proof Charles Widmore is behind it. This is how Ben and Sayid become partners. Ben also walks into Widmore's penthouse apartment and swears he will kill Penelope.

This was certainly the most action packed episode so far and the kind that leaves you on the edge of your seat. There were countless 'WHAT' moments, such as how a man can be dead on the Island but alive at sea, or how Ben woke up in the middle of the desert, or when did Sayid marry Nadia and how was she murdered. The largest 'WHAT' moment was the fate of Alex and the subsequent effect it had on Ben. This may have been the very last part of his humanity dying, and if they thought Ben was dangerous before, this has certainly sent him over the edge. The conversation with Charles Widmore brought up several new questions regarding the relationship between these two men and why neither of them can just kill the other once and for all.

If Michael Emerson is not nominated for an Emmy this year, it will be a travesty. Terry O'Quinn won it last year, and it was acceptable since he has played Locke for several years, but Emerson was completely astounding this episode. The variety of emotion and depth in his performance was subtle and yet poignant, from heartbreak to fury, and yet again he reminded the audience just how bad an enemy Benjamin Linus can make. This episode had some of the most stellar performances of the season from Emerson and also from Josh Holloway, who surprised us all with Sawyer's devotion to Claire and Hurley. When exactly did the con man go from 'every man for himself' to running through bullets to save Claire or threatening Locke's life for Hurley? Whoever this new James Ford is, he is truly likable.

Next week is titled "Something Nice Back Home" and appears to be a Jack episode. He falls over ill, and Juliet and Kate must band together to save his life. Meanwhile, getting back to the beach may be more difficult than Sawyer, Claire and Miles realize. "Lost" is continuing its streak of excellence, and this season may certainly be the best written and well executed one so far.

Story by Chelsea 'Dee' Doyle
Starpulse contributing writer

SOURCE: Starpulse