Haven't read this thread yet so sorry if I repeat anything that's already been said.
A very good way to open a season in my opinion. Better than the S3 opener (not necessarily the opening scene but the whole episode) and it was very good watching, even if it was on a blurry computer screen. Some interesting points were raised too:
- The Oceanic 6 - we know Hurley, Jack and Kate are three of them. It can't be Jules, Ben or Des as they weren't on the plane. My guess is the other three are Claire (as she leaves in a chopper), Jin and Sun (I don't think Aaron, what with him being a baby and not born at the time of the crash, would count).
- The two beings in the hut. It's quite clear that there is a figure in the chair when the eye is at the opening. Could this be proof that there is more than one form of Jacob?
- Is Hurley special as it would appear he can see the dead? Ben can see Jacob and also saw his mother, both of whom would appear to be dead. Hurley saw Jacob/s, and also saw Charlie...
- "I should have gone with you". Does this mean that the majority of Locke's group is doomed?
- Jack pulling the trigger - Jules actually yelled Jack's name. Could this mean that she possibly does have some remorse for Ben and doesn't hate him as much as she would like us, and herself, to believe?
Just some more general points:
- Sawyer already has the best line of S4 lol: "I'm doing what I've always done - surviving". Classic.
- I feel like I need to take a bath after this but I actually quite liked Locke in this episode. It too kme back to a long time ago when Locke was bearable.
- Speaking of bearable I think the final scene is the first time in history when a Jate scene was acceptable. It was actually quite...nice.
Overall a very strong opening. Bring on 4x02!
The Beginning Of The End - 9/10.