One of the greatest difficulties of the highly popular series "Lost" is keeping the fandom and the momentum going upwards rather than losing steam halfway through the series. There have been episodes that sputtered out, yet there have been others that shone as a beacon of genius no other show could compare to.

The first and second episodes of the fourth season are far closer to the latter. "Confirmed Dead" is the most recent, and its flashbacks include the four people from the boat who have come to 'save' the Losties.

This episode we see the point of view from the real world when the wreckage of flight 815 is found in the ocean. We meet Miles (Ken Leung), an Asian medium with a big mouth; Daniel (Jeremy Davies), a physicist that rambles and mumbles like a madman; Charlotte (Rebecca Mader), an English anthropologist who found a Dharma polar bear in the middle of a Tunisian desert; and finally Frank (Jeff Fahey), a drunken mess who was supposed to be the pilot of Oceanic 815. What?! You heard me.

Jack's (Matthew Fox) group meet up with Daniel, Miles, and Frank in that order, while Locke's (Terry O'Quinn) group takes Charlotte hostage. This seems like a very misfit group, and they are definitely not out to save the survivors. We are actually given a straight answer for why they are there (an answer in "Lost"? The madness continues!), and it explains more of Ben's (Michael Emerson) terror toward their presence. Ben remains a very ambiguous character and absolutely one of the best villains we've seen on television in a long time. He tries to wreak a little havoc in Locke's group and is nearly shot for his efforts. We also get to see Naomi's flashback, and it includes her meeting with the same creepy Matthew Abbadon that spoke to Hurley (Jorge Garcia) in the madhouse. Sayid (Naveen Andrews) offers the Boaties a deal at the very end of the episode, which should lead us into the next. Cue the intense music!

The most fascinating part of this episode is how straight forward they were with the Boaties and their mission on the Island. Usually, it takes three episodes before we figure out their motives, and in this one the answer is given straight. I doubt that is the end of the answer, this is "Lost" after all, but that is more than we're ever given. Also, the new cast is just amazing. "Lost" has struggled from time to time with its new characters, invoking hatred from the fans, and the only strong exceptions have been Ben and Juliet so far. These four are instantly engaging. Miles with his sarcastic anger, Daniel with his distracted confusion, Charlotte with her toothy grin, and Frank with his world weary calmness. We get only glimpses of their backgrounds, but want to know more. Why were these four chosen to go to the Island? Naomi, as the leader of the group, was uncertain of their skills. They really do seem like odd choices.

If the other six episodes continue to be as strong and gripping, this may already be the best season of "Lost" yet. It is early to tell but very promising regardless. With the writers' strike almost officially over, we have not been told yet whether the crew will scramble to get the last eight episodes of this season done. It was common knowledge that the writers intended to have three more seasons of 16 each, and with the strike it was a concern they might have to cut this one off at eight and make the next one lengthier. We'll just have to wait with bated breath to see if more will be coming, and I truly hope so. This show never fails to inspire love and downright obsession.

Next week the episode is named "The Economist," and the previews indicate that one of the members of the Oceanic 6 will be revealed. It is also clear that Locke's group and some of Jack's group meet up again, and they are there to get Charlotte as Sayid promised. "Lost" is on ABC, Thursday's at 9 PM EST, and you just have to tune in! Don't resist, or the smoke monster will come and get you!

Story by Chelsea 'Dee' Doyle
Starpulse contributing writer