"Catch-22" potentially could have been an absolutely amazing episode but ends up being a very good one instead. The trouble with this episode, aside from the truly awful love rectangle/square rubbish, is that it coasts on its premise rather than taking full advantage of it. The flashbacks to Desmond's time in a monastery reveal how Desmond met Penny and the circumstances leading up to it, and why/how he started saying 'brother' all the time. There's one intolerably awful accent in the flashback (even worse than the Australian accent in "Numbers"), but it's mostly quite good, though again it doesn't go beyond the call of duty and do more than fill in the blanks. The main themes explored here with Desmond are ones we have seen in previous flashbacks, only done with less emotionality and verve. Similarly, the main on-island plot dealing with Desmond's fractured 'visions' which he believe will lead to a reunion with Penny is about as good as it sounds, but no better. The episode has an intriguing ending and doesn't interrupt the flow of the latter stages of season 3. The direction by Stephen Williams is disappointing.