When 'Lost' was in its prime, it was must-watch television. Remember first watching it, found it remarkably easy to get into, was hooked from the start and was on Season 3 by the end of one week. The general consensus is that the final season is a disappointment and cannot disagree.
Alongside "Not in Portland", "Flashes Before Your Eyes", "Enter 77" and "The Man from Tallahassee", "One of Us" for me is one of the best Season 3 episodes up to this point of the season. Also feel that it is one of the best of Season 3 in general, one of the best episodes of 'Lost' up to this point and among the best of the show in general. Every aspect of "One of Us" is brilliant and with all the trademarks for a 'Lost' classic.
The episode has pretty much everything that 'Lost' is all about. It's taut and thought-provoking, also providing some answers. It has an emotional core in the intriguing and at times heartfelt flashback that adds a good deal to Juliet rather than going round in circles. It has tense moments also with Ben.
On top of all that, it advances characters, shows plot progression rather than repeating itself or being filler and there is some nice foreshadowing. The on-island events are indeed enthralling, with a superb mix of mystery and characterisation and how it all relates to one another (one of the most successful episodes of the season to do this, the other being "The Man from Tallahassee") and the character interaction keeps one on the edge of their seat.
Can't fault the performances, particularly from Elizabeth Mitchell in a very deeply felt performance. Michael Emerson never disappoints as Ben.
Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effective use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction (one of the best of the season and perhaps of the show).
In summary, brilliant and classic 'Lost'. 10/10 Bethany Cox