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.
Season 3 was for me a solid if uneven season, with many brilliant episodes but a few slightly underwhelming ones, an inconsistent first part of the season and containing one of 'Lost's' low points "Stranger in a Strange Land". Season 4 had a good amount to live up, and its first episode "The Beginning of the End", was a brilliant start. The following episode "Confirmed Dead" is very nearly as great and already there are signs of a season that settled much quicker than the previous one. That continues once again with "The Economist".
The episode has pretty much everything that 'Lost' is all about. It's taut and thought-provoking, with utterly gripping and beautifully developed on-island events. On top of all that, it introduces with enormous potential new characters, keeps the existing characters interesting, shows plot progression rather than repeating itself or being filler.
Also found "The Economist" to be once again a non-stop thrill ride of insane entertainment value, edge of your seat tension and very emotional moments. The time discrepancy, cellphone and secret room parts are highlights, as are the intriguing flashforward and Hurley containing one of the episode's best lines which is very funny (it has been mentioned by two of the previous reviews so won't repeat).
Can't fault the performances, particularly Naveen Andrews.
Nor the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, nor the effectively understated and chilling use of music, taut writing and the tightly controlled direction (one of the best of the season and perhaps of the show).
In conclusion, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox