The fifth season of the American serial drama television series Lost commenced airing on the ABC network in the United States and on A in Canada in January 2009 and concluded with a two-hour season finale on May 13, 2009.[1] The season continues the stories of the survivors of the crash of the fictional Oceanic Airlines Flight 815, after some of them are rescued and those still stranded seemingly disappear to an unknown location and time with the island that they inhabit.

Lost
Season 5
DVD cover
Showrunners
Starring
No. of episodes17
Release
Original networkABC
Original releaseJanuary 21 (2009-01-21) –
May 13, 2009 (2009-05-13)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 4
Next →
Season 6
List of episodes

According to Lost's co-creator/executive producer/writer/show runner Damon Lindelof, the season "is about why [the people who have left the island] need to get back".[2] Lost returned on January 21, 2009, on ABC with a three-hour premiere consisting of a clip-show and two back-to-back new episodes. The remainder of the season aired on Wednesdays at 9:00 pm EST.[3] The season began in the UK and Ireland on January 25, 2009, on Sky1 and RTÉ Two, respectively. The season was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc under the title Lost: The Complete Fifth Season – The Journey Back, Expanded Edition on December 8, 2009.[4]

Crew

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The season was produced by Bad Robot and Grass Skirt Productions and was aired on the American Broadcasting Company network in the United States.[5] The show was primarily filmed in Hawaii with post-production in Los Angeles.[6] Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse continued to serve as the show runners.[7] Lindelof and Cuse's fellow executive producers were co-creator J. J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Jack Bender, Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz.[8] The staff writers were Lindelof, Cuse, Kitsis, Horowitz, co-executive producer Elizabeth Sarnoff, supervising producer Paul Zbyszewski, producer Brian K. Vaughan, co-producer Melinda Hsu Taylor and Kyle Pennington.[9] The regular directors are Bender, co-executive producer Stephen Williams and Paul Edwards.

Cast

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From left to right: Ben, Desmond, Hurley, Juliet, Sawyer, Jack, Faraday, Sayid, Sun, Kate, Locke, Jin, and Miles

Main

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The following fourteen actors played main characters and received star billing this season.

In 2007

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In 1977

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Both 2007 and 1977

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Special guest stars

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Recurring

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Reception

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Season 5 received general acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an 90% approval rating, with average rating of 8.8/10, based on 21 reviews. The website's consensus reads, "Though it introduces yet more unanswered questions, Season 5 of Lost also moves quickly, covers more character development, and fleshes out its rich world further for hungry fans."[20] Metacritic gave the season a score of 78 out of 100 based on 17 reviews, making it generally favorable.[21] According to year end lists published by entertainment publications and prominent TV critics, the fifth season of Lost was the second most mentioned show of 2009.[22] Season 5 continued Lost's decline in ratings, with the two-hour season premiere being watched by 11.37 million American viewers; the lowest season premiere in the series' history.[23] Overall, the entire season averaged 11.05 million viewers.[24]

The season was also nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof for the episode "The Incident", Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for Michael Emerson, Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Drama Series, and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One Hour).[25] The only winner among the nominees was Emerson, after being nominated for the same award two years previous.[26] Emerson was later nominated at the 67th Golden Globe Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television.[27]

Episodes

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The number in the "No. overall" column refers to the episode's number within the overall series, whereas the number in the "No. in season" column refers to the episode's number within this particular season. "U.S. viewers (million)" refers to the number of Americans in millions who watched the episode as it was aired. "Lost: Destiny Calls", a clip-show recapping the first four seasons preceded the premiere.[28] A second clip show, "Lost: The Story of the Oceanic 6", aired on April 22, 2009 (before the 14th episode of the season, which is the 100th episode of the whole series),[29] and a third, "Lost: A Journey in Time", was aired before the finale on May 13, 2009.[30]

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byFeatured character(s)Original air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
871"Because You Left"Stephen WilliamsDamon Lindelof & Carlton CusenoneJanuary 21, 2009 (2009-01-21)11.66[23]
The remaining survivors begin to erratically jump through time after the island is moved. Jack and Ben begin their quest to reunite the Oceanic Six. Hurley and Sayid are ambushed at their safehouse. Kate and Aaron flee their house, after being ordered to submit to a maternity test by two lawyers. Sun has an interesting conversation with Mr. Widmore.
882"The Lie"Jack BenderEdward Kitsis & Adam HorowitzHurleyJanuary 21, 2009 (2009-01-21)11.08[23]
In 2007, Hurley and Sayid are on the run from the police. Hurley confesses to his mother that the Oceanic Six have been lying. Back in 1954, the island survivors are attacked by armed men. Ben learns that he only has seventy hours to reunite the Oceanic Six and return them to the island.
893"Jughead"Rod HolcombElizabeth Sarnoff & Paul ZbyszewskiDesmondJanuary 28, 2009 (2009-01-28)11.07[31]
In 2007, Desmond goes in search of Daniel Faraday's mother and learns from Charles Widmore that she is in Los Angeles. In 1954, Locke is unable to convince Alpert he is from the future and Faraday is given the task of defusing a hydrogen bomb.
904"The Little Prince"Stephen WilliamsBrian K. Vaughan & Melinda Hsu TaylorKateFebruary 4, 2009 (2009-02-04)10.98[32]
While on their way to the Orchid Station, the island survivors jump to the day Aaron was born, and then to 1988, where Jin is found by Danielle Rousseau's science team. In 2007, Jack, Kate, Sayid and Ben meet and Kate realizes that Ben sent the lawyers after her and Aaron.
915"This Place Is Death"Paul EdwardsEdward Kitsis & Adam HorowitzSun & JinFebruary 11, 2009 (2009-02-11)9.77[33]
In 1988, Jin and Rousseau's team are attacked by the smoke monster on their way to the radio tower. Charlotte confesses that she grew up on the island before dying. John Locke leaves the island by turning the wheel in the frozen chamber. Off the island, in 2007, Ben brings Jack and Sun to Eloise Hawking, Daniel's mother, at the same time that Desmond finds her.
926[34]"316"Stephen WilliamsDamon Lindelof & Carlton CuseJackFebruary 18, 2009 (2009-02-18)11.27[35]
In 2007, Eloise Hawking tells the Oceanic Six how to return to the island. Jack, Kate, Hurley, Sun, Sayid, and Ben board Ajira Airways Flight 316, which is piloted by Frank Lapidus, with Locke's body. After a flash of white light on the plane, Jin finds Jack, Kate and Hurley back on the island in 1977.
937[34]"The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham"Jack BenderCarlton Cuse & Damon LindelofLockeFebruary 25, 2009 (2009-02-25)9.82[36]
Locke, who is suddenly alive following the crash of Flight 316 on the island, is questioned by the other survivors and finds Ben among the injured. In flashback, Locke's off-island mission to reunite the Oceanic Six and return them to the island is aided by Charles Widmore and Matthew Abaddon before Ben murders Locke.
948"LaFleur"Mark GoldmanElizabeth Sarnoff & Kyle PenningtonSawyerMarch 4, 2009 (2009-03-04)10.61[37]
The remaining island survivors are left in 1974, following the end of the time jumps. They join the Dharma Initiative after rescuing one of their members, Amy, from the Others. After living with them for three years, Juliet helps Amy give birth and Sawyer, who is in love with Juliet, is reunited with Jack, Kate, and Hurley.
959"Namaste"Jack BenderPaul Zbyszewski & Brian K. VaughannoneMarch 18, 2009 (2009-03-18)9.08[38]
In 1977, Sawyer arranges for Jack, Kate and Hurley to join the Dharma Initiative. Sayid is found by Jin; however, he is forced to pretend he is an Other and is subsequently imprisoned by Dharma. In 2007, following the crash of Flight 316, Sun and Frank learn from Christian Shephard that the other survivors are trapped in the past.
9610"He's Our You"Greg YaitanesEdward Kitsis & Adam HorowitzSayidMarch 25, 2009 (2009-03-25)8.82[39]
In 1977, Sayid does not cooperate with Sawyer and members of the Dharma Initiative vote to execute Sayid. A 12-year-old Ben frees Sayid in his effort to join the Others. However, once they have escaped, Sayid shoots Ben. In flashbacks, Sayid is caught by Ilana, a bounty hunter, who has been hired to take him to Guam.
9711"Whatever Happened, Happened"Bobby RothCarlton Cuse & Damon LindelofKateApril 1, 2009 (2009-04-01)9.35[40]
Juliet is unable to treat Ben's gunshot wound and Jack refuses to help, leading Kate to take Ben to the Others to be healed. Richard explains that the process will change Ben forever. In flashbacks, Kate decides to return to the island and leaves Aaron in the care of his grandmother.
9812"Dead Is Dead"Stephen WilliamsBrian K. Vaughan & Elizabeth SarnoffBenApril 8, 2009 (2009-04-08)8.29[41]
In 2007, Ben and Locke travel to the main island so that Ben can be judged by the smoke monster for letting Alex die. Meanwhile, Frank returns to Hydra Island and is taken hostage by the survivors of Flight 316. Flashbacks show Ben's abduction of Alex in the late 1980s and his confrontation with Desmond and Penny prior to boarding Flight 316.
9913"Some Like It Hoth"Jack BenderMelinda Hsu Taylor & Greggory NationsMilesApril 15, 2009 (2009-04-15)9.23[42]
In 1977, Roger, Ben's father, begins to suspect Kate in Ben's disappearance. Miles is given the task of taking a body from the construction site of the Swan Station, to his father, Dr. Chang. In flashbacks, Miles learns of his ability to speak with the dead and is hired to travel to the island on the freighter.
10014"The Variable"Paul EdwardsEdward Kitsis & Adam HorowitzFaradayApril 29, 2009 (2009-04-29)9.04[43]
In 1977, Daniel Faraday returns to the island in order to warn its inhabitants of a catastrophe involving the Swan Station. Jack, Kate, and Daniel start a gun fight with the Dharma Initiative, leading Dharma to go after Sawyer and Juliet. Daniel has a plan to change the future by detonating the hydrogen bomb at the same time as the Incident at the Swan Station. However, when he goes to the others to find out where the bomb is, he is shot in the back and killed by the younger version of his own mother. In flashbacks, Daniel's relationship with his parents, Eloise Hawking and Charles Widmore, is shown.
10115"Follow the Leader"Stephen WilliamsPaul Zbyszewski & Elizabeth SarnoffnoneMay 6, 2009 (2009-05-06)8.70[44]
In 1977, Jack decides to follow Faraday's advice to detonate the hydrogen bomb; however Kate disagrees. Dr. Chang convinces Dharma to evacuate the island, allowing Sawyer, Kate and Juliet to board the submarine and leave the island. In 2007, Locke reunites with the Others and Richard, who accompany him on a journey to kill Jacob.
10216"The Incident"Jack BenderDamon Lindelof & Carlton CuseJacobMay 13, 2009 (2009-05-13)9.43[45]
10317
In 1977, the survivors succeed in detonating the modified nuclear bomb at the construction site of the Swan station, the finale ending when the bomb is detonated. In 2007, Locke and the Others travel to the base of the four-toed statue, where Jacob lives. Locke is revealed to be an impostor: an old acquaintance of Jacob who manipulates Ben into killing Jacob. In flashbacks, Jacob visits several of the main characters at key moments in their lives prior to crashing on the island.

Home media release

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The DVD and Blu-ray box set of season 5 was released on December 8, 2009, in Region 1,[4] on October 21, 2009, in Region 4, and on October 26, 2009, in Region 2. It includes all episodes in the season and bonus features including:

Lost: The Complete Fifth Season – The Journey Back, Expanded Edition
Set details Special features
  • 17 episodes
  • 5-disc set
  • 1.78:1 aspect ratio
  • Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
  • English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround) – DVD
  • English (DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround) – Blu-ray
  • Audio commentaries
    • "Because You Left" by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse
    • "He's Our You" by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz
  • "Lost on Location"
  • "Building 23 & Beyond"
  • "An Epic Day with Richard Alpert"
  • "Making Up for Lost Time"
  • "Mysteries of the Universe: The DHARMA Initiative"
  • "Bloopers"
  • "Deleted Scenes"
  • "Lost Starter Kit"
  • Blu-ray exclusive
    • "Lost 100"
    • "Lost University"
Release dates
  United States
  Canada
  Australia   United Kingdom
December 8, 2009 October 21, 2009 October 26, 2009

References

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