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{{Other uses|Shape of Things to Come (disambiguation){{!}}Shape of Things to Come}}
{{Other uses|Shape of Things to Come (disambiguation)}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:The Shape of Things to Come (''Lost'')}}
{{Infobox television episode
{{Infobox television episode
| title = The Shape of Things to Come
| series = [[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]
| series = [[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
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* [[Kevin Durand]] as [[Martin Keamy]]
* [[Kevin Durand]] as [[Martin Keamy]]
* [[Faran Tahir]] as Ishmael Bakir
* [[Faran Tahir]] as Ishmael Bakir
* Yetide Badaki as Narjiss
* [[Yetide Badaki]] as Narjiss
* Kaveh Kardan as Merchant3
* Kaveh Kardan as Merchant3
* Sean Douglas Hoban as Doug
* Sean Douglas Hoban as Doug
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| prev = [[Meet Kevin Johnson]]
| prev = [[Meet Kevin Johnson]]
| next = [[Something Nice Back Home]]
| next = [[Something Nice Back Home]]
| season_article = Lost season 4
| episode_list = [[Lost (season 4)|''Lost'' (season 4)]]<br/>[[List of Lost episodes|List of ''Lost'' episodes]]
| episode_list = List of Lost episodes
| length = 42 minutes<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.netflix.com/au/title/70136118 | title=Lost – Netflix | publisher=[[Netflix]] | access-date=24 November 2017 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
}}
}}


"'''The Shape of Things to Come'''" is the 81st [[List of Lost episodes|episode]] of the [[American Broadcasting Company]]'s ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]'' and is the ninth episode of the [[Lost (season 4)|fourth season]]. It aired on April&nbsp;24, 2008 on ABC in the United States and on [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] in Canada.<ref>[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet, (February&nbsp;20, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=022008_01 ABC Announces the Return of Television's Biggest Hits Shows]". Retrieved on March&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref> The episode was written by co-executive producer [[Drew Goddard]] and co-producer [[Brian K. Vaughan]] in late February 2008 and directed by executive producer [[Jack Bender]] in mid-March.<ref>[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet, (April&nbsp;7, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=040708_14 Locke's Camp Comes Under Attack and Jack Attempts to Identify a Body That Washes Ashore]". Retrieved on April&nbsp;7, 2008.</ref> The narrative centers on [[Ben Linus]] (played by [[Michael Emerson]]) as he and the [[Oceanic Airlines]] Flight&nbsp;815 crash survivors at the Barracks come under attack in December 2004, while flashforwards to late 2005 show him recruiting [[Sayid Jarrah]] ([[Naveen Andrews]]) as a [[hitman]] and confronting his enemy [[Charles Widmore]] ([[Alan Dale]]).
"'''The Shape of Things to Come'''" is the 81st [[List of Lost episodes|episode]] of the [[American Broadcasting Company]]'s ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]'' and is the ninth episode of the [[Lost season 4|fourth season]]. It aired on April&nbsp;24, 2008 on ABC in the United States and on [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] in Canada.<ref>[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet, (February&nbsp;20, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=022008_01 ABC Announces the Return of Television's Biggest Hits Shows]". Retrieved on March&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref> The episode was written by co-executive producer [[Drew Goddard]] and co-producer [[Brian K. Vaughan]] in late February 2008 and directed by executive producer [[Jack Bender]] in mid-March.<ref>[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet, (April&nbsp;7, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=040708_14 Locke's Camp Comes Under Attack and Jack Attempts to Identify a Body That Washes Ashore]". Retrieved on April&nbsp;7, 2008.</ref> The narrative centers on [[Ben Linus]] (played by [[Michael Emerson]]) as he and the [[Oceanic Airlines]] Flight&nbsp;815 crash survivors at the Barracks come under attack in December 2004, while flashforwards to late 2005 show him recruiting [[Sayid Jarrah]] ([[Naveen Andrews]]) as a [[hitman]] and confronting his enemy [[Charles Widmore]] ([[Alan Dale]]).


"The Shape of Things to Come" is one of a few ''Lost'' episodes to contain footage filmed outside [[Hawaii]]. The episode aired as the first of the second batch of fourth-season episodes that were originally planned to air uninterrupted by a hiatus with the rest of the season; however, the 100-day [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]] paused production and caused the writers to condense the second half of the season, which aired after a four-week break.<ref>Nichols, Katherine, (April&nbsp;22, 2008) "[http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/04/22/features/story01.html The Dirt on ''Lost'']", ''[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> "The Shape of Things to Come" received positive critical reviews, and the original broadcast was watched by 14 million Americans. Much praise was directed at Emerson's acting skills, particularly in his reaction to the execution of his character's daughter [[Alex (Lost)|Alex]] ([[Tania Raymonde]]). His performance in this specific episode received a nomination for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] for the [[60th Primetime Emmy Awards]]; the episode was also nominated in the category of [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series|Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series]].<ref>[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]], (July&nbsp;17, 2008) "[http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php Complete 2008 Nominations List] {{webarchive |url=http://www.webcitation.org/5msfotyxq?url=http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php |date=2010-01-18 }}". Retrieved on July&nbsp;17, 2008.</ref>
"The Shape of Things to Come" is one of a few ''Lost'' episodes to contain footage filmed outside [[Hawaii]]. The episode aired as the first of the second batch of fourth-season episodes that were originally planned to air uninterrupted by a hiatus with the rest of the season; however, the 100-day [[2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike]] paused production and caused the writers to condense the second half of the season, which aired after a four-week break.<ref>Nichols, Katherine, (April&nbsp;22, 2008) "[http://archives.starbulletin.com/2008/04/22/features/story01.html The Dirt on ''Lost'']", ''[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> "The Shape of Things to Come" received positive critical reviews, and the original broadcast in the United States was viewed by 14 million people. Much praise was directed at Emerson's acting skills, particularly in his reaction to the execution of his character's daughter [[Alex (Lost)|Alex]] ([[Tania Raymonde]]). His performance in this specific episode received a nomination for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Drama Series|Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series]] for the [[60th Primetime Emmy Awards]]; the episode was also nominated in the category of [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Editing for a One-Hour Series|Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series]].<ref>[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]], (July&nbsp;17, 2008) "[http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php Complete 2008 Nominations List] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908033316/http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php |date=2009-09-08 }}". Retrieved on July&nbsp;17, 2008.</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
The episode is set on December 27, 2004, the survivors' 97th day on the island. At the beach camp, the corpse of [[Characters of Lost#Other Kahana crew|Ray]] ([[Marc Vann]]), the freighter ''Kahana''{{'s}} doctor, washes ashore. [[Daniel Faraday]] ([[Jeremy Davies (actor)|Jeremy Davies]]) calls the freighter and asks what happened to Ray via [[morse code]]. Daniel lies about the response, saying that rescue helicopters will be sent soon; however, [[Bernard Nadler]] ([[Sam Anderson]]) calls him on this and correctly interprets the freighter's message: "What are you talking about? The doctor is fine." [[Jack Shephard]] ([[Matthew Fox (actor)|Matthew Fox]]), who suffers from stomach pains throughout the day, forces Daniel to reveal that it was never their intention to rescue the survivors.<ref name=episode>[[Brian K. Vaughan|Vaughan, Brian K.]] (writer) & [[Drew Goddard|Goddard, Drew]] (writer) & [[Jack Bender|Bender, Jack]] (director), "The Shape of Things to Come". ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]'', [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. [[List of Lost episodes|Episode 9]], [[Lost (season 4)|season 4]]. Aired on April&nbsp;24, 2008.</ref>
The episode is set on December 27, 2004, the survivors' 97th day on the island. At the beach camp, the corpse of Dr. Ray ([[Marc Vann]]), the freighter ''Kahana''{{'s}} doctor, washes ashore. [[Daniel Faraday]] ([[Jeremy Davies (actor)|Jeremy Davies]]) calls the freighter and asks what happened to Ray via [[morse code]]. Daniel lies about the response, saying that rescue helicopters will be sent soon; however, [[Bernard Nadler]] ([[Sam Anderson]]) calls him out on this and correctly interprets the freighter's message: "What are you talking about? The doctor is fine." [[Jack Shephard]] ([[Matthew Fox (actor)|Matthew Fox]]), who suffers from stomach pains throughout the day, forces Daniel to reveal that it was never their intention to rescue the survivors.


Meanwhile, Alex is captured by [[Martin Keamy]] ([[Kevin Durand]]) and others from the freighter.<ref>[[Elizabeth Sarnoff|Sarnoff, Elizabeth]] (writer) & [[Brian K. Vaughan|Vaughan, Brian K.]] (writer) & [[Stephen Williams (director)|Williams, Stephen]] (director), "[[Meet Kevin Johnson]]". ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]'', [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. [[List of Lost episodes|Episode 8]], [[Lost (season 4)|season 4]]. Aired on March&nbsp;20, 2008.</ref> As they take her to the Barracks, she sets off an alarm heralding the arrival of Ben's enemies. Ben, [[John Locke (Lost)|John Locke]] ([[Terry O'Quinn]]), and [[Hugo "Hurley" Reyes]] ([[Jorge Garcia]]) fortify Ben's house, while [[James "Sawyer" Ford]] ([[Josh Holloway]]) goes to retrieve the other survivors in the Barracks. He is partially successful, as he saves [[Claire Littleton]] ([[Emilie de Ravin]]) from her exploded and burning house, but three survivors (portrayed by [[extra (actor)|extras]]) are shot to death by the mercenaries. Keamy finds and frees [[Miles Straume]] ([[Ken Leung]]), giving him a [[walkie-talkie]] to take to Ben. Ben communicates with Keamy, who threatens to kill Alex if Ben does not surrender. Ben attempts to negotiate and is shocked when Keamy executes Alex. Locking himself in the house's secret room, Ben enters a hidden chamber to summon [[Man in Black (Lost)|the smoke monster]]. Ben emerges covered in soot, and the monster attacks Keamy's henchmen. The survivors flee for the forest, with Ben lingering briefly to grieve over Alex's body. Afterward, Ben and Locke depart to locate [[Characters of Lost#The Others|Jacob]] for further instructions. Sawyer, Hurley, Claire and [[Characters of Lost#Minor Oceanic 815 crash survivors|Aaron]] turn to return to the beach with Miles, but Locke holds them at gunpoint, successfully demanding that Hurley goes with him (as he has found Jacob's cabin before).<ref>[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] (writer) & [[Carlton Cuse|Cuse, Carlton]] (writer) & [[Jack Bender|Bender, Jack]] (director), "[[The Beginning of the End (Lost)|The Beginning of the End]]". ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]'', [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. [[List of Lost episodes|Episode 1]], [[Lost (season 4)|season 4]]. Aired on January&nbsp;31, 2008.</ref>
Meanwhile, Alex is captured by [[Martin Keamy]] ([[Kevin Durand]]) and others from the freighter.<ref>[[Elizabeth Sarnoff|Sarnoff, Elizabeth]] (writer) & [[Brian K. Vaughan|Vaughan, Brian K.]] (writer) & [[Stephen Williams (director)|Williams, Stephen]] (director), "[[Meet Kevin Johnson]]". ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]'', [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. [[List of Lost episodes|Episode 8]], [[Lost season 4|season 4]]. Aired on March&nbsp;20, 2008.</ref> As they take her to the Barracks, she sets off an alarm heralding the arrival of Ben's enemies. Ben, [[John Locke (Lost)|John Locke]] ([[Terry O'Quinn]]), and [[Hugo "Hurley" Reyes]] ([[Jorge Garcia]]) fortify Ben's house, while [[James "Sawyer" Ford]] ([[Josh Holloway]]) goes to retrieve the other survivors in the Barracks. He is partially successful, as he saves [[Claire Littleton]] ([[Emilie de Ravin]]) from her exploded and burning house, but three survivors (portrayed by [[extra (actor)|extras]]) are shot to death by the mercenaries. Keamy finds and frees [[Miles Straume]] ([[Ken Leung]]), giving him a [[walkie-talkie]] to take to Ben. Ben communicates with Keamy, who threatens to kill Alex if Ben does not surrender. Ben attempts to negotiate and is shocked when Keamy executes Alex. Locking himself in the house's secret room, Ben enters a hidden chamber. He re-emerges shortly after covered in soot, and the smoke monster attacks Keamy's henchmen. The survivors flee for the forest, with Ben lingering briefly to grieve over Alex's body. Afterward, Ben and Locke depart to locate [[List of Lost characters#Jacob|Jacob]] for further instructions. Sawyer, Hurley, Claire and [[List of Lost characters#Aaron|Aaron]] turn to return to the beach with Miles, but Locke holds them at gunpoint, successfully demanding that Hurley goes with him (as he has found Jacob's cabin before).<ref>[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] (writer) & [[Carlton Cuse|Cuse, Carlton]] (writer) & [[Jack Bender|Bender, Jack]] (director), "[[The Beginning of the End (Lost)|The Beginning of the End]]". ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]'', [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. [[List of Lost episodes|Episode 1]], [[Lost season 4|season 4]]. Aired on January&nbsp;31, 2008.</ref>


[[Flashforward]]s show Ben on three continents in autumn 2005. Ben is startled when he wakes up in the [[Sahara Desert]] wearing a winter jacket and with a large cut on his upper arm; challenged by two armed locals, he kills one of them (Nick Hermz) and knocks the other (Sammy Sheik) unconscious and travels on horseback to [[Tozeur]], [[Tunisia]] on October&nbsp;24, 2005. Ben journeys to [[Tikrit]], [[Iraq]], where the funeral of Sayid's wife [[Characters of Lost#Minor recurring off-island characters|Nadia Jazeem]] (Andrea Gabriel) is taking place. Ben tells Sayid that Widmore ordered Ishmael Bakir ([[Faran Tahir]]) to kill Nadia. Ben lures Bakir into a trap to be killed by Sayid, who shoots Bakir repeatedly. Ben recruits him to become his assassin, and leaves for London, where he breaks into Widmore's penthouse; although he cannot kill Widmore, he states that he is going to kill Widmore's daughter [[Characters of Lost#Minor recurring off-island characters|Penelope]] ([[Sonya Walger]]) in retribution for Alex's death. In their conversation, Widmore claims that the island is his and that he will take it back from Ben one day.<ref name=episode/>
[[Flashforward]]s show Ben on three continents in autumn 2005. Ben is startled when he wakes up in the [[Sahara Desert]] wearing a winter jacket and with a large cut on his upper arm; challenged by two armed locals, he kills one of them (Nick Hermz) and knocks the other (Sammy Sheik) unconscious and travels on horseback to [[Tozeur]], [[Tunisia]] on October&nbsp;24, 2005. Ben journeys to [[Tikrit]], [[Iraq]], where the funeral of Sayid's wife [[List of Lost characters#Nadia|Nadia Jazeem]] (Andrea Gabriel) is taking place. Ben tells Sayid that Widmore ordered Ishmael Bakir ([[Faran Tahir]]) to kill Nadia. Ben lures Bakir into a trap to be killed by Sayid, who shoots Bakir repeatedly. Ben recruits Sayid to become Ben's assassin, and leaves for London, where he breaks into Widmore's penthouse; although Ben cannot kill Widmore, he states that he is going to kill Widmore's daughter [[Penny Widmore|Penelope]] ([[Sonya Walger]]) in retribution for Alex's death. In their conversation, Widmore claims that the island is his and that he will take it back from Ben one day.


==Production==
==Production==
[[Image:Dharka.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Steam rises from Ben as he awakens in the Sahara wearing the "Dharka".]]
[[Image:Dharka.jpg|thumb|right|225px|Steam rises from Ben as he awakens in the Sahara wearing the "Dharka".]]


The [[Writers Guild of America, west|Writers Guild of America]] went on strike on November&nbsp;4, 2007,<ref>McNary, Dave & Littleton, Cynthia, (November&nbsp;2, 2007) "[https://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=print_story&articleid=VR1117975256 Writers Call for Strike]", ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''. Retrieved on November&nbsp;3, 2007.</ref> by which time only eight of the planned sixteen episodes of ''Lost''{{'s}} fourth season had been written.<ref>
The [[Writers Guild of America, west|Writers Guild of America]] went on strike on November&nbsp;4, 2007,<ref>McNary, Dave & Littleton, Cynthia, (November&nbsp;2, 2007) "[http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=print_story&articleid=VR1117975256 Writers Call for Strike]", ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''. Retrieved on November&nbsp;3, 2007.</ref> by which time only eight of the planned sixteen episodes of ''Lost''{{'s}} fourth season had been written.<ref>[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] & [[Carlton Cuse|Cuse, Carlton]], (November&nbsp;5, 2007) "[http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2007/11/lost-writers-li.html ''Lost'' Writers: 'Like Putting Down a ''Harry Potter'' Book in the Middle'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520195932/http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2007/11/lost-writers-li.html |date=2011-05-20 }}", ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''. Retrieved on November&nbsp;8, 2007.</ref> These episodes aired from January to March 2008.<ref>Grossman, Ben, (November&nbsp;7, 2007) "[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6498735.html?industryid=47168 Strike Coverage: ABC to Air Partial Season of ''Lost'']", Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved on November&nbsp;8, 2007.</ref> After the strike ended on February&nbsp;12, 2008, the writers found that there was only enough time to produce five episodes, although the fifth episode would later be expanded to two episodes<ref>[[Michael Ausiello|Ausiello, Michael]], (April&nbsp;11, 2008) "[http://www.tvguide.com/news/its-official-lost-8140.aspx It's Official: ''Lost'' Finds Extra Hour&nbsp;... But There's a Twist!]", ''[[TV Guide]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref>—and they proceeded to compress most of the storylines of the planned eight episodes into six,<ref>Levin, Gary, (February&nbsp;11, 2008) "[http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-02-11-strike-production_N.htm Television Production Goes from Stalled to High Gear]", ''[[USA Today]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> with some carrying over into the [[Lost (season 5)|fifth season]].<ref name=ugo/> Executive producer/head writer [[Damon Lindelof]] stated that "we are going to execute our full story plan for season four. This simply requires a shift from high-octane storytelling to superhigh-octane storytelling. It requires no cramming, only a slightly heavier foot on the gas pedal&nbsp;... so, hold on to your hats. Those of you waiting for the long-anticipated {{bracket|[[Jin-Soo Kwon|Jin Kwon]] ([[Daniel Dae Kim]])}} and Hurley Ping-Pong tournament, however, will be very disappointed."<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (February&nbsp;13, 2008) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=cde3739d-0729-45c2-b6bd-9b28c9f3a06d The Return of ''Mother'', ''Life'' and, Oh Yeah, ''Lost'']", [[E!]]. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> The writers expressed interest to air the eighth episode with the second batch of episodes,<ref>Albiniak, Paige, (February&nbsp;24, 2008) "[http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/item_ea5kNttAcpfiBrNA0hV5MI;jsessionid=0B33037222D7CAFAA48CEA31B9506ACD Ten Reasons Why ''Lost'' is Found]", ''[[New York Post]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;17, 2008.</ref> but ABC did not comply and "The Shape of Things to Come" served as the mid-season premiere. The writers realized some advantages to the strike: they were able to use actors whose shows had been canceled during the strike, and they were able to respond to confusion from the audience.<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (February&nbsp;22, 2008) "[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20179357,00.html Writers' Strike Postscripts]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> They would later even conclude that the season was better as a result of the interruption, as they were able to discard "languid, contemplative material" and felt "recharged [with] a real energy to attack [the] last six episodes".<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (May&nbsp;9, 2008) "[http://ca.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=30ea40d8-c950-4ae6-af8e-3c7cd60d6384 Is Claire Dead? Are They Really Time Traveling? ''Lost''{{'s}} Bosses Speak!]", [[E!]]. Retrieved on June&nbsp;27, 2008.</ref> The first three seasons were broadcast on Wednesdays in the United States and Canada;<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (December&nbsp;14, 2007) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=65b8528b-c48d-41f1-9df6-a9ac10e19e3f&sid=fd-hot2-txt ''Lost'': It's Baaack!]", [[E!]]. Retrieved on December&nbsp;14, 2007.</ref> the pre-strike fourth-season episodes aired on Thursdays at 9:00&nbsp;p.m., a time slot normally occupied by ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]''.<ref>Martell, Erin, (February&nbsp;13, 2008) "[http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/02/13/second-batch-of-lost-episodes-will-follow-greys-anatomy Second Batch of ''Lost'' Episodes Will Follow ''Grey's Anatomy'']", [[TV Squad]]. Retrieved on February&nbsp;25, 2008.</ref> "The Shape of Things to Come" and the following three episodes were broadcast on Thursdays at 10:00&nbsp;p.m., after ''Grey's Anatomy''.<ref>[[Michael Ausiello|Ausiello, Michael]], (February&nbsp;13, 2008) "[http://www.tvguide.com/news/exclusive-lost-finds-8317.aspx Exclusive: ''Lost'' Finds Post-''Grey''{{'s}} Berth!]", ''[[TV Guide]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;18, 2008.</ref>
[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] & [[Carlton Cuse|Cuse, Carlton]], (November&nbsp;5, 2007) "[http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2007/11/lost-writers-li.html ''Lost'' Writers: 'Like Putting Down a ''Harry Potter'' Book in the Middle'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110520195932/http://weblogs.variety.com/wga_strike_blog/2007/11/lost-writers-li.html |date=2011-05-20 }} ", ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''. Retrieved on November&nbsp;8, 2007.
</ref> These episodes aired from January to March 2008.<ref>Grossman, Ben, (November&nbsp;7, 2007) "[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6498735.html?industryid=47168 Strike Coverage: ABC to Air Partial Season of ''Lost'']", Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved on November&nbsp;8, 2007.</ref> After the strike ended on February&nbsp;12, 2008, the writers found that there was only enough time to produce five episodes, although the fifth episode would later be expanded to two episodes<ref>[[Michael Ausiello|Ausiello, Michael]], (April&nbsp;11, 2008) "[https://www.tvguide.com/news/its-official-lost-8140.aspx It's Official: ''Lost'' Finds Extra Hour&nbsp;... But There's a Twist!]", ''[[TV Guide]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref>—and they proceeded to compress most of the storylines of the planned eight episodes into six,<ref>Levin, Gary, (February&nbsp;11, 2008) "[https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-02-11-strike-production_N.htm Television Production Goes from Stalled to High Gear]", ''[[USA Today]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> with some carrying over into the [[Lost season 5|fifth season]].<ref name=ugo/> Executive producer/head writer [[Damon Lindelof]] stated that "we are going to execute our full story plan for season four. This simply requires a shift from high-octane storytelling to superhigh-octane storytelling. It requires no cramming, only a slightly heavier foot on the gas pedal&nbsp;... so, hold on to your hats. Those of you waiting for the long-anticipated {{bracket|[[Jin-Soo Kwon|Jin Kwon]] ([[Daniel Dae Kim]])}} and Hurley Ping-Pong tournament, however, will be very disappointed."<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (February&nbsp;13, 2008) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=cde3739d-0729-45c2-b6bd-9b28c9f3a06d The Return of ''Mother'', ''Life'' and, Oh Yeah, ''Lost'']", [[E!]]. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> The writers expressed interest to air the eighth episode with the second batch of episodes,<ref>
Albiniak, Paige, (February&nbsp;24, 2008) "[http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/item_ea5kNttAcpfiBrNA0hV5MI;jsessionid=0B33037222D7CAFAA48CEA31B9506ACD Ten Reasons Why ''Lost'' is Found] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605234534/http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/tv/item_ea5kNttAcpfiBrNA0hV5MI%3Bjsessionid%3D0B33037222D7CAFAA48CEA31B9506ACD |date=2011-06-05 }} ", ''[[New York Post]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;17, 2008.
</ref> but ABC did not comply and "The Shape of Things to Come" served as the mid-season premiere. The writers realized some advantages to the strike: they were able to use actors whose shows had been canceled during the strike, and they were able to respond to confusion from the audience.<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (February&nbsp;22, 2008) "[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20179357,00.html Writers' Strike Postscripts]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> They would later even conclude that the season was better as a result of the interruption, as they were able to discard "languid, contemplative material" and felt "recharged [with] a real energy to attack [the] last six episodes".<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (May&nbsp;9, 2008) "[http://ca.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=30ea40d8-c950-4ae6-af8e-3c7cd60d6384 Is Claire Dead? Are They Really Time Traveling? ''Lost''{{'s}} Bosses Speak!]", [[E!]]. Retrieved on June&nbsp;27, 2008.</ref> The first three seasons were broadcast on Wednesdays in the United States and Canada;<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (December&nbsp;14, 2007) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=65b8528b-c48d-41f1-9df6-a9ac10e19e3f&sid=fd-hot2-txt ''Lost'': It's Baaack!]", [[E!]]. Retrieved on December&nbsp;14, 2007.</ref> the pre-strike fourth-season episodes aired on Thursdays at 9:00&nbsp;p.m., a time slot normally occupied by ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]''.<ref>Martell, Erin, (February&nbsp;13, 2008) "[http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/02/13/second-batch-of-lost-episodes-will-follow-greys-anatomy Second Batch of ''Lost'' Episodes Will Follow ''Grey's Anatomy'']", [[TV Squad]]. Retrieved on February&nbsp;25, 2008.</ref> "The Shape of Things to Come" and the following three episodes were broadcast on Thursdays at 10:00&nbsp;p.m., after ''Grey's Anatomy''.<ref>[[Michael Ausiello|Ausiello, Michael]], (February&nbsp;13, 2008) "[https://www.tvguide.com/news/exclusive-lost-finds-8317.aspx Exclusive: ''Lost'' Finds Post-''Grey''{{'s}} Berth!]", ''[[TV Guide]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;18, 2008.</ref>


"The Shape of Things to Come" was written alongside "[[Something Nice Back Home]]" and "[[Cabin Fever (Lost)|Cabin Fever]]" in February and March 2008.<ref name=ugo>
"The Shape of Things to Come" was written alongside "[[Something Nice Back Home]]" and "[[Cabin Fever (Lost)|Cabin Fever]]" in February and March 2008.<ref name=ugo>Lachonis, Jon "DocArzt", (March&nbsp;13, 2008) "[http://www.ugo.com/tv/lost/?cur=darlton Darlton ''Lost'' Interview] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704172634/http://www.ugo.com/tv/lost/?cur=darlton|date=2008-07-04 }}", [[UGO Networks]]. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> Its title is derived from the 1933 science fiction [[The Shape of Things to Come|novel of the same name]] by [[H. G. Wells|H.G. Wells]].<ref name=podcast>[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] & [[Carlton Cuse|Cuse, Carlton]], (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/audio/itunes/LOST_410_audio_podcast_aaf44dbb-c51c-4fe8-babf-e80bcbd3c792_1643855.mp3 Official ''Lost'' Audio Podcast]", [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;25, 2008.</ref> Co-executive producer/writer Drew Goddard called the episode "maybe my favorite thing I've done on ''Lost'', and I've been lucky with all the episodes I've gotten so far".<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (March&nbsp;21, 2008) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=0699b3ce-6e96-4a14-9781-bbc43e289137 If Loathing Ben Is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right]", [[E!]]. Retrieved on March&nbsp;21, 2008.</ref> Shooting began on March&nbsp;10 and continued through March&nbsp;25,<ref>Gordon, Mike, (February&nbsp;29, 2008) "[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Feb/29/ln/hawaii802290369.html ''Lost'' Going Back into Film Action Here on March 10]", ''[[Honolulu Advertiser]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> alongside filming of "[[Something Nice Back Home]]".<ref>[[Jorge Garcia|Garcia, Jorge]], (March&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://forum.thefuselage.com/showthread.php?t=92911 Hey Jorge! A Question for You&nbsp;...]", [[Lost (TV series)#Fandom and popular culture|The Fuselage]]. Retrieved on March&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> The scene in which Ben confronts Widmore was actually filmed in London, because actor Alan Dale was unable to fly to Hawaii as he had been appearing in a production of the play ''[[Spamalot]]''. Several crew members and Michael Emerson flew to London to film the scene.<ref name=podcast/> A scene in which Claire has a prophetic vision was produced; however, it was cut due to runtime constraints.<ref name=ew>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20195369_2,00.html Ben Unleashed]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref>
Lachonis, Jon "DocArzt", (March&nbsp;13, 2008) "[http://www.ugo.com/tv/lost/?cur=darlton Darlton ''Lost'' Interview] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080531015804/http://www.ugo.com/ugo/html/gallery/default.asp?gallery=yunjin_kim_filmtv |date=2008-05-31 }} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704172634/http://www.ugo.com/tv/lost/?cur=darlton|date=2008-07-04 }}", [[UGO Networks]]. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.
</ref> Its title is derived from the 1933 science fiction [[The Shape of Things to Come|novel of the same name]] by [[H. G. Wells|H.G. Wells]].<ref name=podcast>[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] & [[Carlton Cuse|Cuse, Carlton]], (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/audio/itunes/LOST_410_audio_podcast_aaf44dbb-c51c-4fe8-babf-e80bcbd3c792_1643855.mp3 Official ''Lost'' Audio Podcast]", [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;25, 2008.</ref> Co-executive producer/writer Drew Goddard called the episode "maybe my favorite thing I've done on ''Lost'', and I've been lucky with all the episodes I've gotten so far".<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (March&nbsp;21, 2008) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=0699b3ce-6e96-4a14-9781-bbc43e289137 If Loathing Ben Is Wrong, I Don't Wanna Be Right]", [[E!]]. Retrieved on March&nbsp;21, 2008.</ref> Shooting began on March&nbsp;10 and continued through March&nbsp;25,<ref>Gordon, Mike, (February&nbsp;29, 2008) "[http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Feb/29/ln/hawaii802290369.html ''Lost'' Going Back into Film Action Here on March 10]", ''[[Honolulu Advertiser]]''. Retrieved on March&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> alongside filming of "[[Something Nice Back Home]]".<ref>[[Jorge Garcia|Garcia, Jorge]], (March&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://forum.thefuselage.com/showthread.php?t=92911 Hey Jorge! A Question for You&nbsp;...] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211212736/http://forum.thefuselage.com/showthread.php?t=92911 |date=2008-12-11 }}", [[Lost (2004 TV series)|The Fuselage]]. Retrieved on March&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> The scene in which Ben confronts Widmore was actually filmed in London, because actor Alan Dale was unable to fly to Hawaii as he had been appearing in a production of the play ''[[Spamalot]]''. Several crew members and Michael Emerson flew to London to film the scene.<ref name=podcast/> A scene in which Claire has a prophetic vision was produced; however, it was cut due to runtime constraints.<ref name=ew>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20195369_2,00.html Ben Unleashed]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref>


A shoot-out early in the episode sees the end of the three background survivors who joined Locke in his trip to the Barracks in the early fourth season. One of them, Doug, was played by Sean Douglas Hoban, who received credit as a co-star for the first time in his run on the show, having been cast in the [[Pilot (Lost)|pilot]] as "Passenger #4". Hoban later also acted as a stunt double for [[Dominic Monaghan]], who plays [[Charlie Pace]], a major character in the first three seasons.<ref>Snierson, Dan, (May&nbsp;24, 2007) "[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20040051_2,00.html The Q&A: Sorry, Charlie]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on July&nbsp;7, 2007.</ref> Hoban has one line in "The Shape of Things to Come", and he had to audition for it against the other background actors.<ref>McPherson, Sam, (June&nbsp;22, 2008) "[http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/The_Lostpedia_Interview:Sean_Douglas_Hoban The Lostpedia Interview:Sean Douglas Hoban]", [[Lostpedia]]. Retrieved on July&nbsp;11, 2008.</ref>
A shoot-out early in the episode sees the end of the three background survivors who joined Locke in his trip to the Barracks in the early fourth season. One of them, Doug, was played by Sean Douglas Hoban, who received credit as a co-star for the first time in his run on the show, having been cast in the [[Pilot (Lost)|pilot]] as "Passenger #4". Hoban later also acted as a stunt double for [[Dominic Monaghan]], who plays [[Charlie Pace]], a major character in the first three seasons.<ref>Snierson, Dan, (May&nbsp;24, 2007) "[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20040051_2,00.html The Q&A: Sorry, Charlie]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on July&nbsp;7, 2007.</ref> Hoban has one line in "The Shape of Things to Come", and he had to audition for it against the other background actors.<ref>McPherson, Sam, (June&nbsp;22, 2008) "[http://lostpedia.wikia.com/wiki/The_Lostpedia_Interview:Sean_Douglas_Hoban The Lostpedia Interview:Sean Douglas Hoban]", [[Lostpedia]]. Retrieved on July&nbsp;11, 2008.</ref>


The episode's flashforwards commence with Ben waking up alarmed in the Sahara with a wounded right arm and vapor rising from him. The [[Dharma Initiative]] parka that he wears was codenamed "Dharka" by the writers.<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;23, 2008) "[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20194903,00.html The Show is Back!]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> A couple of [[Easter egg (virtual)|Easter eggs]] are present in this scene:<ref>Kubicke, John, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-easter-eggs-the-shape-of-18912.aspx ''Lost'' Easter Eggs: 'The Shape of Things to Come' #2—Teleportation in Tunisia]", [[BuddyTV]]. Retrieved on July&nbsp;14, 2008.</ref> Ben's parka has a name tag that indicates that it was formerly owned by [[Characters of Lost#Dharma Initiative members|Edgar Halliwax]] ([[François Chau]]) and it displays the first appearance of the logo for a Dharma station called the "Orchid" that would not be seen until the episode titled "[[There's No Place Like Home]]".<ref>[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] (writer) & [[Carlton Cuse|Cuse, Carlton]] (writer) & [[Stephen Williams (director)|Williams, Stephen]] (director), "[[There's No Place Like Home]]". ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]'', [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. [[List of Lost episodes|Episode 12]], [[Lost (season 4)|season 4]]. Aired on May&nbsp;15, 2008.</ref> Another Easter egg is glimpsed in the next scene, when Ben reveals his forged Canadian passport previously seen in "[[The Economist (Lost)|The Economist]]" for his alias Dean Moriarty,<ref>[[Edward Kitsis|Kitsis, Edward]] (writer) & [[Adam Horowitz (screenwriter)|Adam Horowitz]](writer) & [[Jack Bender|Bender, Jack]] (director), "[[The Economist (Lost)|The Economist]]". ''[[Lost (TV series)|Lost]]'', [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. [[List of Lost episodes|Episode 3]], [[Lost (season 4)|season 4]]. Aired on February&nbsp;14, 2008.</ref> which is also the name of the central character in [[Jack Kerouac]]'s 1951 novel ''[[On the Road]]''.<ref>Medley, Mark, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2008/04/25/the-shape-of-things-to-come-lost-season-four-episode-nine-recap.aspx 'The Shape of Things to Come': ''Lost'' Season Four, Episode Nine Recap]", ''[[The National Post]]''. Retrieved on July&nbsp;14, 2008.</ref> Among the most frequent questions that the writers are asked is whether they have planned out future storylines,<ref>[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]], (May&nbsp;9, 2007) "[http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTU5OTA2MTUzOQ== ''Lost'' Finale Will Be Aired in 2010]", ''[[Kuwait Times]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> so the writers try to allude to future plot points, such as with the Dharka scene, that they can later call on as proof that they do know where the story is headed.<ref name=podcast/> Director Jack Bender described the scene, which was filmed in a Hawaiian rock quarry, as especially hard to shoot because the actors had to ride horses and use guns, the crew had to relocate due to rocks present that were unsuitable for the scene, and Bender walked head-first into a crane.<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;27, 2008) "[http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1137819692/bclid1155151521/bctid1522751415 Doc Jensen on Set]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref> Emerson stated that the set is "definitely a no-glamour zone&nbsp;... I thought we would ease into things. Instead, I get this all-Ben extravaganza: combat, riding horses, foreign languages. And piano playing! All waaaay outside my comfort zone. How can you work two weeks and feel like you need a vacation already?"<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;10, 2008) "[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20190415,00.html Secrets From the Set!]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref>
The episode's flashforwards commence with Ben waking up alarmed in the Sahara with a wounded right arm and vapor rising from him. The [[Dharma Initiative]] parka that he wears was codenamed "Dharka" by the writers.<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;23, 2008) "[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20194903,00.html The Show is Back!]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> A couple of [[Easter egg (virtual)|Easter eggs]] are present in this scene:<ref>Kubicke, John, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-easter-eggs-the-shape-of-18912.aspx ''Lost'' Easter Eggs: 'The Shape of Things to Come' #2—Teleportation in Tunisia]", [[BuddyTV]]. Retrieved on July&nbsp;14, 2008.</ref> Ben's parka has a name tag that indicates that it was formerly owned by [[List of Lost characters#Pierre Chang|Edgar Halliwax]] ([[François Chau]]) and it displays the first appearance of the logo for a Dharma station called the "Orchid" that would not be seen until the episode titled "[[There's No Place Like Home (Lost)|There's No Place Like Home]]".<ref>[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]] (writer) & [[Carlton Cuse|Cuse, Carlton]] (writer) & [[Stephen Williams (director)|Williams, Stephen]] (director), "There's No Place Like Home". ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]'', [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. [[List of Lost episodes|Episode 12]], [[Lost season 4|season 4]]. Aired on May&nbsp;15, 2008.</ref> Another Easter egg is glimpsed in the next scene, when Ben reveals his forged Canadian passport previously seen in "[[The Economist (Lost)|The Economist]]" for his alias Dean Moriarty,<ref>[[Edward Kitsis|Kitsis, Edward]] (writer) & [[Adam Horowitz (screenwriter)|Adam Horowitz]](writer) & [[Jack Bender|Bender, Jack]] (director), "[[The Economist (Lost)|The Economist]]". ''[[Lost (2004 TV series)|Lost]]'', [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. [[List of Lost episodes|Episode 3]], [[Lost season 4|season 4]]. Aired on February&nbsp;14, 2008.</ref> which is also the name of the central character in [[Jack Kerouac]]'s 1951 novel ''[[On the Road]]''.<ref>
Medley, Mark, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2008/04/25/the-shape-of-things-to-come-lost-season-four-episode-nine-recap.aspx 'The Shape of Things to Come': ''Lost'' Season Four, Episode Nine Recap] {{dead link|date=April 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}", ''[[The National Post]]''. Retrieved on July&nbsp;14, 2008.
</ref> Among the most frequent questions that the writers are asked is whether they have planned out future storylines,<ref>
[[Damon Lindelof|Lindelof, Damon]], (May&nbsp;9, 2007) "[http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTU5OTA2MTUzOQ== ''Lost'' Finale Will Be Aired in 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208011003/http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTU5OTA2MTUzOQ%3D%3D |date=2012-02-08 }} ", ''[[Kuwait Times]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.
</ref> so the writers try to allude to future plot points, such as with the Dharka scene, that they can later call on as proof that they do know where the story is headed.<ref name=podcast/> Director Jack Bender described the scene, which was filmed in a Hawaiian rock quarry, as especially hard to shoot because the actors had to ride horses and use guns, the crew had to relocate due to rocks present that were unsuitable for the scene, and Bender walked head-first into a crane.<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;27, 2008) "[http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1137819692/bclid1155151521/bctid1522751415 Doc Jensen on Set]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref> Emerson stated that the set is "definitely a no-glamour zone&nbsp;... I thought we would ease into things. Instead, I get this all-Ben extravaganza: combat, riding horses, foreign languages. And piano playing! All waaaay outside my comfort zone. How can you work two weeks and feel like you need a vacation already?"<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;10, 2008) "[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20190415,00.html Secrets From the Set!]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
[[Image:Drew Goddard.png|thumb|right|225px|Co-executive producer Drew Goddard co-wrote the script.]]
[[Image:Drew Goddard.png|thumb|right|225px|Co-executive producer Drew Goddard co-wrote the script.]]


"The Shape of Things to Come" was viewed live or watched within five hours of broadcast by 12.075&nbsp;million Americans,<ref name="Seidman">Seidman, Robert, (May&nbsp;13, 2008) "[http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/idol-greys-lost-housewives-and-the-office-lead-weekly-dvr-viewing/3728 ''Idol'', ''Grey's'', ''Lost'', ''Housewives'' and ''The Office'' Lead Weekly DVR Viewing]", TV by the Numbers. Retrieved on May&nbsp;13, 2008.</ref> ranking ''Lost'' as the fourteenth most watched program of the week.<ref>[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet, (April&nbsp;29, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=042908_06 Weekly Program Rankings]". Retrieved on June&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> A total of 14.067&nbsp;million Americans watched the episode live or within seven days; this number was factored into the season's average.<ref name="Seidman"/> This was an improvement over the previous ''Lost'' episode that had aired six weeks earlier. ''Lost'' also improved its Canadian ratings with 1.443&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>[[BBM Canada]], (April&nbsp;30, 2008) "[http://www.bbm.ca/en/nat04212008.pdf Top Programs: Total Canada (English)]". Retrieved on May&nbsp;2, 2008.</ref> In Australia, "The Shape of Things to Come" was watched by only 683,000 viewers,<ref>[[Seven Network]], (May&nbsp;2, 2008) "[http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/seven/Seven---Daily-Ratings-Report-020508.html Daily Ratings Report]". Retrieved on May&nbsp;2, 2008.</ref> but ''Lost'' was nominated in the same week for two ''[[The Sun-Herald|Sun-Herald]]'' Bogie Awards—a parody of the Australian [[Logie Award]]s—in the categories of "Most Underrated" series and "Most Jerked Around by the Networks".<ref>Dale, David, (April&nbsp;27, 2008) "[http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2008/04/triballogies.html The Tribal Mind: The Envelopes Please]", ''[[The Sun-Herald]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;2, 2008.</ref><ref>Dale, David, (March&nbsp;16, 2008) "[http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2008/04/the_tribal_mind_66.html The Bogies: You Be the Judge and Jury]", ''[[The Sun-Herald]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;2, 2008.</ref>
"The Shape of Things to Come" was viewed in the United States live or within five hours of broadcast by 12.075&nbsp;million people,<ref name="Seidman">Seidman, Robert, (May&nbsp;13, 2008) "[http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/idol-greys-lost-housewives-and-the-office-lead-weekly-dvr-viewing/3728 ''Idol'', ''Grey's'', ''Lost'', ''Housewives'' and ''The Office'' Lead Weekly DVR Viewing] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822190753/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/12/idol-greys-lost-housewives-and-the-office-lead-weekly-dvr-viewing/3728 |date=2009-08-22 }}", TV by the Numbers. Retrieved on May&nbsp;13, 2008.</ref> ranking ''Lost'' as the fourteenth most watched program of the week.<ref>[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] Medianet, (April&nbsp;29, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=042908_06 Weekly Program Rankings]". Retrieved on June&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> A total in the United States of 14.067&nbsp;million people watched the episode live or within seven days; this number was factored into the season's average.<ref name="Seidman"/> This was an improvement over the previous ''Lost'' episode that had aired six weeks earlier. ''Lost'' also improved its Canadian ratings with 1.443&nbsp;million viewers.<ref>
[[BBM Canada]], (April&nbsp;30, 2008) "[http://www.bbm.ca/en/nat04212008.pdf Top Programs: Total Canada (English)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326061743/http://www.bbm.ca/en/nat04212008.pdf |date=2009-03-26 }} ". Retrieved on May&nbsp;2, 2008.
</ref> In Australia, "The Shape of Things to Come" was watched by only 683,000 viewers,<ref>
[[Seven Network]], (May&nbsp;2, 2008) "[http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/seven/Seven---Daily-Ratings-Report-020508.html Daily Ratings Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081209011811/http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/enews/seven/Seven---Daily-Ratings-Report-020508.html |date=2008-12-09 }} ". Retrieved on May&nbsp;2, 2008.
</ref> but ''Lost'' was nominated in the same week for two ''[[The Sun-Herald|Sun-Herald]]'' Bogie Awards—a parody of the Australian [[Logie Award]]s—in the categories of "Most Underrated" series and "Most Jerked Around by the Networks".<ref>Dale, David, (April&nbsp;27, 2008) "[http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2008/04/triballogies.html The Tribal Mind: The Envelopes Please]", ''[[The Sun-Herald]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;2, 2008.</ref><ref>Dale, David, (March&nbsp;16, 2008) "[http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2008/04/the_tribal_mind_66.html The Bogies: You Be the Judge and Jury]", ''[[The Sun-Herald]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;2, 2008.</ref>


"The Shape of Things to Come" received critical acclaim. Karla Peterson of ''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]'' gave "The Shape of Things to Come" an "A+."<ref name=signon>
"The Shape of Things to Come" received critical acclaim. Karla Peterson of ''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]'' gave "The Shape of Things to Come" an "A+."<ref name=signon>Peterson, Karla, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/tvtracker/archives/022567.html ''Lost'': 'The Shape of Things to Come']", ''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;18, 2008.</ref> Jeff Jensen of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called "The Shape of Things to Come" "one of those deliciously dense episodes in which the nourishment of revelation is mixed with huge chunks of sugary intrigue" and speculated that the scene in which Alex is executed will be "sitting very high on this ranking of all-time pivotal ''Lost'' moments" by the series' May 2010 end.<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20195369_2,00.html Raiders of the ''Lost'' Story Arc]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> Before the [[There's No Place Like Home|season finale]] aired, Jensen ranked this as the second best moment of the season<ref>Jensen, Jeff, (May&nbsp;29, 2008) "[http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20202804_14,00.html Best Moment #2 of Season 4: 'He Changed the Rules']", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on June&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> and put the scene in which the monster attacks the mercenaries in ninth place.<ref>Jensen, Jeff, (May&nbsp;29, 2008) "[http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20202804_7,00.html Best Moment #9 of Season 4: Smokey Smokes 'Em]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on June&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> Dan Kois and Lane Brown of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine thought that this "episode didn't exactly feel like the usual moderately paced, secret-revealing drama ''Lost'' usually is; it felt like an action movie&nbsp;... it was like watching ''[[Die Hard]]'' on an island".<ref>Kois, Dan, & Brown, Lois, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/04/lost_die_hard_on_an_island.html ''Die Hard'' on an Island]", ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref> Chris Carabott of [[IGN]] gave the episode a 9.3/10,<ref name=ign>Carabott, Chris, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://tv.ign.com/articles/869/869403p2.html ''Lost'': 'The Shape of Things to Come' Review]", [[IGN]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> concluding that "if 'The Shape of Things to Come' is any indication of the level of quality that [the audience] should expect from here on out then we are in for some incredible storytelling" and "Alex's death will probably be remembered as one of the more pivotal scenes in the entire series [because] it is such a phenomenally shot, edited and acted moment&nbsp;... it would be incredibly hard not to feel for [Ben] here."<ref>Carabott, Chris, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://tv.ign.com/articles/869/869403p1.html Ben is Faced with an Unimaginable Decision]", [[IGN]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> Upon grading the best episodes of the first five seasons, the episode ranked second, beating episodes like "[[Through the Looking Glass (Lost)|Through the Looking Glass]]" and [[Pilot (Lost)|the pilot]] and losing to "[[The Constant (Lost)|The Constant]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/105/1053410p2.html|title=IGN's Top 10 Lost Episodes|author1=Fowler, Jeff|author2=Goldman, Eric|author3=Pirello, Phil|date=December 9, 2009|publisher=IGN.com|accessdate=18 April 2010}}</ref> Erin Martell of [[AOL]]'s [[TV Squad]] summed up "The Shape of Things to Come" as "a brilliant episode&nbsp;... [with] tons of action, several big revelations, and more questions to ponder".<ref name=aol>Martell, Erin, (April&nbsp;24, 2008) "[http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/24/lost-the-shape-of-things-to-come ''Lost'': 'The Shape of Things to Come']", [[TV Squad]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;24, 2008.</ref> Don Williams of [[BuddyTV]] decided that the episode was "worth waiting five weeks for" and "so jam packed that I need to give my brain time to rest".<ref>Williams, Don, (April&nbsp;24, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-episode-49-the-shape-of-t-18863.aspx ''Lost'': Episode 4.9 'The Shape of Things to Come' Live Thoughts]", [[BuddyTV]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;24, 2008.</ref> Williams's colleague Oscar Dahl ranked the scene in which Alex is killed as the fifth best moment of the season, noting that "it was perfectly paced&nbsp;... and provided a huge shock&nbsp;... and some of the best acting you'll ever see".<ref>Dahl, Oscar, (June&nbsp;2, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/more/5-moment-keamy-kills-alex-20082.aspx Top Season 4 Moment #5: Keamy Kills Alex]", [[BuddyTV]]. Retrieved on June&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> Jay Glatfelter of [[The Huffington Post]] wrote that "'The Shape of Things to Come' was the perfect episode to get everyone back into the swing of ''Lost''. It wasn't a [[wiktionary:mindfuck|mindfuck]] à la '[[The Constant]]'. It was an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, which to me matched the '[[Pilot (Lost)|Pilot]]'{{'s}} bombastic grandeur".<ref>Glatfelter, Jay, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-glatfelter/on-ilosti-the-shape-of-th_b_98676.html On ''Lost'': 'The Shape of Things to Come']", [[The Huffington Post]]. Retrieved on May&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref>
Peterson, Karla, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/tvtracker/archives/022567.html ''Lost'': 'The Shape of Things to Come'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209015511/http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/tvtracker/archives/022567.html |date=2012-02-09 }} ", ''[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;18, 2008.
</ref> Jeff Jensen of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' called "The Shape of Things to Come" "one of those deliciously dense episodes in which the nourishment of revelation is mixed with huge chunks of sugary intrigue" and speculated that the scene in which Alex is executed will be "sitting very high on this ranking of all-time pivotal ''Lost'' moments" by the series' May 2010 end.<ref>Jensen, Jeff "Doc", (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20195369_2,00.html Raiders of the ''Lost'' Story Arc]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> Before the season finale aired, Jensen ranked this as the second best moment of the season<ref>Jensen, Jeff, (May&nbsp;29, 2008) "[https://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20202804_14,00.html Best Moment #2 of Season 4: 'He Changed the Rules']", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on June&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> and put the scene in which the monster attacks the mercenaries in ninth place.<ref>Jensen, Jeff, (May&nbsp;29, 2008) "[https://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20202804_7,00.html Best Moment #9 of Season 4: Smokey Smokes 'Em]", ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''. Retrieved on June&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> Dan Kois and Lane Brown of ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine thought that this "episode didn't exactly feel like the usual moderately paced, secret-revealing drama ''Lost'' usually is; it felt like an action movie&nbsp;... it was like watching ''[[Die Hard]]'' on an island".<ref>Kois, Dan, & Brown, Lois, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[https://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/04/lost_die_hard_on_an_island.html ''Die Hard'' on an Island]", ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref> Chris Carabott of [[IGN]] gave the episode a 9.3/10,<ref name=ign>Carabott, Chris, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://tv.ign.com/articles/869/869403p2.html ''Lost'': 'The Shape of Things to Come' Review]", [[IGN]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> concluding that "if 'The Shape of Things to Come' is any indication of the level of quality that [the audience] should expect from here on out then we are in for some incredible storytelling" and "Alex's death will probably be remembered as one of the more pivotal scenes in the entire series [because] it is such a phenomenally shot, edited and acted moment&nbsp;... it would be incredibly hard not to feel for [Ben] here."<ref>Carabott, Chris, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://tv.ign.com/articles/869/869403p1.html Ben is Faced with an Unimaginable Decision]", [[IGN]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> Upon grading the best episodes of the first five seasons, the episode ranked second, beating episodes like "[[Through the Looking Glass (Lost)|Through the Looking Glass]]" and [[Pilot (Lost)|the pilot]] and losing to "[[The Constant (Lost)|The Constant]]."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tv.ign.com/articles/105/1053410p2.html|title=IGN's Top 10 Lost Episodes|author1=Fowler, Jeff|author2=Goldman, Eric|author3=Pirello, Phil|date=December 9, 2009|publisher=IGN.com|access-date=18 April 2010}}</ref> Erin Martell of [[AOL]]'s [[TV Squad]] summed up "The Shape of Things to Come" as "a brilliant episode&nbsp;... [with] tons of action, several big revelations, and more questions to ponder".<ref name=aol>Martell, Erin, (April&nbsp;24, 2008) "[http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/04/24/lost-the-shape-of-things-to-come ''Lost'': 'The Shape of Things to Come']", [[TV Squad]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;24, 2008.</ref> Don Williams of [[BuddyTV]] decided that the episode was "worth waiting five weeks for" and "so jam packed that I need to give my brain time to rest".<ref>Williams, Don, (April&nbsp;24, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-episode-49-the-shape-of-t-18863.aspx ''Lost'': Episode 4.9 'The Shape of Things to Come' Live Thoughts]", [[BuddyTV]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;24, 2008.</ref> Williams's colleague Oscar Dahl ranked the scene in which Alex is killed as the fifth best moment of the season, noting that "it was perfectly paced&nbsp;... and provided a huge shock&nbsp;... and some of the best acting you'll ever see".<ref>Dahl, Oscar, (June&nbsp;2, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/more/5-moment-keamy-kills-alex-20082.aspx Top Season 4 Moment #5: Keamy Kills Alex]", [[BuddyTV]]. Retrieved on June&nbsp;22, 2008.</ref> Jay Glatfelter of [[The Huffington Post]] wrote that "'The Shape of Things to Come' was the perfect episode to get everyone back into the swing of ''Lost''. It wasn't a [[wiktionary:mindfuck|mindfuck]] à la '[[The Constant]]'. It was an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, which to me matched the '[[Pilot (Lost)|Pilot]]'{{'s}} bombastic grandeur".<ref>Glatfelter, Jay, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-glatfelter/on-ilosti-the-shape-of-th_b_98676.html On ''Lost'': 'The Shape of Things to Come']", [[The Huffington Post]]. Retrieved on May&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref>


Alan Sepinwall of ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'' wrote that the episode "was overflowing with manna from post-strike heaven: lots of action, lots of intrigue [and] the odd answer or three"; however, he criticized the deaths of the three 815 survivors played by extras and survival of main characters, saying that "that sequence with Sawyer dodging bullets was supposed to be tense and frightening; instead, it was funny".<ref name=nj>Sepinwall, Alan, (April&nbsp;24, 2008) "[http://blog.nj.com/alltv/2008/04/lost_the_shape_of_things_to_co.html Smokey and the Bandits]", ''[[The Star-Ledger]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;24, 2008.</ref> [[Kristin Dos Santos]] of [[E!]] agreed with Sepinwall's latter assessment.<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=db22eedc-686f-4003-a17b-dcc35e1084ed If You're Not a Series Regular, Get Back Inside!]", [[E!]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> Jamie Poniewozik of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' worried about the show's direction in which Widmore is suddenly the antagonist and Ben travels the globe to seek revenge. He said that it "looks a little too much like ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]''"; Poniewozik enjoyed the island drama.<ref name=time>Poniewozik, James, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.time-blog.com/tuned_in/2008/04/lostwatch_a_game_of_risk.html Lostwatch: A Game of Risk]", ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''. Retrieved on June&nbsp;7, 2008.</ref> Daniel of [[TMZ.com|TMZ]] called "The Shape of Things to Come" "another solid episode of ''Lost''", grading it as a "B" and claiming that "I enjoyed it the whole way through, even if it never gave me that 'OH MY GOD!!!!' moment, though I loved the Alex execution scene."<ref>Daniel, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.tmz.com/2008/04/25/lost-diary-the-shape-of-things-to-come ''Lost'' Diary: 'The Shape of Things to Come']", [[TMZ.com|TMZ]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref>
Alan Sepinwall of ''[[The Star-Ledger]]'' wrote that the episode "was overflowing with manna from post-strike heaven: lots of action, lots of intrigue [and] the odd answer or three"; however, he criticized the deaths of the three 815 survivors played by extras and survival of main characters, saying that "that sequence with Sawyer dodging bullets was supposed to be tense and frightening; instead, it was funny".<ref name=nj>Sepinwall, Alan, (April&nbsp;24, 2008) "[http://blog.nj.com/alltv/2008/04/lost_the_shape_of_things_to_co.html Smokey and the Bandits]", ''[[The Star-Ledger]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;24, 2008.</ref> [[Kristin Dos Santos]] of [[E!]] agreed with Sepinwall's latter assessment.<ref>[[Kristin Dos Santos|Dos Santos, Kristin]], (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=db22eedc-686f-4003-a17b-dcc35e1084ed If You're Not a Series Regular, Get Back Inside!]", [[E!]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> Jamie Poniewozik of ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' worried about the show's direction in which Widmore is suddenly the antagonist and Ben travels the globe to seek revenge. He said that it "looks a little too much like ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]''"; Poniewozik enjoyed the island drama.<ref name=time>Poniewozik, James, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.time-blog.com/tuned_in/2008/04/lostwatch_a_game_of_risk.html Lostwatch: A Game of Risk]", ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''. Retrieved on June&nbsp;7, 2008.</ref> Daniel of [[TMZ.com|TMZ]] called "The Shape of Things to Come" "another solid episode of ''Lost''", grading it as a "B" and claiming that "I enjoyed it the whole way through, even if it never gave me that 'OH MY GOD!!!!' moment, though I loved the Alex execution scene."<ref>Daniel, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[https://www.tmz.com/2008/04/25/lost-diary-the-shape-of-things-to-come ''Lost'' Diary: 'The Shape of Things to Come']", [[TMZ.com|TMZ]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref>


Before the episode began shooting, Michael Emerson had already decided to submit his performance in this episode for consideration in the Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category of the [[Primetime Emmy Awards]] because of the script's strength.<ref>Nichols, Katherine, (April&nbsp;22, 2008) "[http://starbulletin.com/2008/04/22/features/story03.html No Acting Required as Peril Looms]", ''[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> He received his second consecutive Emmy nomination for this role; however, he lost to [[Željko Ivanek]] of the [[FX (TV network)|FX]] series ''[[Damages (TV series)|Damages]]''. Emerson would win the next year for the episode "[[Dead Is Dead]]". Kevin Thompson of ''[[The Palm Beach Post]]'' wrote that "with those big ol' eyes of his, [Emerson] could always say more with a lengthy stare than he could with twenty pages of dialogue.... [He has], once again, proved why he has become ''Lost''{{'s}} star as well as its heart and soul.... an Emmy should belong to [him]."<ref>Thompson, Kevin, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/thompson/entries/2008/04/if_michael_emer.html The Night Belongs To Big Ben]", ''[[The Palm Beach Post]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref> Jennifer Godwin of E! wrote that "no one has ever done better work humanizing a supervillain."<ref>Godwin, Jennifer, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=8238465c-26fb-4a93-9fa4-629af9f8b05c Death, Dear Ones and the Monster: Michael Emerson Talks ''Lost'']", [[E!]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;25, 2008.</ref> Among those who also praised Emerson's performance as Ben were Robert Bianco of ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref>Bianco, Robert, (June&nbsp;12, 2008) "[http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/televisionawards/emmys/2008-06-12-emmy-ballot_N.htm Who Will Make Emmy Happy?]", ''[[USA Today]]''. Retrieved on June&nbsp;13, 2008.</ref> Matt Roush of ''[[TV Guide]]'',<ref>Roush, Matt, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Battlestar-Galactica-Met/800038315 Week in Review: 20 Unforgettable Moments]", ''[[TV Guide]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427122557/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Battlestar-Galactica-Met/800038315|date=April 27, 2008}}</ref> Ben Rawson-Jones of [[Digital Spy]], who gave the episode a perfect rating of five stars,<ref>Rawson-Jones, Ben, (May&nbsp;4, 2008) "[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a95276/s04e09-the-shape-of-things-to-come.html S04E09: 'The Shape Of Things To Come']", [[Digital Spy]]. Retrieved on May&nbsp;18, 2008.</ref> John Kubicek of BuddyTV<ref>Kubicek, John, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-easter-eggs-the-shape-of-18912.aspx ''Lost'' Easter Eggs: 'The Shape of Things to Come']", [[BuddyTV]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> and aforementioned critics from ''The Star-Ledger'',<ref name=nj/> ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'',<ref name=signon/> ''Time'',<ref name=time/> ''Entertainment Weekly'',<ref name=ew/> IGN<ref name=ign/> and TV Squad.<ref name=aol/>
Before the episode began shooting, Michael Emerson had already decided to submit his performance in this episode for consideration in the Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category of the [[Primetime Emmy Awards]] because of the script's strength.<ref>Nichols, Katherine, (April&nbsp;22, 2008) "[http://starbulletin.com/2008/04/22/features/story03.html No Acting Required as Peril Looms]", ''[[Honolulu Star-Bulletin]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> He received his second consecutive Emmy nomination for this role; however, he lost to [[Željko Ivanek]] of the [[FX (TV network)|FX]] series ''[[Damages (TV series)|Damages]]''. Emerson won the next year for the episode "[[Dead Is Dead]]". Kevin Thompson of ''[[The Palm Beach Post]]'' wrote that "with those big ol' eyes of his, [Emerson] could always say more with a lengthy stare than he could with twenty pages of dialogue.... [He has], once again, proved why he has become ''Lost''{{'s}} star as well as its heart and soul.... an Emmy should belong to [him]."<ref>Thompson, Kevin, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/thompson/entries/2008/04/if_michael_emer.html The Night Belongs To Big Ben]", ''[[The Palm Beach Post]]''. Retrieved on May&nbsp;19, 2008.</ref> Jennifer Godwin of E! wrote that "no one has ever done better work humanizing a supervillain."<ref>Godwin, Jennifer, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=8238465c-26fb-4a93-9fa4-629af9f8b05c Death, Dear Ones and the Monster: Michael Emerson Talks ''Lost'']", [[E!]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;25, 2008.</ref> Among those who also praised Emerson's performance as Ben were Robert Bianco of ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref>Bianco, Robert, (June&nbsp;12, 2008) "[https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/televisionawards/emmys/2008-06-12-emmy-ballot_N.htm Who Will Make Emmy Happy?]", ''[[USA Today]]''. Retrieved on June&nbsp;13, 2008.</ref> Matt Roush of ''[[TV Guide]]'',<ref>
Roush, Matt, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Battlestar-Galactica-Met/800038315 Week in Review: 20 Unforgettable Moments] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718063234/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Battlestar-Galactica-Met/800038315 |date=2008-07-18 }}", ''[[TV Guide]]''. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008. {{Cite web |url=http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Battlestar-Galactica-Met/800038315 |title=Battlestar Galactica; How I Met Your Mother; 30 Rock - Roush Dispatch &#124; TVGuide.com |access-date=April 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080427122557/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Battlestar-Galactica-Met/800038315 |archive-date=April 27, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
</ref> Ben Rawson-Jones of [[Digital Spy]], who gave the episode a perfect rating of five stars,<ref>Rawson-Jones, Ben, (May&nbsp;4, 2008) "[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a95276/s04e09-the-shape-of-things-to-come.html S04E09: 'The Shape Of Things To Come']", [[Digital Spy]]. Retrieved on May&nbsp;18, 2008.</ref> John Kubicek of BuddyTV<ref>Kubicek, John, (April&nbsp;25, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-easter-eggs-the-shape-of-18912.aspx ''Lost'' Easter Eggs: 'The Shape of Things to Come']", [[BuddyTV]]. Retrieved on April&nbsp;26, 2008.</ref> and aforementioned critics from ''The Star-Ledger'',<ref name=nj/> ''The San Diego Union-Tribune'',<ref name=signon/> ''Time'',<ref name=time/> ''Entertainment Weekly'',<ref name=ew/> IGN<ref name=ign/> and TV Squad.<ref name=aol/>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Lost_(TV_series)#The_Shape_of_Things_to_Come_.5B4.09.5D|The Shape of Things to Come}}
{{Wikiquote|Lost_(TV_series)#The_Shape_of_Things_to_Come_.5B4.09.5D|The Shape of Things to Come}}
*[http://abc.go.com/shows/lost/episode-detail/the-shape-of-things-to-come/89254 "The Shape of Things to Come"] at ABC
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110606071355/http://abc.go.com/shows/lost/episode-detail/the-shape-of-things-to-come/89254 "The Shape of Things to Come"] at ABC
*{{IMDb episode|0994369|The Shape of Things to Come}}
*{{IMDb episode|0994369|The Shape of Things to Come}}
*{{tv.com episode|lost/the-shape-of-things-to-come-1184113|The Shape of Things to Come}}


{{Lost navigation}}
{{Lost episodes}}
{{Lost episodes}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shape Of Things To Come, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shape Of Things To Come, The}}
[[Category:Lost (TV series) (season 4) episodes]]
[[Category:Lost season 4 episodes]]
[[Category:2008 American television episodes]]
[[Category:2008 American television episodes]]
[[Category:Television episodes directed by Jack Bender]]
[[Category:Television episodes written by Drew Goddard]]

Latest revision as of 14:27, 5 April 2024

"The Shape of Things to Come"
Lost episode
Episode no.Season 4
Episode 9
Directed byJack Bender
Written by
Production code409
Original air dateApril 24, 2008 (2008-04-24)
Running time42 minutes[1]
Guest appearances
Episode chronology
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"Meet Kevin Johnson"
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"Something Nice Back Home"
Lost season 4
List of episodes

"The Shape of Things to Come" is the 81st episode of the American Broadcasting Company's Lost and is the ninth episode of the fourth season. It aired on April 24, 2008 on ABC in the United States and on CTV in Canada.[2] The episode was written by co-executive producer Drew Goddard and co-producer Brian K. Vaughan in late February 2008 and directed by executive producer Jack Bender in mid-March.[3] The narrative centers on Ben Linus (played by Michael Emerson) as he and the Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crash survivors at the Barracks come under attack in December 2004, while flashforwards to late 2005 show him recruiting Sayid Jarrah (Naveen Andrews) as a hitman and confronting his enemy Charles Widmore (Alan Dale).

"The Shape of Things to Come" is one of a few Lost episodes to contain footage filmed outside Hawaii. The episode aired as the first of the second batch of fourth-season episodes that were originally planned to air uninterrupted by a hiatus with the rest of the season; however, the 100-day 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike paused production and caused the writers to condense the second half of the season, which aired after a four-week break.[4] "The Shape of Things to Come" received positive critical reviews, and the original broadcast in the United States was viewed by 14 million people. Much praise was directed at Emerson's acting skills, particularly in his reaction to the execution of his character's daughter Alex (Tania Raymonde). His performance in this specific episode received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards; the episode was also nominated in the category of Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series.[5]

Plot[edit]

The episode is set on December 27, 2004, the survivors' 97th day on the island. At the beach camp, the corpse of Dr. Ray (Marc Vann), the freighter Kahana's doctor, washes ashore. Daniel Faraday (Jeremy Davies) calls the freighter and asks what happened to Ray via morse code. Daniel lies about the response, saying that rescue helicopters will be sent soon; however, Bernard Nadler (Sam Anderson) calls him out on this and correctly interprets the freighter's message: "What are you talking about? The doctor is fine." Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox), who suffers from stomach pains throughout the day, forces Daniel to reveal that it was never their intention to rescue the survivors.

Meanwhile, Alex is captured by Martin Keamy (Kevin Durand) and others from the freighter.[6] As they take her to the Barracks, she sets off an alarm heralding the arrival of Ben's enemies. Ben, John Locke (Terry O'Quinn), and Hugo "Hurley" Reyes (Jorge Garcia) fortify Ben's house, while James "Sawyer" Ford (Josh Holloway) goes to retrieve the other survivors in the Barracks. He is partially successful, as he saves Claire Littleton (Emilie de Ravin) from her exploded and burning house, but three survivors (portrayed by extras) are shot to death by the mercenaries. Keamy finds and frees Miles Straume (Ken Leung), giving him a walkie-talkie to take to Ben. Ben communicates with Keamy, who threatens to kill Alex if Ben does not surrender. Ben attempts to negotiate and is shocked when Keamy executes Alex. Locking himself in the house's secret room, Ben enters a hidden chamber. He re-emerges shortly after covered in soot, and the smoke monster attacks Keamy's henchmen. The survivors flee for the forest, with Ben lingering briefly to grieve over Alex's body. Afterward, Ben and Locke depart to locate Jacob for further instructions. Sawyer, Hurley, Claire and Aaron turn to return to the beach with Miles, but Locke holds them at gunpoint, successfully demanding that Hurley goes with him (as he has found Jacob's cabin before).[7]

Flashforwards show Ben on three continents in autumn 2005. Ben is startled when he wakes up in the Sahara Desert wearing a winter jacket and with a large cut on his upper arm; challenged by two armed locals, he kills one of them (Nick Hermz) and knocks the other (Sammy Sheik) unconscious and travels on horseback to Tozeur, Tunisia on October 24, 2005. Ben journeys to Tikrit, Iraq, where the funeral of Sayid's wife Nadia Jazeem (Andrea Gabriel) is taking place. Ben tells Sayid that Widmore ordered Ishmael Bakir (Faran Tahir) to kill Nadia. Ben lures Bakir into a trap to be killed by Sayid, who shoots Bakir repeatedly. Ben recruits Sayid to become Ben's assassin, and leaves for London, where he breaks into Widmore's penthouse; although Ben cannot kill Widmore, he states that he is going to kill Widmore's daughter Penelope (Sonya Walger) in retribution for Alex's death. In their conversation, Widmore claims that the island is his and that he will take it back from Ben one day.

Production[edit]

Steam rises from Ben as he awakens in the Sahara wearing the "Dharka".

The Writers Guild of America went on strike on November 4, 2007,[8] by which time only eight of the planned sixteen episodes of Lost's fourth season had been written.[9] These episodes aired from January to March 2008.[10] After the strike ended on February 12, 2008, the writers found that there was only enough time to produce five episodes, although the fifth episode would later be expanded to two episodes[11]—and they proceeded to compress most of the storylines of the planned eight episodes into six,[12] with some carrying over into the fifth season.[13] Executive producer/head writer Damon Lindelof stated that "we are going to execute our full story plan for season four. This simply requires a shift from high-octane storytelling to superhigh-octane storytelling. It requires no cramming, only a slightly heavier foot on the gas pedal ... so, hold on to your hats. Those of you waiting for the long-anticipated [Jin Kwon (Daniel Dae Kim)] and Hurley Ping-Pong tournament, however, will be very disappointed."[14] The writers expressed interest to air the eighth episode with the second batch of episodes,[15] but ABC did not comply and "The Shape of Things to Come" served as the mid-season premiere. The writers realized some advantages to the strike: they were able to use actors whose shows had been canceled during the strike, and they were able to respond to confusion from the audience.[16] They would later even conclude that the season was better as a result of the interruption, as they were able to discard "languid, contemplative material" and felt "recharged [with] a real energy to attack [the] last six episodes".[17] The first three seasons were broadcast on Wednesdays in the United States and Canada;[18] the pre-strike fourth-season episodes aired on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m., a time slot normally occupied by Grey's Anatomy.[19] "The Shape of Things to Come" and the following three episodes were broadcast on Thursdays at 10:00 p.m., after Grey's Anatomy.[20]

"The Shape of Things to Come" was written alongside "Something Nice Back Home" and "Cabin Fever" in February and March 2008.[13] Its title is derived from the 1933 science fiction novel of the same name by H.G. Wells.[21] Co-executive producer/writer Drew Goddard called the episode "maybe my favorite thing I've done on Lost, and I've been lucky with all the episodes I've gotten so far".[22] Shooting began on March 10 and continued through March 25,[23] alongside filming of "Something Nice Back Home".[24] The scene in which Ben confronts Widmore was actually filmed in London, because actor Alan Dale was unable to fly to Hawaii as he had been appearing in a production of the play Spamalot. Several crew members and Michael Emerson flew to London to film the scene.[21] A scene in which Claire has a prophetic vision was produced; however, it was cut due to runtime constraints.[25]

A shoot-out early in the episode sees the end of the three background survivors who joined Locke in his trip to the Barracks in the early fourth season. One of them, Doug, was played by Sean Douglas Hoban, who received credit as a co-star for the first time in his run on the show, having been cast in the pilot as "Passenger #4". Hoban later also acted as a stunt double for Dominic Monaghan, who plays Charlie Pace, a major character in the first three seasons.[26] Hoban has one line in "The Shape of Things to Come", and he had to audition for it against the other background actors.[27]

The episode's flashforwards commence with Ben waking up alarmed in the Sahara with a wounded right arm and vapor rising from him. The Dharma Initiative parka that he wears was codenamed "Dharka" by the writers.[28] A couple of Easter eggs are present in this scene:[29] Ben's parka has a name tag that indicates that it was formerly owned by Edgar Halliwax (François Chau) and it displays the first appearance of the logo for a Dharma station called the "Orchid" that would not be seen until the episode titled "There's No Place Like Home".[30] Another Easter egg is glimpsed in the next scene, when Ben reveals his forged Canadian passport previously seen in "The Economist" for his alias Dean Moriarty,[31] which is also the name of the central character in Jack Kerouac's 1951 novel On the Road.[32] Among the most frequent questions that the writers are asked is whether they have planned out future storylines,[33] so the writers try to allude to future plot points, such as with the Dharka scene, that they can later call on as proof that they do know where the story is headed.[21] Director Jack Bender described the scene, which was filmed in a Hawaiian rock quarry, as especially hard to shoot because the actors had to ride horses and use guns, the crew had to relocate due to rocks present that were unsuitable for the scene, and Bender walked head-first into a crane.[34] Emerson stated that the set is "definitely a no-glamour zone ... I thought we would ease into things. Instead, I get this all-Ben extravaganza: combat, riding horses, foreign languages. And piano playing! All waaaay outside my comfort zone. How can you work two weeks and feel like you need a vacation already?"[35]

Reception[edit]

Co-executive producer Drew Goddard co-wrote the script.

"The Shape of Things to Come" was viewed in the United States live or within five hours of broadcast by 12.075 million people,[36] ranking Lost as the fourteenth most watched program of the week.[37] A total in the United States of 14.067 million people watched the episode live or within seven days; this number was factored into the season's average.[36] This was an improvement over the previous Lost episode that had aired six weeks earlier. Lost also improved its Canadian ratings with 1.443 million viewers.[38] In Australia, "The Shape of Things to Come" was watched by only 683,000 viewers,[39] but Lost was nominated in the same week for two Sun-Herald Bogie Awards—a parody of the Australian Logie Awards—in the categories of "Most Underrated" series and "Most Jerked Around by the Networks".[40][41]

"The Shape of Things to Come" received critical acclaim. Karla Peterson of The San Diego Union-Tribune gave "The Shape of Things to Come" an "A+."[42] Jeff Jensen of Entertainment Weekly called "The Shape of Things to Come" "one of those deliciously dense episodes in which the nourishment of revelation is mixed with huge chunks of sugary intrigue" and speculated that the scene in which Alex is executed will be "sitting very high on this ranking of all-time pivotal Lost moments" by the series' May 2010 end.[43] Before the season finale aired, Jensen ranked this as the second best moment of the season[44] and put the scene in which the monster attacks the mercenaries in ninth place.[45] Dan Kois and Lane Brown of New York magazine thought that this "episode didn't exactly feel like the usual moderately paced, secret-revealing drama Lost usually is; it felt like an action movie ... it was like watching Die Hard on an island".[46] Chris Carabott of IGN gave the episode a 9.3/10,[47] concluding that "if 'The Shape of Things to Come' is any indication of the level of quality that [the audience] should expect from here on out then we are in for some incredible storytelling" and "Alex's death will probably be remembered as one of the more pivotal scenes in the entire series [because] it is such a phenomenally shot, edited and acted moment ... it would be incredibly hard not to feel for [Ben] here."[48] Upon grading the best episodes of the first five seasons, the episode ranked second, beating episodes like "Through the Looking Glass" and the pilot and losing to "The Constant."[49] Erin Martell of AOL's TV Squad summed up "The Shape of Things to Come" as "a brilliant episode ... [with] tons of action, several big revelations, and more questions to ponder".[50] Don Williams of BuddyTV decided that the episode was "worth waiting five weeks for" and "so jam packed that I need to give my brain time to rest".[51] Williams's colleague Oscar Dahl ranked the scene in which Alex is killed as the fifth best moment of the season, noting that "it was perfectly paced ... and provided a huge shock ... and some of the best acting you'll ever see".[52] Jay Glatfelter of The Huffington Post wrote that "'The Shape of Things to Come' was the perfect episode to get everyone back into the swing of Lost. It wasn't a mindfuck à la 'The Constant'. It was an edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, which to me matched the 'Pilot''s bombastic grandeur".[53]

Alan Sepinwall of The Star-Ledger wrote that the episode "was overflowing with manna from post-strike heaven: lots of action, lots of intrigue [and] the odd answer or three"; however, he criticized the deaths of the three 815 survivors played by extras and survival of main characters, saying that "that sequence with Sawyer dodging bullets was supposed to be tense and frightening; instead, it was funny".[54] Kristin Dos Santos of E! agreed with Sepinwall's latter assessment.[55] Jamie Poniewozik of Time worried about the show's direction in which Widmore is suddenly the antagonist and Ben travels the globe to seek revenge. He said that it "looks a little too much like Alias"; Poniewozik enjoyed the island drama.[56] Daniel of TMZ called "The Shape of Things to Come" "another solid episode of Lost", grading it as a "B" and claiming that "I enjoyed it the whole way through, even if it never gave me that 'OH MY GOD!!!!' moment, though I loved the Alex execution scene."[57]

Before the episode began shooting, Michael Emerson had already decided to submit his performance in this episode for consideration in the Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category of the Primetime Emmy Awards because of the script's strength.[58] He received his second consecutive Emmy nomination for this role; however, he lost to Željko Ivanek of the FX series Damages. Emerson won the next year for the episode "Dead Is Dead". Kevin Thompson of The Palm Beach Post wrote that "with those big ol' eyes of his, [Emerson] could always say more with a lengthy stare than he could with twenty pages of dialogue.... [He has], once again, proved why he has become Lost's star as well as its heart and soul.... an Emmy should belong to [him]."[59] Jennifer Godwin of E! wrote that "no one has ever done better work humanizing a supervillain."[60] Among those who also praised Emerson's performance as Ben were Robert Bianco of USA Today,[61] Matt Roush of TV Guide,[62] Ben Rawson-Jones of Digital Spy, who gave the episode a perfect rating of five stars,[63] John Kubicek of BuddyTV[64] and aforementioned critics from The Star-Ledger,[54] The San Diego Union-Tribune,[42] Time,[56] Entertainment Weekly,[25] IGN[47] and TV Squad.[50]

References[edit]

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External links[edit]

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