This review may contain spoilers.

Like many Lost fans, I cringed when I realized that this weeks episode would be focused on Kate (Evangeline Lily).

I consider myself to be firmly rooted in the camp of Evangeline Lily fans, but Kate episodes are usually disappointing, if not downright bad. But, while this episode exhibited some weaknesses, it was not a bad episode.

Perhaps the most significant development is the fact that the narrative structure of the episode was far better than last weeks two part event. Its not surprising that Lost returned to the technique that made it wildly successful in its first season.
The episode focused primarily on one survivor, then alternated between present day and flashbacks. Here, instead of flashbacks, viewers are treated to flashes in the alternate timeline and, since it is 2004, it probably is still appropriate to call them flashbacks. The technique works well as long as the episode doesnt try to do too much. As a result, a large number of cast members do not appear in this episode.

On the island, Sayid (Naveen Andrews) has conquered death, or so it seems. A few painful tests are administered by the Others, who determine that something is amiss. Sawyer (Josh Holloway) escapes from the temple, and predictably, Kate follows. It is revealed to Jack (Matthew Fox) that Sayid is not well, and the Others try to get him to give Sayid a pill to cure him. Jack takes it instead, but is prevented from swallowing it. The leader of the Others, Dogen (Hiroyuki Sanada) reveals that the pill was poison and that Sayid is going to be consumed by a darkness, and this has already happened to Jacks sister. Of course we know it is Claire (Emilie de Ravin), who appears at the end of the episode looking crazed and badly in need of a makeover.

Meanwhile, in the alternate reality, Kates adventure takes a turn for the unbelievable when she forces the cab driver to drive away at gunpoint. She somehow ends up becoming friends with Claire despite the fact that she pulled a gun on her and abandoned her at a street corner. Their journey takes them to the home of the family that was supposed to adopt Claires baby, only to find out that that isnt going to happen. This leads Kate and Clair to the hospital, where Claire suddenly, for no apparent reason, refers to the unborn baby as Aaron.

Its not surprising that the alternate reality is mingling with the reality that viewers have grown accustomed to during the last five seasons. Still, even if we accept this premise that these characters are connected in some way, Kates joyride and little adventure was a bit hard to accept.

Still, the episode did contain quite a few positive elements, and I especially loved it when Hurley (Jorge Garcia) asked Sayid if he was a zombie. I hate to damn the episode with faint praise, but for a Kate episode, it was good.

What Worked

Ethan (William Mapother) made his first appearance in the alternate reality when he came in to treat Claire at the hospital. I believe a more logical choice would have been Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell), but since she has fled the series as a regular to fight off an alien invasion on V, Ethan makes an interesting substitute. It can probably be assumed that, throughout the season, various people viewers have encountered over the years will be spotted in odd places.

Sawyer has really softened up over the years and his scene, in which he takes blame for Juliets death, and reveals that he was going to propose to her, was quite touching. Still, I prefer the wisecracking Sawyer to this soft, sensitive version.

What Didnt Work

I can accept variations in the time space continuum. I can accept alternate realities playing out simultaneously. But I cannot wrap my brain around the ridiculously illogical turn of events that put Kate in a cab and led to her befriending Claire.

So Kate jumps into a cab, pulls out a gun, points it not only at the cab driver, but at Claire as well. She abandons a very pregnant girl on the side of the road, takes her purse and her luggage. She pulls the same gun on a guy working in a garage, who promptly decides to help her.

Then, if that isnt unbelievable enough, she goes back, and Claire not only willing goes with her, but then asks her to accompany her to the door of the family who abandoned her? Then Claire lies to protect her, claiming she was the cab driver. And you wonder why I think Kate episodes tend to be bad.

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

Lost stars Matthew Fox, Evangeline Lilly, Terry OQuinn, Josh Holloway, Jorge Garcia, and Michael Emerson. What Kate Does was written by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz. It was directed by Paul A. Edwards.

"Lost" airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.