Every fan of Lost should take the time to experience the most acclaimed episode of the series at least once. With six seasons and over 100 episodes available, Lost is filled with unforgettable moments, but there is one episode that truly stands out from the crowd.

While many might not label it as the absolute best episode, the two-part pilot has secured its place among the greatest television episodes of all time. From the iconic moment when Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox) opens his eyes to the harrowing aftermath of Oceanic Flight 815’s crash, the opening scenes of Lost are intense and immediately ensnare the viewer’s interest.

Numerous other episodes of Lost have gained significant acclaim, such as the two-part season 3 finale “Through the Looking Glass” and the season 6 episode “Ab Aeterno,” both of which delve into the lives of beloved characters like Charlie Pace (Dominic Monaghan) and Richard Alpert (Nestor Carbonell). Even though these episodes are remarkable, there is one that is truly in a league of its own.

Every Fan Will Agree That “The Constant” Is the Pinnacle of Lost Episodes

It Stands Out as the Definitive Classic in Television History

Fans of Lost can be quite passionate and may disagree on numerous aspects of the show, but one universally accepted fact is that “The Constant” is regarded as the best episode. On IMDb, “The Constant” holds the highest rating of any episode at an impressive 9.7 out of 10, surpassing other fan favorites like “Through the Looking Glass” and “Ab Aeterno.”

IMDb Rank	Episode	Rating
1	Season 4, Episode 5: “The Constant”	9.7
2	Season 3, Episode 23: “Through the Looking Glass: Part 2”	9.7
3	Season 3, Episode 22: “Through the Looking Glass: Part 1”	9.6
9	Season 6, Episode 9: “Ab Aeterno”	9.2

“The Constant” primarily revolves around Desmond Hume (Henry Ian Cusick) as he navigates a tumultuous journey where his consciousness shifts between his past in 1996 and his present in 2004. Under the guidance of Daniel Faraday (Jeremy Davies), Desmond must identify a constant, a person or object that remains familiar across both timeframes, enabling him to stabilize his consciousness and return fully to the year 2004.

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Desmond’s girlfriend and the love of his life, Penny Widmore (Sonya Walger), serves as the constant he desperately needs to reconnect with, though this proves challenging, as Sayid Jarrah (Naveen Andrews) is the only person he can reliably depend on aboard the freighter. This setup is both captivating and complex, and the resolution solidifies “The Constant” as Lost’s crowning achievement.

What Makes “The Constant” a Unique Gem in the Lost Series

It Perfectly Blends Science Fiction with a Heartfelt Love Story

“The Constant” stands out because it skillfully employs time travel as a narrative device to convey a deeply emotional love story that resonates across time. The concept of Lost’s time travel, which causes Desmond’s consciousness to oscillate between 1996 and 2004, serves as a fascinating premise, making the emotional stakes feel incredibly real and relatable.

Desmond’s very existence and mental stability are at risk, yet it is the profound love he has for Penny, along with their unwavering faith in each other, that ultimately brings resolution to the chaos. This episode represents a flawless combination of science fiction themes intertwined with an emotionally charged story of love that transcends temporal boundaries.

Previous episodes set the stage for “The Constant,” and it also has significant implications for future storylines. Nonetheless, it remains highly effective as a largely self-contained episode that can be thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated in isolation.

Lost Had Its Highs and Lows, Yet “The Constant” Remains a Timeless Classic

“The Constant” Offers Exceptional Rewatch Value

Lost inevitably features its fair share of lesser episodes alongside its remarkable ones, yet “The Constant” stands out as an undeniable classic. It is not only the pinnacle of Lost but arguably the best science fiction episode ever broadcast on television.

No matter how many times I view it, “The Constant” remains captivating, with the poignant phone call between Desmond and Penny evoking deep emotions and rekindling my belief in the existence of true love. This episode also highlights the power of science fiction as a genre, showcasing how fantastical elements can be employed to explore profoundly human experiences.

The relationship between Desmond and Penny forms the emotional core of the episode, but I also appreciate how it illuminates the often-overlooked friendship between Desmond and Sayid. Even though Sayid may not fully grasp the situation, he places his trust in Desmond and strives to assist him in navigating the complexities he faces.

When I reflect on Lost, “The Constant” frequently comes to mind as a quintessential example of the series at its finest. It also serves as a testament to how Lost effectively maintains its freshness and subverts conventional storytelling, particularly by creatively managing the episode’s dual timelines in a rewarding manner.

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“The Constant” Represents Just One of Many Exceptional Episodes in Lost

Although the narrative that Lost‘s divisive ending renders the series unworthy of viewing persists, this notion is largely based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the events in the series finale, even if this misconception is less prevalent in contemporary discussions.

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