Pilot (Season 1)
It opens with Jack's eye snapping open and witnessing the aftermath of a plane crash. This opening scene itself was revolutionary, and it was followed by a series of fascinating character introductions and captivating sequences. The episode that first defined LOST remains one of the show's greatest achievements.
Walkabout (Season 1)
This episode is consistently cited as one of the series' best, and with good reason. It is mythical, it is emotional, it is captivating. We learn some of Locke's backstory, but most importantly we learn that Locke was a cripple and now he walks. To me, it's really the first moment when we realize this island is truly a special place.
White Rabbit (Season 1)
The episode immediately following Walkabout, it really conveys what the series is all about. Jack's search for his father and eventual discovery of the caves is poignant. Locke's conversation with Jack about faith and reason is perfect. The mystical and the emotional aspects of the show come together perfectly in this episode.
Live Together, Die Alone (Season 2)
I find this to be one of the best of the season finales. It feels so cohesive and complete. Desmond's story is explored, with the tremendous flashback story. The on-island events are equally as momentous as the push-or-don't-push-the-button dilemma finally comes to a head. And the final moment of Penny answering the phone is beautiful.
Flashes Before Your Eyes (Season 3)
A large part of why I love this episode is that it seemingly came out of nowhere. It introduced the concept of time travel in an elegant and memorable way and continued the emotional thread that had been part of Desmond's stories. The introduction of the Ms. Hawking character was a great moment, and the hints and clues given along the way that reminded us of the island were perfect.
The Brig (Season 3)
Everything in this episode is absolutely perfect. Both Locke's and Sawyer's stories come to emotional high-points as they confront the one man who ruined both of their lives. The intense emotion in the scene between the two Sawyers is incredible and the on-island Locke flashback is very telling. This is a high point of LOST.
Through the Looking Glass (Season 3)
The highly-anticipated season three finale managed to maintain a sense of tension and movement throughout. There were a few interesting revelations, but the episode's strength lay in the sense of our castaways working towards and accomplishing their goal of contacting the freighter folk, thus earning their ticket off the island. Charlie's death was an emotional moment, but the final reveal that Jack and Kate make it off the island is what really makes the episode stand out. Overall, the episode is consistently engaging, not to mention that it is perhaps the largest turning point in the entire series.
The Constant (Season 4)
The thematic continuation of Flashes Before Your Eyes, the best episode of season four was one of LOST's most emotional tales. Here, the time travel element is used with even more elegance that in Flashes Before Your Eyes, brilliantly weaving together past and present. The telephone conversation between Desmond and Penny at the end was brilliant. It's interesting to note that this episode doesn't have a shocking ending, but still stands out as many people's favorite, testifying to the overall strength of the episode as a whole.
There's No Place Like Home (Season 4)
This intense, action-packed and very satisfying finale followed the survivors of Oceanic 815 as they attempted (and some succeeded) to finally escape the island. The action in the episode was wonderfully staged, the characters all reached meaningful season resolutions, and deep in the island underworld, central mysteries were explored. This finale was above all else tragic, but in its tragedy was its greatness.
The End (Season 6)
Against all odds, LOST managed to conclude with the same quality that it began. A perfect mirror to the pilot, Jack's eye closes and a plane leaves the island. Characters reach their final resolutions and the most important story threads are drawn together and completed. We are left with enduring mysteries and an unflinching optimism.
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