10 Best Lost Plot Twists

While the concept of the Others had been previously introduced, they had been depicted as a distant threat, lurking in the jungle. But the shocking conclusion of Raised by Another revealed that the danger was far closer to home.

While Claire’s “nightmares” of being attacked may have brought the Others to mind, the episode cunningly encouraged viewers to believe that her assailant was external, by having Hurley interview the castaways (including the seemingly innocuous Ethan) to create a census. The revelation that Ethan’s name wasn’t on the flight manifest, and that he therefore hadn’t been on the plane, was an absolutely chilling moment, particularly as it was immediately followed by Charlie and Claire’s cliffhanger encounter with the undercover Other (who was at that point sporting one of the creepiest facial expressions in television history).

Raised by Another’s gripping ending demonstrated just how devious and dangerous the Others were, particularly since it led into Claire’s abduction and the attempted murder of Charlie. It also established in memorable fashion that the survivors’ relationship with the Others would be defined by conflict and deceit, thus escalating what would prove to be one of Lost’s most riveting storylines.