Meet Kevin Johnson

File:Harold Perrineau, Constantine, 2014 Comic Con (cropped).jpgThe episode's opening is set on December 26, 2004, over three months after the crash of Oceanic 815. Sayid and Desmond are on the freighter Kahana, moored offshore of the island where the plane crashed. The freighter is owned by Charles Widmore (Alan Dale), who is intent on extracting the Others' leader Ben Linus (Michael Emerson). Captain Gault (Grant Bowler) stops two crewmembers from deserting the freighter in a raft. He publicly beats them and shouts that this is to save their lives, reminding the crew of what happened to George Minkowski (Fisher Stevens) when he left the boat. The next morning, Sayid Jarrah (Naveen Andrews) confronts Michael about his motivations, and the narrative shifts into an uninterrupted flashback of Michael's life after escaping from the island.

Michael and his son Walt Lloyd (Malcolm David Kelley) return to New York. Overcome with guilt, Michael confesses that he murdered Ana Lucia Cortez (Michelle Rodriguez) and Libby (Cynthia Watros) as part of his rescue of Walt from the Others' captivity. Michael becomes estranged from Walt, who goes to live with Michael's mother (Starletta DuPois). Michael is haunted by apparitions and nightmares of Libby. Michael attempts to kill himself twice, but is unsuccessful. That night, Michael is confronted by Tom (M.C. Gainey), the Other who abducted Walt. Tom explains that Widmore staged the wreckage of Flight 815 found in the ocean and is determined to find the island. He also explains that the island will not allow Michael to kill himself, and tasks Michael with infiltrating the freighter Kahana to kill everyone on board. Michael agrees to this and boards the freighter from Fiji. Michael becomes acquainted with the crew and hesitates to sabotage their mission until he finds Martin Keamy (Kevin Durand) and his associates target-practicing with machine guns. After Michael tries to detonate a provided bomb only to discover that it is a fake, Ben contacts Michael by radio and explains that the trick illustrated his stance against killing innocent people in his war against Widmore. The flashback ends and Sayid, appalled by Michael's association with Ben, exposes his duplicity to Gault.

On the island in the Others' abandoned Barracks where some of the survivors have taken residence, 815 survivor John Locke (Terry O'Quinn) meets with his faction to discuss the freighter and Ben reveals that Michael is spying for him there. Ben later urges his adopted daughter Alex (Tania Raymonde) to flee to the Others' sanctuary at the "Temple" for safety; she is accompanied by her biological mother Danielle Rousseau (Mira Furlan) and boyfriend Karl (Blake Bashoff). On their way, Karl and Rousseau are shot dead by hidden assailants and Alex surrenders.

File:Cynthia Watros in Iraq.PNG

"Meet Kevin Johnson" features the first appearance of Cynthia Watros as Libby in Lost since the second-season finale.Raggs, Matt, (January 18, 2006) "[http://forum.thefuselage.com/showthread.php?t=32499 The Character of Claire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716163134/http://forum.thefuselage.com/showthread.php?t=32499 |date=2011-07-16 }}", The Fuselage. Retrieved on August 30, 2007. After her character's death in the second season, Watros became the first main cast member never to play the central role in a Lost episode. Several members of production stated that the character's backstory would be explained in later episodes, but this was continually postponed.Ausiello, Michael, (May 10, 2006) "[http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Lost-Killed-Libby/800001555&start=30 Why Lost Killed Libby]", TV Guide. Retrieved on August 30, 2007. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118084350/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Lost-Killed-Libby/800001555%26start%3D30 |date=November 18, 2007 }}Jensen, Jeff, (January 31, 2007) "[https://ew.com/article/2007/02/07/lost-producers-answer-your-burning-questions/ The Isle Files] ", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on August 19, 2007.Ausiello, Michael, (September 20, 2007) "[http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Lost-Resurrects/800022625&start=15 Lost Resurrects Libby!]", TV Guide. Retrieved on September 20, 2007. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071112011829/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Lost-Resurrects/800022625%26start%3D15 |date=November 12, 2007 }} Watros made a couple of appearances via hallucinations in Michael's flashbacks in "Meet Kevin Johnson". The writers asserted that while they had yet to shed light on the character's past, they would finally in their fifth year.Littleton, Cynthia, (April 15, 2008) "[http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2008/04/lost-at-nab.html Lost at NAB] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420033543/http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2008/04/lost-at-nab.html |date=2008-04-20 }}", Variety. Retrieved on December 6, 2008. When Watros returned to Lost for "Meet Kevin Johnson", she did not receive the "special guest star" credit, as was customary for former main cast members of Lost. She was instead billed simply as a guest star, although her name appeared with that of frequent guest star M.C. Gainey ahead of the remainder of the episode's guest cast, who were listed alphabetically on-screen."Lost on Location: 'Meet Kevin Johnson' ". Lost: The Complete Fourth Season – The Expanded Experience, Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Featurette, disc 6. Released on December 9, 2008. Damon Lindelof said that "it was sort of like a walk down memory lane for the dead", as the episode included several characters who died earlier on the show.

First-season regular cast member Malcolm David Kelley returned in an uncredited cameo for a single scene as Michael's ten-year-old son Walt without dialogue and from a distance. Fifteen-year-old Kelley said make-up was applied to him in an effort for him to look younger;Hollywood 411, (April 7, 2008) "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3lh8elrGVY&&fmt=18 Lost: Malcolm David Kelley] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123053359/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3lh8elrGVY&&fmt=18 |date=2016-01-23 }}", TV Guide. Retrieved on April 10, 2008. Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse later clarified that footage of Kelley from production on the first season was composited into the shot.Lindelof, Damon & Cuse, Carlton, "There's No Place Like Home". Lost: The Complete Third Season – The Extended Experience, Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Audio commentary, disc 4. Released on December 9, 2008. Because Kelley was so obscured and his name did not appear in the cast list, television critics were convinced that Walt had been recast.Heisler, Steve, (March 21, 2008) "[http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/?p=3836 Lost Me Tender: Where's Walt, Though?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123161255/http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/out-and-about/?p=3836 |date=2009-01-23 }}", Time Out. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.Daniel, (March 21, 2008) "[https://www.tmz.com/2008/03/21/lost-diary-meet-kevin-johnson/ Lost Diary: 'Meet Kevin Johnson'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421062723/https://www.tmz.com/2008/03/21/lost-diary-meet-kevin-johnson/ |date=2020-04-21 }}", TMZ.com. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.

Having appeared in six episodes of the third season and the first two of the fourth season, Blake Bashoff was cast as Moritz Stiefel in the Broadway production of Spring Awakening.Hetrick, Adam, (December 7, 2008) "[http://www.playbill.com/news/article/113380.html Bashoff to Replace Gallagher, Jr. in Spring Awakening; Burton Will Also Join Cast] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080322055235/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/113380.html |date=2008-03-22 }}", Playbill. Retrieved on March 23, 2008. He warned Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse that he would be unable to shoot Lost for at least six months beginning in December 2007, as he rehearsed for and performed in the production.Godwin, Jennifer, (March 21, 2008) "[http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/watch_with_kristin/b8767_oh_my_god_those_bastards_they_killed.html Oh My God! Those Bastards! They Killed ****!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013114507/http://www.eonline.com/news/watch_with_kristin/oh_my_god_those_bastards_they_killed/8767 |date=2012-10-13 }}", E!. Retrieved on March 21, 2008. The producers decided to that the character would die in this episode. The cliffhanger of "Meet Kevin Johnson" sees Karl shot dead by unseen killers in the jungle. Two episodes later, the character Miles Straume (Ken Leung) finds Karl partially buried in the jungle dirt, but this corpse is portrayed by a body double.

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The Writers Guild of America went on strike on November 4, 2007McNary, Dave & Littleton, Cynthia, (November 2, 2007) "[https://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=print_story&articleid=VR1117975256 Writers Call for Strike] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130200951/http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=print_story&articleid=VR1117975256 |date=2009-01-30 }}", Variety. Retrieved on November 3, 2007.—the day that the writers finished editing the final draft of the script of "Meet Kevin Johnson".Lindelof, Damon & Cuse, Carlton, (November 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. Retrieved on November 8, 2007. The writers wanted to hold the eight episodes until they were able to produce more of the season because the eighth episode has a "very cool" yet inconclusive cliffhanger that was not written to end the season;Goldman, Eric, (November 7, 2007) "[http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/833/833445p1.html Writers Strike: Should Lost Air This Season?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509232511/http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/833/833445p1.html |date=2012-05-09 }}", IGN. Retrieved on November 8, 2007.Fernandez, Maria Elena, (December 14, 2008) "[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/12/lost-fans-look.html Lost Fans: Look Out for That Cliffhanger!] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225043248/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2007/12/lost-fans-look.html |date=2012-02-25 }}", Los Angeles Times. Retrieved on March 18, 2008. they compared it to "the end of an exciting book chapter [but] not the end of the novel."Ausiello, Michael, (December 12, 2008) "[http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Lost-Abandoning/800029239 Lost Abandoning Wednesday?]", TV Guide. Retrieved on March 19, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303204329/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Lost-Abandoning/800029239 |date=March 3, 2008 }} ABC decided that the eight episodes would be aired from January to March, regardless of whether anymore episodes were produced in the 2007–2008 season.Grossman, Ben, (November 7, 2007) "[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6498735.html?industryid=47168 Strike Coverage: ABC to Air Partial Season of Lost] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915001435/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/111112-STRIKE_COVERAGE_ABC_to_Air_Partial_Season_of_Lost.php |date=2012-09-15 }}", Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved on November 8, 2007. After the strike's end on February 12, 2008, the writers pleaded with ABC to air "Meet Kevin Johnson" on April 17 with the second pod of episodes, due to "the eighth episode [being] non-traditional and the start of something new".Ausiello, Michael, (February 13, 2008) "[http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Lost-Finds/800033151 Exclusive: Lost Finds Post-Grey's Berth!]", TV Guide. Retrieved on March 18, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303210841/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Exclusive-Lost-Finds/800033151 |date=March 3, 2008 }} ABC prioritized scheduling Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty and Lost's returns all for April 24.ABC Medianet, (February 20, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=022008_01 ABC Announces the Return of Television's Biggest Hits Shows] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723171542/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=022008_01 |date=2014-07-23 }}". Retrieved on March 19, 2008.

Despite the struggles with the strike, the producers and writers were satisfied with the plot of the episode.Terry, Paul, (August 12, 2008) "2008 Yearbook: The Others – Remembering Season 4". Lost: The Official Magazine, Titan Magazines. Issue #18. Instead of being intercut with scenes from the main ongoing plot, the flashbacks of "Meet Kevin Johnson" are presented continuously and are only bookended by present-day scenes. This is the second episode to do this after "Flashes Before Your Eyes" from the third season. The flashback portion of "Meet Kevin Johnson" is the longest in Lost history,Lee, Iain; Terry, Paul; "Geeky" Tom, (March 23, 2008) "[http://skyscape.sky.com/skynewsradio/PODCAST/lostS4ep8.mp3 The Lost Initiative: 'Meet Kevin Johnson']", Sky One. Retrieved on March 24, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225143027/http://skyscape.sky.com/skynewsradio/PODCAST/lostS4ep8.mp3 |date=February 25, 2009 }} which was unintentional. When asked why Michael's alias was not an allusion to a literary or historical figure, as with other Lost characters,Keveney, Bill, (May 9, 2006) "[https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-09-lost_x.htm Lost in Lost] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629080132/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-05-09-lost_x.htm |date=2011-06-29 }}", USA Today. Retrieved on December 14, 2008. Damon Lindelof explained that the Others would not have picked a famous person as an alias, as that would cause others to be suspicious of the character.Lindelof, Damon & Cuse, Carlton, (March 21, 2008) "[http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/audio/itunes/LOST_409_audio_podcast_8ea5441e-65f4-4d96-ad4d-4e2de171b95e_1604375.mp3 The Official Lost Audio Podcast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210185530/http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/audio/itunes/LOST_409_audio_podcast_8ea5441e-65f4-4d96-ad4d-4e2de171b95e_1604375.mp3 |date=2012-02-10 }}", ABC. Retrieved on March 24, 2008. Lindelof also said that it was a coincidence that "Kevin Johnson" was also the name of an American basketball player.

In "Meet Kevin Johnson", Michael visits Tom's penthouse suite, where Tom introduces his partner Arturo (Francesco Simone), revealing that he is homosexual (and becomes Lost's only gay character). Online speculation about Tom's sexual orientation began after the broadcast of the third-season premiere, in which Tom tells Kate Austen (Evangeline Lilly) that she is "not [his] type".Lindelof, Damon (writer) & Abrams, J. J. (writer); Bender, Jack (director), "A Tale of Two Cities". Lost, ABC. Episode 1, season 3. Aired on October 4, 2006.Kubicek, John, (March 21, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/more/lost-easter-eggs-meet-kevin-jo-17821.aspx Lost Easter Eggs: 'Meet Kevin Johnson' #5 – Gay Tom] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229132759/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/more/lost-easter-eggs-meet-kevin-jo-17821.aspx |date=2012-02-29 }}", BuddyTV. Retrieved on April 12, 2008.Ausiello, Michael, (October 4, 2006) "[http://www.mailinglistarchive.com/Lost_ABCTV@yahoogroups.com/msg08673.html Ask Ausiello: On Lost] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410092453/http://www.mailinglistarchive.com/Lost_ABCTV@yahoogroups.com/msg08673.html |date=2012-04-10 }}", TV Guide. Retrieved on March 24, 2008. A few weeks later, the writers hinted that a character would eventually be revealed as gay.Lindelof, Damon & Cuse, Carlton, (October 30, 2006) "[http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/audio/itunes/Lostpodcast_305_abc.mp3 Official Lost Podcast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210185517/http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/audio/itunes/Lostpodcast_305_abc.mp3 |date=2012-02-10 }}", ABC. Retrieved on March 24, 2008. In response to the internet community's suspicions,Matheson, Whitney, (October 6, 2006) "[http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2006/10/lost_comments_t.html Lost Comments That Make You Go 'Hmm…'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522085701/http://blogs.usatoday.com/popcandy/2006/10/lost_comments_t.html |date=2008-05-22 }}", USA Today. Retrieved on March 24, 2008.CTV Television Network, (November 14, 2006) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20070209155747/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20061103/TheOthers-Lost/20061114/ The Others]". Retrieved on March 31, 2008. actor M.C. Gainey began to play the character as such, subtly trying to flirt with Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox) and later claiming that this attraction "got [him] through the first half of the season."Gainey, M.C., (October 2, 2007) "Femme Fatales: Hostile Environment". Lost: The Official Magazine, Titan Magazines. Issue #13. Following the broadcast of "Meet Kevin Johnson", Lindelof and Cuse confirmed that the line from the third-season premiere is an allusion to Tom's sexuality, but felt that it needed to be explicitly confirmed in the show.

Tom establishes that the island has some control over whether characters can die, as demonstrated when Michael attempts suicide three times. Cuse has said that "There is a raging debate on the show about what constitutes free will and what constitutes destiny and Michael's story was sort of a[n] argument on the destiny side of that equation. He had more destiny to fulfil with that island than he anticipated and maybe the audience anticipated." Elizabeth Sarnoff stated that "the island doesn't let you go until it's done with you and I think that the rest of our characters are going to feel the reverberations of that, as well."

Shooting commenced in early November and concluded on November 27, 2007.Garcia, Jorge, (November 9, 2007) "[http://forum.thefuselage.com/showthread.php?p=1678561 Strike and Stuff…] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123053359/http://forum.thefuselage.com/showthread.php?p=1678561 |date=2016-01-23 }}", The Fuselage. Retrieved on March 18, 2008. The strike suspended the script for the next episode and freed the cast and crew from an immediate deadline, with the result that more time was spent on filming "Meet Kevin Johnson" than the average Lost episode. Shooting did not customarily overlap with the surrounding episodes,Garcia, Jorge, (November 7, 2007) "[http://forum.thefuselage.com/showthread.php?p=1676439 Jorge, About Episode 8 and the Strike?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716163145/http://forum.thefuselage.com/showthread.php?p=1676439 |date=2011-07-16 }}", The Fuselage. Retrieved on March 18, 2008. although it was produced simultaneously with the Lost: Missing Pieces mobisodes directed by executive producer Jack Bender and one scene from the season premiere overseen by co-executive producer Jean Higgins.Higgins, Jean, (February 1, 2008) "[http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/index?pn=index Official Lost Video Podcast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711083405/http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/index?pn=index |date=2008-07-11 }}", ABC. Retrieved on February 2, 2008.

The exterior freighter scenes were filmed on an actual freighter, while interior scenes were filmed both on sets and in the freighter.Keck, William, (February 27) "[https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-02-27-cusick-lost-qna_N.htm Cusick Spills Lost Clues on Desmond, Flashbacks, More] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911123043/http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-02-27-cusick-lost-qna_N.htm |date=2012-09-11 }}", USA Today. Retrieved on March 1, 2008. The production crew had intended for the engine room scene where Michael goes to detonate the bomb and sees Libby to be shot in the freighter's engine room; instead, they built a new engine room set based on that inside the freighter. It was extremely hot on the set at around {{convert|105|°F|°C|abbr=on}} and the crew was unable to install air conditioning."Offshore Shoot". Lost: The Complete Fourth Season – The Expanded Experience, Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Featurette, disc 6. Released on December 9, 2008. Sculptor Jim Van Houten created twin twenty four foot (seven meter) marine engines for the set, primarily from urethane foam.Van Houten, Jim, (May 9, 2008) "[http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/video/itunes/LOST_412_Podcast_Video_SD_2026a518-a4ff-4139-9282-53bcec458fa3_1663465.m4v The Official Lost Video Podcast #412] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218232018/http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/video/itunes/LOST_412_Podcast_Video_SD_2026a518-a4ff-4139-9282-53bcec458fa3_1663465.m4v |date=2012-02-18 }}", ABC. Retrieved on December 14, 2008.

One New York flashback was filmed on the same Honolulu, Hawaii, street that had been used by set decorator Carol Bayne Kelley as Berlin, Germany in the fourth season's "The Economist" and London, England in the third season's "Flashes Before Your Eyes".Kelley, Carol Bayne, (April 25, 2008) "[http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/video/itunes/LOST_410_Podcast_Video_SD_44b4542f-310e-43b5-994b-4ea82a8ce0ac_1645084.m4v Official Lost Video Podcast] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120218232039/http://ll.media.abc.com/podcast/video/itunes/LOST_410_Podcast_Video_SD_44b4542f-310e-43b5-994b-4ea82a8ce0ac_1645084.m4v |date=2012-02-18 }}", ABC. Retrieved on December 7, 2008. The cliffhanger, in which Alex, Karl and Rousseau are in the jungle, was shot at Dillingham Ranch on the northwest tip of Oahu near the beach where the pilot and other early episodes were primarily filmed."In the Jungle". Lost: The Complete Fourth Season – The Expanded Experience, Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Easter egg, disc 5. Released on December 9, 2008. The scene originally ended with "snipers emerging through the jungle in these incredible, elaborate, jungle camouflage uniforms"; however, this was cut in post-production. Elements of this would be re-shot and used in the next episode when the snipers are identified.Vaughan, Brian K. (writer) & Goddard, Drew (writer) & Bender, Jack (director), "The Shape of Things to Come". Lost, ABC. Episode 9, season 4. Aired on April 24, 2008.

Despite picketing on most days with his fellow Lost writers, Carlton Cuse, a member of the WGA negotiating committee, continued to oversee post-production in late November.Mitovich, Matt, (November 16, 2008) "[https://www.tvguide.com/news/Strike-Outlaw-Lost-15847.aspx Strike Outlaw? Lost Show Runner Returns to Work] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121008041300/http://www.tvguide.com/news/Strike-Outlaw-Lost-15847.aspx |date=2012-10-08 }}", TV Guide. Retrieved on November 18, 2007. When negotiations between the Guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers broke down in early December, he boycotted his producing duties on the show until the strike was resolved.Cuse, Carlton, (December 3, 2007) "[http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/12/carlton-cuse-speaks-out-in-letter-to.html Carlton Cuse Speaks Out in Letter to Members] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209125629/http://unitedhollywood.blogspot.com/2007/12/carlton-cuse-speaks-out-in-letter-to.html |date=2012-02-09 }}", United Hollywood. Retrieved on February 13, 2008.

In addition to Michael Giacchino's original score, "Meet Kevin Johnson" contained popular music diegetically. The song playing on Michael's car radio during his first suicide attempt is "It's Getting Better", performed by "Mama" Cass Elliot.ABC Studios Closed Captioning for Lost episode 408: "Meet Kevin Johnson". Broadcast March 20, 2008, on ABC Television Network. The song is heard again, fleetingly, during Michael's vision of Libby in the ship's engine room. Elliot's rendition of the song was released as a single in 1969 and was included on her album Bubblegum, Lemonade, and... Something for Mama later the same year.Strong, Martin C. (2000), The Great Rock Discography – Fifth Edition. London, Mojo Books. Page 599. Lost previously played Elliot's "Make Your Own Kind of Music" throughout the second season.Squires, Chase, (September 23, 2005) "[http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/23/Artsandentertainment/_Lost__descends__and_.shtml Lost Descends, and Reaches a New High] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206185811/http://www.sptimes.com/2005/09/23/Artsandentertainment/_Lost__descends__and_.shtml |date=2008-12-06 }}", St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved on October 18, 2008.

Dubbed "the most anticipated Lost [episode] of the season" by Verne Gay of Newsday due to Michael's flashbacks,Gay, Verne, (March 20, 2008) "[http://weblogs.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/blog/2008/03/lost_meet_kevin_johnson.html Lost: 'Meet Kevin Johnson']", Newsday. Retrieved on November 5, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328220404/http://weblogs.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/blog/2008/03/lost_meet_kevin_johnson.html |date=March 28, 2008 }} "Meet Kevin Johnson" was watched live or recorded and watched within five hours of broadcast by 11.461 million viewers in the United States.Seidman, Robert, (March 25, 2008) "[http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/03/25/nielsen-top-twenty-singing-beats-dancing/3058 Nielsen Top Twenty: Singing Beats Dancing] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080601161251/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/03/25/nielsen-top-twenty-singing-beats-dancing/3058 |date=2008-06-01 }}", TV by the Numbers. Retrieved on October 26, 2008. Despite ranking ninth for the week in television programs with the most viewers,ABC Medianet, (March 25, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=032508_07 Weekly Program Rankings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229223816/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=032508_07 |date=2012-02-29 }}". Retrieved on October 26, 2008. "Meet Kevin Johnson" set a new record as the lowest-rated episode in Lost's history,Williams, Don, (March 28, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-season-4-suffers-ratings-17888.aspx Lost Season 4 Suffers Ratings Decline] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314014013/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-season-4-suffers-ratings-17888.aspx |date=2012-03-14 }}", BuddyTV. Retrieved on October 27, 2008. although this title was taken two episodes later with the broadcast of "Something Nice Back Home".ABC Medianet, (May 6, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050608_02 Weekly Program Rankings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210142818/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=050608_02 |date=2012-02-10 }}". Retrieved on May 9, 2008. "Meet Kevin Johnson" achieved a fifth-placeSeidman, Robert, (March 27, 2008) "[http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/03/27/nielsen-top-shows-age-18-49-idol-rules-but-all-hail-cbs/3097 Nielsen Top Shows (Age 18–49): Idol Rules, But All Hail CBS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010124914/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/03/27/nielsen-top-shows-age-18-49-idol-rules-but-all-hail-cbs/3097 |date=2008-10-10 }}", TV by the Numbers. Retrieved on November 7, 2008. 4.6/12 in the coveted adults aged eighteen to forty-nine demographic for the week.ABC Medianet, (March 25, 2008) "[http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=032508_06 Weekly Primetime Ratings Report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210143035/http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=032508_06 |date=2012-02-10 }}". Retrieved on June 5, 2008. Including those who watched within seven days of broadcast, the episode was watched by a total of 13.386 million American viewers.Gorman, Bill, (April 7, 2008) "[http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/04/07/what-youre-watching-on-your-dvrs-broadcast-networks-march-17-23/3223 What You're Watching on Your DVRs (Broadcast Networks)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310072030/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2008/04/07/what-youre-watching-on-your-dvrs-broadcast-networks-march-17-23/3223/ |date=2012-03-10 }}", TV by the Numbers. Retrieved on October 26, 2008. 1.421 million Canadians watched "Meet Kevin Johnson", making Lost the eighth most-viewed show of the week.BBM Canada, (March 27, 2008) "[http://www.bbm.ca/en/nat03172008.pdf Top Programs: Total Canada (English)]". Retrieved on October 26, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090124191809/http://www.bbm.ca/en/nat03172008.pdf |date=January 24, 2009 }} The episode brought in 618,000 viewers in Australia, placing it as the twenty-fourth most watched show of the night.Dale, David, (April 16, 2008) "[http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2008/04/new_ratings_rac.html The Who We Are Update: Week 18] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322080354/http://blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare/archives/2008/04/new_ratings_rac.html |date=2012-03-22 }}", The Sun-Herald. Retrieved on October 26, 2008.

File:Blake Bashoff.png.|alt=A photograph of Blake Bashoff]]

Critics and fans alike criticized the writers' seeming disregard for the Lost timeline.Sepinwall, Alan, (March 21, 2008) "[http://blog.nj.com/alltv/2008/03/lost_meet_kevin_johnson_ready.html Ready to Die] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210040412/http://blog.nj.com/alltv/2008/03/lost_meet_kevin_johnson_ready.html |date=2012-02-10 }}", The Star-Ledger. Retrieved on March 21, 2008.Jensen, Jeff, (April 2, 2008) "[https://ew.com/article/2008/04/03/lost-s4-grading-season-4-so-far/ 'Meet Kevin Johnson' Again] ", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on November 6, 2008. Based on the actions and whereabouts of characters in the third season, fans could deduce when parts of Michael's flashbacks occurred in relation to events on the island,Kubicek, John, (March 21, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/more/lost-easter-eggs-meet-kevin-jo-17818.aspx Lost Easter Egg #3: 'Meet Kevin Johnson' Timeline] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019154328/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/more/lost-easter-eggs-meet-kevin-jo-17818.aspx |date=2012-10-19 }}", BuddyTV. Retrieved on November 6, 2008. and critics pointed out that the chronology was inconsistent with events in the third season and an earlier episode of the same season.Stafford, Nikki, (March 21, 2008) "[http://www.wizarduniverse.com/032108getlost.html The Island Puts Michael on a Suicide Watch…]", Wizard. Retrieved on November 5, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524083704/http://www.wizarduniverse.com/032108getlost.html |date=May 24, 2008 }} This episode's negative critiques on fan message boards was highlighted by Lindelof as a reason why he avoids them, and said in defense of the script that "it's television."Murray, Noel, (April 23, 2008) "[https://www.avclub.com/content/interview/losts_damon_lindelof_and Interview with Lost's Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005125212/http://www.avclub.com/content/interview/losts_damon_lindelof_and |date=2008-10-05 }}", The A.V. Club. Retrieved on November 6, 2008.

The episode's plot received mixed reviews from critics. Digital Spy's Ben Rawson-Jones lauded the lack of interruption to the flashback and praised the writing of the episode, while TV Squad's Erin Martell was unsatisfied with the flashback and the exclusion of Walt from the plot, wondering how the characters explained their absence in the real world.Martell, Erin, (March 21, 2008) "[http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/03/21/lost-meet-kevin-johnson Lost: 'Meet Kevin Johnson'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908061559/http://www.aoltv.com/2008/03/21/lost-meet-kevin-johnson |date=2012-09-08 }}", TV Squad. Retrieved on October 25, 2008. Steve Heisler, writing for Time Out, felt the story was predictable, while John Kubicek, writing for BuddyTV, commented that the flashback did not reveal much new information to the audience. Oscar Dahl at BuddyTV ranked it as the second worst episode of the season.Dahl, Oscar, (March 30, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-ranking-the-season-4-epis-18091.aspx Lost: Ranking the Season 4 Episodes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019135657/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-ranking-the-season-4-epis-18091.aspx |date=2012-10-19 }}", BuddyTV. Retrieved on October 27, 2008.

Some critics acclaimed Michael's character development and emotional struggles.Littleton, Cynthia, (March 20, 2008) "[http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2008/03/lost-episode-8.html On the Air – Lost: Episode 8, 'Meet Kevin Johnson'] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080323110222/http://weblogs.variety.com/on_the_air/2008/03/lost-episode-8.html |date=2008-03-23 }}", Variety. Retrieved on November 23, 2008. Dan Compora of SyFy Portal enjoyed seeing dead characters in flashbacks and commended Perrineau's performance and character's story, while criticizing the underutilization of the rest of the main cast.Compora, Dan, (March 21, 2008) "[http://www.syfyportal.com/news424850.html Dead Cast Walking]", SyFy Portal. Retrieved on October 27, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327223405/http://www.syfyportal.com/news424850.html |date=March 27, 2008 }} Glatfelter had mixed feelings for the revelation of Tom's sexual orientation, while the San Francisco Chronicle's Tim Goodman referred to "Gay Tom" as "a unique and funny twist".Goodman, Tim, (March 21, 2008) "[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/sfgate/detail?blogid=24&entry_id=25110 Lost: The Spoiled Bastard] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026013954/http://blog.sfgate.com/tgoodman/2008/03/21/lost-the-spoiled-bastard-5/ |date=2012-10-26 }}", San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved on November 6, 2008.

The cliffhanger, in which Rousseau and Karl are killed and Alex calls out in desperation that she is Ben's daughter, gained a mixed response.Compora, Dan, (March 21, 2008) "[https://web.archive.org/web/20090123131113/http://www.syfyportal.com/pagetogether.php?id=4850&page=2 Lost Review: 'Meet Kevin Johnson']", SyFy Portal. Retrieved on October 27, 2008.Kubicek, John, (March 21, 2008) "[http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-easter-eggs-meet-kevin-jo-17823.aspx Lost Easter Eggs: 'Meet Kevin Johnson'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019135606/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-easter-eggs-meet-kevin-jo-17823.aspx |date=2012-10-19 }}", BuddyTV. Retrieved on October 27, 2008. IGN's Chris Carabott called the scene "completely out of place"Carabott, Chris, (March 22, 2008) "[http://tv.ign.com/articles/861/861355p1.html Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522071247/http://tv.ign.com/articles/861/861355p1.html |date=2012-05-22 }}", IGN. Retrieved on October 27, 2008. and Rawson-Jones said that the fate of the three characters was not interesting to the audience.Rawson-Jones, Ben, (March 23, 2008) "[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a92125/s04e08-meet-kevin-johnson.html S04E08: 'Meet Kevin Johnson'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213033457/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a92125/s04e08-meet-kevin-johnson.html |date=2009-02-13 }}", Digital Spy. Retrieved on October 27, 2008. Jay Glatfelter of The Huffington Post deemed the cliffhanger "a shocker".Glatfelter, Jay, (March 21, 2008) "[https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-glatfelter/on-lost-meet-kev_b_92765.html On Lost: 'Meet Kevin Johnson'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123190818/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-glatfelter/on-lost-meet-kev_b_92765.html |date=2009-01-23 }}", The Huffington Post. Retrieved on March 21, 2008. while Entertainment Weekly's Jeff Jensen felt that network executives were partially to blame for going against the wish of the show's creative team to broadcast "Meet Kevin Johnson" as a midseason premiere as opposed to a midseason finale.Jensen, Jeff, (April 2, 2008) "[https://ew.com/article/2008/04/03/lost-s4-grading-season-4-so-far/ Grading the Lost Season So Far] ", Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on November 6, 2008.

In retrospectives of the show, reviewers had various opinions on the episode's plot. Josh Wigler twice ranked the episode as one of the worst of the series, citing a convoluted storyline,Wigler, Josh, (September 22, 2014) "[https://www.mtv.com/news/vp9opg/lost-episode-ranking We Have To Go Back: Every 'Lost' Episode Ranked, 10 Years Later] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814031004/https://www.mtv.com/news/vp9opg/lost-episode-ranking |date=2022-08-14 }}", MTV. Retrieved on December 25, 2022.Wigler, Josh, (September 20, 2019) "[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lost-episodes-ranked-1241325/ ‘Lost’ 15 Years Later: Every Episode, Ranked] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718141444/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/lost-episodes-ranked-1241325/ |date=2021-07-18 }}", Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved on December 25, 2022. and Jacob Stolworthy, writing in The Independent, also ranked the episode as one of the weakest of the series and criticized the large amount of plot in the episode.Stolworthy, Jacob, (September 21, 2019) "[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/lost-best-episodes-worst-ranked-list-15-year-anniversary-evangeline-lilly-matthew-fox-a9113681.html Lost episodes ranked from worst to best] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210194618/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/lost-best-episodes-worst-ranked-list-15-year-anniversary-evangeline-lilly-matthew-fox-a9113681.html |date=2022-12-10 }}", The Independent. Retrieved on December 25, 2022. The episode was ranked 44th out of 113 episodes by the IGN staff, who praised how the episode presented Michael's time off the island.IGN Staff, (September 8, 2015) "[https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/22/ranking-lost Ranking Every Episode of Lost] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207070421/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/22/ranking-lost |date=2019-12-07 }}", IGN. Retrieved on December 25, 2022.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences gave sound production mixer Robert "Bobby" Anderson and re-recording mixers Frank Morrone and Scott Weber the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Comedy or Drama Series (One-Hour) for their work on this episode. It was Lost{{'}}s only Primetime Emmy Award win in 2008.Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, (September 13, 2008) "[http://www.emmys.tv/downloads/2008/CTA08winners_pressrel.pdf 2008 Creative Arts Emmy Winners]". Retrieved on October 26, 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225143025/http://www.emmys.tv/downloads/2008/CTA08winners_pressrel.pdf |date=February 25, 2009 }} Anderson discussed his job for an Easter egg featurette on the DVD and Blu-ray releases of Lost: The Complete Fourth Season – The Expanded Experience. Lost was sometimes filmed just {{convert|200|yd|m|abbr=off|spell=in}} from the Kamehameha Highway and the traffic noise drowned out filmed dialogue, as did the ocean waves, so Anderson had the actors loop their relatively quiet lines on an automated dialogue replacement (ADR) sound stage."Bobby the Sound Guy". Lost: The Complete Fourth Season – The Expanded Experience, Buena Vista Home Entertainment. Easter egg, disc 6. Released on December 9, 2008.

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110606071243/http://abc.go.com/shows/lost/episode-detail/meet-kevin-johnson/97118 "Meet Kevin Johnson"] at ABC
• {{IMDb episode|0994368}}

{{Lost episodes}}

Category:Lost season 4 episodes

Category:2008 American television episodes

Category:Television episodes directed by Stephen Williams (director)