When 'Lost' was in its prime, it was must-watch television. Remember first watching it, found it remarkably easy to get into, was hooked from the start and was on Season 3 by the end of one week. The general consensus is that the final season is a disappointment and cannot disagree.
"Tricia Tanaka is Dead" is not Season 3 or 'Lost' in general back on very top form and may lack some of what makes the classic 'Lost' episodes as great as they are. It is however a huge step up from the previous episode "Stranger in a Strange Land", a huge disappointment and a rare early seasons-'Lost' misfire and even one of the show's worst. Count me in actually as another person who liked "Tricia Tanaka is Dead", didn't mind it was not a conventional episode as such and who considers it underrated.
Can understand why some would consider it a filler episode, though "Stranger in a Strange Land" fits that description a lot more and does a much worse job with it. It may not say anything new, there have been more illuminating flashbacks before and since (though at least they didn't feel pointless) and it doesn't necessarily progress character development (apart from Hurley) or the story and on-island/mystery events.
Having said all this, "Tricia Tanaka is Dead" was a very pleasant watch and actually appreciated its laid back approach, not every episode of 'Lost' has to have full on intensity and such, without feeling dull. Parts are very funny, agree that some of the comedy touches are great. The episode is also poignant and heart-warming with a lovely message. Hurley has always been very likeable as a character and it is always great when he is much more than just comic relief, there are signs of that definitely but Hurley's dramatic situation avoids being too soap-operatic.
All the acting is very good, with top honours going to Josh Holloway and particularly Jorge Garcia.
Loved too the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, the effective use of music, the taut writing and the tightly controlled direction (one of the season's best directed episodes).
Overall, very good. 8/10 Bethany Cox