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.
"Par Avion" is not quite classic 'Lost' overall, although there are elements of it, but it's towards the top half of the third season if not quite at the very top. It is a great episode with very little to dislike and from personal opinion it is not my definition of a filler/transition episode. Everything with the birds/seagulls may not have been the most crucial part of the story, but it did serve a point in Claire recalling and learning about her past. It may not be the most tautly paced 'Lost' episode and not the most eventful in terms of the island events.
On the other hand, "Par Avion" gets a lot of credit for giving some much needed and long overdue development to Claire. What is done with her and how she's developed makes for one of the more interesting and emotional personal stories of the season and for one of the best acted and progressive flashbacks of the season too.
The flashback is beautifully acted, Claire is written and developed the best she was up to this point of 'Lost' and it features a major revelation that leaves one floored and is one of the most shocking revelations of the season. The ending was a surprise too. There is character progression and there are elements that do advance in terms of the island events, like with The Others and the mystery of them and Jack's behaviour.
All the acting is excellent, particularly here from Emilie De Ravin.
Loved too the stylishness and atmosphere of the visuals, the effective use of music, the nicely done writing and the controlled direction. Things don't get dull either.
Concluding, great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox