"Not in Portland" (S3E7) acts as a pivotal turning point for Lost , providing crucial backstory for Juliet Burke that reframes her as a sympathetic figure while accelerating the plot. The episode is widely regarded by viewers as the moment the third season overcomes a slow start, delivering high-stakes momentum and necessary character depth. Read a full fan discussion of this episode on Reddit . 2022 Rewatch: Season 3, Episode 7: Not in Portland : r/lost