Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Whitney Pastorek called it "a decent episode made much, much better by its absolutely bloodcurdling final moments."[15] Chris Carabott of IGN wrote in 2008 that while the episode was not the best of the first season, it was "noteworthy for its memorable reveal of the show's first Other."[11] He praised the episode's suspenseful climax, with Ethan's revelation appearing alongside Sayid and Hurley warning them they are not alone.