The Economist is the third episode of the American Broadcasting Company’s fourth season of the serial drama television series Lost and seventy-second episode overall that aired on February 14, 2008 on ABC in the United States and on CTV in Canada. The episode was written by co-executive producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz and directed by executive producer Jack Bender. Sayid and Kate negotiate for Locke’s hostage, who may be able to help them off the island. The first four episodes of the fourth season have been seen by TV Guide, who called them “worth the wait” and “emotionally satisfying”. TV Guide also stated that they “provide gaspworthy plot twists that should whip fans into a theory-spinning tizzy.