Love it or hate it, you know you're watching this episode.
Much of that is down to Jennifer Lien's compelling performance as Kes. It's so sad that Lien's substance abuse resulted in her being written out and dropping out of acting altogether, as she was a phenomenally watchable and nuanced actress, and she gets to really showcase that here.
Credit also goes to star Jessica Collins for slotting right into the milieu with a winning guest performance, and there's even a surprise appearance from the delightful Rachel Harris, who can turn a single vocalisation into an Emmy winning scene.
The living-backwards plot itself isn't massively original, but it's confidently and tightly written. With hindsight, it's also bold in its foreshadowing of future episodes and seasons, something that you rarely see in this calibre of writer-of-the-week show.
Overall this is a pivotal episode that's compelling, enjoyable, significant, and worth your time.