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Greatest Hits

Time for another edition of the "Lost" Diary.

Tonight's episode is a Charlie flashback one, so obviously I am anticipating his (hopefully painful) demise. If you haven't been with me since the beginning, I hate Charlie. I think his character is useless on the show and it doesn't help things that the actor who plays him is dating Evangeline Lilly, who plays Kate. You can't be the worst character on one of my favorite shows AND date someone that hot. Just ain't right. So I apologize in advance if I spend half this episode begging for Charlie to die.

For all you "Lost" Diary newbies, here's how it goes. I gather with a group of friends watching "Lost," writing what happens on the show as it happens, and throwing in my two cents along the way. This week the crew is Ari, Lauren, Marisa, April and Matt. April made cupcakes tonight and Charlie might die -- what more could I want?. Let's roll:
Lost
10:00 -- "No matter what I do, you're gonna die, Charlie." -- Desmond, from a few weeks back. Please don't be a liar, Desmond. Please, please, please.


10:01 -- Someone goes running through the beach, grabs a boat, and makes off with it into the ocean. Couldn't really see who it was, but it looked like Karl, Alex's boyfriend.

10:02 -- "I don't know, stuff? Probably secret stuff." -- Hurley. Sawyer's attempts at humor have worn thin on me, but Hurley's have not.

10:03 -- When was the last time we saw so many characters together? Feels like the old band is back together.

10:04 -- Jack's speech was awesome. Seriously, I am ready to go and fight the Others right now (except for Henry Gale, of course). It was like he channeled his inner "Braveheart." The entire room just broke out in applause. Anyone who complained that Jack has turned into a (female cat) can rest rest easy now. Just one question: Why exactly did he blow up the tree?

10:07 -- Before this flashback starts, I am making a pledge: I will only say nice things about Charlie until he dies. This pledge only lasts for this episode. What are the odds I can keep it?

10:08 -- As soon as Lauren realized it was a Charlie flashback episode, she yelled out, "It's your night, Dan!" Don't jinx it Lauren.

10:09 -- Um, Charlie has nice handwriting.

10:10 -- "Look on the bright side: you're not really dead, right?" -- Naomi. Right?

10:11 -- The Others have a station, the Looking Glass, that jams all signals off the island, including Danielle's distress signal that has been playing for 16 years. Maybe if she explored the island a bit, she could have learned some of this stuff sooner.

10:12 -- Let's see ... um, Charlie is ... nice to Aaron ... when he isn't kidnapping him and dragging him into the ocean. Wait, does that count?

10:13 -- So, apparently, Charlie has to die for there to be a rescue. Seems like a fair trade to me, right? But wait ... they aren't getting rescued in the next two episodes (Hello? Three more seasons!) so there is no way the helicopter comes and Charlie can't die (at least not like that). Oh man, I am getting a bad feeling.

10:17 -- Um, Charlie was a cute kid.

10:18 -- So let's review now: the episode is called "Greatest Hits" and it's starting to feel like Charlie's flashback scenes are the most memorable moments of his life -- one might call them the greatest hits. Is this an homage to Charlie? A swan song? I am starting to get excited again.

10:19 -- It seems Charlie drowns to death. Slow and painful, I like that.

10:20 -- Charlie volunteers to swim to the hatch and flip the switch. He's admirable, I'll give him that.

10:21 -- Oh dear lord, I have never been so happy to see a middle-aged interracial couple in my whole life. I speak for every single "Lost" fan when I say this: We missed you, Rose and Bernard.
Lost
10:22 -- I am usually turned off to "Lost's" sappier moments, except when Sun and Jin are involved.

10:23 -- The boat from the beginning of the episode swims ashore, and lo and behold, it's Karl, who happens to take a nasty open-sand tackle from Sayid.

10:24 -- "No, they're coming tonight ... They're coming right now!" -- Karl. Uh oh.

10:27 -- "Here's your gun back." Henry Gale to Alex. How much do I love this man?

10:28 -- Whoa, so Henry Gale is planning on taking any women they can find and killing any men who get in their way. You're making it hard for me to love you, Henry.

10:29 -- Alex is the one who warned Karl to warn the Losties. Why exactly do the Others let her hang around when they make plans?

10:30 -- "Is he my father?" -- Alex. Wow, this is like that scene in "Empire Strikes Back" when Luke finds out Darth Vader is really his dad -- only the exact opposite.

10:31 -- "They know, Karl. But thanks." -- Juliet.

10:32 -- Two things about Jack's second "Braveheart" speech of the night. First of all, I'll say it again: welcome back, Jack. Glad you go your cajones back from Juliet's purse. Second, if Desmond is going to try and do something to help save Charlie, I will black out with rage. Just saying.

10:33 -- Another Charlie greatest hit and I can see why. Oh, it's because of his brother and the ring. Eh, I guess that was nice.

10:35 -- Odds Charlie gives Aaron the ring?

10:36 -- Guess not.

10:41 -- Charlie is good at fending off muggers with a guitar. Wasn't Charlie playing the same song in the same place as he was in Desmond's weird flashback episode from earlier this year? Oh, and by the way, the girl that Charlie saved was Sayid's girlfriend, Nadia. Small world, huh?
Lost
10:42 -- If Charlie is making a list of the five greatest moments in his life, what reason does he have to write one down every 15 minutes?

10:43 -- "Nothing is going to happen to me, Rose." -- Bernard. Uh oh.

10:44
-- "Then I am staying too." -- Rose. Double uh oh. This can't be good.

10:45 -- "I like you better since you got back, Jack." -- Rose. Man, I missed her. She said what we ALL were thinking.

10:46 -- Jack's "Braveheart" speeches were good. But Sayid matched him with the "you're our leader, so act like one" speech.

10:47 -- Charlie's "goodbye" to Hurley was touching. Doesn't change anything between us though, Charlie. Your death is still my Christmas morning. Santa better come down that chimney in the next 13 minutes!

10:50 -- The suspense of the Others' raid is killing me!

10:51 -- Ah ha! I knew Charlie left Aaron that ring. Too easy.

10:52 -- Into the ocean go Charlie and Desmond ...

10:53 -- Charlie's number one memory is meeting Claire -- how sweet. Of course, it's sooooooo sweet that I am now 100% certain he's going to die.
Lost
10:55 -- Desmond is trying to take Charlie's place. Do not take this moment from me. I don't ask for much, brutha! Let the little hobbit die!!!

10:56 -- Desmond, no, please stop. Come on Charlie, be a man!!!!

10:57 -- Yes!!! Charlie, I've never loved you more. But did you really need to hit him in the head with an oar?

10:58 -- Please, I can't take another week of this. Just let him die before this episode ends.

10:59 -- "I'm alive!" -- Charlie. Yeah, I see that.

11:00 -- Hmmm, chicks with guns. Desmond didn't see that coming, did he?

That was like the "Mission: Impossible" version of "Lost." It had the foot to the pedal from the opening scene to the very last moment. I have never been more exhausted watching an hour of television in my life. The anticipation involved with everything that was going on nearly gave me a heart attack. I need a shower and a nap.

This episode was really just a bridge between last week's episode and next week's finale. But what a bridge it was! Jack was back to his old self and Rose and Bernard were just back. That alone is enough to give this episode an A. Except for the fact that ...

... CHARLIE DIDN'T DIE!!! I SAT THROUGH CHARLIE FLASHBACKS FOR NOTHING!!!

So I have to give the episode a B. You can't NOT kill Charlie -- when you set him up to die so perfectly -- and expect to get an A from me. Not happening.

As for Charlie not dying, well, I'll be alright. Don't worry about me. I mean, it's just a TV show ... right?

Final thoughts: We shouldn't be surprised that the Looking Glass wasn't what we thought it would be. Juliet said that all she knew about it was what Henry Gale told her and -- surprise, surprise -- he lied. There is more going on in that station than we realize -- another way off the island, maybe? Or perhaps it is the real way off the island.

Time for this week's question: Why does God hate me? Seriously, WTF?!?! Just kill Charlie already, please! OK, seriously. Here is my real question ... I have asked this one multiple times, but with only one episode left, it's fitting to ask it again. The producers of "Lost" come up to you and say, "We'll solve one mystery for you in the finale, which one do you want?" What do you choose?

As for other "Lost" Diary business, I thought the Q&A went well, and I'll definitely do another one. You can send your questions to questions@thelostdiary.com and the article will appear Monday at Noon ET on www.thelostdiary.com. Now that we've got one under our belts, you can see the kinds of questions I chose, so feel free to have fun with it.

See you next week.

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Comments

Hi Daniel,
You don't really believe Juliet thought the Looking Glass would be empty, do you? I was kinda hoping after seeing the chics with guns, that the next shot would show Michael and Walt coming out from a doorway down there. So I guess that would be a question for the producers: Where are Michael and Walt?

Who else hopes that Locke saves the day and kicks some ass next week? Condolences that Charlie didn't die, but it was cool to see him step up and be a man.

I am so sorry Daniel I know you wanted Charlie dead, I was even wanting it for you. BUT they made me like him before they dident kill him.


I love that there where chicks with guns in the Looking Glass.


I guess if the producers would solve one mystery for me I would want it to be .... wow I dont know I kinda like not knowing things if they have to solve some mystery I want it to be small.

As soon as Charlie didn't die, I knew you'd be pissed.

But I wasn't!! Haha. I like Charlie, no matter what you crazy people say. True, he doesn't have an integral part of the plot (that we know of), but I get the feeling based on what happened this episode that he's going to play a larger role.

My one question answered would be the numbers. What do they mean??! I must know!

Hey Daniel,

I'd have to say, what's with seeing crazy stuff in the jungle? Polar bears and whatnot. And Smokey?

"They know, Karl. But thanks."

I *love* when Juliet throws out those little digs. She's ever been hotter....

"I knew you'd be pissed."

LOL Me too! How funny is it the first thing I thought about when the show ended was how much some stranger on the Net is going to be pissed about what happens on a TV show I just watched? :)

Charlie really shouldn't have celebrated The Looking Glass not being underwater by screaming. Something should have told him that there was a good chance the place was occupied by people if it wasn't occupied by water.

I totally did not recognize Nadia! Nice catch. Now I'm going to have to rewatch.

I am so excited for next week I can't even begin to express it. Last night (to me) was everything that a Lost episode should be. I literally shrieked when I saw Rose and Bernard, I hope that we get to see more of them because they are great characters.

For a minute there in the boat I was sure that Charlie was going to wuss out and let Des take his place. I guess the oar was the only thing that he could think of that would keep Des down long enough to let him jump into the water.

All last night, I kept telling my husband that Daniel was going to be one happy guy tonight. Until the end, of course. You know, it could be that the writers kept Charlie "useless" and "annoying" for most of three seasons for a reason - and that was to set up everyone up for a surprise switch. Maybe Charlie has just stepped up to his purpose. Obviously, Desmond was lying to Charlie when he implied that Charlie drowned right away. I think old Charlie may be held captive on the Looking Glass for quite some time (sorry Daniel) before he actually gets a chance to hit the button - then maybe he will drown. In the meantime, the rest of the Losties will assume he is dead - so could he still be counted as one of the sacrifical lambs this season?

As to my number one mystery to be solved - that is a hard one. I think we will learn more about the chicks with guns, and I would like to know who the heck they are. The bigger mysteries I would actually like to chew on for the summer - so I don't really want any of them really answered, but some more clues would be nice.

I am not looking forward to life without Lost - or your blog. Hopefully, you will continue to have QA's to keep us from going through complete withdrawal!

Does anyone else think that the brunette chick is Cassidy? And that the mugger looked kind of like Liam? Who the hell was the mugger?!!??! I think the brunette is def Cassidy. My 11 year old say up and went "That's Sawyer's old girlfriend". I was like, "Good eyes, Grasshopper. You've learned well".

Have no fear, Daniel..Christmas is coming next week, by what I've been reading :) I laughed last night with all the Charlie flashbacks, thinking you must be going crazy!

After last week's episode, this week's was like a precursor for me to next week, and I personally could have done without the greatest hits list. But, was glad to see Jack back in control, and LOVED seeing Rose and Bernard.

It's not fair to just pick ONE thing I'd liked to be solved next week, since I have about 10 million questions...but, my number one is where is Walt and Michael? We all know they didn't go back home...they have to be somewhere around there.

Oh, and if I could have a backup question to that, it would be why is Danielle still slinking around and not trying to make contact with Alex...the same Alex that she hounded and tortured Sayid about when she first met him! She knows where Alex is (she's spied on her in one episode, I know)...so will she ever make contact with Alex?

Can't wait until next week!!!!

There are so many questions to be answered I don't know if I could pick just one. I think I have to say the numbers as well, since that really is the first big mystery that hasn't been solved.

But what I really want to know and if I have to wait for the season finale of season 6 so be it - they are all connected somehow, and I think it is by one person. WHO IS IT???

I'd like to know how there was a second plane that went down with everyone recovered was dead!?

OH MY GOODNESS!!! I am with the folks that see last night's episode as being a bridge between last weeks episode and the season finale.

First of all, Sayid got the schematic of The Looking Glass when they were at Mikhail's cabin.

I think I soft of agreed with Jack about focusing on the impending ambush from the others first and then dealing with The Looking Glass and trying to get rescued.

Charlie's acting in this episode was the best performance he'd had since early in season 1. I've been a little indifferent to all the rumors of his pending demise until tonight. Daniels comments have always made me laugh - even tonights - but I don't always agree.

I was pretty emotional about the way I thought Charlie's storyline was wrapping up. His goodbye hug to Hurley really got me. I love Hurley and I think Charlie really does too!

I've always kind of thought that one possibility was that something would happen to Claire and then Charlie would be left with caring for Aaron.

I loved that they tied Naomi into Charlie's flashback!!

I'm thinking that Karl, Bernard and Rose are three possible fatalities for the season finale. Also, possibly Claire. I love Bernard and Rose but we haven't seen them all season and now here they are. I'd put money on it.

Will we see Annie again? Ben's little girlfriend that made him the wooden doll? I don't think we've seen the last of her.... not thinking that she got gassed.

We watched "The Man Behind The Curtain" again last night before watching "Greatest Hits" and I swear that we heard someone yell "Mikhail" right before the raid on the Dharma camp. We replayed it several times and it's pretty clear.

Anyway, that's just some of my thoughts.
Leeann

Daniel, I thought about you all through this episode. I really thought Charlie was going to die. (For a split second, I thought Desmond was going to die, but then Charlie cracked him in the skull with an oar...)
Anywho, I thought this episode was a B-. Although I am happy to see Bernard and Rose, I am not happy about the way they just casually happened to be stripping wire on the beach, like they've just been there all the time. (Solid evidence that the writers listen to the people!)
I would heve felt better about their return if we had been offered some sort of explanation about where they've been. Not a major storyline, but anything more plausible than them just appearing out of nowhere.
That said, how kick ass was Sayid's "You're the leader, go lead" speech? (God, I love that man!)
Jack still irritates the hell out of me-balls or no balls.
I have a feeling that the women in the Looking Glass are the pregnant women who supposedly die in childbirth. (Hey, stranger things have happened on this island!) Why not add some pissed off Wonder Woman-esque "Amazons" to this mix. Hell, why not add the cast of Heroes?
Something completely and totally unexpected that leaves me breathless and gasping for air better happen next week or I'll be depressed all summer. Drinking heavily, popping ant-depressants, and wondering where it all went wrong.
There are so many mysteies I want solved, I really can't think of one I want more than the other. I guess the numbers... or what happened to Mr. Eko. What exactly is Old Smokey?

Really, this is the most exciting part of my Thursday's...except that it is the day before Friday. Anyhow I said to my friend who reads this at the start, Daniel is gonna be so happy. And at the end, Daniel is gonna be so angry! But I was almost sickly excited to see your reaction. Sorry. Anyhow, I loved this episode so much. This season has been amazing with few mis-steps. Let's hope the next 3 are the same. 1 mystery solved? Hmm... Where the F are Michael and Walt? I have always wondered if they actually got off the island or if they met some demise. I have to know.

I had a brief but horrible bout of tourettes syndrome at the end of that episode. I wanted Charlie to die. Well... at least he gets the crap beat out of him on the season finale...

Sorry.. one more thing... According to Lostpedia, the dark haired girl's (cassidy) is NOT Cassidy, Sawyer's ex that helped Kate. She is someone we haven't seen before. http://lostpedia.com/wiki/Greta

I kept thinking that this is it.. Charlie is gonna bite it. Daniel will be thrilled. But then I realized NO I don't want charlie to die. I actually cried when he dove in. As to the question I want answered the most i have to say... were these people chosen from birth to end up here? I mean how could their lives be so connected before the crash?

I kept thinking that this is it.. Charlie is gonna bite it. Daniel will be thrilled. But then I realized NO I don't want charlie to die. I actually cried when he dove in. As to the question I want answered the most i have to say... were these people chosen from birth to end up here? I mean how could their lives be so connected before the crash?

Someone (sorry, can't remember who!) posted this site on the q&a section, I think: http://spoilerslost.blogspot.com/
Close to the bottom of the page, there is a section called "4 of the Deaths confirmed" and you can hit a button to see the pictures...if you want to know who's going to get it next week ;)

Okay,to me the introduction of Rose and Bernard means that they are two of the five that are going to die? That Bernard after he demonstrated that he knew all about the 'gun" will be a heroe?

I thought the women that were in THE LOOKING GLASS were VERY CHARLIE'S ANGELS :)
(Charlie ..angels? :)
Linda

OK my theory is that the island exists in some bermuda trianglesque parallel universe....how else can no one know it exists, how else can the 'outside' world find the plane and all it's passengers dead.
BUT obviously people can 'find' the island....enter Richard....expanding more....perhaps it is a little island of death! How else could Jack haves seen his father....Henry have seen his mother....Locke see Boone....Eko see his dead brother. How about the theory that they are all dead? I can roll with that, I mean the drugging of Julia to get her to the island? I think it's a state of living between life and death?
Mysteries I'd like to see solved
All the conncections seem interesting to me - would never have got that charlie saved Sayid's girl!! The one I was most chilled by was when I saw Libby in the hospital with Hurley...creepy!
I think Hurley's numbers are weird and perhaps we are going to find that everyone somehow has a connection to those numbers.

WTF - the whole of the dharma clan were killed EXCEPT the dude who had to push the button - how weird is that?

WHY is Mikail still alive?

Is Juliet an evil bitch or just a victim of circumstance?

When is Daniel going to come to Barbados and watch some Lost with me?? I really would love to theorise with him over some rums!

Cannot wait until next week!!!!!!!!!!!

PS couldn't care less where Michael and Walt are...they bored me - but I think they only wanted Walt because he was young and the death island needs it's young to go on....that's why they kidnapped the children!!

Daniel,
The moment you stop asking/wishing for Charlie's death, it will happen.

FYI--there is a LOST special on tonight at 10:15, just in case you didn't see that. [LOST: The Answers, hosted by the producers].


One thing about this week, why did henry come back angry as a hornet? Was it because jacob actually spoke to locke?


I would like to find out more about the ending of last season. Who were those people on the boat, in the Artic, looking at the radar screen as the darma station blew? And why did they call Penny when the bleep came on the screen??
What was that about?


And, do the numbers mean anything anymore? We haven't seen nor heard from them in a while...


And, is locke ok??? What's up with him??

I'd be afraid to ask any of the big questions (the numbers, old Smokey, why Richard hasn't aged,...) cause I think any one of them would unravel the whole secret of the island.

I'd ask something simple like, "how there came to be polar bears on the island?"

Great blog - Thanks!

Okay I thought of my mystery ...... I want to know why we have to wait until fall for the next season? These people make great money and work in Hawaii, do the need such a long off season? I guess my mystery wont be solved next week.

OK, I realize I am repeating myself here (already posted on TMZ) but I like our little community here (no offense to the masses on TMZ - all very lovely people, except No Longer a Lost Fan) and it's much easier to keep up with the posts.

Anyway:
1. Condolences to Daniel for the non-demise of Charlie. But, I did break down like a little schoolgirl when he was saying goodbye to Hurley. And, I never really hated him anyway.

2. I still think that Juliette knew that there would be people down there waiting for Charlie and lied about only knowing what Ben tells her. I would like to think that she is really good, but there is just something nagging at me about her.

3. I LOVED your 10:21 comment about Rose and Bernard and laughed out load at my desk. I hope they are not back just to die.

4. Please continue the blog over the summer/fall. We will all go into withdrawl for sure.

Oh, I forgot, the mystery I most want solved...definitely the whole Jacob thing. It's driving me crazy.

I want to know why they had mean vicious polar bears on the island and how they got loose and what they were doing to them...remember the toy dumptruck in the polar bears cave?

So that brings me to why they want the children. Why?

Why was Cindy/sydney/stewardess gal so important that they kidnapped her? Does she have Locke like powers and is "special" too?

Will we ever see Ana Lucia/ Shannon/ Boone again back on the island?

I have to be honest: I don't want Charlie to die, although I was glad when he stepped up to accept death for the sake of Claire and Aaron. I didn't make much of his "Greatest Hits" but I can't help that I like him and I hope he's sticking around.

With that said, I'm losing faith in Desmond's ability to correctly interpret his visions. Maybe from now on he should just keep his premonitions to himself...? For the good of the group, really.

I want to know what the deal is with the plane wreckage....

Whew - I just popped over to TMZ to read some of the comments there. Hopefully, this site will be a well-kept secret - too much name-calling and trash-talking for my taste. Plus, I have to look at pictures of Paris Hilton before I can get to the Lost blog. Ugh. I thought of another mystery I would like to have solved soon: I want to know what that powder around Jacob's cabin is, and if it is related to Smokey. If it was supposed to keep Jacob contained, I wonder if Locke's disturbing it will result in Jacob's escape. Granted, he didn't move it by much, but Henry took care to step over it. Maybe Jacob will be able to come to Locke's rescue, and Locke and Jacob will, in turn, lead another battle against the Others. I don't think that Locke would necessarily fight FOR the Losties, since he seems out on his own right now, but he would definitely join forces with them to defeat Henry. Of course, it looks like some of the Others might switch sides, as well. And I am curious about those four toes...

Daniel, I couldnt help but wonder if thus ep was for you. I think tjey were trying to change your mind about Charlie! I thought this was a great one. But just created more questions. It was so great to see Rose and Bernard!!!!I will be really pissed if they die! I had heard somewhere Syed was going to be killed by friendly fire-JAck-..hmmmmmmm THAnk you all for sharing your observations. there were a few things that I missed . I love this blog. I freak out on Thursday mornings when the site isnt updated yet. I would like to know more about you daniel. Like, how old are you ,what do you do for a living and what city do you live in ? I would love to see a picture.

Hey did'nt anyone think that the blond gal w/the gun in the "Looking Glass" will turn out to be Henry's little girlfriend Ann or Annie (whatever)? I thought that looked very obvious, as they kept the camera on here a while. As for Charlie, on the previews for next week they showed very large waves coming ashore, so I'd guess he gets the station blown up-you can only hope Daniel. There are too many ?'s I'd like answered to narrow it down. The one thing thats bugging me is, when they gassed everyone, why didn't all the wildlife + etc die? (They were all outside w/masks on, so the gas had to travel quite far) Is that why none of the women can have babies, and animals are deformed?

I LOVE this show!! What other show can toy with you so much... I was SO SURE that Charlie would get offed this week. Then about half way through, I thought, "hmmm.... I think this is TOO obvious..." Sure enough, they do a whole sentimental episode on Charlie just to have him NOT be killed off. I love it!! (Sorry, though, Daniel...lol).
I would like to know about all the connections between people. What does it mean that they all seemed to have crossed paths previously? And yeah, I wonder where Walt & Michael are.
Just a thought... since we seem to have a nice little community here (I agree, the TMZ board is too much for me, who can read all that?), why not set up a proboard or something similar so we can have a proper message board?
It's scary how emotional this show has me. Seeing Rose & Bernard and the "old Jack" last night was like seeing 3 old friends, had me feeling joyful. And yes, I got teary about Charlie & Hurley's scene too. I just hope they are not making a mistake by going so long with no new episodes (a la Sopranos) where everyone loses their emotional investment after so much time... would HATE if they ended up cancelled before they could properly end the show :(

Daniel-I have two obsessions--LOST and your blog! Thanks!!! So I have so many questions that need answering. How does Richard "eyeliner guy" not age? Where did the polar bears go? What the heck is that smoke monster? How can Rose and Bernard disappear for so long, and then just show up in last nights episode and act as if nothing ever happened? What's with that Nikki and Paulo episode? I think the Lost writers have something big in store for them. We'll see them again. And, what am I going to do until season 4 begins in 2008?!?!

What I would like to see is something that most shows don't do anymore and I don't know why. Start the season like normal you know in Sept and run it all the way through and then do re-runs and then the final ep. I missed one ep (the one where Sawyer killed Sawyer I think-missed it so don't know for sure)and I was LOST!!!

P.S. Daniel I love this site!!!!!

I think I liked having a season with reruns every couple of episodes rather than having to wait 8 MONTHS for new ones! >:-(

Hey you-all-everybody! Long time reader, first time writer. Love the site and the show.

I'm from Finland and I kind of laughed to the thought of Driveshaft having a gig in Helsinki. They also got the Santa Claus reference in which was nice.

But after I watched it again my jaw dropped when I noticed they had a real view of Helsinki in the backround. I guess you'd call it a "background plate" or something?

It clearly shows The Helsinki Cathedral and in front of it is the Senate Square. Wikipedia has nice entries of both in English, if anyone is interested.

It's also a goof because I think the picture is taken from a helicopter and that would place Charlie's hotel in the Gulf of Finland.

I didn't mind Charlie surviving, though. He kind of reminds me of myself. I'd hate to have to count all the times I've woken up between two Finnish blondes. Hey-yo!

I hope you all caught the "Secrets" special (5/17). It was on at 10:15 last night. Anywho, the interview with exec. producers Lindelof and Cuse clarified things up some for me. But for me at least, nothing is more entertaining than speculation, conjecture and just plain guessing at what is going to happen/who is taking a long dirt nap, etc. And of course, there is the "Daniel Factor": WWDT?. Will Charlie die next week? I guess we'll all find out at the same time. Daniel, I think it's Über cool that readers to this Lost blog take your opinions and feelings into consideration everytime we watch an episode of the show: It's like one huge virtual living room where we all watch the show together.
Mysteries...well, the numbers for sure. And also what did Locke see on the wall when he was trapped under the door in the hatch? All those Dharmaspeak symbols? And when the timer ran out, what did those mean? Those are minor, but always floating around in my head trying to make connections to other mysterious stuff. I love the Lost Diary, brutha!

I know everyone wants Charlie to kick it already, and he has been one of the more useless characters but...
The kid keeps redeeming himself. How can you not admire that a little? Beating a hard drug habit. Being up front with people he's done bad stuff to (Sun). Being a man and accepting a terrible fate in order to save his (almost) wife and kid. Can you imagine staring down your own demise like that? Just before he dove in, my stomach dropped - he was thinking about how it would feel to gasp in seawater, burning and convulsing, until he blacked out. Come on. That is awful. Feel for the guy a little.

Great blog!

Mystery I most want answered (at least at this moment, ask me again later and I'm sure I'll pick a different one) : the cliff hanger from last season with Penny looking for Desmond and the people contacting her about the blip on the screen showing the island's location for the first time.

Second Major Point: Don't read this if you didn't watch the Lost Answers show that aired Thursday night. My personal opinion? The manner in which the producers stated how "the losties simply CAN'T get off the island because the show will be over, right??" made me totally believe that they will indeed be getting off the island soon - BEFORE the end of the final season. It's a major clue if you ask me. If you have it taped, watch it back. The Producers go on further to say that the show's focus has ALWAYS been about the characters, and NOT about the island. Hmmh.... points to ponder. What do you think?

PS - Sorry about Charlie, Daniel! I think he is still going to die, though. Desmond's vision are not necessarily wrong - and I certainly don't think he lied about seeing Charlie drown. I think the answer is that Desmond can't see the timing of everything. He sees the events but he doesn't always see what happens in between these events. Yes. Charlie flicks the switch. And yes Charlie drowns. But Desmond doesn't know or see how much time transpires between these two events. Charile still may drown, just not IMMEDIATELY after diving down to the station or flicking the switch. So hang tight, Daniel!

While Charlie saying goodbye to Hurley was emotional, I could bearly keep a dry eye when he was talking to Claire. He was being so selfless and Man-ing up. I think he portrayed that all very well. I don't mind Charlie. If all of the characters had these huge action-packed complicated story-lines it would be too much work to watch. Charlie has skated along in the backround and come to the forfront just enough to earn him his spot as one of the main characters.

I would never be happy just having one mystery solved but if I had to pick...i would say...either Juliet (who's side is she on, what's her motivation for playing both sides) as well as the wreckage that was found. Also...Do the Other's know about Desmond? They didn't know about his sailboat.

Charlie's non-demise makes me think... either Desmond lied about his vision and saw other things he didn't tell Charlie about OR maybe he is right when he said maybe all along the visions were meant for him to take Charlie's place? Now that Charlie was GOING to die, he doesn't... what does it mean for Desmond?

I can't believe I fell asleep and then couldn't get here til now, the suspense has been killing me. I am going to watch even though I know the outcome. One mystery? They're all connected in their past lives somehow. Its like the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon, so who's at the center and why? Is that two mysteries? If I have to choose its the why? Any ideas?

Just watched it again and realized... I think the vision didn't come to fruition because Charlie's ring didn't end up with Aaron! It was meant to go with the baby, but we saw the close up of it still in the crib, thus changing Desmond's vision!

First of all, there's nothing I love more on a Thursday than reading the Lost diary post. Also, I sorta laughed to myself when Desmond said he would take Charlie's place because in the back of my mind I thought, Daniel is having a conniption fit right now. But then all was right with the world when Charlie knocked Desmond out and said, "We both know you're not supposed to take my place, brutha."

If I had to pick one mystery to solve, I'd probably want to know about the black smoke monster. It's been there all along and seems to get along with certain people while beating others to death. I don't get it. I also don't understand how the Others can know so much about the island but have the electric fence to keep the smoke monster out. I would think maybe they put the monster out there to keep people away since we've never seen it go after on the Others, but Juliet seemed to be scared of it when she was outside the fence. I just don't know. My imagination wants to think that there's yet another higher power that the Others don't have control over. Or I guess maybe it could just be a monster. We also haven't seen any more polar bears. Strange. But then what about this show isn't?

And I hope so much that Rose and Bernard are back for a long, long time. I've been wondering about them for weeks!

Just to clarify Julie. I want to know what happened to Michael and Walt, only to find out where they are. Did I care about the characters or find them that interesting? No. I just want to know what happened to them. Are they back at home? Are they dead? Are they captured somewhere? What the heck happened? If Boone had somehow been lucky enough to get his sexy self off of the island, I would be just as curious about him.

I'm not sure I want this mystery solved right away, but I'm fascinated by the "parallel" Oceanic flight where everyone died. The parachute woman, who is also from Charlie's hometown of Manchester, referenced a big memorial service for the "famous" rock star. What if there were a way for the Losties to "see" what their funerals were like--maybe from one of the Dharma stations?

I know this would give strong weight--too much, perhaps--to the purgatory/hell theories of Lost. But it's one of those age-old areas of speculation: What would it be like to watch your own funeral? Would you get a different perspective on your own life by seeing it through your loved ones' grief?

How the world is experiencing "losing" them might alter individual Losties' motivation for leaving the Island, either intensifying it or lessening it. The flashbacks tell what their lives WERE before the island; it could be an interesting story device to "flash" to how the world sums up their lives and how their loved ones are moving on without them.

Another new person here. I just found Daniel's blog about a month ago and am loving it!

I, too, was thinking of Daniel during the whole ep. I'm not a huge fan of Charlie. However, I did get a little verklempt (sp?) when he hugged Hurley and was saying goodbye to Claire. (sniff)

Daniel - thanks for your insights. It's always fun to read on Thursday (or whenever it is I get a chance to watch the TiVo).

I guess my question would be...Who were the 'hostiles', why were they on the island in the first place, and how did the Dharma folks 'take over'? (Ok, that's 3, but...)

Oh! And was SO happy to see Bernard & Rose! They're gonna die for sure. Sad.

This was a very intense episode for me. I did not want Charlie to die. I was almost crying at the part when he was about to go in the water. I still don't trust Juliet i think shes hiding something well all i can really say is the season finale better be good and charlie better not die.( also not sawyer hes my favorite character beside charlie on the show)

RE: Question #3

I truly believe that the infamous numbers are the coordinates to the island.

Go to google maps, or any map service for that matter. Type in the numbers, and it gives you a spot in the middle of the ocean miles off the coast of Australia.

Rose - Did Desmond mention the ring in his prediction? I did not remember that. Sorry Daniel, but after this episode, I will be sorry to see Charlie go. Of course, I will be sorry to see Bernard go, too, but I have a funny feeling about that one. I think Karl will bite the dust, too -it will push Alex over the edge.

On another site, someone mentioned that the Other's will be put on notice that there is a trap set, because the tents will be marked. They weren't supposed to be marked until the next night, right? If the change of plans was unknown, then Juliette wouldn't know to mark them a day early. And Juliette would not risk marking the tents 24 hours in advance - that would raise too many questions. So if the Others march in, and see the tents already marked, they will know that somehow the Losties heard about the planned attack. Advantage Others. Until Locke and Jacob show up. Who knows, maybe Jacob will make the dead rise, and the whole graveyard will empty out. Hopefully, with everyone well preserved.

Personally, I think that Jacob and Richard are from the Black Rock. Richard sort of has that "Johnny Depp" pirate look about him. At least the eyeliner part.

Hey" Vermonter" I'm W U I still think the whole think about about "afterlife-purgatory" theory still has some credit, I don't care what the producers say...they can lie too.. It's TV....I also noticed how Charlie's band had "a" hit on the radio and then they show show him "singing for his supper" and Namomi said how they had " a greatest hits album" and a rock star died funeral..WTF?

We didn't hear any details about Desmond's flash except for how Charlie would actually die. But we all know if anything is altered leading up to the time of death, it could change things. When they showed a close-up of the ring left behind in the crib, I just got the feeling they were telling us something had changed about the events leading to Charlie's demise, therefore changing the outcome.
And Nan, when I read your post, I had a mental picture of Lost turning into a "Thriller" video...lmao.
Can't wait till Wednesday!!

Random thoughts/questions:
Wasn’t one of the women who were pointing their guns at Charlie killed by Sun???
I think Juliet knew about the Looking Glass hatch. I do not trust her.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say I don't think it's Kate Jack says he loves. Maybe Juliet?
How great was it to see Rose and Bernard? I will miss them for sure.
Do you think we'll see Michael and Walt next week, or will they make us wait until next year?
I actually kind of liked Charlie in this ep.
Please dear god, I hope we see Locke very much alive and kicking @$$ next week!


How's this for "Lost" devotion?

I am 9 months pregnant, ready to go any day now, according to my doctor. As much as I want to have this baby as soon as possible, I seriously hope I don't have to miss the finale on Wednesday. After it's over though, let the labor pains begin! I guess that is one of the great things about having the full episodes available on the ABC website.

On a side note, we are planning on naming our baby Charlotte, but calling her Charlie. Sorry Daniel! Another interesting tidbit: our boy's name would have been Ben. Pure coincidence, I promise!

KJ

I also thought that one of the women with guns in the Looking Glass station was Annie. However, another possibilty is that Henry/Ben killed Annie by impregnating her, sort of the kiss of death on the Island... which would mean that not only did he kill his mother and father, but also the woman that he loved. I wonder if the writers will use some sort of Lewis Carroll theme in upcoming episodes, tying in to the Looking Glass station. Will we meet a "Carol". Carroll was a bit of philosopher when it came to logic theory. Henry/Ben's rabbits appear every now and then, a possible Carroll reference. Why can't the Islanders breed like rabbits? Did you notice in this week's episode that Alex was preparing a rabbit for a meal when her "dad" handed her back the gun? Also, are rings a theme in the series? The Hobbit Charlie left his family heirloom ring in the crib. (An homage to Tolkien?) Desmond threw the ring he had bought for Penny into the water... the ring he had bought from the strange women who knew so much of Desmond's fate and the Island. Do rings play a part in plots from earlier seasons? My big question for the finale... is to learn more about the Island's "original inhabitants". Are they the Hostiles? Are the male hostiles the same men who landed on the island in the old 19th ship that Locke found, calling it a slave ship?

KJ wrote: "On a side note, we are planning on naming our baby Charlotte, but calling her Charlie. Sorry Daniel! Another interesting tidbit: our boy's name would have been Ben."

Ah, yes, but would you have called him "Henry"? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Nan - great insight on the whole tent marking thing. I didn't even think about that. Why would Juliette mark the tents a day early? Could be a tip-off for sure.

LostInChicago - HI! I live in Chgo too! Anyway, I wondered about a ring theme as well when Desmond threw Penny's ring into the water. The camera shot was very similar to scenes in LOTR when they show the ring sinking in the water. I thought it might be a little veiled "shout out" to LOTR because of Dominic Monahan (or, CHobbit, if you will) and I think that that ring will show up again in the future - perhaps wash up on the shore. I didn't really make the connection with the ring he left in the crib. Interesting though. I can't think of any other ring references in the LOST series. Can anyone else?

widsl :-)

I'M NEW TO THE LOST DIARY AND I LOVE IT! HAVE NEVER POSTED HERE BUT THIS QUESTION HAS BEEN BOTHERING ME. OKAY... THIS WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN AS INTERESTING AS SENDING CHARLIE UNDERWATER TO FLIP THE SWITCH BUT COULDN'T THEY HAVE CUT THE CABLE ON THE BEACH THAT WENT TO THE LOOKING GLASS. DO YOU THINK THE CABLE WOULD CONNECT THE STATION TO ITS POWER SOURCE AND IF IT LOST POWER THE SIGNALS LEAVING THE ISLAND WOULDN'T BE BLOCKED?

Good point KYLIE.... I would have to say that the question I want to be answered would be "What is up with the four toed statue?" If they didn't know I would demand a "refund". The theory concerning this weeks episoede I have is that the women that were in the Looking Glass are able to have babies. Kind of far fetched, but hay that's Lost.