I was curious too about how Alex would end up in LA and was wondering if they would mention her mom…her last name was still Rosseau.

Chris- you are my hero! I’ll be sad when the series ends, but even sadder that I can’t watch your genius mind at work!

I LOVE how Ben was still ‘gassing’ his dad but this time to help him rather than kill him. I love how Ben was tempted to usurp a leader’s position by accusing him of having an illicit affair (which is how he took over the leader of the others, by getting Widmore banned for having an off-island affair and a kid off-island). Brilliant! Plus Walter Peck from the EPA was in it!! Lovely.

Emerson managed probably the most convincingly truthful moment of remorse, truly asking for forgiveness….and we’re all suckers to keep falling for his ‘sincerity’, because he’s only ever lied….but call me a sucker – I totally believed him! I hope that Ben will really begin to use his powers for good rather than evil.

One thing — does anyone know if Hurley saw Richard in the 70′s? Isn’t that the only way he would’ve known that Richard didn’t age? Or is this something he would’ve heard from others? I don’t remember their paths crossing in the 70′s. Nitpicking? Maybe.

I’m okay with Alex being in LA, it’s entirely plausible. I think ‘fate’ still brings these folks together.

Joel – Killer job with François.

Mimi – Interesting comments.

- The touch of Jacob: a) prevents touch-ee from suiciding themselves to death; b) suspends aging, but only while touch-ee is on-island; and, c) establishes certain “rules” regarding their treatment by whoever currently occupies the Jacob/MIB roles and their respective followers.

- There have always been two distinct camps of island “others;” one following Jacob, one following MIB – or their predecessors. The kicker is, one or both “camps” may not know who they’re following at any one time, despite the fact that, in their own minds, they believe unequivocally that they’re following the “good” guy.

- The fifth and sixth candidates are Desmond and Widmore. Kate is no longer a candidate per an interview with Carlton Cuse. He stated that her name was on the cave wall – and crossed out – but the editing of that episode cut that particular camera angle. http://tv.ign.com/dor/objects/821880/lost/videos/lost_paleyfest_ints_030110.html

- What the hell’s up with Sawyer and Jin?

At present, frankly, I’m disappointed with the structure of this season, particularly the flash sideways device. Don’t misunderstand, I get it. I recognize and understand the utility of the off-island segments in illuminating the core of our characters’ substance as human beings. There’s also been some (some) great acting, writing and general on-screen entertainment in these mini-stories. It’s just not, so far, what I was hoping for going into season 6.

No doubt, I’ll continue to look forward to the arrival of each new Tuesday evening. I just hope the parallel stories merge sooner than later so we can get back to the mystery, mythology, and electricity of the island as presented through the deep, rich, and compelling character interactions made possible and informed by the island narrative.

Illana said MIB was stuck in Locke’s form and could no longer change, which further makes me think that Christian isn’t MIB.

I’m interested to see which side Widmore is working for. Perhaps he is the one Jacob was referring to who needed to come to the island. The pilot of the sub could be named ‘Wallace” ha. Though we did have Bram tell us that Widmore was working for “the wrong team.” Perhaps he is there to transport MIB off the Island then?

@ Scott: I think the reason Jacob didn’t want them to return is due to MIB apparent ability to sway people by only speaking with them. Remember Dogen told Sayid to kill him before he spoke otherwise it was over. It also may be one the rules that he can’t kill candidates.

@ Mimi: Interesting.

By the way, did you all know that Napoleon led an invasion of Egypt? The primary reasoning for this was to undermine the British trade interests with India. Where did they land when they invaded Egypt? Why in Alexandria, of course (home of the famous lighthouse.) His expedition included all varieties of scientists (sort of dharma-esque, no?) and among their many discoveries was the Rosetta Stone.

Whoa! Thank you Wikipedia. More threads of the strings tangled thru time? Or just well placed non-sense to wrap our minds around?

Speaking of “easter eggs,” what where TPTB trying to say by showing Keamy “making great eggs” in his confrontation with Sayid? Sunny side up?