What a lame episode.

So apparently Michael was a candidate at one point then? I seem to remember a point when Mr. Friendly / Tom went to visit him outside of the island and spoke about how it's impossible to kill yourself when the island isn't done with you.

It looked like something out of Get Smart. I was torn between laughing and just facepalming.

As to Jack being a leader, if he'd ever just act like the doctor he supposedly is, people would listen to him more. Everyone gets banged up left and right for 6 years but after season 1 Jack rarely offers help.

While the plot progression still seems to be really slow (they're running out of time), the character dynamic appears to be at its best. What a very layered episode. We definitely got to see that, daughter or not, Alex has some really strong effect on Ben's life, and his speech in the end was heartbreaking. Ben went from a man whom I admire for being so cunning to who I hated for being such a wimp to someone who I have a lot of respect for. I have no doubt he'll always have his manipulative side (subtly hinted when he "told" Principal Reynolds he isn't in charge of detention anymore), but he's changed for the better. Oh and how about Ben and his dad wondering how things would've been had they stayed? Hah. That's the best kind of irony. It's also pretty cool how Locke (both good and bad) drove Ben into redemption in both worlds.

And... WIDMORE!!! Now, we really need Desmond and Penny.

The producers deal with questions from a couple of the actors.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szUSda3WXdI

Meh, the video is locked for countries outside of North America.

BTW, it was a good episode. What I was asking myself, however was...what stopped Ben from blackmailing the principal again after he has written the recommendation for Alex?

Nay, countries outside of the U.S.! I can't watch it either.

Reynolds I guess then could have written another letter claiming forgery anf destroyed her. Either way he was the only Yale graduate Alex knew personally.

I really like how Sawyer is a cop. Very unexpected. Good episode. Nothing great.
Just waiting for some crazy deaths to happen and Desmond to return.
Can't wait for the Richard episode next week. Going to be very very interesting.

This had all the markings of a set-up episode but it worked really well because I would watch anything focusing on Sawyer. Josh Holloway never gets enough credit for his acting on the show, and he certainly made it impossible to figure out where Sawyer's true allegiance is for most of the episode. But now that he's taking over the sub, I guess he's back to being a con artist, at least one last time.

Loved the reappearance of Rebecca Mader as Charlotte in the sideways plot. And Sawyer as a cop! Who watches Little House on the Prairie! Inspired.

Claire's change of heart towards Kate seemed genuine, but MIB is obviously correct and she is batshit crazy at this point. Which means her feelings will change on a whim and she'll probably try to kill Kate again.

A Richard episode next week! Yay that should be exciting.

A solid episode tonight. I am glad Sawyer has returned to roguish, sly-devil form. Charlotte's inclusion was a nice surprise. She's the hottest lady of Lost.

Another waste of an hour.

Agreed. I love her

Dang, the Ajira's were sure taken care of. LOVED the Sawyer and Miles cop sideflash. Miles must be using his talent for the law now. Interesting clue with Flocke having a crazy mother.

Terrible cliffhanger which was showed in the previews for the episode.

I don't think Miles has any powers in the alternate reality.

Why not? Hasn't he had it since he was a kid?

Could had something to do with the island, I don't think it is clear how he got those powers. I thought it was a very good episode. Although next week looks amazing, can't wait to find about about Richard.

It's clear that in a reality where the plane doesn't crash, reality both before and after the crash has been altered. Jacob never shows up in the past, maybe he never 'touches' Miles, and thus he doesn't have his powers.

I'm not sure if Jacob was the one to give him the powers. He touched Hurley long after Hurley was able to talk to dead people.

Certainly could be true, we really have no way of knowing how he got the powers, I'm just guessing and speculating that Jacob gave them to him. In that vein, I suppose it's possible Miles still has his powers in the alternate reality, but it's just as possible (if not moreso) that he doesn't.

As an episode in the middle of, say, Season 4, it would have been decent.

But considering we're about halfway through the final season...it added absolutely nothing to the explanations of the numerous issues/questions.

All my hope is for the upcoming Richard episode to finally shed some light.

Sounds like this next one will be huge, more of Jacob and the MIB along with probably a brief history of the island over centuries of time.

Your point about season 4 was interesting in that I wish this candidate stuff had been brought up then. It seems like the series is ending right after we find out what the stakes are.

Why is libby bat shit insane?! I need to know!

I know you love them so....

SPOILERS

SOPILERS!