“I watched them all die,” Richard Alpert, advisor for a very, very long time, said.

As the world of the “Losties” continues to turn the audience is presented a twist in the plot. This is, of course, the formula (if there can be one for this largely unpredictable show) for Lost.

Here’s to hoping that this debunked time travel notion of ‘whatever happened, happened’ is actually untrue because if after five years, one (or all?) of our original Oceanic 815ers die, I just don’t know how I’d keep watching. (Sawyer and Sayid especially, am I right ladies and gentlemen?)

Damon and Carlton wouldn’t actually subject us to that, would they?

Bitterly enough, on the eve of Lost’s 100th episode Daniel Faraday’s fate was sealed–by the hand of his own mother, nonetheless.

Now, the time loops on this show are nearly incalculable at this point, especially in the case of John Locke, but I have to say that if Eloise sent her son (and everyone else on the Ajira flight) back to the Island knowing full well that they die, then she receives my “Sadist of the Show” award. And to think that for years that I believed the honor would rest on the mantle of Benjamin Linus.

Oh, how times have changed.

Aside from Kate’s increasingly annoying behavior and thoughtless reasoning, this episode set up nicely for the finale.

That’s right, after one final break next week, it’s finale week!

While shocking that Locke plans to kill Jacob, I’m thinking that Jacob has to be seen and heard from before it can be understood why the “Island” would want Locke to end his life.

A faceless name for the entirety of the show thus far, the revelation better be spectacular.

My mind’s eye always sees the inscription on the season three DVD cover that bears the phrase “Jacob Loves You.” It’s probably just a cute, little detail meant to further pique curiosity but I’ve always believed that perhaps he was revered as some sort of omniscient deity by the others.

A few weeks time may tell.

While Linus and Alpert may be leery of leader Locke (who truly has manifested his own destiny until now), I find his confidence strikingly refreshing. The Island clearly has a special plan and Locke is part of its fulfillment.

I could venture into theories about why he has to kill Jacob and what the repercussions could be, but maybe it doesn’t even happen. Of course, it’s 2007 (or 2008?) so none of the characters can claim to know, let alone comprehend why this may happen. The look on Linus’ face summed up his surprise.

Whether or not the hydrogen bomb is detonated over the radioactive material at the Swan site, the preview (semi-spoiler alert!) shows that Kate, Jack, and Juliet don’t dock off with the other submarine passengers, but instead remain on the Island.

Seriously, how could they have disillusioned themselves into thinking that they can spend another three years (or however long) “playing house” and living out their life in a time period where they don’t belong.

The time disparity isn’t likely to last long, in fact it seems as if perhaps this may all come together in this year’s finale. Or perhaps this is just my wish!

Whether the past (and thus the future) can be changed or not remains the burning question.

Hey, if time travel into the past is possible why not make circumstance malleable? Where’s the fun in keeping everything as is?

I’m glad they’re going to give it a try. Hey, Jack’s right. If possible, it would save a lot of lives. Many others questions then could be raised, such as what’s Desmond’s fate if there’s no button to push?

I’m really hoping, though, (and kind of feel confident) that it’s not all tied up neatly with the future altered enough that Oceanic 815 lands in Los Angeles and the entire series of events don’t happen.

I have faith in the shows ability and penchant for leading us a bit astray.

One request: no more reveals through dialogue. I like the shocking moments to be ones seen not told.

Rose and Bernard showing their perfectly unharmed faces again, much like Sayid in this episode, would be a lovely start.