(spoilers are a given)  I'm breaking from the usual movie topics because Lost is burning a whole in my head right now.  This is the first season I've watched the episodes as they've aired and I'm starting to regret it.  This is more stressful than finals week of a 20 credit semester (which thankfully is something I've never had to endure).  But before I trudge through the black fog of confusion, lets take a look at some of the answers this week gave us.

Facts...sort of.

-It would seem Ethan was only creepy/evil/partially retarded because he was on the Island.  In the "new reality" he seems very friendly and helpful.  On that note, the parallels between the new time line and the old time line are fairly entertaining.

-Sayid's resurrection has some strings attached.  Apparently he is infected and the new others (or nothers) want to kill him...maybe.  That would seem counterproductive since they need him alive for some unknown reason.

-Jack doesn't trust anyone...including himself.  Not a surprise but its good to hear him say it.  Also, he is still very bent on saving everyone.

-Sawyer and Juliette weren't married, but they were close.  I don't know about everyone else, but I was never entirely sure on their full status.  Its good to know (and very sad.  Personally I blame Kate for that whole situation).

-Claire is alive...ish.  I can imagine since she is setting traps and carrying a gun she isn't a ghostly presence like Christian.  On the other hand, she doesn't seem to be invincible like Evil-Locke (assuming the nemesis is evil of course).  However, the new others say she is infected which could possibly mean...

-Russo wasn't crazy.  Okay, lets be honest, Russo is nuttier than a Salted Nut Roll covered in peanut butter, but she might have been right about the infection all along which brings me too....

SWIGO (Seriously, what is going on!?)

-There actually is an infection that exists on the island?  Is it the Nemesis?  Is that what kills the babies before they're born?  Was the medicine Ethan gave Claire back when she was prego the same thing the Japanese guy was trying to give Sayid?

-Speaking of Mr. Last Samurai and his translator (aka John Lennon with a mustache), do they want Sayid dead?  I would think if they were going to kill him, they would have just shot him or stabbed him with the hot poker (which would be really rude and unnecessary).  Maybe the pill was poison but would it have killed Sayid?  I'm doubtful because everyone seems to be needed alive.  This brings up the question...

-Why does everyone need to be alive?  I can only imagine the note that Jacob had in the cross that was in the guitar case had a list of all of their names and said that all of them needed to be present and alive. Why?  Why?  Why!?  This probably isn't something we are going to get to find out about soon, however, it will most certainly get answered eventually.

-How relevant is the alternate time line going to be?  Am I the only one finding it a little odd watching this new reality unfold when all of my real questions and concerns lie back on the island.  How are these two going to come together?  Will the events unfolding hold some significance or are they simply there to screw with us?  Given Lost's ability to tie the most random things together, I cant only imagine the two will connect somehow, but for now, I'm....lost for words.

Thoughts?  Theories?  Please share and I will respond because this will be about the only thing in my head for the next week.  Stupid Lost.  Man I love this show.

P.S.  If you are a true lost fan, check out lostpedia for an obscene amount of info and theories.