I'm amazed no one has mentioned the most important thing about Michael's big scene in this ep. Didn't anyone else notice the sound he made as he was about to shoot himself in the arm? It sounded like his teeth were chattering but it also sounded exactly like one of the machine noises associated with that black cloud that flits around the island.

I think that this Michael is not the original Michael. Or he's under the control of the powers that be.

Just got to this from DVR this weekend. Have two comments to add.

When Michael said "they had scruffy clothes" etc. Kate gave one of those TV looks that usually signifies "that's odd." I thought that was a bit of the 'seed of doubt' being planted in her about this returning Michael.

And in a lot of this discussion, I haven't seen many mentions of Michael appearing scared to death when he saw Fenry. (I like that one...Fenry. :) ) The post above mentions the noise (that I didn't hear and have since deleted, dangit) but the fear should give us some clue as to Michael's motives. Exactly what, I dunno.

Seems if he was brainwashed he wouldn't be so scared. Or it helps the Fenry is the leader theory. (scared ta be in his presence.) Or he was setting Fenry up.

...or he was just afraid ta take a bullet.

It was the gun shaking. You could really hear it right after he shot Ana-Lucia.

I didn't really think of it that way, but I think you're right. I've been thinking there is only one set of others. But when I heard Michael say that, I was thinking he was with a different group of others.

So at this point are we completely dismissing the idea that Michael acted alone? That he just did that to frame Fake Henry and give the survivors further reason to go guerilla on the Others?

I'm not...I think the Others told him if he got Fenry free, he could see Walt again. I am kind of surprised he wouldn't have gone with Fenry though, if that was the case.

I mean I'm not 100% sure anyone told him to do anything. It's within the realm of possibility that it was all Michael's idea. Maybe he was nervous because he was hoping this drastic scheme of his would work.

Personally I don't know what I think about the whole thing yet, which is one of the reasons I love this show.

I think it was a bullshit story to get them all out of the hatch. What better way to buy himself some time to kill AL (1st part of deal) and set Henry free (2nd part of deal) than to send all the heroes out into the jungle with all the guns?

Wow, that's a really witty answer. Thanks!!

Canadian promo found! http://media.putfile.com/Ekos-Promo-91

Not only witty, but I imagine true, unless we've slipped into Spaceballs. History tells us September. Season 2 DVDs hit 10/03 so logic tells us after that.

Other than that, there's no solid information. It will be after they film it, however, that much I know.

The producers have expressed a desire to do something like 3 blocks of 7/8 eps during the season. They said if this happened, the season wouldn't start until a couple weeks later (early Oct.) because they'd have to have more eps ready to go than they usually do.

The show will have a mid-Oct. release date if the S2 DVD release date preceeds the premiere by about two weeks as is usual.

Which is fine by me, if they are going to do 3 blocks like that. There's plenty of other new programming in September to keep me going. ;)

Kind of irritates me.

Cynthia Watros..sure she has another show in the fall..but at least finish up her story line (She was a mentally ill patient in the same place that hurley was).

That is just plain sloppy.

The Fan's wish is to have the season not be one episode on...three off.

I doubt if she's dead...yet. They have to show why she was in the nuthouse. That WOULD be really sloppy, to not mention it again.

Have you seen the rest of the episodes? Do you know that her storyline is completely done? It's always possible that Hurley could remember where he knows her from and get the full scoop on her that way.

That pillow that Libby was holding will be used as the 'item' that saved her life ;-).

Very good episode, sorry that I'm late to the discussion, but I'm very much looking forward to next week's episode.

Libby isn't dead, just wounded. Michael did all that killing in order to get Walt back, Anna Lucia was due to be taken out because she killed 2 others AND she took the law into her own hands back in LA, somehow the island knows about that.

Henry may be the leader and he's not leaving, I think he'll stay in confinement to somehow ensure that Michael completes his mission.....to get Mr Eko. Henry will own up to the killings and stay behind to further manipulate Locke

Michael was pretty beat up, but I don't think that he's an Other

Libby will spill the beans on Michael as the cliff hanger for this season

Of course, I tied the DUIs to the demise of Anna Lucia, but it makes sense that they'll keep Libby on to close out some loose ends with Hurley

Tomorrow is just a day away, I can't wait for tomorrow's episode.

Libby's backstory will be resolved by the end of the season, I promise you.