So it is now explained that Desmond's mind goes back in time, and why he can't really change anything.

Of course, I'm not sure if the explanation has any real grounds in science or not? Anyone want to look it up?

Entertaining episode.

That was certainly confusing...but in a good way I guess....

So that's not a bad thing at the end right? With Desmond being his constant?

It isn't all that confusing, it just depends on if you bought it or not.

It isn't a bad thing, it just means Desmond did infact effect the future when he "traveled". And it actually somewhat explains why Faraday is out there to begin with and possibly the crying.

I have never been so fucking confused in my life watching this show. I need to watch this episode a few more times.

wow, excellent episode, I LOVE this show. One of the best episodes of the series I thought, Very cool Time Travel idea.

That was a pretty awesome episode. Time travel, Alternate dimensions, oh my!

Great, great stuff.

I had almost forgot how hot Penny was.

That was one of the best episodes of the series, imo.

Whoa, what a god damn episode. It explained so much. Desmond being Faraday's constant means Faraday got his memories back. HOLY F'N SHIT.

Desmond and Penny are the damn backbone of this show. Who knew this weird guy down in the hatch would mean so much to this show?

Did it remind anyone else of Slaughterhouse Five?

That was an absolute masterpiece of television entertainment.

best.episode.yet

Absolutely loved this ... the tension of that last scene with past-Desmond walking as the future phone was just ringing was awesome.

Also loved the Black Rock explanation.

Trippy episode, for sure.

Anyone else experience a nosebleed while watcing this episode?

OK, that was the biggest mind fuck. Can someone try to break down exactly what happened in the simplest way? What was that ending about (desmond is my constant)

On a side note, they could have very easily turned this episode into a full-on movie. Somewhat like The Jacket but without the suck

Desmond's mind was time tripping, he was tripping back to 1996 despite it being 2004 (oh and is that the first confirmation of off-island time?).

Basically, take your standard time travel device, but instead of sending the body back, the person's mind was all that went back -- sort of like dreaming, except what happend actually had an effect on the real world. The only way to break it was to think of an item that existed in both 1996 and 2004 (Penny) so he could focus on one version of the item and anchor himself in time.

It was pretty damn well done.

this episode was the shit!

Faraday's introduction flashback make perfect sense now

Desmond getting Penny's phone number and calling her in 8 years was a great scene

It was certainly a ballsy episode I'll give it that. I could see this alienating certain viewers but I guess this route has been inevitable for quite some time it seems now.

For each person there needed to be one thing that meant something to them in the past (outside of the island) and in the present (on the island). For Des it was Penny - and for Faraday that item was Desmond. Without it, the person would become so disconnected that it would ultimately kill them.

My only question was how Desmond remembered what the professor looked like in the past?
If he forgot everything (didnt know who Sayid was)... then how did he remember what the Doctor/professor at Oxford looked like?

Ditto

means that Faraday phases back and forth like Desmond

Desmond is his constant

you noticed that Faraday since the first time he made an appearance as a character on the show(starting w. his flashback) has seemed odd and disoriented

So farraday knew baout Desmond the whole time?

how so? they showed him crying because of the crash, but Desmond had nothing to do with the flight. Am I missing something there?

Ever since Desmond showed up in 1996 at Oxford, Faraday decided that Desmond would be his constant, as Penny was Desmond's constant. But Desmond had to first find his way to the island and go through all he's been through to get to the point on 12/24/04 to go back in time to meet Faraday in 1996, while also talking to 2004 Faraday when Desmond finally caught up to his future self (viewed from his 1996 self) from his 1996 self.