You can feel the tension as the Armies of Sauron prepare to march... oh wait, wrong franchise. My bad.

Well, I'm pinch hitting today because Wally Pipp, er... I mean, Daneman had to work last night and didn't see the episode. So I'm going to try to emulate Daneman's writing "style" to make the transition as seemless as possible.

Let's see here (looks at Daneman Writing Style Check List, $4.99, Acmeproducts.com)… start with a joke about the episode.

You know what's funny? Hitting people in the mouth with canoe paddles until they pass out and their mouths bleed. Ha Ha. Hah. Heh.

Okay, maybe I'm not so good at the joke thing.

This episode had a little bit of everything. I'm not ready to declare it a home run, but it definitely sets us up nicely for next week. Bernard and Rose. Jack getting his mojo back. Sayid, who presumably grew up on european football, not the NFL, executing a perfect form tackle on Dudley Dooright, who apparently will do anything as long as he gets some sugar from Alex.
And Charlie getting busy with twins….And I... love you TOO. HERE'S TO FOOTBALL. Oh sorry, caught up in the moment there.

First things first: Bernard and Rose suddenly reappear. It was good to see them, but given what we know about the season finale, I think it's safe to say one, or both, are Dead Losties Walking. The writers might as well as hung a flashing neon sign over their heads saying "WILL DIE"

Also, clearly we can establish a pattern. When the previews seem to indicate Charlie will die, he will not die. It's as close to an immutable law as this show gets.

We know where the cord goes now. We know Ben is becoming unhinged. And we have to deal with the possibility that Juliet might know more about the change in plans than she let on. (There Sheila, happy?)

We know Sun will do anything to keep Jin happy. And I thought the moment between Hurley and Charlie was a nice touch.

We also know that there's apparently a stash of chicks in the underwater hatch for emergency use. For all I liked the idea of seeing Charlie redeem himself, and prepare to sacrifice himself, he still ends up slipping up by celebrating too much. I thought that was a nice touch too.

And what other show has to have a special to have the writers explain what's going on, yet still maintains any sort of audience? Unreal. Yet here I am analyzing their every thought. Those jerks. I hate myself.