Some parts of this episode were WAY too convenient. Of course, that's happened so often on this show that I'm just gonna wave the hands a little.

Last week I detected a strong theme that ran across the different plot lines. Did anyone else see one this week? I thought trust, but...

I knew Sawyer wasn't going to die. Too obvious. Also, since they were Minear-izing Snickerbitch Shannon, she was doomed once it started raining.

Was I the only one who saw a little Sawyer/Michael action? And kinda liked it?

Also thought it was interesting that they crammed almost a whole episode of Charlie and Claire into a C plot. And are we thinking that Charlie is back on the smackfarthing? Or just carrying it around like a security blanket?

I think the security blanket thing.

Re: Boone, I was more distracted by what seemed like inconsistent characterization, but the wig was crap too. I couldn't tell how long ago this was all taking place (several years, I guess? Three, four, five?), so I thought it was strange that Shannon and Boone's relationship was so different. The way she was almost dependent on him--not financially, but emotionally--struck me as a total reversal of how things were between them right before they came to the island. I can buy that a lot changed between them in those years, but right now I don't have any idea why.

The DMB playing in the background made me think mid-90s.

Also, a Martha Graham internship? Kind of a big deal, yeah? Not something you could get if you slept 16 hours a day? Which makes Stepmommy Dearest a bit of a moneygrubbing beeotch.

Good God, who wrote this ep? I never thought anyone would make me empathize with Shannon. (I still don't get the relationship with Sayid, though.)

I'm not sure if we have any estate attorneys around here, but I think Shannon would have had cause to sue the estate.

So I guess we have to believe that Shannon went completely downhill after her stepmother cut her out? The only way Shannon could live was to find sugar daddies all over the world?

BTW, Boone was bailing her out financially at various times, if his mother wouldn't give him the $$ years before, did he get the $$ after he started working at the company?

Boone didn't exactly seem like a man in love with his stepsister during this ep.

She had just turned 18 at that point. So perhaps Boone didn't develop his attraction until after the funeral. It's my understanding that wives have rights to the estate, but not kids. But not a lawyer.

Boone's mother was a nasty nasty woman. She single handedly made me feel sorry for Snickerbitch.

I think that without a will, what happens depends on the state. It might go all to the wife, but it could have to be split with the kids.

On the other hand, that living whatever it was may have made this more complicated.

Well, Shannon's dad died before Jack was married, right? So, this would be before the Scottish guy wound up on the island. Does anyone remember how long he'd been on the island?

I'm finding it more than a little ironic that Ms. "One gun and one bullet won't make any difference" didn't waste any time in using that bullet. I won't exactly miss Shannon, but I'd trade Fight Girl for her in a second...

Also, I kept waiting for Sayid's gun to go off accidentally in the tent and kill Shannon that way. Not that I was in any way spoiled, I just had a hunch Shannon was the one to go.

I just had a hunch Shannon was the one to go.

The episode was touted as being one where someone dies. The first scene was of Shannon. I knew Shannon was going to die. Shannon and Sayid had The Sex. I knew Shannon was going to die. There were Shannon flashbacks. I knew Shannon was going to die. Shannon was on a mission to prove that she would be useful. I knew Shannon was going to die. Sayid professed his love for her. I knew Shannon was going to die.

If I didn't know that a character was supposed to die this episode, I wouldn't have expected it.

aw I missed the Shannon/Sayid big sex. Wah. Ah well. (came in about the half way point)