there just isn't that much new information to reveal in the backstories.

Well, I imagine a Libby backstory is in the offing, b/c of the "Do I know you from somewhere?" conversation.

We know Kate was married, and unless I'm really forgetting something, I don't think we got backstory on that.

We still don't know how Locke ended up in a wheelchair.

And then there's island-related stuff, like -- what the hell happened to Claire when she was on sabbatical with the Others? Where the fuck is Desmond? What up with Rousseau? And OMGWTFPOLARBEAR?

And one last thing I remembered from last night's ep -- when Libby and Hurley were doing laundry, Libby said "Are these machines newer than the rest of the stuff?" I think that's something that's going to come back up, related to the Dharma project thingy.

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I'm sure that there is new material left, just not enough to sustain the format long-term, and I think it's already starting to show.

ITA. I can't imagine what the creators could come up with for a third season.

ITA, Sean. When I realized that Charlie's inital "flashback" was actually a dream, I thought "What a brilliant way to segue out of that rut!" But, then they had to throw in a real flashback.

Oh, well, better luck next time.

Here's my new Libby theory (I am not spoiled for this)...

I think Libby is not a psychologist/psychiatrist. I think she was a patient. With Hurley.

I think Libby's trying to hide something, due to launching into the sweaty foot stomping story immediately after he said that to make him burn in shame and get distracted. I wonder why it didn't ping him earlier. Also, the way that line "Don't I know you from somewhere" was sort of weird, like, that's something you say when you first lay eyes on someone. It almost sounded like he was amnesiatic temporarily, or something snapped into conciousness. Kind of strange.

Also, yes, the washer/dryer thing. Totally.

I'm sure that there is new material left, just not enough to sustain the format long-term, and I think it's already starting to show.

I'm not sure. I feel like with as many characters as they have, there are a TON of untold backstories they could be going through. But for some reason, we're stuck in a Charlie/Jack/Kate rut. Hurley, Claire, Sawyer, and Sayid are all WAY overdue.

I'm guessing that they're going to concentrate on the Others this season, and leave the Dharma Project, and all of its attending psych subplots (including Hurley and Libby's connections to the field) to next season. At least, I hope so--I really can't wait to get Hurley's psych ward story.

I know a popular theory last fall was that Libby was another ringer for the Others (she was the closest to the last woman to be taken during the Tailies walk cross-island to Lost Beach), so maybe the writers had her give that foot-stomping talk to offset the rumors?

But for some reason, we're stuck in a Charlie/Jack/Kate rut.

I think you just pinged it, Jess. Like Steph was saying, there's still assloads of good flashback story we should be getting, but somehow we keep getting the contentless, boring backstories instead.

I totally agree. Though I'm done with Sawyer too. Don't really need to see another backstory about him.

I can't believe they haven't done another Claire one...but maybe they are all used up there.

Bernard & Rose definitely need another backstory. I'd like a Walt backstory (maybe has to happen after he goes through puberty). I'd love a Danielle backstory.

I wish they would have more chance meetings between the survivors to maintain the serendipity angle, but I guess they aren't going that route.

Maybe the real problem is that they're stuck in a Person-featured-in-main-story-must-be-featured-in-backstory rut.

maybe the writers had her give that foot-stomping talk to offset the rumors?

Except Hurley didn't remember it. She did know he was the last person on the plane, though.

Also, someone on LJ pointed out that she was sitting in the tail section, and he was in the middle of the plane, and wondered how exactly he managed to step on her foot.