Back on the beach, the Oceanic 815-ers will finally be dealing with the aftereffects of Desmond turning the fail-safe key, which imploded the hatch and lit the sky purple. In episode 8, the lovelorn Scottish soldier — new and improved with precognitive abilities! — informs a central character that he or she will die; he is also the subject of a flashback device employed "in a way we never have before and never will again," hints Lindelof. "It'll either blow people's minds or chase them away for good.

Charlie and Hurley try to work out what happened to Desmond after the hatch explosion. We learn more about Desmond’s past focusing on his life before recruitment into the army. Will we finally get a better understanding of what the Others are up to?