they're bringing in those 3 new characters...2 women, 1 guy? And, also on a side note, i understand that "death" will occur but it shouldn't be on a regular basis every season. How can we invest an interest in characters when we know they run the risk of being underdeveloped and disposed of? Shannon's death was unnecessary IMO, Ana's development was rushed/changed at the end to get her out of there, and Libby was seriously underdeveloped this season!

oh, i definitely agree with your speculations regarding the whole Walt/Michael storyline resolution! My hunch is that the network's failed attempts to reach acceptable contract negotiations for a season 3, with Harold, led to Michael's long absence and the quick "resolution" of Michael/Walt. I guess it's still up in the air as to whether or not Harold will recur as Michael next season at all but for now it appears like their storyline was cut off/rushed for the same reasons Ana/Libby's were. My distinct impression is that the storyline was not originally planned out for Michael to shoot Ana/Libby, to reunite with Walt, and leave the island free and clear! We got no clear answer as to why the "Others" needed/wanted Walt in the first place! Henry just hinted to us "we got more than we bargained for with Walt." Well, why and what does that mean? Yeah, to me, it looks like at the last minute ABC network left the writers with no choice but to throw in a quick resolution for Michelle and Cynthia's characters so they meshed their stories into the story of Harold's character because they needed an immediate way to write Michael out too!