To me, this is the exact same as someone letting slip who will die at the end of a book. You don't know how or why, but it still isn't good tension. It's nowhere near as enjoyable as if the character's death comes as a complete shock, like in real life.
In all honesty? If the flash-forwards are nothing more than straightforward glimpses of the future timeline, and not weird visions or possible futures or some other twist...... I would prefer half-hour episodes with just island stuff than hour ones with the island and the future.
I said it.
How are the flashforwards any different than the present day events on island in relation to the flashbacks? Before, the on island events were occuring in the "present", the flashbacks in the past. Now the on island events are the flashbacks (in a way), with the real world events in the future being the current day events. I think its a cool juxtaposition, and if handled carefully will be successful.
My theory?
Season 4 will continue to feature flashforwards (and some flashbacks) to after the island, with the on island events leading up to them getting off the island.
Season 5 will feature the same set-up, but will focus on them trying to get back to the island. There will probably be less flash-forwards and more flashbacks again.
Season 6 will be about certain characters coming back to the island, finding their peace with it, etc.
I can't say that who was in the chair was obvious to me at all. I've still got it saved on the DVR though (in HD to boot.) so I'll check again.
Its definitly Christian in the chair, no doubt in my mind. He was clearly visible without even having to slow or pause the scene (which I couldn't do anyway as I was watching on TV...I did record it for my girlfriend though, and have gone back to check...its Christian). Check again, you'll see.
Again, this doesn't prove Christian is Jacob, but with the evidence available:
1.) Christian obviously sitting in "Jacob's" chair/house
2.) Christian showing up in the last mobisode and telling Vincent to wake up Jack, he has work to do
3.) Christian's casket being empty when Jack found it
4.) Christian being seen on island (though as you said, this alone doesn't prove anything as other dead people have shown up as well)
There's probably more evidence, but its been awhile since I've watched Seasons 1-3, so I can't remember.
Writing on his hand? he had a sharpie. They write anytime and anywhere, and it takes a few minutes to actually drown once the room is filled with water. I'm more curious as to why he brought a ****ing sharpie with him on the suicide run than why he closed the door.
He's had the Sharpie with him since the first season. Its likely the same pen he used to change the letters on the tape around his fingers early in season one. Maybe its been hanging in a pocket all this time, he carries it around everywhere, etc. Can't remember, but might've even been what he wrote up his list of "Greatest Hits" or memories with before dying. The Sharpie being there is easily explainable.
He had with him when making his top five list (the one he handed Desmond) during the previous episode.
Yup? And since early Season 1, for his finger tape rings. Kind of cool little bit of continuity when you think about it.
Seriously, this is driving me crazy. Charlie's one of my favourite characters and I still can't understand why he's dead.
To set up less awkwardness on set when Dom Monaghan and Evangeline Lilly have scenes together by eradicating that possibility? I honestly don't know. It was something that was set up for half a season, but you're right, it wasn't executed well at all. It was touching and sad, sure, but completely illogical. Oh well. I hope we get to see his "ghost" a few more times. Charlie was always one of my favorites as well.
