"The Beginning Of The End" Review (Lost)

After many months of anticipation, Lost returned last night with an explosive season premiere. And boy oh boy, did I love it.

The episode starts off with with a police chase featuring none other than funny man Hurley. We're then shown Jack Shepherd, who's watching the police chase from his TV, while making a drink. The first question that popped into my head was, "Is this a flash-back or a flash-forward?" My question was quickly answered when Hurley is chased down and yells out that he is one of the "Oceanic Six." What the fuck? Breathe.

Back on the island, the castaways are filled with joy due to the fact that they're finally about to be rescued. Yea right. Desmond finally returns from his underwater voyage and gives them all the bad news;
1. Charlie is dead.
2. The rescue team isn't who they say they are.
All chaos breaks loose.

In one of the flash forwards, we see that Hurley is back at the mental institution, only this time it appears he actually wants to be there. He receives a visit from a man who says he's a lawyer from Oceanic and offers him a better place to stay at. When Hurley asks him for his business card, the man didn't have one. Hurley gets really suspicious to which the man asks him:

"Are they still alive?"
"What?"
"You heard me."
Hurley went nuts and the man quickly left.
Who is this man and what the hell did he want?

Hurley has been seeing flashes which have been terrifying him. We later learn that it is Charlie who he keeps seeing and running away from.

There are many "what the hell" moments in the episode. For example, in one of the flash-forwards, we're shown Jack visiting Hurley and after a how-you-been type conversation, Hurley confesses, "I don't think we did the right thing. I think it wants us to come back. I should have never left with Locke and them. I should have stayed with you, Jack!" Whoa.

Back on the island, the the gang is split into two groups. One led by Locke (accompanied by Sawyer, Ben and Hurley), who decides to believe Charlie's message (that the rescuers aren't who they say they are) and hide out in the island. Everyone else left with Jack in hopes of getting saved. The episode concludes when a helicopter arrives and a guy parachutes onto the island. He sees Jack and Kate and turns to Jack and asks him, "Are you Jack?"

I was left with so many damn questions, which is part in reason of why I love Lost so fucking much.

- The Oceanic Six? So six people manage to leave the island. We already know Jack, Kate and now Hurley. Who are the other three?

- Who was the person in the coffin from the season three finale? Juliet? Hurley?

- Why does Hurley regret siding with Locke's group? He managed to escape the island so what's the deal?

What a good episode. 16.1 million viewers tuned in last night, that's what I'm talking about! I'm disappointed that we're only going to be getting eight episodes this season. But if this episode is any indication of what the next seven are going to be like, I'm fucking ready. I'm so ready. [A-]