Perhaps the island is some sort of isolated, protected environment, in which this research may go on, despite what may be happening in the world around it. Going back to the basis of the numbers/experiments, we know that those doing the experiments (the “others”) are supposedly trying to save the world by changing variables related to each individual number (If you do not know what I am talking about, you have some homework to do – look for the supplemental video clip from the Dharma Initiative starring Alvar Hanso). I have an idea – it seems like perhaps the hatch, or maybe more appropriately, what is released by pressing the button, is some sort of harnessed energy that allows for time travel. Also, the jeweler is there, who obviously is not just a typical salesperson. I believe that he did time travel – as we saw, things were slightly altered, ie: he didn’t join the Royal Scots Army, which we know he did previously because he spoke with Inman (the guy in the hatch who he accidentally killed). Secondly, I would have to disagree that Desmond did not actually time travel. If anyone remembers, please post where she came from. I have no idea where or when, but I immediately knew when I saw her. Okay – first of all, the jeweler has been in Lost previously. And It reinforces the greatness of the line “only a fool is limited by time and space” really very special. It’s really making me think about how this fits into the entire puzzle. I like the overall concept of this episiode, if not the execution of it. You should read this to understand what I mean. This story reminds me more of Slaughterhouse Five than anything else. I have no doubt that we will see her again and find that she has some relationship to “others” on the island. I’m assuming that she a little more control over her abilities, if only because of her age. The jeweler is undoubtedly another time traveler that is able to go forward and back. Imagine him getting on that boat again knowing that he had to crash, be rescued and then stuck on the island again. If that were the case, it would definitely make sense why he reacted so violently with Charly.

I’m unsure if that means that he had to live it all (8 years)again. Ultimately, he realizes it is his destiny to relive it all again. He could review past mistakes with Penny and change them before it’s too late. Its important that he went back to a point in time where he could have been happy for the rest of his life. I understood from the episode that Desmond traveled back to that exact moment to understand where his destiny was sealed. This must be the first time that he has realized this ability, as it has never been documented that he could or would change history in previous episodes. Desmond may be experiencing flashes back and forward from this current time period on the island. The episode was definitely confusing but I think we can extrapolate a couple of things from it.

Desmond flashes before your eyes