The Dead

Lost is famous for the number of dead characters it has produced. Starting with Boone, we learned that no one is safe, with the possible exception of Jack, Kate, and Sawyer. Sometimes the dead don't seem to stay dead, but act as ghostly messengers for Jacob or the Man in Black. Others are seen in flash backs. Sometimes the dead die and are never seen again.

We know that some people died prematurely: the producers had lots of plans for Mr. Eko, but the actor, stricken with grief over family losses, asked to be let out of his contract. Danielle also died earlier than planned, again, because the actress asked to go - she was tired of Hawaii!

Below, I will discuss the dead, first of Oceanic 815 survivors and their families, then of some important persons we've met along the way. I will not discuss Locke, Juliet (fate unknown), Claire (fate also unknown), Daniel, or Charlotte, since I've already written about them. I'll also not talk about redshirts, since there are too many to adequately cover.

Now, as far as I am concerned, I think that all the characters, especially the 815 survivors, should return to the show - one way or the other. We know that Jughead did something, though we don't know what. I doubt that everyone will find themselves on the plane again, but if the past changed, not all the survivors would have died, right? Or something? But I know that this may not fit reality, as the characters are brought to life by actors who may or may not be willing to come back. Some actors, such as Emilie de Ravin, have returned, as have others that, since I know and the frikkin' show starts tomorrow, I will note below. Others, I've heard rumors of but don't know.

And oh, by the way, my predictions are almost always wrong.

So, here we go:

Christian Shephard

Could Christian's death be what started it all? After his son refused to protect him after a botched surgery in which a pregnant patient died, Christian flew to Australia and essentially drank himself to death. Jack was sent to Australia to collect the body, but apparently failed to get the appropriate paperwork. Luckily for Jack (and us), Jack was able to persuade the airline to board Christian's casket on Oceanic 815.

Once on the Island, Christian didn't seem to remain dead long. Instead, he was everywhere: sending Vincent to wake Jack up after the crash, popping up here and there so Jack would chase him, and even showing up off the Island to haunt Jack. Christian also talked several times with Locke, claiming he was talking on Jacob's behalf. Before Michael exploded with the freighter, Christian appeared, telling Michael he could go now.

For a long time, I just assumed that Christian was a benign presence on the Island, who worked with Jacob for the good of the Island. Ryan McGee of Zap2It, however, has had a different perspective on Christian, claiming that there is a good one and a bad one - you can tell the difference because the good one wears his funeral suit and the bad one wears khakis and a shirt.

I'm not convinced. Brown-shirted Christian seemed genuinely surprised when Locke revealed he'd been told he would have to die to bring the Oceanic Six back to the Island. However, that's not a lot to set my cap on. Hopefully, this season will show us the answer.

Likelihood of Returning: Are you kidding? If John Terry refused to come back, Lost fans the world over would make his life miserable. He's far too important a part of the mythology to leave out.

Seth Norris

In case you've forgotten, Seth Norris is the unlucky pilot who flew Oceanic 815 for Frank Lapidus and lived - briefly - to regret it. He was the first casualty of the smoke monster. Interestingly, Jack was supposed to be the first victim, but the producers were persuaded by the network to keep Jack around as the hero.

Likelihood of Returning: Greg Grunberg is a friend of JJ Abrams, and has appeared on most if not all his shows. However, Grunberg has a major role in Heroes on NBC. I think Grunberg's one time spot was just that.

Edward Mars

Edward Mars was the Javert to Kate's Jean Valjean (if you don't know Les Miserables, I just can't help you). He seemingly devoted his life to hunting her down and bringing her to justice. How many marshals will fly to Australia to capture a relatively harmless murderess? Let's face it, Kate was a member of Al Queda.

However, his decision to fly to Australia was a fatal one, for Kate had been touched by Jacob but Mars seemingly wasn't. He was mortally wounded, and Jack's attempts at healing him failed. Sawyer tried to shoot him to death, but he missed, so Jack smothered him.

Likelihood of Return: Let's face it, we've seen Mars a lot, most often in Kate's flashbacks. I'd be surprised if we didn't see Fredric Lehne again this season.

Nathan

Nathan was one of the tail section survivors who challenged Ana Lucia's leadership. Ana Lucia eventually suspected him of being an Other, and dug a hole to imprison him in. Goodwin killed Nathan out of fear that his protests of innocence might ring true with Ana Lucia and lead her eyes to him.

Likelihood of Return: Nathan died a nearly total unknown character - we don't even have a last name for him. I don't know if we'll see Nathan, but I'm sure Josh Randall would be willing.

Goodwin Stanhope

Juliet's first Island lover appeared to be romancing Ana Lucia, who eventually figured out that Goodwin was an Other. She killed him.

Likelihood of Return: We've seen Stanhope after his death in Juliet's flashbacks. Surely we'll get to see him again?

Ethan Rom

Ethan at first seemed to be just a regular survivor, willing to pitch in and help with anything. But he quickly turned sinister when we learned with Hurley that Ethan's name was not on the manifest. By then, it was too late. Claire was kidnapped and Charlie was hanged (yet survived). Claire returned to the survivors, but Ethan demanded her back. At an arranged meeting, Ethan was shot to death by an avenging Charlie.

We have seen Ethan every season since. In various flashbacks, we've seen that he was a surgeon who had been born on the Island (perhaps the last healthy baby born then?) in the Dharma Initiative, and somehow recruited to join the Others.

Likelihood of Return: There's no way we won't be seeing Tom Cruise's cousin this season. William Mapother's Ethan is too important to not return.

Boone Carlyle

The death of Boone was perhaps the first realization that none of our characters are safe. TV convention says that if an actor is in the main credits, the character can't die. But not so on Lost.

Boone's death was also remarkable because of how senseless it was. Locke was temporarily paralyzed, and was unable to climb the tree the Beechcraft airplane was in. Boone, young and agile, scrambled up, but was unable to escape when his weight caused the plane to crash. His wounds were mortal, despite Jack's best efforts.

We saw Boone a couple of times afterward, mostly in flashbacks, but also in a sweat lodge dream of Locke's.

Likelihood of Return: Ian Somerholder has been pretty good natured about returning to the show. However, he is now starring in a television show about vampires, The Vampire Diaries, on the CW. However, Entertainment Weekly has informed me that he will somehow be back on the show. How? Well, that might be answered tomorrow night. Or not.

Leslie Arzt

Arzt was the annoying science teacher with a chip on his shoulder, who ably demonstrated how dangerous leaky dynamite is when it blew him into pieces.

Likelihood of Return: I see no reason for Daniel Roebuck to turn down the opportunity if asked. However, the role always seemed more of a comic relief than a serious part of the mythology, so if he does come back, I think he'll be very much relegated to the background.

Shannon Rutherford

Shannon's death always felt premature to me. She had just started finding redemption and a purpose in life (and a sexy relationship with Sayid!) when she was shot by Ana Lucia who assumed Shannon was an Other. Apparently, the producers felt her storyline had reached an end point.

Likelihood of Return: Come on, if Boone's back, surely his stepsister has to come back too! Maggie Grace has done pretty well for herself since she left the show, but not that well.

Ana Lucia Cortez

Ana Lucia was a divisive character, who was hated by many of us, including me. However, as she joined our group and interacted more with the characters, including Sawyer and Sayid, I began to like her better, and was interested in seeing what her story would be. Color me (and everyone else) surprised when Michael first apologized and then shot her to death.

Likelihood of Return: Had Michelle Rodriguez not reprised her role in last season's The Lie, I might have thought we'd seen the end of her. However, if the producers find a role for her, she's likely to come back. Considering her relationship with so many of the survivors and with Christian, I think it would be good to see her.

Libby Smith

Libby's death was equally as surprising as Ana Lucia. All we know about Libby is that she was institutionalized with Hurley at one point, was a widow, and gave Desmond her boat. She was developing a romantic relationship with Hurley when she entered the Hatch to get blankets for a picnic. Talk about bad timing. She tried to tell Jack about it, but died before she could be understood. It was hard to watch Hurley's heart break.

Likelihood of Return: Cynthia Watros returned to Lost once to haunt Michael (and didn't he deserve it!). However, she had been devastated when she was fired. The producers knew that Ana Lucia would die, but felt that her character had been so polarizing that the audience might not feel the enormity of what Michael did. The death of Libby did just that. However, I have since heard that we'll be seeing the actress this season, so ... welcome back Libby!

Mr. Eko

Mr. Eko was the most charismatic of the Taillies, and one of the most missed of all the characters. He was eventually killed by the Smoke Monster for refusing to apologize for his actions in the past. Why wasn't he sorry? Because he felt that he had done the best he could with what he had.

Likelihood of Return: Of all the persons who have requested to leave the show, it sounds like Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje's request was the most disruptive. The producers had planned for the spiritual Mr. Eko to receive visions of the future that nothing could prevent. But the actor was greiving the death of his parents, and wanted to return to London. I personally would love to see Mr. Eko again, and I've heard that the actor would like to return. I have not heard whether the producers have taken him up on the offer or not.

Nikki and Paolo

I have no idea why these two characters were so hated by the fans. Yes, you could argue that they were rather clumsily added to the cast and seemed to play no real purpose. But I strongly believe that you have to give the producers time - it will probably all turn out alright. But the producers were responsive to the outcry, and wrote a fabulous story about how they ended up on the Island and eventually were buried alive because of their own machinations. Bye-bye!

Likelihood of Return: I'd say nil. Apparently, the producers still obsess over the mistake of adding this pair to the main credits. If they come back, then they'll only be background.

Anthony Cooper

I don't care what issues you might have with your father, but Locke and Sawyer (who can claim Cooper as his "spiritual" father) have them beat. Anthony Cooper conned his own son out of a kidney. Does it get more despicable than that? Somehow, the Others managed to get Cooper onto the Island, and ordered Locke to kill him. But Locke couldn't. But a file of information from Richard Alpert later, Locke found a way to introduce Sawyer to Cooper. Sawyer then killed that demon from his past.

Likelihood of Return: I'm going to age myself here. I first noticed Kevin Tighe since he starred in Emergency! in the early 1970s. If you had told me that the man who played Roy DeSoto could play one of the evilest men on a show full of evil, I would have laughed. Cooper is extremely important in the background of two of our main characters, so I'm truly hoping we get to see him in the next season.

Tom

Ah, Mr. Friendly, Ben's right-hand man, who seemed to do whatever Ben told him without question. More or less. However, it was following Ben's order to take Walt that led to his death - it was one thing that Sawyer couldn't forgive.

Likelihood of Return: If we see any Others, I'm sure we'll see MC Gainey's Tom.

Charlie Pace

One of the reasons I was interested in the show was because of the Hobbit. I must confess. But how nerve-wracking to watch Desmond experience vision after vision of how Charlie would die. The producers decided that they would cheat the audience if Charlie did not eventually die, so die he did. And in a far nobler way than Charlie had ever lived.

Likelihood of Return: Dominic Monaghan has a new role in FlashForward as a genius who may have caused a world-wide blackout. He is one of the more dynamic actors on the show. FlashForward is aired on ABC, the same channel as Lost, and has been touting itself as the next Lost (it's not). The show is very proud of its actor connections to Lost, and no doubt want the actors to return. I'm certain we'll see Charlie Pace this season.

Mikhail Bukanin

This one-eyed evil-doer died several times, first when Locke pushed him into the sonic fence, and then when he blew himself up outside the Looking Glass, taking Charlie Pace with him. He was not my favorite villain, but he was effective.

Likelihood of Return: I actually have no opinion.

Naomi Dorritt

Widmore's go-to girl didn't survive her encounter with the Island and Locke. Did Walt really tell Locke he had to kill her? Or was that just Locke's interpretation?

Likelihood of Return: We've seen Naomi on occasion in flashbacks. She was an interesting character, and I'd personally like to see her back, but I don't know if she'll be back.

Karl Martin

This character earns the award for most boring Other ever. What Alex saw in him is beyond me. He was killed by Keamy's men as he sought the Temple.

Likelihood of Return: Unless the producers focus on the Others, which they might since Nestor Carbonell is coming on full time, there is no need to see this guy.

Danielle Rousseau

Danielle's death was unexpected. She survived alone on the Island all that time just to be shot to death by Keamy's men? What? At least we got to see some of her back story last season, but when you think about it, we really didn't learn anything new about her.

Likelihood of Return: Danielle is one of those characters who's early demise was not planned by the producers. Mira Furlan tired of living on Hawaii, and requested to be written out. I think the producers wrapped up Danielle's story this past season. I don't see her coming back.

Alex Rousseau

The cold-blooded murder of Alex took Ben by surprise, who apparently believed that the "rules", whatever they might be, would protect her. He took a gamble, and he and Alex both lost.

Likelihood of Return: Unlike Danielle, I suspect we might see Alex again, if only as a manifestation of the Smoke Monster. Tania Raymonde has a recurring role on CBS' Cold Case, but I believe they could let her come back for a spot or two.

Michael Dawson

Oh, Michael. What cost to your soul to rescue your son from the Others. Two murders and an estrangement from Walt later, he found that he was unable to commit suicide - the Island wasn't done with him yet. So Michael worked for Ben Linus, returning to the Island on a freighter and eventually doing his best to keep the explosives from going off after Keamy's death. His actions doubtless saved a number of lives, including Jin's.

Likelihood of Return: If you had asked me two or three months ago, I'd have said "Nil." After Michael's untimely death, Harold Perrineau expressed his disappointment that the producers made Walt into the stereotypical black son without a father. I'm guessing Perrineau wasn't ready to be fired. But the producers didn't hold the interview against the actor, so expect to see Michael this season. I'm guessing that Walt's taller than he is now.

Helen Norwood

Helen died of a brain aneurysm, breaking Locke's heart.

Likelihood of Return: I think small. There's no real reason to have her return, especially if Locke never returns to life.

Matthew Abaddon

Abaddon is one of the most mysterious and sinister of secondary characters we've seen. The man who helps people get where they need to be was killed by Ben, probably as Ben was trying to kill John Locke. That death was unexpected, and too early - there's so much I want to learn about him!

Likelihood of Return: Lance Reddick is now working on Fringe, but that shouldn't prevent a return, right? I'm not sure how or why, but wouldn't it be great to get a few answers about him?

Caesar

Caesar was a trick. We thought he was the man to watch on the Island, but instead he became the victim of Ben's last successful manipulation. Bye bye Caesar!

Likelihood of Return: Nil. I don't think that we'll see him again. Of course, if time is restarted, even partially...

Jacob

Mortally stabbed by Ben and pushed in to the fire by notLocke, Jacob is, I'm sure, dead. We have no idea who he is, what he is, or even whether he was good or not. I suspect some of those answers will be answered this season.

Likelihood of Return: He won't be brought back to life, I think, but we should learn a lot more about Jacob before the season is over.

Horace Goodspeed

Horace, of course, was killed in the Purge. He also acted as a ghostly guide to Locke once.

Likelihood of Return: I wish it could happen, even if as a ghost, but I don't see it.

Roger Linus

This guy was not killed in the Purge but by his own son. Although we all felt a little sympathy for him this past season as he coped with his son's injury and his own inadequacy as a parent, he was still an abusive drunk.

Likelihood of Return: Unlikely unless as a ghost haunting Ben as he copes with his failures.

Pierre Chang

Chang likely died in the Purge.

Likelihood of Return: I'm sure we'll see Chang, even if under a pseudonym. I hope that we'll get to see some Chang and Miles time.

Stuart Radzinsky

Radzinsky was one of the most unlikable Dharma Initiative. He apparently killed himself while staffing the Swan station. It is unknown how he survived the Purge.

Likelihood of Return: I hope not!