(Rev) It keeps you running, yeah it keeps you running

Note: I am adopting most of my summary from the WP girls this week. I was less than pleased with the episode, but their summaries made me realize that maybe there was more to the episode than met the eye.

Last night, we had action unfolding in both major areas of the island, muddy girl-fighting, the return of the smoke monster, Hurley getting one over on Sawyer, a handy Sawyer tie-in via Kate's flashback and, ultimately, promise of an interesting episode next week when Jack, Kate, Sayid and Juliet return to the beach.

Kate's flashback was pretty much meaningless, except to again illuminate a character with daddy (and mommy) issues (of which we were already aware) and give us these telling quotes from her mother: "You can't help who you love" and "What you did you did for yourself." Which translate that in her heart of hearts, Kate loves Sawyer.

However, perhaps Kate's flashback was, among other things, a way to set up the post-gas scene with Jack. She said, "I came back for you." He essentially said, "no, you came back for yourself." Similar to her conversation with Mom in the bathroom. Kate seems to think she's being altruistic when actually she's motivated by selfish (though understandable) desires.

Juliet admitted that the Others were aware of the smoke monster and don't know what it is, but have learned that it doesn't like their electrified perimeter fence. There's still a part of me that thinks the smoke monster is some kind of fear engendering device controlled by Ben. But what was with the four flashes of light it seemed to aim at Juliet?

Juliet may not be telling the complete truth about the monster or her status as "left behind." I'm with Sayid (who is usually right) -- I think she's being sent back to the beach as some kind of spy. And, by the way, when exactly did her transformation from meek fertility doctor who is constantly crying to trained kickboxer with a four-time dislocated shoulder actually occur? If Sayid doesn't start asking the obvious questions of Juliet, I'm going to be pretty frustrated. Suspension of disbelief is one thing, abandonment is quite another.

I'm not one to knock a beach vacation, but if I were one of the nameless losties on the beach and learned there was an abandoned village with electricity, running water and soft pillows, I'd ask Jack, et. al. for the most direct route to the YMCA camp (did I tell everyone that the Others village is actually filmed at Y camp in Hawaii? No joke.)

Lots of questions:

What is the deal with Locke? What is he trying to do? Where did the Others+Locke go?

Could Kate's father, Wayne, be the original Sawyer?

Did Juliet wake up, carry Kate to the jungle, handcuff them together, and then fake unconsciousness? Did she wake up handcuffed to Kate and happen to have the key? Did she wake up next to a cuffed Kate, uncuff her, and then cuff them to each other?

Anyone else suffering from flashback fatigue?