Desmond shepherds Christian's coffin, Kate pushes him for answers

At the church where the Lamp Post station was located in the original timeline, Kate sits in Hurley's Camaro as a Oceanic delivery van pulls into the parking lot. Desmond approaches the Oceanic employee and signs for Christian Shepherd's coffin, telling the guy that he works at the church. Desmond asks the guy to take the coffin around the back.

Desmond returns to the Camaro and she asks him who died. He tells her that it was a man named Christian Shepherd, and she laughs and asks if he's serious (the name is fairly funny when sitting in front of a church).

As Desmond is about to start the car, Kate stops him and asks why he's doing what he's doing. He says "No one can tell you why you’re here, Kate... Certainly not me." Kate objects saying that he brought her there and Desmond says that he's not talking about the church, "I'm talking about here."

Desmond introduces himself and tells Kate that even though she doesn't know it, he's a friend and all he wants to do is leave. When she asks where he wants to leave to, Desmond says "Let me show you."

Island scenes during the opening montage of "The End"

During the opening montage of "The End," we see Jack at sunrise by the creek, washing his hands and looking at them intently. We see Ben Linus looking somewhat terrified as he loads a gun. He turns and looks at Locke who is wrapping a rope.

Sawyer, Kate and Hurley are sitting around the camp where they talked to Jacob the night before. Sawyer approaches Kate and examines her bullet wound.

Not a lot to analyze, but some beautiful opening shots.

Hurley pays Ana Lucia to help Desmond, Kate & Sayid escape the police

At the police station, Sawyer comes to tell Kate, Desmond and Sayid that they are being sent to the county lockup. Kate stops him as he's leaving and says that he can still let her go because he believes she's innocent. Saywer says that he can't because he's a cop. Kate tells him that he doesn't seem like a cop.

In the back of the van, Desmond says that he thinks it's time to leave. Kate asks who he is and Sayid says that he's crazy, revealing that Desmond turned himself in. Desmond admits that he hit a man (Locke) in a wheelchair.

Desmond says that the driver already knows where to stop and says that when they stop, he'll expect Sayid and Kate to trust him, because he's going to ask them to do something. They both reluctantly agree, then the van comes to a stop.

The back door opens, revealing Ana Lucia who asks Desmond where her money is, because if she doesn't get it, she'll have to tell the police that she shot them while they tried to escape. As she releases them from their restraints, Hurley pulls up in his yellow Hummer.

Hurley gets out and says that he didn't know Ana Lucia was going to be there. With her trademark attitude, Ana Lucia says "Do I know you tubby?" Hurley realizes his mistake and says that they've never met and hands her an envelope with $125,000 in it. As she leaves, Hurley asks Desmond if she's not coming with them and Desmond says she's not ready yet.

Hurley's Camaro can be seen next to the van and he tells Desmond to take it. Sayid goes with Hurley who says he knows where they need to go. Kate stays with Desmond, who hands her a black dress and tells her that they're going to a concert. Kate looks bewildered.

So Desmond and Hurley both clearly know what's going on, and they have a plan. We learn what that plan involves in the finale.

Jacob passes protectorship to Jack by blessing water

Jacob leads Jack down to a creek as Sawyer, Kate and Hurley watch from a distance. Sawyer cracks a joke saying "And I thought that guy had a God complex before." Kate says "James" in a scolding tone and he says "I know." Hurley says "I'm glad it's just not me."

By the creek, Jacob tells Jack that over the ridge at the bamboo field where he first woke up on the island, that's where the heart of the island is, which he needs to protect from Locke. Jack says that there's nothing past the bamboo, but Jacob says that there is and he'll now be able to find it.

Jacob then asks Jack if he has a cup and Jack gets one from his bag. Jacob reaches into the water and pulls some out, saying in Latin as he does so "Nam non accipimus hoc quasi vulgarem potionem, sed ut ille sit quasi unus mecum," which means "Because we don't accept this as a simple potion, but so that he shall be as one with me." He releases the water back into the creek, puts some into the cup and gives it to Jack to drink. Jack asks how long he will have to do the job, and Jacob says as long as he can. Jack drinks all the water in the cup and then Jacob puts his hand on his shoulder and says "Now you're like me."

The ritual mirrors the passing of power from Mother to Jacob that we saw in "Across the Sea." It's interesting that the light (or the source or heart of the island) is only able to be found by the protector, but it's so close from where Jack's island story began.

Jacob tells the Losties why he chose them, Jack accepts the role of protector

Around the fire, Hurley, Kate, Jack and Sawyer sit across from Jacob. Hurley asks Jacob why he brought them to the island. Jacob says that he brought them there because he made a mistake, accidentally creating the smoke monster, which could lead to the deaths of all of them and everyone they care about. He says that monster has been trying to find a way to kill him for a long time, so he brought them all there because he would need someone to replace him once the monster succeeded.

Sawyer pipes up and asks why they have to be punished for Jacob's mistake, saying that he was doing fine before he was brought to the island. Jacob says that none of them were plucked from a happy existence. He says that he chose them all because they were flawed and alone like he is. He adds that they all needed the island as much as the island needed them.

Kate then asks why her named was crossed off of the cave wall. Jacob says it was because she became a mother, but adds that it's just a line of chalk in a cave and the job is hers if she wants it. Jack asks what the job is, and Jacob says that the job is to protect a light at the center of the island by making sure it never goes out.

When Sawyer says that the smoke monster (Locke) said that the island doesn't need protecting, Jacob says that it has to be protected from the monster. Jacob adds that they have to do what he could never do, and Jack jumps in asking "You want us to kill him?" and if that's even possible. Jacob says that he hopes they can find a way to kill the monster, because he's certainly going to try and kill them.

Hurley then asks Jacob how he's going to pick, and Jacob says that he's not going to. He adds that he's going to give them what he never had, and that's a choice. Kate then asks what happens if no one takes the job, and Jacob says that "Then this ends very badly." Jack steps forward and says that he'll do it, adding that this is what he's supposed to do. Jacob asks him if that was a question and Jack says "no." Jacob says "Good... then it's time."

This was easily one of the most satisfying scenes of the series. We finally learn why Jacob chose who he brought to the island and he gets to tell the remaining candidates directly. Simply awesome.

Jack, Kate & Sawyer meet Jacob

Hurley leads Jack, Kate and Sawyer to the campfire where Jacob is waiting for them. Jacob says hello to each of them and Hurley starts to tell everyone what Jacob said until Jack points out that he heard him. Sawyer and Kate confirm that they can see him too.

Kate gets angry and asks if Jacob's the one who wrote the names on the wall including Sayid, Sun and Jin. He confirms that he is and then Kate asks if that's why they're all dead. Jacob says "I'm sorry," and then Kate demands to know that they didn't die for nothing.

Jacob tells them to come sit down and he'll tell them what they died for and why he chose all of them. He then says that once the fire burns out, one of them will have to take over as protector of the island. Kate and Sawyer look skeptical, Hurley looks worried and Jack looks ready to go. We'll continue with their fireside chat a little later.

Young Jacob takes ashes from Hurley, leads him to older Jacob + Sawyer copes with death

As the group makes their way towards the well to find Desmond, Sawyer asks Jack why Locke wouldn't kill Desmond himself if he wanted him dead. Jack says that it may be one of the rules. That leads Sawyer return to what Jack said on the submarine about Locke not being able to kill them and then asks if he kill "them," meaning Sun, Jin and Sayid. Jack says that he has been wrong before, in an attempt to console Sawyer and then says that Locke was the one who killed them.

Hurley and Kate are lagging behind a bit, when Hurley suddenly stops as he sees young Jacob standing near-by. Kate continues on and then young Jacob appears right behind Hurley and demands the ashes that he took from Ilana's things. When Hurley asks why, Jacob says that they are his.

Jacob snatches the ashes and runs away. Hurley follows for a short distance, before he comes across the Jacob in his older form, sitting next to a fire. Hurley asks Jacob where he's been and Jacob says that it doesn't matter. Hurley then asks if he saw a kid run by with his ashes. Jacob says that the ashes are in the fire and once it goes out, he will never be seen again. He then tells Hurley to get his friends because "We’re very close to the end."

It's interesting that Jacob seems to be able to appear as himself at different ages since he is dead and that he will cease to be after his remains are gone. This might explain why Ilana knew to take the ashes. They were not for protection, but to keep Jacob alive long enough for a candidate to step forward.

Desmond turns himself in to the police, meets Sayid & Kate

As the police officer that Locke hung up on puts down the phone, Desmond approaches his desk and asks to speak to a detective.

Meanwhile, at the police station, Miles is getting dressed for a concert to benefit at his dad's (Pierre Chang) museum. He tells Sawyer that he can still be his date, but Sawyer passes since Charlotte is going to be there.

The officer from the front desk then brings Desmond to Sawyer. Desmond admits to hitting Locke with his car and beating up Ben at the school.

Desmond is led to a holding cell, where is placed between the ones containing Sayid and Kate. He slyly smiles as he introduces himself to Sayid and Kate.

So it became clear here that Desmond wanted to be put in jail so he could interact with Sayid and Kate like he has done with Hurley, Locke and Ben. We get a clearer view later in the episode of his plan later in the episode.

Sawyer watches the sub debris wash up on the beach

Back on the beach, Sawyer stares out at the ocean as life jackets and other debris from the submarine wash up on the shore. It's obvious that Sawyer realizes that his actions led to the death of Sun, Jin and Sayid. Kate walks up and puts her head on his shoulder. Hurley and Jack stand there too, looking out at the debris.

Jack then says that they need to go find Desmond who is in a well because Sayid said Locke wanted him dead. Jack says they'll need Desmond in Locke wants him gone.

Jack sews up Kate's wound, their new goal is to kill Locke

On the beach, the sun is rising as Jack pulls some thread from a shirt to sew up Kate's bullet wound. He warns Kate that it's going to hurt, but it will keep the wound from getting infected. She wincing in pain as the needle goes in and he starts to work. Hurley and Sawyer can be seen sitting nearby.

As Jack works, Kate sadly says that Jin and Sun had a daughter whom Jin never got to meet. Then she switches from sad to angry as she says Locke killed them and they're going to have to kill Locke. Jack says "he knows."

It seems obvious that they need to find a way to kill Locke, but how do you do that? Sayid tried and failed and we've seen numerous times that guns don't work, so how can it be done?

Also, the scene of Jack stitching up Locke is reminiscent of the first episode of season 1 where Kate sews up Jack's wound. We seem to be coming full circle.

Jack, Sawyer, Hurley & Kate make it to the beach & cry + Locke leaves to complete his plan

Jack makes it to the beach carrying Sawyer. After making it out of the water, he collapses on the beach. Sawyer coughs, indicating he is alive, but remains unconscious. Hurley walks up helping Kate who is still weak from the gunshot to the shoulder. Kate says that they couldn't find Jack as they embrace

They find out that Sawyer is breathing and then ask about Jin and Sun. Jack just shakes his head and Kate and Hurley begin to sob. Jack walks away to the beach of the ocean and looks up. He then hangs his head and begins to weep himself.

Meanwhile, Locke is back at the dock with Claire. He says "it sunk." Claire asks if he means the submarine and if they're all dead. Locke says that not all of them are dead, then grabs a gun and starts to walk away. When Claire asks where he's going, Locke says "To finish what I started."

So this is it. It seems like it's going to be Locke versus what remains of our group, but Ben, Richard and Miles are still around, as are Desmond, Charles Widmore, Zoe and what remains of Widmore's group and the others from the temple. How will this all play out? We don't have long until we find out.

Frank knocked out as water rushes in + Hurley, Kate, Sawyer & Jack escape

After Sayid explodes, everyone is thrown around in the submarine. Frank gets up off of the floor of the control room and moves towards the rest of the group. He stops at the hatch window which has started to leak water. He says "Ah, hell" then the hatch is thrust forward and he is knocked unconscious as the water rises. He is likely dead.

Jack sees Kate in the rising water and pulls her out. Sawyer grabs Hurley who is okay and Sun is pinned against a wall by a large metal box. As Sawyer goes to help Jin free Sun, Jack tells Hurley to get Kate out of there and he'll take care of everybody else. Hurley says that he has to help Sayid and Jack says "There is no Sayid!" Jack gives Hurley an oxygen tank and tells him to take Kate though the blast hole in the side of the submarine. He tells Hurley that he can do it.

As the sub sinks, Hurley and Kate make it to the blast hole as Jack goes to help Sawyer and Jin. They manage to move the large metal box, but then they realize that Sun is still trapped by some mangled metal beams.

As the sub shifts suddenly, Sawyer is knocked by some falling wreckage. Jin continues to struggle with the metal trapping Sun as Jack pulls Sawyer out of the water. Sun tells Jin to leave, but he says he's going to get her out. Jin tells Jack to get Sawyer out and refuses an oxygen tank that Jack offers him.

Jack shares parting, mournful looks with Sun and Jin, then makes his way out of the submarine with Sawyer.

Sun and Jin certainly deserve their own post, so you'll see that coming up next.

Jack finds the C-4 in the bag Locked swapped with his

As the submarine dives into the ocean, Jack is trying to treat Kate's bullet wound. Kate asks where Claire is and Jack tells her that she's still on the island. She objects, but is too weak. Hurley says that he can't find a first aid kit.

Jack asks Jin to hand him his bag that has a shirt he can use to apply pressure to the wound. As Jack is opening the bag, he says that he thinks the bullet went all the way through Kate. As he reaches his hand in the bag, he pulls out three blocks of C-4 (from the Ajira plane) attached to the digital watch that Locke took from the body of the Widmore's guy that he shot. The timer on the bomb is counting down from 3 minutes and 54 seconds. Jack says that they did exactly what Locke wanted.

This is an amazingly elaborate plan that Locke managed to pull off. He got everyone in one place with a bomb, just like Locke claimed Widmore was trying to do putting the explosives on the plane. This is the longest of cons that has played out over many years. The results are coming up.

Kate is shot, a gun battle ensues with Widmore's men, Claire is left behind with Locke

The moment after Jack pushes Locke into the water, Widmore's men who are hiding at the tree-line take their first shot which hits Kate in the shoulder. Jack, Sayid and Claire open fire on the numerous armed men hiding in trees and behind tall grass.

After Jack empties his gun, he grabs Kate and heads for the submarine hatch. Sayid helps lower her into the submarine as Claire keeps shooting at Widmore's guys. Locke emerges from the water, climbs onto the pier and angrily opens fire on Widmore's men.

After Sawyer finds out what happened, he goes to the top of the hatch and screams for Claire. Locke is at the other end of the pier and screams "James!" and starts running towards the submarine. Sawyer closes the hatch, leaving Locke and Claire on the pier.

Sawyer radios Frank and tells him to get the captain to dive. The captain flips the levers and the submarine starts moving.

Claire sees the sub leaving and screams as she runs towards it. Locke grabs her with a smirk on his face and says "You don't want to be on that sub."

So why did Widmore's men wait until Locke was pushed into the water to open fire? Also, why was Kate, a non-candidate, the only one shot? Widmore mentioned her earlier and knows she's not a candidate. It all seems to a bit too convenient. Is it possible that Widmore has been working on Locke's team this entire time and his appearance otherwise was all a con?

The group takes control of the submarine, Jack pushes Locke in the water

The group led by Sawyer, crouch down a short distance from the submarine. They see no one guarding the submarine, but Sawyer lays out their plan. He, Hurley, Frank, Jin and Sun will go first, followed 30 seconds later by the rest of them with Jack and Locke coming last.

The first group makes their way to the submarine and climb in with no problems. Sawyer and Frank make their way to a room on the submarine where a man sits and they detain him before he can pull his gun. They force the man to take them to the captain and once they're there, Frank knocks out the original guy. Sawyer tells the captain to get the submarine ready to go.

Outside, just after the second group heads for the submarine, Locke grabs Jack's bag that's behind him and hands Jack the one he was originally carrying.  As the two of them head towards the sub, Locke tries to convince Jack to leave, telling him that whoever told him to stay on the island didn't know what they were talking about. Jack says that John Locke told him to stay and then suddenly pushes Locke into the water. Claire looks stunned.

So we start to see the workings of Locke's real plan once he switches his and Jack's bag. The rest of this scene's screen captures and recap/analysis coming soon.

Locke tells the group they must take the submarine, not the plane

As Frank leads the group through the jungle towards the Ajira plane, Kate asks Jack if he's coming with them now. Jacks says that he's not meant to go, but he'll help them leave. Sawyer thanks him for coming back for them.

Suddenly, Sayid emerges from the jungle, causing everyone to point their guns at him. Jack tells him it's okay because Sayid cut the power so they could escape the cages. Sayid says that they should go because Locke is waiting for them.

Later, after Locke has gone inside the plane, the group arrives at the Arija plane themselves. They notice the body of Widmore's guy with the broken neck when Locke emerges from the plane and says that he killed the two men. He says that Widmore placed the two men there for show and he knew that he would kill them because if Widmore wanted to keep him off the plane, he wouldn't have moved the sonic fence.

He then says that Widmore wanted to get them all in one enclosed place so they would all be killed with the four bricks of C-4 that were wired to the plane's electronics. He pulls the C-4 from his bag and tells the group that there could be more on the plane, so they'll have to take the submarine.

Hurley objects since Richard said that Locke was not supposed to leave the island. Sawyer says that Richard's opinion doesn't count since he's not there, then he thanks Locke for saving them twice and says that he was wrong about him.

Locke says that the submarine will be heavily defended, so they'll need everyone to succeed. Jack still doesn't want to leave the island, but says that he'll help them. Claire then apologizes to Locke, who says he understands why she left with the group.

Sawyer then hangs back to talk to Jack and starts to scheme again. He asks Jack to keep Locke from getting on the submarine by getting him in the water. It seems that Sawyer believes what Locke said about not being able to cross water earlier this season.

The smoke monster kills Seamus, Jack lets the group out of Hydra cage

As Sawyer and Kate are inside the cages, Sawyer says that it feels like they're going in circles since they're back in there, but this time the gun was pointed at Kate's head.

Close by, Jin and Sun sit and Jin learns that his little girl Ji Yeon is with Sun's mother. He tells her that he saw pictures of her and she is beautiful. Sun then tells him that she has his wedding ring and then puts it back on his hand.

Suddenly, the power goes out killing the lights and the pylons. One guy from Widmore's group says that somebody killed the power and Seamus tells him to get a team to the generator. Then, the signature sounds of the smoke monster can be heard. Hurley says that now they're all going to die.

The smoke monster emerges from the jungle, and as it tends to be the case, Widmore's team attempts to shoot at it. It grabs Seamus and slams him against the cage which kills him. The monster quickly retreats back into the jungle, but can still be heard, presumably taking care of the other guys that were with Seamus.

Kate sees the keys on Seamus' belt and tries to grab them, but her arms are not quite long enough. Frank attempts to kick the cage door open with no luck.

As Kate is still reaching for the keys, suddenly a hand grabs them. We see Jack has come to let them out of the cage. Jack says I'm with him, nodding in the direction of the monster. Everyone then runs away.