'Lost': 'Kate' Expectations

Will there be a dark horse?
''What Kate Did'' was the episode in which Kate encountered a black horse on the Island — the same horse, she believed, that played a role in one of her escapes from Marshal Mars. Wikipedia says: A ''dark horse'' can describe ''a little-known person or thing that emerges to prominence.'' Most often used in the context of thoroughbred racing, of course — and politics. As in, ''a dark horse candidate.'' UNRESOLVED LOST MYSTERY Last season, the late Jacob-zealot Bram said of Frank Lapidus, ''Do you think he could be a candidate?'' What did Bram mean by ''candidate''?

Shannon's funeral
In ''What Kate Did,'' the castaways buried Boone's sister/Sayid's new girlfriend, who had been shot by Ana Lucia. ''What Kate Does'' has the opportunity to give us two funerals, if it so chooses. In the Sideways world, Jack landed in L.A. just hours in advance of his father's memorial service and burial. Will it proceed even though Christian's corpse is MIA? Meanwhile, in the Island world, John Locke's body is just laying there on the beach getting fondled by crabs. Maybe those Ajira people could do right by the man of faith and give him some proper final rites.

Foreshadowing of another ''Incident''
I share this with you not so much as possible prep for tonight's ep, but rather in the spirit of ''Wow! That's semi-interesting to think about!'' ''What Kate Did'' was the episode where Mr. Eko shared with Locke the missing piece of the orientation film that he found in the hollowed-out Bible discovered in the Arrow station. In the clipped-out clip, Dr. Marvin Candle instructed Hatch button-pushers to not use the computer for communication with the outside world, lest it risk another ''incident.'' I find it suspiciously serendipitous that the second episode of season 6, coming so soon after the revelation of the original ''incident,'' should be named after an episode in which there was a warning given about creating another incident. It all begs the head-hurty question: Did the time-traveling castaways create the first ''incident'' last season, or did they create another incident, different from the first? I know, I know: ouch, huh? Okay, don't think about that. Think about this:

Paranormal Communication
''What Kate Did'' was also the episode in which Kate made contact with ''the other side,'' if you will, as feverish Sawyer seemed to be serving as a host for Wayne's spirit. (Very John Edwards/Crossing Over.) Through Sawyer, Kate was able to dialogue with the man she murdered, explain her actions, process some issues. This was also the episode where Sayid discussed the freaky phenomenon of Backwards Speaking Walt, who appeared to him and Shannon like an astral projection or hologram being broadcast from a far-away location. This was also the episode that ended with Michael making contact with his abducted son via the Hatch's computer. I bring all this up to remind you of the big questions we should be mulling this season. Is there a connection between the Sideways world and the Island world? Will one world become aware of the other? Can there be communication with ''the other side?'' Can someone crossover?

And with that, my prep sheet for tonight's episode comes to a close. Perhaps some of this stuff will be helpful; perhaps some of this stuff will prove to be irrelevant. In other words, my prep sheet is kinda like...a typical episode of ''Totally Lost''! In this week's installment, Dan Snierson and I discuss ''LA X'' and try our level best to keep our slagged brains from slipping out of our ears. Keep your eyes open and your mind on alert, or else you'll miss our cryptic teasers about tonight's episode, as well as some...other...curious...things. Be sure to come back later this afternoon, where I'll be posting a lengthy Part Two to this column on PopWatch. I'll be going over some ''Things I Missed'' from last week's episode (Sayid's passport! Desmond's wedding ring!) and presenting some alternate views of the premiere from some of my Lost-loving colleagues here at EW. Not all of us are on the same page when it comes to season 6; perhaps you'll find voice for your own experience. Two more quick things: (1) The recap of ''What Kate Does'' will be posted tomorrow morning. (2) I'll be answering your questions about the episode on Twitter tomorrow at 12 p.m. PST/3 p.m. EST. Follow me: @ewdocjensen.

Welcome to Lost day here at EW.com. Stay tuned for more.

Namaste!