I watched the enhanced pilot episode prior to the finale and made this same observation. The cut that Kate stitched up was on his other side, higher and only appeared to be skin-deep. The stab wound inflicted by MiB was much more serious. Still, it was another interesting bit of...
Also, at one point in season 3, Ben shows Jack a video of the Red Sox winning the World Series in 2004, an event that occured after the crash. Hard to reconcile that with the idea that they all died in the crash and everything is Purgatory, unless Purgatory happens to get DirecTV.
Matt, you're trying hard to defend the contrary position, but Jack's father made it perfectly clear that the events on the island really happened. “The most important part of your life was the time that you spent with these people" makes no sense if he'd met them all in the afterlife.
To me the payoff was Jack at the end, seeing the plane flying overhead, knowing that he succeeded and his sacrifice was worth it. I thought that was done perfectly. As for a Sopranos ending, Watch the Jimmy Kimmel "alternate endings" - The Sopranos parody was easily the best of the three.
This is my take, too - Hurley and Ben's conversation at the end "You were a great #2, you were a great #1" implies that they spent their lives on the island after Hurley became the "new Jacob"
Walt, perhaps - these weren't the "most important people in his life". Michael died on the freighter, and achieved redemption by delaying the explosion and buying time for an escape. So I think perhaps he should have been there.
I can see either option (Smokey is the brother, or Smokey just assumed his form). I wish it had been a little more clear. But I think from the story standpoint it makes a bit more sense if he actually is Jacob's brother. Maybe the finale will make it more clear.
Sun & Jin's deaths have somewhat less of an impact when we see their sideways universe selves still alive and well (well, alive anyway). But it was a nicely done scene. I was more moved by Sayid's redemption.
Love that first aid kit easter egg.
At the very least, they should have had Kate ditch the cab for some other car. The idea that she'd keep tooling around in it just pushed the whole bit way past absurdity.
It was good seeing Ethan back though. Can't wait to see alt timeline Ben.
"Say, I'm an escaped convict who hijacked your taxi and recently pointed a gun at you before stealing your bag, but since I came back to give it back to you, would you like a ride in my stolen cab?"
"Sure!"