TVSquad

Thursday's Lost panel at Comic-Con had some of its thunder stolen by an earlier announcement at the Television Critics Association press tour - Harold Perrineau would be rejoining the cast. Harold put in a surprise appearance at Thursday's panel, but knew about as much as those of us in the audience did as to why Michael would be returning and when. Co-executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse did reveal that Michael is back for good - not in a flashback, not as a "guest star." No word on "flash forwards" or whether or not Michael would be on the island or in some other locale, but it wouldn't be Lost without its secrets.

Lindelof and Cuse were so reticent to let any real scoops out of the bag that each brought a bell on stage to hit if either started getting too generous with the spoilers. Unfortunately for us, they kept themselves in check. We learned some generic information, which I'll sum up after the jump to avoid offending the spoiler-sensitive amongst us.

- In a behind-the-scenes interview, the late Mr. Friendly revealed that the Others were downright humanitarians compared to what's coming. I assume he's referring to who's on Naomi's boat, and Damon reiterated that the real question we should be asking is who, in fact, is on that freighter anyway. (Damon also offered that the violence of the Others only seems more unjust because they're not as pretty as our heroes. "If Sawyer were punching you in the face, you'd be asking, 'Could you take that shirt off and continue the beating?'")

- Lindelof strongly hinted, through copious head-nodding, that Jack and Claire will learn that they are brother and sister in Season 4.

- Ben was not trying to get caught by our heroes when he fell into Rousseau's trap and assumed Henry Gale's identity. In fact, the reason he was headed to the other side of the island at all will eventually be revealed.

- The season three finale with Jack and Kate is not the end of the show. There will be both flashbacks and flash-forwards in Season 4, but that scene was not the end point. In fact, this show's end and meaning has very little to do with "getting off the island." In fact, Lindelof and Cuse wanted to introduce the flash-forwards earlier, but were kept in check until they received an official end date from ABC.

- Libby's story will be told, and she may have been working for Dharma. Lindelof and Cuse did not come out and say this, but hints were made. Rousseau's story will be told, but it can't be told just yet because it needs to "sync up" with events that have yet to unfold.

- Lindelof nor Cuse want a Sopranos ending. While some mysteries will remain mysteries because "such is life," they will give us some kind of ending that doesn't involve cutting to black.

Aside from Lindelof and Cuse being generally charming and amiable, the panel did offer one big Lost fan preview - a short, Dharma Initiative orientation film for the Orchid Station starring your favorite and mine Dr. Marvin Candle. In the film, Dr. Candle had two fully-function arms, a bunny with the number "15" branded on its side and a foul mouth. Yes, Dr. Candle dropped the f-bomb when a second bunny branded "15" got loose. Candle referred to the island's "Casimir effect," but was cut-off before explaining what the heck he meant. I guess Lindelof and Cuse needed to keep everybody busy until February. You can expect more Dharma goodness before Season 4 debuts in February via webisode.