To the writers - first and last post from an envious fellow screenwriter, finicky small-screen season premiere/debut enthusiast, and seldom-impressed member of the viewing public.

The season premiere was, hands-down, worth the wait. Brilliant opening scene and the entire Desmond discovery a very interesting turning point for Lost. A year ago, Lost seemed to be about crash survivors stranded on an undiscovered island. "Guys, where are we?" Jurassic Park, I mumbled, bring on the raptors.

Enter season two and we all go down the hatch, adding a gleefully unpredictable element to the story - as well as a level of maturity that was missing in the first season (good as it was).

I've read through some of the threads on this board and don't know if you are as "deep," or intentionally foreshadowing as people who post believe you to be. But, my impression of Lost is that it is like a well-crafted ship, where even the smallest bit of space has a purpose, a use. I appreciate foreshadowing, the most oblique set-up that has an unexpected and gratifying payoff. I could credit you with "Walkabout" and the set-ups that preceeded it as an example. Don't stop.

I also want to mention some of the truly moving moments made possible by both poetic writing and superb acting. Citing the scene where Jin asks permission to marry Sun, and Sawyer's decision to tell Jack about his conversation with a doctor in a bar in Sydney - among others. Poetic - from the page to the screen - not easy to do - very gratifying.

In closing, keep Desmond. I'm not familiar with the actor who plays this character, but he has clearly set a precedent for the rest. This actor said more without words than I've seen on your show. For me, it was a redeeming factor for episode two. It didn't feel like television - it felt like film. Said with the best of intentions.

I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the ship - and will forget about the raft. :)

Cheers.