Previewing tonights show

Tonight we focus on Miles (aka "I hear dead people"). Check out Doc Jensen's required reading before the show. OK, It's not really required, but it is always interesting.

Will we learn the origin of his powers? Will we learn why his parents gave him a name that sounds like ''maelstrom,'' a Nordic term for 'whirlpool?'' Will we learn why he's such a Mr. Snarky Cranky Pants? Recall earlier this season how Daniel Faraday wondered if his freaky freighter friend had been to the Island before; might Miles be Pierre Chang's infant child all grown up? If so, did Young Master Sixth Sense spend any time in Room 23, à la Walt? FUN FACT FROM THE WORLD OF CONSPIRACY THEORY LORE! Time-traveling Miles is currently parked in 1977 — the same year that the Senate conducted an investigation into a secret CIA project called MKULTRA, which conducted research into brainwashing, mind-control, and even psychic powers. Heavy drugs were involved. And allegedly kids were used as test subjects. Very Room 23, if you ask me.

Hmmm... Any Alias fans out there? Remember Project Christmas Tree? Alias was another JJ Abrams show.

Are we going to learn more about Smokey?

Watch with Kristin at E!Online gives us some SLIGHT SPOILERS for an epsiode airing at the end of April.

Mrs. Hawking and Daniel Faraday are both coming back for "The Variable" on April 29 (which just so happens to be the series' 100th ep). Also present are Penny and Charles Widmore and Charlie Hume (not to be confused with Charlie Pace).

As for the variable itself, it will almost certainly tie back to the equations and notations from the blast-door map we saw in season two, which included such bon mots as "Geological composition likely to cause magnetic disturbances/interference with weather project," "Primary nexus of Cerberus-related activity" and the infamous Valenzetti equation. Come on, who else wants a monster-centric ep? Remember, the only rule about flashbacks is that there are no rules.

Before the end of the season, Smokey is totally gonna get himself some backstory!

Recapping 'Dead is Dead'

Check out what EW's Doc Jensen thought of the episode.

certain to be hailed as one of the season’s best episodes (marred only by some really bad hair pieces)

And, Watch With Kristin.

Ben has a moral code, it turns out. He respects the sanctity of childhood and draws the line at killing or endangering kiddos. Baby Ben the battered child grew up to break the cycle of abuse.

And, The Washington Post.

'Little Ben' actor talks on video to EW.com

Late in the day, EW.com posted a video of Totally Lost's Doc Jensen and Dan Snierson talking to Sterling Beaumon, the young actor who plays the 1977-era Benjamin Linus. He talks about getting into his character, the Island's space-time continuum, and the fact that yes, he has been mistaken for Harry Potter.

What did you think of 'Dead is Dead?'

What did you think of the episode?

Ben and Locke, well really Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson, have great chemistry.

The question continues, can the Losties stuck in the 70s change what will happen in the future. What do you think?

Doc Jensen previews Episode 5.12: 'Dead Is Dead'

Over on EW.com, Doc Jensen's posted his thoughts about what we might expect from tonight's Lost episode, "Dead Is Dead." No spoilers there, but lots of theorizing about time travel, Little Ben's loss of innocence, and Desmond's possible super-specialness to the Island. Doc says that since this is a rare Ben-centric ep, we may dare to hope for greatness, and maybe even some more answers.

Meanwhile -- SPOILER ALERT! -- E!'s "Watch with Kristin" has posted a couple of sneak-peek videos featuring Ben and Locke. As always, actors Michael Emerson and Terry O'Quinn have some fabulous on-screen chemistry, playing off each other's characters like the pros they are. But if you don't want to know anything about what happens before Lost airs tonight at 8 p.m. (CDT) on ABC, please do not click and watch the videos.

What's the code for the game changer in the season finale?

NO Spoilers

We've had the bagel. And then there was the frozen donkey wheel.

What's the code for this season's game changer, you ask?

How about "the fork in the outlet," says Watch With Kristin at E!Online.

Last year we had a literal frozen donkey wheel.

Any guesses what the fork in the outlet could be? Post in comments!

Watch with Kristin's guess: Sounds like the Losties are going to be messing with the electromagnetic power of the Island, to return to the future or to unleash the metal-shavings monster.

Michael Emerson's (aka Ben) guess: "I think it all has something to do with metallic dust. I think the smoke monster is connected to that ring of powder that surrounds Jacob's cabin. They've established that there are supermagnetic forces at work on the Island, so what better medium for those forces to work through than through fine filings of metal."