marvin candle

Every year, the Lost producers and writers come up with a name for the big shocking moment in the season finale. The first season finale, where Walt was taken by the Others, was called "Bagel." When Penny's team found the island it was called "Challah." That was the end of the bread names. When we found out Jack was in a fast forward, it was called "The Rattlesnake in the Mailbox," which I still don't understand (not that I do understand "Bagel" and "Challah"). Last season's big twist was called "Frozen Donkey Wheel," which makes sense (the wheel that Ben turned to get off the island).

This year it's going to be different: you get to give a name to the season finale.

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.