After learning that the producers of Lost have been seriously considering a planned endpoint to the show, I was a little relieved (and, frankly, impressed). This could be the best thing to happen to Lost since the appearance of Ben Linus. Think about it:

• Remember Rose and Bernard? With an established timeline, perhaps the writers will take more of an interest in some of the long-neglected supporting cast members. Now that most of the Tailies have gone to that big traffic court in the sky, it's become likely that they were never essential to the plot. The Tailie-centric episodes gave us no vital information, with the possible exception of "The Other 48 Days." An endpoint would give the writing staff a chance to concentrate on Sayid, Claire, and the rest of the forgotten island gang.