I've been watching Lost religiously since the second season. Each year has brought more and more twists and turns to a show notorious for its mystery. In season five we finally got some answers, but it seemed for every answer we got five more questions. Now that the sixth and final season is on the eve of starting (February 2nd) I really want some answers. These are the big questions that nag me, and I'm sure nag every Lost viewer.


1. Who or what are Jacob & his enemy?
The obvious guesses seem to be some version of God and Satan or the personification of Good and Evil, but what are they really? Why does the enemy seek to destroy Jacob and why does Jacob shroud himself in mystery? Sure that's really a couple of questions, but these two seem to embody the heart of the show despite only appearing in true form in the final episode of season five. Producers have been staging their appearance since the very first episode with numerous allusions to good vs evil. Whether it is the simple game of backgammon or how shadows always seem to cover half of certain characters faces, the duality of man's nature has always been cleverly on camera.


2. What is the smoke monster?
Last year it was revealed that Smokey is actually called Cerberus, but what is the smoke monster really? We've seen it act as a security system and know the purpose of the Cerberus of myth was to keep the living out of Hades and the dead inside. As such its done a good job decimating the invading tanker crew and even some pivotal cast members. So what is this creative ploy that seems to act as judge, jury, and executioner? Why does it sometimes let people go unharmed only to attack them later? Seriously, what the hell is that thing?


3. What is the real deal with 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42?
The infamous numbers appear non-stop throughout the series. Most tragically around Hurley. So what are they and why does their meaning have so much importance? The theories and games people have created around these numbers are insane, yet after five years we're no closer to discovering their actual meaning. 42 may be the ultimate answer, but it won't do in this case.


4. What's up with Claire & Christian?
So they've been powing around for two seasons in a cabin in the woods. They show up every once and again like some undead Cleaver family and act like they aren't totally creepy. What's their deal and why did they abandon their cabin? We know Christian is dead, but Claire and her child Aaron never died so what the hell is going on?


5. Why do the dead plague Hurley?
Is Hurley just insane and predisposed towards seeing visions or is there something more sinister afoot that makes Hurley akin to Miles in his aptitude for "Sixth Sense"-like visions? Hurley's transformation from the dude that binds to the crazy man unwound has upset a lot of fans. I think I speak for most when I say I just want to see the big boy be happy. Then again, I do so miss Charlie and Hurley seems to be the key for him returning even just for a small dosage.


6. Did the Hydrogen bomb prevent the Incident?
I'm sure we'll get this answer really fast, but everyone has to be wondering - did the hydrogen bomb detonation stop the Incident from fully taking place and effectively prevent all the events of the series? Without the Incident there would be no crash of Oceanic Flight 815 and thus the Island would remain protected. If the Incident didn't work it seems everyone around the Island will forever be stuck in a time loop constantly living their lives until the time when Oceanic Flight 815 crashed on the Island. Gotta love a good time paradox.


7. Who is on the List?
Some form of the List has been around since season one and while there are numerous lists created during the show I'm talking about one in particular. The piece of paper handed from Jacob to Ben Linus with the names of the chosen on it. The names are supposedly the "good people" that crashed onto the Island. So just who are the "good people" and why are they on the List? Of course I'd also love to know why some of the main characters aren't on the List.


8. What's the deal with Walt?
Sure the kid is special, maybe even ESP special. A lot of early speculation involved the Others crashing the plane just to get at him and Claire's baby. Yet when they got their hands on him finally he scared them so bad the Others let him leave the Island. So what is his deal? Why has he basically disappeared from the show? What made him so special in the first place?


9. Who are Adam & Eve?
You remember the skeletons from season one? The male and female remains found in a cave forever dubbed Adam & Eve. Why do I get the sinking sensation that we're looking at one of the premier island couples? Could it be Jack & Kate, Kate & Sawyer, Desmond & Penny, Sawyer & Juliet? Or more plausibly Rose & Bernard? It seems like a simple mystery compared to others, but somehow I have a feeling it will be the most emotionally powerful one.


10. What the hell is the Island?
Last, but definitly not least is the grand-daddy doozy of them all. The one that summarizes and footnotes every other question and answer. Guesses have ranged from Purgatory to just a figment of Hurley's psychosis. So just what is this mythical island anyway? It'll kill people if the producers never reveal its ultimate secret, although it may destroy six years of mystery just to know. Personally, I can't wait to find out.

All in all, this looks like a great season of Lost. I don't know if they'll answer all our questions, but I definitely can't wait to finally get some answers. Make sure you tune in Tuesday February 2nd to hopefully start getting some of these answers.