Cryptic, I know, LOL.........let me explain

I don't think Charlie is in danger or that he ever was in danger; I don't think the Universe is chasing after him. Remember when Desmond said it was not Claire he was trying to save, but rather Charlie? Well, I think this is God's way of saying -it's not Charlie who's in danger, but Desmond. Desmond's in danger of losing his faith, his hope that things will turn out ok in the end. Charlie is the messenger - God is using flashes of Charlie dying to spur Desmond to action. The more he "saves" Charlie, the more Desmond will think......hey, Charlie's surviving - maybe I can change the future, maybe I shouldn't give up hope of seeing Penny again.

I think this is really a good call! Desmond is kind of caught up in feeling like a coward, taking the cowardly way out, and in ways, keeping himself safe throughout his life by seeking out what he truly wants, at the expense of others. But now, Desmond is focused on saving Charlie, at the expense of what he wants. Maybe the focus should be on, Desmond, you can redeem yourself. For everyone, it is possible to change, and redeem yourself.

Maybe instead of the catch-22 being 'either you save Charlie and lose Penny or you kill Charlie and get Penny', the catch-22 is 'either you save Charlie and lose Penny but save yourself, or you kill charlie and get Penny but lose yourself'. I think there's a simpler way to say that.

desmond functions differently than anybody else on the island from either side. He's the lychpin, somehow. His relationship with Charlie seems some kind of key, somehow.

He seems to be getting kind of fed up though. He told Charlie he's saved him three times now and it's just going to keep happening so why should he bother? It sounded like he was going to quit, let Charlie die and end it, but of course in the end he didn't. He's obviously holding on to some hope, and Charlie represents that hope.

I have a similar take on Desmond's visions. I'm not sure the premonitions are from God, but I do get the impression that the point of his visions have little to do with Charlie's death; they're really testing what Desmond will do--or won't do--to save Charlie.

Ejean, I know exactly what you're trying to say - it makes sense, but I'm not sure I agree. I'm not sure that Desmond really has to be redeemed for anything he's done, except in his mind. He chose the safe and easy path that Mrs. Hawking laid out for him (that had already happened) because he knew what was going to happen. Des thinks of himself as a coward because he chose that route instead of an unknown future with Penny by his side. Des is wrong, anyway - he's the furthest thing from a coward. He truly is worthy of Penny if only he would think that he is.

Pace, you're right -Des was getting fed up. However, just when Des needs it, here comes a sign from the heavens (ok, not Penny, but clearly a woman that Penny sent to find him) that Penny has not given up on him. That should make the ex-monk feel better.

I was thinking about this too.

The whole point of the trek through the jungle was to find the parachutist who Desmond believed was Penny. Desmond's plan was to NOT save Charlie because that's what his flashes told him to do. But if Charlie was hit with the arrow, there's no way that Jin and Hurley would have continued to find the parachutist, they would have wanted to get Jack to save Charlie or somehow get Charlie back to the beach. By saving Charlie, they continued their trip to find the Parachutist.

The theme of Desmonds flashbacks insinuates that he is on a path to something great. It almost seems like Desmond has to keep saving Charlie to continue on his path.

Excellent insight! For some reason, Des is being given a second chance to redeem himself. He is good-enough for Penny, and he always was good-enough,...you are correct that he needs to believe it.

If Des continues to save Charlie, he may realize that he is not a coward, and that faith, and hope exist. Two things Des was beginning to give up on.

If Des lets Charlie die,...I agree it will ruin him, and even if he finds Penny again, it will not lead to the happy ending that Des wants.

ooh neat idea, i like its implications. I wonder if there will be a ring-store-lady like character who will serve as an opposing force.