A couple of things came to mind in tonight's episode related to Desmond's past.

1. Did this time jumping experience and his subsequent trip to Oxford cause his dishonorable discharge from the armed forces?

2. Charles Widmore was bidding on the journal from The Black Rock, indicating that he likely has interest in the Island itself or at least the properties of the Island. Is this why he has the "race" and ends up getting Desmond to participate in it? So he can find out more about the island?

3. When Desmond was discharged he mentioned the book that was "going to be the last book he read before he died". In light of this episode can we assume that he now actually knows exactly when he's going to die?

4. In the scene where Jack and Desmond meet at the stadium while running Desmond seemed to know that Sarah would actually be healed and wouldn't remain paralyzed. Is this because he had already experienced his time jump and knew he' meet Jack in the future and therefore knew the story of Jack's wife and her recovery?

Would love your thoughts.