well, I guess that tonight the proof was in the pudding. Desmond's not a bad guy, but apparently he's not exactly a good guy either. Perhaps he's still the "coward" he was accused of being in the past. Either way, based on his actions tonight, I don't think that he has experienced his redemption yet.

well, I guess that tonight the proof was in the pudding. Desmond's not a bad guy, but apparently he's not exactly a good guy either. Perhaps he's still the "coward" he was accused of being in the past. Either way, based on his actions tonight, I don't think that he has experienced his redemption yet.
Or, the writers need him on the boat to continue the story next week...

I'm guessing because he stayed behind, he'll perform some important function on the ship (likely something with Michael).

I don't blame Desmond at all. Last time he traveled to or from the island, his head almost exploded. Even though he feels okay now because he made contact with his constant - would you be willing to roll the dice again with your life by traveling back to the island through the weird time/bubble thing that nearly killed you? Especially now, after years and years, he finally has something to live for.

well, I guess that tonight the proof was in the pudding. Desmond's not a bad guy, but apparently he's not exactly a good guy either. Perhaps he's still the "coward" he was accused of being in the past. Either way, based on his actions tonight, I don't think that he has experienced his redemption yet.

As I recall, Boone said "...he's taking care of himself...". In the context of the scene, it just means that Desmond isn't the person Locke had to save.

His use of the key that made the Swan implode in LTDA.... that was his redemption as far as I'm concerned.

What JSYGirl said.
[Locke sees Desmond dressed as a pilot walking and laughing with some beautiful flight attendants.] BOONE: Forget it. He's helping himself.

If Desmond was only out for himself he wouldn't have cared about Charlie dying or anything they were doing.

Yeah, not to mention saving Claire from drowning...trying to save Charlie's life. Desmond redeemed himself in LTDA.

I don't blame Desmond at all. Last time he traveled to or from the island, his head almost exploded. Even though he feels okay now because he made contact with his constant - would you be willing to roll the dice again with your life by traveling back to the island through the weird time/bubble thing that nearly killed you? Especially now, after years and years, he finally has something to live for.

I don't blame him either. I think we sometimes forget that the Losties have only known each other for 3 months and Desmond has known them for even less time. He was deceivingly locked away in a hatch for 3 years and now he's finally free to reunite with Penny, whom he loves and knows she loves him. I don't think I would risk that reunion for people that haven't exactly shown their loyalty to one another all the time. Plus now he's witnessing all the crazy happenings on the freighter. He probably thinks they're all a bunch of loons and is looking for the first opportunity to get as far away from there as possible.

lay off Des, I don't blame him for staying
He has proved himself time and time again that he certainly cares for others, plus you got the quote wrong, so I don't know what you are on about.

Or, the writers need him on the boat to continue the story next week...

I find this to be most likely.

And I don't agree with the opinions that Desmond is still a coward.

I'm guessing because he stayed behind, he'll perform some important function on the ship (likely something with Michael).

or maybe hell communicate with jack via the communicator thing that was dropped off the helicopter!:eek2:

Or, the writers need him on the boat to continue the story next week...

Yes but they could've found a better reason. Instead they chose one that shows his cowardice or lack of being a team player.

I totally agree with lostnthesoutheast here. Desmond's true colors coming through.
100%
What JSYGirl said.

If Desmond was only out for himself he wouldn't have cared about Charlie dying or anything they were doing.

Yeah, not to mention saving Claire from drowning...trying to save Charlie's life. Desmond redeemed himself in LTDA.

Even someone looking out for himself can have a sense of morality. I don't think Desmond is evil or wishes anyone ill. Nor do I think he's immoral but he's definitely shown himself to be more concerned about himself and possibly some of that can be attributed to cowardice. How much of cowardice is self-protection?

Personally I think it's darn smart to leave him on the ship. I mean come on those people are crazy jumping off ship weighed down so you drown & Keamy basically causing mutiny by shooting Capt. Gault.

If I was Sayid I'd be darn glad I could trust someone ;who wasn't Mikey( who really was the self-serving one); to make sure nothing happened to the freighter and my way home.

Not to mention Des's head darn near imploded last time I certainly wouldn't want to do that twice. This is Widmore's ship and the closest he's gotten to Penny in 3yrs. I say he's done enough for the Losties. Storyline wise maybe he's there to make sure Mikey doesn't blow the ship up for Ben. I just hope Mikey doesn't shoot Des too.

Is it just me or is anyone else seeing a setup for a Desmond/Penny reunion sometime soon?

We know that the Oceanic 6 aren't rescued by the freighter. What if Penny has something to do with it? It would make sense for the writers to leave Desmond on the freighter to intercept Penny. I could be totally wrong on this (I usually am).

Is it just me or is anyone else seeing a setup for a Desmond/Penny reunion sometime soon?

This is exactly what I'm expecting in the season finale. I think Desmond choosing to stay behind has more to do with being a convenient plot device towards that end than it does with showing his morality (or lack thereof).

Ya, I don't know.
3 years in a little room with a smoke creature that will kill you or on a boat with 4 crazy guys with guns.....

Hmmm...6 in one hand....

I don't think he was being selfish necessarily, I think he genuinely hopes that everyone gets saved.

I also still think that he *may* have lied to Charlie about Claire getting on that helicopter. After proving over and over that his visions were real, he knew Charlie would believe him and that this was a surefire way to get him to do it.

I do think that at this point, he is so close to Penny that he is not willing to risk himself- and that is okay....

It doesn't make him a coward. It would be one thing if he was the only one that could go and coldly walked away, but he knew Sayid could handle it.