After reeling from a stunning blow, the Islanders are further stunned when Sun spots a sailboat just off the coast. Jack, Sawyer and Sayid swim out to the boat, which appears at first to be abandoned and adrift. However, the sound of opera music--as well as an accidental burst of gunfire--lead the boys to look below deck, where they find Desmond, the former occupant of the hatch, and keeper of the button, drunk as a skunk. Desmond--who, as we see via a flashback--owns the sailboat, and for the last two and a half weeks had been trying to sail to anyplace but here--only to wind up right back where he left. Desmond tells Jack that the island is essentially trapped in a bloody snow globe, making escape an impossible dream. But Desmond’s troubles have become a big gain for Jack and his comrades.

Michael had returned from a previous solitary hunt for Walt, bearing news of a scouting run he did on the Others’ compound on the opposite side of the island. Michael says that the Others are nothing more than hillbillies with extremely poor defenses, and that they can be easily taken. And so Jack plans on leading an expedition consisting of himself, Kate, Sawyer, Hurley and Michael into the Other’s compound in an attempt to get Walt back. The sailboat will come in handy for Sayid, who takes it--along with Jin and Sun, whom Sayid takes along because he does not know how to sail--on a reconnoiter mission of his own of the Other’s compound. He plans to meet up with Jack and friends before they arrive at the Others' camp and give them the lowdown on their enemy. Yet while Jack and friends are finally taking the fight to the Others, they face a major problem: there's a traitor in their midst.

Live Together, Die Alone is simply magnificent. It’s the cultivation of many themes and storylines of the second season, while also being a marvelously gripping finale at the same time. Everyone is involved in the story in a believable and inventive manner. And not only does it up the stakes by placing beloved characters in peril, but Live Together, Die Alone also lays the groundwork that will make Lost a more broader story on an epic scale. Another plus is that the two part episode is edited into a 90 minute movie on the DVD, and it leaves you wanting to see more. Excellent work on all levels, and highly recommended.