Spoilers from Damon Lindelof, head writer:

"Our format of weekly flashbacks from different characters is becoming a problem as the characters' storylines wear thin. Which is why I'm taking the bold move of having another plane crash. This will bring in enough new cast members that we can phase out the characters fans care about altogether!

These new characters will include, among others, Sam Nietzsche, Jenny Kierkegaard, and Shakespeare McNotnamedafteraphilosopher.

For example. (...)

• A woman who worked for a successful and well-respected banker for years, until she came back into his office late one night and found out that he was actually a horse. Also she was a horse too.

• A man who spent years thinking he was God. It turns out that he was not God. He was just a nut.

• A man who killed ten people execution style while robbing an orphanage. Several years later, he discovers that this actually is morally wrong."

From somethingawful

Fun: A great moment from the pilot: the survivors of flight 815 gather for the first time to face the monster.