LAST EDITED ON 05-25-06 AT 10:06 PM (EST)

Hello Shakes, it's been a while since I've seen your posts. There could be some answers to your questions:

Executive producer Carlton Cuse in an interview: “The Others are an important part of season three, and there's a lot of mysteries and a lot of questions about the Others that the audience is going to be curious about going into season three. And those are the things we're going to explore. There will definitely be some new characters on the show next year.
Obviously, Michael Emerson, who plays Henry Gale, he's someone who's going to be very prominent in the show next year. Fans were also introduced to a new character who promises to figure in next season's storylines: Penelope Widmore, played by Sonya Walger."

Harold (Michael) was interviewed today and he said his character wasn't intended to return next season, so he can look for work. He was told they could bring him back later. He said, “Wouldn't it be great if in season 4, I came and brought a rescue crew.”

I’m guessing that once the Others’ story is revealed we will see Micheal return, even if it’s without the rescue team. And where Micheal goes, Walt will follow. Like Desmond, they’ll have gone in a circle. I know it could be a stretch to explain Walt’s accelerated growth by the sickness’ side effects but this is LOST, isn’t it?

In an interview by producer Ausiello said concerning Libby: “I'm not revealing the final answer because Libby's backstory will continue to unravel next season.”

It appeared she was sent to give a boat to Desmond. Could she also have been sent to follow Hurley in the asylum? Penelope Widmore could reveal those answers.