The castaways’ secret dossiers

What mysteries is Locke keeping locked inside?  What's keeping Sawyer up at night (aside from fantasies about Kate)? And which castaways have hidden dark sides we've yet to see?

Add up the gaps between episodes, the tangle of plots and its creators' dazzling attention to detail, and sometimes it feels like you need a scorecard to keep up at the weekly “Lost” watercooler debate.

To help out, we've compiled a handy pocket guide to most of “Lost's” better-known castaways, complete with the little facts and figures that matter.

No, we're not talking about Hurley's golf handicap. But speaking of handicapping, we've included a few fun predictions about what might happen next. Not that we'd ever endorse any sort of wager or game based on your favorite castaways.

But in case, y'know, you happen to be playing along at home ...

NAME: John Locke
ROLE: Spiritual leader and MacGyver-in-training.
SPECIAL POWERS: Opening hatches, calming potentially prophetic babies.
DEEP DARK SECRET: Those legs weren't made for walkin'.
TOOL OF CHOICE: That's not a knife. This is a knife.
GOOD OR EVIL? He could be the secret font of evil and the best-kept spy among the Losties. Or the guy who'll save them all. Flip for it?
PREDICTIONS: We know Locke's good with kids, but spooky looks of late are a sign that his fascination with Claire's baby Aaron can't be just some long-hidden uncle complex. Take the baby and run, Claire!

NAME: Eko
ROLE: Tailies' spiritual leader; Locke's nemesis (or is it the other way around?).
SPECIAL POWERS: Hunting, tracking, impromptu baptisms. Staring down black-smoke monsters.
DEEP DARK SECRET: He's not half the fearsome Nigerian warlord you think he is.
TOOL OF CHOICE: His Scripture stick. Also, Bibles with secret compartments.
GOOD OR EVIL? We've stopped trying to guess.
PREDICTIONS: He and Locke have been quietly scoping each other out for the past few episodes. Locke has the faith thing down, but Eko can quote chapter and verse. The bell's rung and they're coming out of their respective corners. Showtime!

NAME: Jack
ROLE: The Doctor is in ... your face.
SPECIAL POWERS: Brooding, self-sacrifice, occasional stitching.
DEEP DARK SECRET: How exactly did that marriage break up? Who was the other man in his wife’s affair? How well do he and Desmond really know each other?
TOOL OF CHOICE: Little black bag.
GOOD OR EVIL? Making Mr. Perfect evil could only make the show more interesting, but it’ll never happen.
PREDICTIONS: He’s not over Kate yet, Ana-Lucia. And let’s hope he hasn’t dropped all of his doubts when it comes to John “not quite Mr. Clean” Locke, because he’s gonna need ‘em.

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