Here’s my predictions for tonight’s episode:

• The title “Dead is Dead” either means that the concept of death is dead (some kind of “John Locke died and was resurrected for Ben’s sins, so Happy Easter!” scenario) or someone really dies during the episode — not Claire dead, not ghost Charlie dead and not zombie John Locke dead. Real dead.
• We will learn a little bit more about the smoke monster and what it does and where it comes from, but not a satisfying answer at all.
• We will, however, receive a moderately satisfying explanation for who, exactly, the Others/Hostiles are and where they came from. Last week we learned that Charles Widmore and Ellie Faraday were both still involved in the group as late as Ben’s youth, so expect them to figure into this episode, as well.
• Desmond, Penny and young Charlie will make an appearance, but I don’t think they will be shot. In all likelihood, they’re the reason we saw Ben broken and bloodied earlier this season — that doesn’t mean Desmond won’t reluctantly do what Ben wants him to do.
• Or, Ben will shoot Penny as retribution for Widmore’s men killing Ben’s daughter Alex.

It should be a good one.

Note: There will be no “Gut Reaction” after tonight’s episode. It will be posted sometime Thursday morning.