I don't think they'll get rescued. Remember that the ship wasn't Penny's, so at least part of Ben's story holds up. And Locke, psycho though he is, seems to believe it in part as well. I have a feeling that some of the survivors will join with the Others or become new Others.

I figured either Michael or Walt would be back, so I was glad to see Walt appear to Locke. But where the hell is he really? Just now thought: could the boat have been called by Michael?

Charlie's death (I assume he died, since it looked pretty much impossible for him to get out of the porthole) was a suckerpunch. Yeah, they gave us fair warning, but I didn't think they'd actually do it. I guess since he left his ring behind, he was doomed. If there's one bit of hope out of it, it's that we didn't "see" him drown per se. But I bet when Desmond returns and tells them, there's no avoiding it. Sucks that Claire's not going to have him anymore.

On the positive side, I'm glad to see Ben bleeding on a leash. Kind of unfortunate Tom had to die, but that's what he gets.