You are right about the future not being carved in stone, Charlie would not have survived drowning the first time or the lightening strike. The only thing that seems to be a given is when your time is up, you are going to snuff it one way or another.
The writers have been playing with us all along and at this point I don't get bothered. I remember a time when Charlie was not a good swimmer and suddenly he was a champion of holding his breath. (Unless his being a crap swimmer made him good at holding his breath)
On another lost site, the geeks have blown up and read the clipping Jack had in his hand, something about a father,son and suicide so maybe Michael is in the coffin. That would explain no one coming to view the body. Good point about the maps, charts and the dead person being the only one to find the island.
Here's to months and months of theories and the first 2 or 3 episodes of the new season rehashing and reminding us of the past.
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