Did the helicopter pilot know who Desmond was? He memorized the flight manifest so well that he knew that Juliet was not on the flight. I don't know if they even talked to each other. It is just something to think about.

Did the helicopter pilot know who Desmond was? He memorized the flight manifest so well that he knew that Juliet was not on the flight. I don't know if they even talked to each other. It is just something to think about.

I wondered that, too, but judging from his reaction and Daniel's reaction to Des' inquiry about Penny Widmore, I'm guessing they DO know who he is but aren't tipping their hand yet. Obviously Naomi knew who he was.

They might not know exactly who Desmond and Penny are, but they certainly know the name Widmore.

Lapidus and Faraday didn't know Desmond but they knew Penny's name. They exchanged a look that said they recognized the name when Desmond said, tell me that you have never seen or heard of Penelope Widmore. It may not be Penny they'd heard of but the Widmore name, their employer perhaps.

They might not know exactly who Desmond and Penny are, but they certainly know the name Widmore.

That's what I think too, that they might not know of Penny but based on their reaction they know the name Windemore. And they probably know of Desmond since Naomi knew who he was.

That's what I think too, that they might not know of Penny but based on their reaction they know the name Windemore. And they probably know of Desmond since Naomi knew who he was.
I still think Naomi had Desmond's picture because of his activity in the swan hatch. I think there was some kind of equipment in there which would have helped the freighties get to the island more easily, Naomi had the picture to convince Desmond she was working for Penny and gain access to the Swan and help her people get to the island, then she would have killed him. Which is why Naomi parachuted in alone. Interesting how the chain of events has already caused problems for Team Freightie, Locke kills Naomi dividing the losties into two camps, the freighties parachute onto the island and are separated from each other and are distracted from their original mission dealing with the losties. Sayid gets Charlotte freed but leaves Miles behind separating the three remaining team members on the island so they can't accomplish their mission. None of it would've happened if Locke hadn't killed Naomi.

Locke wouldn't have killed Naomi had Walt not persuaded John not to kill himself. Walt would not have spoken to John had Ben not shot John. Ben would not have tried to kill John had Jacob not spoken to John.

See where I'm going?

Everything happens for a reason. Naomi wasn't meant to survive. The freighties' mission wasn't meant to go as planned. Destiny.

pascalephoto - I have no doubt that Frank knows who Desmond is. Frank and Daniel exchanged glances when the surname 'Widmore' was mentioned. They've been briefed about Desmond. Now they're taking Desmond back to 'the boat'. Perhaps that was the plan (the destiny) all along.

Peace
M

Up until that point, I thought that the Freighties themselves might be innocent dupes who really thought they were only there for Ben Linus, but now they obviously know more than they are letting on, even surly old Frank.

I still think Naomi had Desmond's picture because of his activity in the swan hatch. I think there was some kind of equipment in there which would have helped the freighties get to the island more easily, Naomi had the picture to convince Desmond she was working for Penny and gain access to the Swan and help her people get to the island, then she would have killed him. Which is why Naomi parachuted in alone. Interesting how the chain of events has already caused problems for Team Freightie, Locke kills Naomi dividing the losties into two camps, the freighties parachute onto the island and are separated from each other and are distracted from their original mission dealing with the losties. Sayid gets Charlotte freed but leaves Miles behind separating the three remaining team members on the island so they can't accomplish their mission. None of it would've happened if Locke hadn't killed Naomi.

This is excellent! Makes far more sense than anything else i've read about Naomi and why she came in alone. Likely, she was to turn off the swan hatch, so her people could get into the 'magnetic globe' protecting the island?

Anyone else notice the military 'copter model on the pilot's TV? They showed it several times as he watched coverage of the salvage operation. A sure clue he was a copter pilot in the military, and by his age, was in Desert Storm along with Kelvin, and Kate's Dad. Perhaps he was picked so he could ID Kelvin.

I wouldn't disagree that a miltary theme will be developed over time in this show. JJ loves his military themes (Alias, MI:3, Cloverfield). As you've said, we've already seen Kelvin involved in CIA operations with the US Military in Iraq, along with Kate's father. They will no doubt be one of the forces attempting to get a stranglehold on the secrets of the island.

They might not know exactly who Desmond and Penny are, but they certainly know the name Widmore.

Lapidus said he didn't rub elbow with Naomi she was "senior management"
Clearly the operators of the freighter and presumably Michael Abbadon are looking for Desmond. Since Namoi had his picture on her when she jumped out of the helicopter. Meaning it must have been pretty important to her.
Penny's father seems like the kind to bear a grudge who will stop at nothing to prevent Des from being with Penny. He attempted to buy him off when he was freed from the stockade. If Penny is spending lots of time and money looking for Desmond I wouldn't put it past him try to find Desmond first and prevent him from seeing Penelope permanently.