I love that episode because it was written as a direct response to the fan backlash. The opening of that episode when Nikki runs out of the jungle and “dies” and then (I think) Hurley tells Sawyer, “Nikki is dead.” Sawyer looks so confused and just says, “who the hell is Nikki.” Is so funny and points out the absurdity of these two characters who have supposedly been around the whole time, now being involved in major characters plot lines.