First, we'll focus on the season premiere episode. Doc Jensen, from EW.com, has seen the first two episodes already, and has mentioned that fans may want to specifically watch the following episodes in order to adequately catch themselves up and refresh their memories.

There's No Place Like Home (Parts 2 and 3). From Jensen, "Even if it's still fresh in your mind, you might want to re-watch the Orientation Film for The Dharma Initiative's time travel station, The Orchid, as well as the scene when Ben crawls down into the ice cavern and cranks the frozen donkey wheel." ABC will be rebroadcasting this episode tonight, January 14, however if you miss it, you can still watch it onling at abc.com, where all season 4 episodes are still available for free.

Flashes Before Your Eyes. From Jensen, "Pay close attention to all things Ms. Hawking. Timecop Granny is something of a paradox. On one hand, she tells Desmond that time can't be altered -- that if you try to change the past, Fate will find some way to thwart you. On the other hand, she warns of catastrophic consequences if Desmond doesn't repeat all of his past actions. But if history can't be changed, why the apocalyptic angst? Knowing the producers, my guess this contradiction isn't an inconsistency, but rather exactly the question we should be asking." In a basic sense, this episode established the Rules of Time for the show.

The Constant. Jensen notes a few ideas from the episode that we might want to bookmark, including, "Island time travelers have a tendency to get sick, bleed out of their nose, and die; and said sickness can be at least temporarily slowed by fixing one's mind, heart and life to a single source of meaning -- a lover, a passion, an ideal. A constant."

Cabin Fever. Described by Jensen as the episode that "chronicled John Locke's strange and sorry-ass early years," but there is one specific scene that you should pay close attention to. "the moment where ageless Other Richard Alpert shows up at Boy Locke's house and gives him The Test. Make note of the items that Locke touches -- and the one he ultimately chooses."

The final season 5 premiere suggestion is to watch the Pierre Chang comic-con video released this past summer. Many of you might have missed this video, which is startling in my opinion (the video, that is, not the fact that you might not have seen it). Pierre Chang, it seems is the real name of our favorite Dharma-ling, known also as Dr. Marvin Candle, Dr. Mark Wickmund, and Dr. Edgar Halliwax. The beginning of the video is a little hokey and stupid, but stick with it, for once Chang appears you will peeing yourself and yelling excited obsenities (or maybe that's just me). I've included the video below in case you need a rewatch, or haven't seen it at all.

In addition to the article snippets above by Jeff Jensen, TVGuide's new issue features some fantastic spoilery bits of information as well, and another episode guide, this time provided by the producers themselves. The following are the episodes they feel will most prepare fans for season 5 in general. Some of the same episodes Jensen mentions are mentioned below as well. I've also included the very same spoilery comments made by the producers about how these episodes might relate to season 5. This section DEFINITELY contains some spoilers for season 5.

Walkabout - "Locke and his relationship to the island is very central to the fifth season," teases Lindelof.

White Rabbit - Christian returns. And "the fact that Christian's wearing white tennis shoes is a mystery that will be answered this season," Cuse says.

Deus Ex Machina - "We will learn the whole nature of why the Swan Station exists."

The 23rd Psalm - "You learned the monster was able to pull memories from a character's life," reminds Cuse. A greater understanding of the monster will come this season.

Live Together, Die Alone - At last! The statue will make a reappearnce, but the big questions - why four toes? Who built it? - will have to wait for Season 6.

Flashes Before Your Eyes - Establishes that characters have no control over their ultimate fates. "Only on the choices they make on the way there," says Lindelof. Cuse says Fionnula Flanagan is "important in the overall storytelling of Lost."

The Man Behind the Curtain - "You'll be seeing some of the Dharma Initiative characters you've seen in the past," confirms Cuse. "You're going to get a nice juicy chunk of Ben's backstory this year."

The Constant- The consequences of incorrectly entering or exiting the island (on the wrong compass bearing) will play a crucial role as the Oceanic Six attempt their return. Midway through the season, we will learn the island pulled off one doozy of a masquerade.

The Shape of Things to Come - "There's a lot of mystery about the power struggle between these two men (Ben and Widmore)," says Cuse. "Are they both bad guys? Is one a bad guy? Or are they ultimately both good guys? That's something we are exploring more this year."

There's No Place Like Home- "The season premiere is basically Part 4 of the finale." Locke's faith will continue to be tested by the island and/or Jacob - likely with "great personal sacrifice" says Cuse. We'll see Locke's death midway through the season, though a central question on the series - What does the island ultimately want with Locke? - won't be answered until Season 6.

So do you really need to do all of this "homework" just to be ready for season 5? If this seems like just too much work for you, then don't sweat it! YOu know we'll be getting a recap show next week, and we'll also have the weekly "Previously on lost" moments at the beginning of every episode. So if that's you, just sit back, relax, and chew on some dharma fish biscuits over the next 7 days. But if you're itching for a fix, like me, check out the episodes mentioned. And then get ready...this season is going to be wild!

If you'd like to read Jeff Jensen's entire article, which also includes his first wild-ass theory of the season, click here.