Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Hurley hears a warning from Michael's ghost against destroying the Ajira plane. Ilana returns with unstable dynamite, but dies when it explodes in her bag. Richard wants more explosives, so Hurley reaches the Black Rock first and blows it up. He then claims that Jacob has instructed them to speak with the Man in Black. Richard refuses to follow and takes Ben and Miles toward the Barracks, while Jack, Sun and Lapidus stay with Hurley. Hurley admits that Jacob gave no such instruction, and Jack chooses to trust him anyway. Michael later identifies the jungle whispers as voices of dead people unable to move on.
In the flash-sideways, Hurley is a successful businessman whose mother wants him to find a partner. He meets Libby, who remembers knowing him on an island, and learns that she is staying at Santa Rosa. Encouraged by Desmond, Hurley visits her and arranges a picnic. Their kiss brings him memories of their relationship. Desmond watches from a distance, then goes to Locke's school and deliberately strikes the wheelchair user with his car. On the island, Sayid brings Desmond to the Man in Black. During a walk, Desmond remains calm despite the threatening conversation. The Man in Black pushes him into a well and returns to camp, where Hurley's party arrives seeking a conversation.