I slept on it ...

Here are my thoughts:

The finale was brilliant. I didn't get all the answers I wanted, but what I got was satisfying.

The sideways universe was the road to the afterlife. Time didn't matter here. This "sideways universe" didn't happen in the past or the present. It was all about when the characters were ready to move on toward the light, where they'd be together for all eternity. Some people died sooner than others, while others lived out fulfilling lives.

Michael, perhaps, wasn't with the gang, because he'd told Hurley early on this season that he couldn't move on. His soul was stuck on the island. Walt wasn't there, because he didn't need the gang as much to move on. He led a full life off the island. Lapidus, maybe, wasn't there, because he'd also led a fulfilling life after the island. Nikki and guy whose name I can't remember weren't there, because they didn't play a major role in the others' lives. Sawyer didn't even have a clue who they were when Hurley told him they'd died. Mr. Eko wasn't there because the producers couldn't get him to return to the show. Or maybe it's because he'd made peace with himself back on the island and had already moved on to that happy place. Juliet, Penny, and Desmond were there because, even though they weren't one of the survivors of the plane crash, they were deeply affected by them and deeply affected their lives.

The only character I wished were there was Miles. And maybe Richard, too. Where were they?

How tearjerking was it to see the reunions of our favorite couples? I was so happiest to see Sawyer and Juliet reunite. And Claire and Charlie reunite. And Sayid and Shannon reunite. OK, I cried each time they found each other. It was all beautiful.

I also thought it was fantastic that Ben finally found a purpose in his life when Hurley asked him to be his number 2.

And it was brilliant that the writers made Hurley the new Jacob. How did we not see that coming? There were so many clues. Hurley and Jacob were so similar. Both were such honest guys with good hearts. It was only fitting that Hurley would become the guardian of the island. And there were hints earlier this season (or last season?) when Hurley started taking charge while Jack sat back.

I could go on, but I have to get ready for work!