We haven’t seen the last of Eloise Hawking

This is the best Lost news I’ve heard all week.

As you should know by now, I am an unashamed Eloise Hawking fanboy. (Do not dare speak ill of actress Fionnula Flanagan or thou shalt incur my wrath.) If you, like me, were afraid that her extended screentime in last week’s “316″ might be the character’s swan song… Fear not. E! Online’s Watch with Kristin managed to snag an interview with Flanagan a few days ago, and the awesome one revealed that she plays a major part in an upcoming Season 5 episode!

The episode, which is going before cameras nowish, is assumed to be 5.14, “The Variable.” Even though she tells E! that she’s contractually bound not to divulge any secrets, Flanagan let slip a few oh-so-tasty teasers:

• When asked if we might next see Eloise Hawking on the island, Flanagan replied, “Oh, I do think Mrs. Hawking can come and go anywhere she pleases. I think she has that capacity. Whether she’s able to control it or not, I don’t know.”
• Asked about Mrs. Hawking’s spiritual beliefs: “[Her spiritual beliefs] are definitely not of this world and not of this planet. That’s for sure!” Not of this planet, huh? Mmkay. E! asks if she might be an alien, but I’m wondering if she could be something a little closer to home, like maybe an angel or a demon. Or maybe she’s the smoke monster in one of its human guises. Or the very first Other, Jacob’s mother. Or maybe she’s Eve — not the skeleton in the cave, but the real biblical Eve, aka the mother of all mankind. (A longtime theory of mine is that the island is the Garden of Eden.)

Um, how long until episode 14 gets here? (Nevermind — whatever it is, it’s too long.) I want to flash-forward to that Wednesday night air date, so could somebody please invent time travel technology and get back to me asap. Thanks.