LOST-2/28 The Constant

Just when you think you know what is going on, they through in an episode like this one.
Well, on the way to the freighter, Desmond starts to experience an unexpected side effect.
Desmond is back and forth in time between 1996 and 2004. Minokowski, the guy they've been talking to on the boat and Phoebe's boyfriend Rodger from Friends, is also having these side effects. Desmond starts to talk with Daniel on the satellite phone. Daniel tells him to find Daniel in 1996. He does so and discovers the Daniel in 1996 is working with time travel. Desmond discovers that he needs a constant in 1996 and 2004 that he can use to snap him out of it. Of course he tries Penny. He finds Penny's father in 1996 who has just bought at auction a portrait and book about the Black Rock, the slave ship on the island. His 1996 self finds Penny, but the communication equipment in 2004 is broken. Sayid fixes it and Desmond gets to talk with Penny for the first time in over three years. Him and Penny both tell each other they lover each other, and Desmond is pulled back into the present. Daniel opens his journal on the island and sees a page that says, "Desmond Hume is my constant."

Predictions:
Especially after the meeting with Penny I feel Desmond will get off the island.
I don't think Minokowski is actually dead.
Micheal is on that boat and opened the door.

Questions:
What the hell is going on with Faraday and time travel?
Who destroyed the communication equipment?
What is up with the guys on the freighter? Who is the Captain?


With the whole time travel thing. Does Daniel remember Desmond and does Desmond remember Daniel? Does Desmond remember leaving the army and trying to find Penny, and if he does, why didn't he see the time travel thing coming?