Doesn't Claire get off the island (with Aaron)? I didn't watch the catch-up episode last night so my memory is foggy, but I thought Desmond convinced Charlie to risk his life because it led to Claire and Aaron leaving the island.
I enjoyed the episode and loved seeing Daniels from The Wire be as intimidating as ever to Hurley but can tell it is going to be a long wait once these 8 episodes are off the air...hopefully the eighth episode isn't some huge cliffhanger.