LOST: Richard, Charles Widmore & Juliet’s (likely) return

So is Richard dead? Just like that? Just like Lapidus (maybe). Come on. Probably not, although, what else is there for him to do? And, speaking of deaths that cast a shadow on why there were there in the first place, Charles Widmore and Zoe. WTF? Wouldn’t it have been easier to just have Fake Locke vs. The Gang from the beginning w/o Widmore and (ugh) Zoe? Especially if he’s just going to die one-two-three. But Ben’s explanation was a gut punch.

Also, Jack’s ex-wife (and mother to his son) is going to turn out to be Juliet right? Are we all agreed on that?