Thousands of screaming, camera-toting fans of “Lost” packed Waikïkï Beach tonight to watch the first episode of the show’s final season and catch a glimpse of the actors that have made the ABC mystery a global hit.

“Lost” won’t air nationally until Tuesday, so the Sunset on the Beach sneak preview gave fans in Hawaiçi, where the show is filmed, a head start on the beginning of the end.
They were not disappointed. Fourteen members of the ensemble cast showed up.
They were met at the curb by an estimated 2,500 people, then proceeded to pose for photographs and sign autographs for more than hour. The rest of the 12,000 fans — some of whom arrived at dawn — waited on the beach for the screening or hung over metal barriers at a red-carpet arrival ceremony.
“Oh my God, this is crazy out here,” said Michael Emerson, who won an Emmy last year for his part as the sinister Benjamin Linus.
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