My family and I watched the tv series a few years ago, and at the end i remember i was so confused that i immediately googled the meaning. I found out that the tv channel (ABC) created a confusion because at the end of the final episode, in the credits they showed pictures of the plane crashed on the island, making the audience believe that they were dead all along, but I dont remember if it was the writers or who that said that all the adventures that the characters had on the island really happen, and, as they died, they went into the purgatory and waited for the rest of them. And as for that special edition, it is so awesome! my daughter has the encyclopedia and it is really great too.
See what she still has on the wall ...
First, I've gotta say you have the coolest daughter!
Y'know, I didn't know that. I can barely remember the last episode to be honest, I don't think I've seen it since it first aired. I vaguely remember someone, I think it was Cuse or Lindelof saying that the events of the series up until that flash-sideways part of the last season were real. I guess it's still open to individual interpretation though!
I love that special edition more than I should! It's one of those things I'd had my eye on for years. I only read about the Lost Encyclopedia yesterday when I was writing this, so I put a bid on one on ebay!
The Swan Station was my favourite too, I've still got the mug: