Hi Amy, I'm a Lost fan. Got Season 1 on DVD for Christmas, viewed it almost every day 'till the end and ran out to get Season 2. I missed the early part of this season, but hear that I did not miss much. Picked it up when they started it again this winter and was disappointed by the first few shows, but it's been pretty good for the past five weeks I think.
Yes, it seems to me like they are doing hell or some kind of purgatory, although I also heard the writers deny that. But really...Lost in Paradise...Paradise Lost...hmmmm.
I think that the head honcho of the Dharma project (or whatever it is the Others are up to), not Ben but the guy who recruited Julia, is like the devil, and they've all sold their souls or are somehow playing this out for their souls.
I think the Jack/John tension is pretty cool, the battle between materialism + compassion vs. supernaturalism + individualism. Love Desmond and his accent.

I wish Mr. Ekko hadn't been written out, but I don't miss anyone else from last season all that much. I liked Boone and even his sister. Sayyid is great, and I adore Jin and Sun, so glad Charlie and Hurley are still around. Heck, I like the whole cast. Julia is the only one who annoys me...I just feel like slapping her!
I read that they are going to do 48 more episodes over three seasons, so while I enjoy each episode, I'm not expecting a whole lot in the way of enlightenment by the end of this season.