Yeah, people expect a tech hub to look at least a little futuristic, like Shenzhen.

I don't think that was a traditional cliffhanger, but a subversion. The reveal itself was not shocking at all (practically every viewer I know assumed it was human remains), and the actual plot twist was finding out the why and that it was already common knowledge for the survivors.

Thinking about this shot from the trailer, which we now know isn't from this episode (different outfit!)
Seems like this is probably Helly arriving on the severed floor for real at some point in the future?

The only thing that's throwing me is that her lie seems improvised on the spot - you'd think that if this was meticulously prepared she'd have a more solid cover story and would sell it better.

Have you seen the Kim Wexler edit of that song? It's almost eerie how well it fits.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKOE...

Isn't lesbian Helena already disproven, since sexual orientation seems to be the same in outie and innie, and Helly is clearly attracted to Mark? She could still be bi though

The show does set up plenty Lost-y mysteries that aren't solved in S1, but: you do find out what's up with Helly's outie and why she got severed, and the romance subplot does end up driving Turturro's character in an interesting way. So it's not totally all setup, no payoff.