Carlton Cuse has said that there will be a maximum of five more episodes, making a total of thirteen for the season. He said the remaining season 4 story arc would be compressed into four or five episodes, and the three missing episodes and flashback would be carried over to season five. So at least we will get a season finale and the story arc wrapped up. I kind of like the three season of sixteen episodes, now it looks like it'll be 13, 19, 16 for seasons four, five, and six. Oh well. This could change though, just a couple of days before Cuse announced only four to five more episodes, Lindeloff had said that they might be able to finish all eight. So it seems to change everyday, but as far as I know, a maximum of five was the latest count. Sounds like they are going to try to have episode nine ready to air the week after episode eight. That'll be nice, but I hope they don't hurt the episodes quality by rushing the filming.