If you told me, halfway through season one (or through season two...or three) that Sawyer's inevitable death would make me sadder than anybody else in the series finale? I'd punch you in the mouth for being a liar.
For the record, I know no spoilers. In the six year history of Lost I've never read a single spoiler, or even watched a single full preview (I change the channel once I realize what's on if a preview commercial airs). But I've been operating all year on the assumption that there will be one survivor, if that, by the end.