Many earlier reincarnations preceded Miranda/Christopher. How many cycles have happened is one of S5's likely structural questions.
After S4E6
The midseason climax shifts the present cycle into endgame. Boyd is now operating with the cycle's hidden architecture, not against it.
What's confirmed in canon
S3 finaleMany earlier reincarnations existed before Miranda/Christopher.
1980s eraMiranda and Christopher die failing to save the children. Victor hidden.
Present (S1-)Tabitha and Jade arrive the same day. S3 finale confirms past lives.
S4 in progressJade's visions trusted. Lake active. Basement door uncovered.
Where the community lands
Mechanism resets fully each cycle, with memory only via reincarnation. Whether this cycle breaks the loop is genuinely open.
Still open
Q1How many cycles preceded?
Q2What counts as success?
Q3Will this cycle break the loop?
Q4Are Boyd, Donna, or Randall reincarnations?
Connected entities