The chapter draws some epistemic lessons from forgotten alternatives, theoretical conjectures that led to them, observational refutations, and the roles they played in building orthodox consensus. Most alternatives have never been fully developed, and some examples suggest that the potential for their improvement should not be underestimated. Moreover, viable alternatives and criticisms in cosmology can arrive piecemeal, not necessarily as fully worked out models. Finally, less apparent general theoretical assumptions may always lurk in the background of any model, a reflection on which may improve it or lead to a new one. Features of old models can once again become attractive, as the field interrelates various observations and theoretical presuppositions. The chapter offers some examples of this. It then ranks the alternative explanations in terms of plausibility, persuasiveness, and possible fruitfulness of some of their features.