Get LOST 3.16.10: Dr. Linus

Posted by Ben Piper on 03.16.2010

The final season of LOST continues as Illana confronts Ben about Jacob's death, while Jack takes a leap of faith. 411's Ben Piper, Rick Tym & Dustin James provide all the details and analysis inside.



Namaste! Welcome back once again to the only 411 column solely devoted to what I truly feel is the best show on TV today, LOST! As always, I am your favorite bug-eyed man that you love to hate that's still somehow sympathetic, Ben Piper!

Hey, didja know that you can now follow me on Twitter?

Not that I expect many of you to do so. Lazy buggers.

But enough with the good to see you again claptrap, let's quickly move on to cover all things LOST, season 6, episode 7; "Dr. Linus"

What We Learned: Benjamin Linus runs through the jungle at full speed at nighttime, checking back over his shoulder frantically. He trips and faceplants. He lies there a moment and catches his breath. When he looks up, he notices people carrying torches to his right, so he quickly makes his way towards them. Once he is upon them, he is stopped in his tracks by Frank Lapidus turning a rifle on him. Both he and they (Lapidus, Sun, Miles and Illana) are startled, but Ben now knows that for the time being that he is safe, and doubles over with his hands on his knees. Illana demands to know where is Jurrah, to which Ben sarcastically answers that he's fine, thanks. When she asks again Ben responds that considering that he just killed Dogen, it's doubtful that he's going to be joining them. Sun asks ‘who's Dogen' and Miles answers that was the guy in charge of the Temple. Ben goes on to say that Sayid killed the interpreter as well. Illana asks if he's sure, and Ben states pretty much considering he was standing over both dead bodies with a bloody dagger in his hand, so yeah. Sun rails against Illana, saying that she said that they would all be safe at the Temple, to which she answers that was what she was told. Ben brings up the beach, where the 815'ers used to reside. He suggests that at least there they will have the water at their backs and it's familiar territory. Illana agrees.

Whoosh!:

Ben: It was on this island that everything changed, where everything became clear….

Ben writes upon a classroom chalkboard the name Elba, which was where Napolean faced his greatest test. He explains to his students that worse than being exiled, what Bonaparte hated most was the loss of power. I mean sure, they allowed him to keep the title of Emperor, but without the power that goes along with it, that title was meaningless. He may as well just have been dead.

Subtext anyone?

With that, the bell rings ending class. As the students begin to get up to leave he calls out the chapters they will be covering tomorrow with a requisite ‘thank you' thrown in. Just then, a man enters into the classroom doorway. Ben identifies him as Principal Reynolds. Reynolds instructs Ben to walk with him, and Ben obliges as they step outside the classroom.

The Principle tells Ben that there's been a schedule shift and that he's going to need him to supervise detention today. In fact, all week. This is due to cutbacks, budgets crises, events above his paygrade, so everyone will have to pull double duty. Ben objects that he has History Club today, and that the students need him. Reynolds argues back that they're only five students and that they'll live without it. Ben suggests that perhaps they should focus in more on the students with ambition and Reynolds tells him to stop. He states that the History Club isn't for the students, it's for Ben, because it makes him feel needed. But for once, today, he's needed. In detention. Reynolds thanks Linus for his understanding and quickly walks away.

"It's Doctor Linus, actually" Ben retorts ineffectually after the fact.

In the teacher's lounge, Ben picks up his lunch from the staff fringe as one of his cohorts loudly bitches about his shirt being ruined by formaldehyde. Ben sits down next to Leslie Arzt and asks what's the problem? Arzt whines that nothing can get formaldehyde out from clothing once it stains. Maybe if he had some lab aprons he wouldn't have to pay for incompetent students by taking another trip to Marshall's. Ben laments that it's due to budget cutbacks, but Leslie continues to complain that maybe Reynolds could spread more budgetary love to the sciences. After all, he's dealing with lab equipment from the fifties, why is that? Ben doesn't disagree, stating that Reynolds is an administrator, not a teacher. He's forgotten what the public school system is about. Arzt answers that it's about a crappy pension and summers off, which he would be more than happy to remind Reynolds about. No, Ben argues, taking care of the kids, that's what's important! Arzt shines him on, but Ben says that he hasn't become as jaded as Leslie, and refuses to give in.

Just then, a man eating at another table speaks up, and suggests that perhaps Ben should be the Principal. Of course, it's Locke. Arzt quickly dismisses him, and Ben attempts to do the same despite his appreciation for what Locke says, asking who would listen to him. Locke raises his hand and answers "I'm listening".

Whoosh!

Back on the island, as they make their way through the jungle towards the beach, Miles asks Ben to tell him what that thing back there was. Ben answers it was the thing that killed Illana's friend's back at the statue. This catches her ear, so she fires off "And Jacob, right"? Sure, of course, and Jacob, Ben responds with a shake of his head.

Coming off slightly less than completely honest and forthcoming, Illana calls Ben out by looking towards Miles. She asks if he has the ability to speak with the dead, and Miles responds that he can't technically. He can read what they thought and felt in their last moments before they checked out but he has to be close to the body. Illana holds out a burlap sack and relates that contained within is the last remnants of Jacob. She hands it over and asks Miles how did he die?

Miles kneels down with the burlap sack in his hands and quickly gets flashes of truth.

He stands and relates that Linus killed Jacob. Of course, Ben protests. Illana asks Miles if he's sure, and Miles answers that he saw Ben standing over the dead body with a bloody dagger in his hand, so yeah… (Nice callback) Illana thanks Miles before telling Ben that Jacob was the closest thing she had for a father. Before heading off himself, Miles imparts a verbal "Uh-Oh" in Ben's face. Yup, it would now appear he's completely screwed….



It's now daytime, as everyone makes their way to the now abandoned and desolate beach camp. Ben looks towards Illana, knowing that somehow he's going to have to make amends with her. She speaks, saying that she's going to look for some tools to help get together some shelter, and instructs everyone else to look for whatever food has been left behind and maybe get a fire going. Miles snarks that sure, a fire will fix everything. As she begins to strip wire from one of the makeshift tents, Ben asks her if there's anything she would like him to do, but she no-sells and completely ignores him. He tries again, stating that psychics are so unreliable and that Miles actually tried to blackmail him once. She just shoots him a go to hell look as she walks away. That prompts Lapidus to state to him that he makes friends easy, doncha?

Whoosh!

Ben eyes the TV dinner cooking within a microwave, and once the alarm goes off he delicately removes it and places it on a tray. He then carries the tray to the living room where his elderly father, Roger is sitting hooked up to an oxygen tank. He tells his dad that he made him one of the turkey meals that he likes, the one with the cranberry sauce. Roger dismissively asks if it's one of those ‘lean' deals, to which Ben states no, it's organic. Ben says he's tying to keep his dad healthy to which pop responds that it's too late for that. Dad asks him how was work, to when Ben relates that he has a doctorate in modern European history, and is spending his time babysitting burnouts in detention as he exchanges out his father's oxygen tank. Ben says that the worst of it as he sits tasked with watching those ingrates is that he thinks that maybe he's more of a loser than any of them. Roger doesn't like hearing his son speak this way, and laments that this isn't the life that he had wanted for his son. He wanted so much more, to which Ben states that he knows. Roger says that's why he signed them up for that damned Dharma Initiative and took him to that island. They were decent people, smarter than Roger will ever be. Roger asks imagine how different their lives would have been if they had stayed? Ben supposes that it would have been happily ever after, but Roger is being serious. If they had stayed on the island, who knows what Ben would have become?

(Trust me, dad. You don't want to know)

With the oxygen take replaced, Ben asks his father if that feels better, and Roger responds positively and thanks him. Just as Ben and begins to dig into his own dinner, the doorbell rings. Ben opens the door to find a familiar face…

Ben: Alex?

Turns out Alex is one of the students in Ben's history club at the high school. She asks where he was today for they had to cancel the club without him. He apologizes for he should have put a note on the door explaining that he'll be in detention all week. Alex asks what he did to be sent there, jokingly. Ben explains that Principal Reynolds needed him to cover, so… Alex says that the AP test is on Friday and she was counting on the extra tutoring. Ben proposes that they meet tomorrow morning before school at the library and she brings the coffee. She thanks him and states that he's the best.

Whoosh!

As Illana continues to gather up stuff to bring her plans to fruition, Sun approaches her and asks how long are they going to stay at the beach. Illana says that she doesn't know yet, and Sun responds that she needs to find her husband. Illana answers that she wishes to find Jin as well, but she doesn't know where to look. Sun inquires as to why she would want to find Jin. Illana answers that Sun's last name is Kown, and so is Jin's. That means that she doesn't know if she's supposed to protect her, him or the both of them. Alarmed, Sun asks what's the deal with this whole protection dealio. Illana flatly states that they're both candidates to replace Jacob. Sun asks replace him to do what? Illana says that if either of them are selected, she's sure that they will quickly find out. Sun notices that when Illana said candidates, she meant the plural form, so she inquires how many are there. Only six are left, Illana answers.

Cut to Hurley asleep in the grass, and in his sleep he speaks the words "Cheese Curds". He snaps awake quickly once Jack speaks his name. Jack urges that they have to go, for if they leave now they can make it back to the Temple before nightfall. Hurley drags his heels, saying that he's hungry and suggesting that they have breakfast first. Jack shuts this down saying that they can eat on the way. Hurley asks what's the rush, suggesting that perhaps they could take their time getting back. Jack asks why, and Hurley's answer is simply "because".

Yeah, not real convincing.

Jack tells him that he's leaving and asks if he's coming or not before heading off. Hurley quickly follows after him.

As they travel through the jungle, Hurley points out that they are going in the wrong direction, for the Temple is this way, dude. Jack says no, we came from this way. Hurley offers that going off in this direction would be quicker, but Jack quickly shoots that notion down. Just then out of nowhere, Richard Alpert shows up and tells them that they're both wrong, for the Temple lays in a different direction entirely. Jack asks him where did he come from, and Richard explains that he wouldn't believe him if he told him. Jack says try me. Richard answers not yet, but if they want to go to the Temple, it's this way, and he heads off. Jack begins to follow, but Hurley calls out why should they trust Richard? Jack says at least he's not stalling.

Dude, busted.

Meanwhile, back at the beach Ben rummages through the remnants of the tents that were left behind. Franks suggests that once he's done going through the library present perhaps he can help with finding some firewood. Ben states that he's just looking for anything useful. He finds a girly mag in the sand (Booty Babes to be precise) and comments on the things that people will bring with them on a trip. He then finds a bottle with an Oceanic airlines label upon it. Ben offers that he remembers that plane breaking up over the island like it was yesterday, to which Lapidus tells him that he sounds almost nostalgic. Ben supposes that maybe he is. Frank imparts that he was supposed to be the pilot for that particular flight. When Ben asks why didn't he, Frank answers that he simply overslept. (Interesting to note that's not the answer we were given previously) Frank supposes how differently would his life had been if his alarm had gone off as it should have. Ben asks how different would it have been ,considering that the island still got him in the end. Frank chuckles and nods in acknowledgement.

One second, Ben is making small talk with Frank. The next, the point of a rifle is shoved against the side of his neck as Illana commands him to ‘walk'. As Frank watches on, Illana points the direction she wishes Ben to take with her rifle, and he quickly obliges.

She proceeds to march his happy ass up to Boone Hill. (AKA the graveyard) As soon as he sees where she's taking him he quickly objects suggesting that she doesn't have to do… She orders him to stop and drop to the ground face down. Once he's in that position she grabs up all the stuff she had gathered in the interest of building shelter and now springs it to serve her own purposes, using it to secure Ben to the surrounding treeline by his ankle. He protests, but before he can get many words out of his mouth she points the gun at his face. She angrily instructs him to pick up a nearby bamboo shoot and begin digging. He asks what he will be digging, and Illana informs him that it shall be his own grave.

Back from commercial, in the school library, Ben tells Alex that he knows that she has the answer. She gives it, to which he answers very good. He moves on to the Charter Act of 1813. He asks the question, but Alex doesn't have the answer that causes her to act out in frustration as a result. Ben tries to calm her, telling her that she's doing okay and that it's just a test. Just a test, she reciprocates? This test is her whole life she fires back. Ben accuses her of overstating things, but she disagrees. She imparts that her mother works two jobs just to pay their rent, so how are they going to pay for college, let alone Yale, assuming she can ever get in. Ben tells her that she's one of the brightest students he's ever had, so he doesn't worry about her future at all. She asks really? He offers to do whatever he can to help, he'll write a great letter of recommendation fir her, but she answers that the only one that can help her is that pervert Principle Reynolds, considering that he's a Yale alumnus.

Excuse me, pervert? Ben asks urgently. Alex tells him to forget that she said it, for she was just angry. Ben presses her and wants to know if Reynolds perhaps did something to her. No, ew. Alex responds. She asks that if she tells him he'll keep it to himself, to which Ben says ‘of course'.

She moves from one side of the table to the other in order to relate the tale more intimately. Long story short, Reynolds is doing the school nurse. After Alex relays all this info, she asks Dr. Linus if he'll keep this to himself, which assures her that he shall, for after all, a promise is a promise, although we can see the wheels turning behind his eyes.

Whoosh!



As Ben begins to dig his own grave while Illana watches close by, Miles saunters up and notices that he's not exactly tearing things up on the digging front. Ben states that he's not in a big hurry. Miles offers him some food, saying that all that there is is green beans and bananas, to which Ben responds that he's not really hungry. As Ben slowly continues to dig, Miles tells him to suit himself, and quickly turns in the other direction.

Ben verbally stops him and brings about the time where he wanted 3.2 Million dollars from him and asks if he still wants it. Miles responds what is he going to do, write him a check on the banana leaf that he's holding? Ben assures him that he can get off of this island, and once he does, he has a vast network of people and resources that can get him that money. All he has to do is cut him loose. Miles points out that why would he need Ben's money considering there's a couple of corpses named Nikki and Paulo buried right over there that had eight million dollars worth of diamonds poured over their bodies? Ben hisses that he can't believe that Miles is just going to stand by and watch this happen, for this woman means to kill me for murdering Jacob, a man that didn't even care about being murdered himsel. To that, Miles objects. Jacob up the second the knife pierced his heart, was hoping that he was wrong about Ben. Miles surmises that he was wrong, given the outcome.

As Miles walks away, Illana shoots a warning shot near Ben's leg and commands him to stop stalling and to DIG! Miles throws up his hands as if to say, this is between the two of you, not my problem and quickly walks away.

Meanwhile, Richard leads the charge through the jungle with Hurley and Jack following close behind…

Hurley: So, you're not time traveling?

Richard: No.

Hurley: But you look the same as you did thirty years ago. How's that possible?

Richard: It's not easy to explain.

Hurley: Is it like a Terminator thing? You a cyborg?

Richard: (getting annoyed) No, I'm not a cyborg.

Hurley: Vampire?

Richard: Jacob gave me a gift.

Jack: Jacob? What do you know about him?

Richard: I know he's dead.

The camera pans around to reveal where Richard has taken them. Not back to the Temple, but to the Black Rock.

Hurley: I thought you said we were going to the Temple, dude.

Richard: I lied.

Jack: Why?

Richard: Because everyone at the Temple is dead.

Jack: What so you mean they're all dead? What happened?

Richard: I'm not sure what happened, but I just came from there. There was no survivors.

Jack: What about our friends? Sayid, Kate?

Richard: No, no they weren't there. Maybe they made it out alive. All I know is whatever you're looking for at the Temple, it's not there.

Jack (To Hurley) You didn't want to go back there, did you know about this?

Hurley: Jacob kinda sorta hinted at it.

Richard: You spoke to Jacob?

Hurley: Yeah.

Richard is momentarily flabbergasted, but it quickly passes.

Richard: Whatever he said, don't believe him.

With that, Richard begins to walk towards the ancient ship.

Jack: Where are you going?

Richard: There is something that I need to do.

Jack: To do what?

Richard: Die.

In the flash-sideways, Arzt is busy grading papers, giving the one at the top of the pile an F. Ben walks in and asks if he has a minute. Leslie says he guesses and suggests that he might as well give them all F's, for how can one not know the difference between a species and a genus. Ben asks him if he's pretty good with computers, and Arzt replies that he knows that he is, otherwise he wouldn't be here asking. Ben asks, hypothetically, of course, if Arzt could hack into someone's email account without their knowledge. Leslie says that it depends on the account. Ben says it would be a faculty member, again, hypothetically. Of course, Arzt wants to know whose and Ben replies Nurse Conrad. Leslie gets the wrong idea and asks Ben if he's hot for her, but Ben says he's simply curious about her correspondence. With whom, Leslie pushes, but Ben isn't willing to go that far. Irritated, Leslie goes off saying that he didn't go to see Ben, Ben came to see him and he doesn't have time to play 20 questions. Either tell him what it is he's doing or let him grade his papers in peace.

Ben finally relents and tells Arzt that he has reason to believe that the school nurse is engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with Principal Reynolds. And with that, Leslie puts two and two together, figuring out that Ben is making a play for the ‘big job'. Ben asks if he's willing to help or not. Arzt has some conditions; A better parking spot, he wants a lot of aprons and some lab equipment that was built in this decade. Ben agrees. Leslie tells him they he had him fooled with that sweater vest he wears, for he's a real killer.

Brother, you have no idea…

Whoosh!

Progress report: Ben's now up to his thighs in his own grave.

Meanwhile, inside the Black Rock, Richard enters and pokes around, followed quickly by Jack holding a lantern.



Jack: Been here before?

Richard: Yes. (scoffs) And in all the time I've spent on this island, I've never come back.

Hurley: (outside) Dude, where are ya?

Jack: In here.

Richard makes his way over to a crate of dynamite as Hurley enters. He sees what Richard is messing around with and begins to freak.

Hurley: DO NOT open that! There's dynamite in there! It's mega-unstable!

Richard: I know.

Hurley: So did Dr. Arzt. And I was wiping him out of my shirt two days later. (to Jack) Dude, it's time we go.

Jack: No. Not yet.

Hurley: He's opening up a crate of dynamite and he said he wanted to kill himself.

Richard starts rigging a stick with a fuse.

Richard: I can't kill myself.

Hurley: What?

Richard: Even if I wanted to, trust me I do, I can't kill myself. Which is why I want you to do it for me.

Jack: What are you talking about?

Richard: What I'm talking about, Jack, is that Jacob touched me. And when Jacob touches you, well, it's considered a gift. Except it's not a gift at all, it's a curse.

Richard roughly throws the stick of BOOM down.

Hurley: (flinching) DUDE! SERIOUSLY! LET'S GO NOW!

Jack: Why do you want to die?

Richard: I devoted my life, longer than you can possibly imagine, in service of a man that told me everything was happening for a reason. He had a plan. A plan that I was a part of. And when the time was right that he'd share it with me. And now that man's gone, so why do I want to die? Because I just found out my entire life had no purpose! Now if I light this myself, it won't work. But you can light it for me, Jack. I made the fuse long enough so you'll have time to get out.

Jack nods…

Hurley: Jack, please tell me you're not actually considering this.

Jack: If he wants to die, there's nothing we're going to do to stop him.

Jack moves to light the fuse using the lantern as Richard sits down nearby.

Richard: Thank you.

Jack takes the boomstick, pulls out the fuse longer, and lights it. He sets it down next to Richard, and sits down himself opposite him.

Jack: Now, let's talk…

As the fuse continues to burn away….

Hurley: (frantic) Jack! Dude, we've got to go! The man is crazy and I know crazy!

Jack: Hurley, go ahead, we'll be all right.

Hurley: Dude, you're going to blow up!

Jack: I've got to talk to him, Hurley. Just go.

Hurley: No, I'm not going without you.

Jack: Hurley, I'll be fine.

Richard eyes the fuse as it continues to burn away.

Hurley: When you change your mind, I'll be like a mile away.

And with that Hurley gets the hell out of Dodge.

Richard: You should go with him, Jack.

Jack: No, Richard. No I shouldn't.

Richard: Then you're going to die.

Jack smiles and sighs.

Jack: Actually I don't think either one of us is going to die.

Richard: What makes you think that?

Jack: I just came from the lighthouse, where my name was etched on wood on a dial. I turned a mirror, that somehow reflected an image of the house I grew up in. Jacob's lighthouse. He got Hurley to bring me out there because he wanted me to see what was reflected in that mirror. For some reason he wanted me to know that he had been watching me ever since I was a kid.

The fuse is getting really short now…

Richard: Why?

Jack: (verbally trembling) I have no idea why. But I'm willing to bet you that if Jacob went to that trouble, that he brought me to this island for a reason, it was not to blow up with you sitting here.

Richard: (alarmed) That's a pretty big risk you're taking, Jack.

Jack: Yes.

Richard: What if you're wrong?

Jack: I'm not.



And as the fuse burns to the last, Richard watches somewhat terrifying suddenly while Jack nervously closes his eyes and awaits what comes next.

And the fuse burns out just short of igniting the stick.

Jack sighs and laughs a little nervously. Richard sighs as well, and looks at Jack in wonder.

Jack: (Smiling) Want to try another stick?

Richard: All right, Jack. You seem to have all the answers. So now what?

Jack: We'll go back to where we started.

And yes, the man of science just took a MASSIVE leap of faith. And yes, I'm a bit giddy about it.

Meanwhile, Ben's grave is almost complete, as we can no longer see him as he continues to shovel dirt out of the hole in the ground he has created. But then the wind picks up and Ben notices familiar sounds emanating from the surrounding jungle. He recognizes it for what it is and quickly steps out of the grave and looks around as the noises get progressively louder.

Flocke: Hello, Ben.

Ben: What are you doing here?

Flocke: Visiting, what are you doing?

Ben: I'm digging my own grave!

Flocke: Why?

Ben: Because you talked me into killing Jacob! (Flocke seems amused)You see that woman over there, eating a mango? She's his bodyguard and she knows what I did! So now you've got what you wanted because she's going to kill me!

Flocke: I don't want you to die, Ben. In fact I went back to the statue to get you but you've already gone.

Ben is now furiously digging, mostly due to nervousness with regards to dealing with…. Well, he's one of the few that knows Flocke=Smokey.

Ben: Get me? For what?

Flocke: I'm gathering a group to leave this place for good. But once we're gone? Someone's going to be in charge of the island.

Ben: Me?

Locke: I can't think of a better man for the job.

Notice he didn't use the word ‘candidate'.

Ben: Well, it doesn't seem very likely under the current circumstances. How am I going to get away from…



And with a motion from Locke's index finger, the makeshift device that Illana had locked around Ben's ankle falls away.

Flocke: Come to the other island, to the Hydra Station. That's where we'll be.

Ben keeps digging to keep up appearances.

Ben: She'll come after me.

Flocke: Two hundreds yards inland, there's a tree in a clearing with a rifle leaning up against it. If you go now? You'll get there first. But don't hesitate. She won't. See you soon, Ben.

And with that Flocke walks away. Ben digs one more bamboo shoot worth of sand away as he considers this as Illana watches him from close by. They lock eyes for a moment, and Ben begins to run like hell with her quickly in pursuit.

Whoosh!

Ben knocks on Principle Reynolds' office door meekly. After being inviting inside, he enters, closing the door behind him. At the sight of him, Reynolds states that he doesn't have the time to listen to him complain about overseeing detention. Ben says that is not why he's here and steps forward, offering up the folder he holds. Once the principal sees what's contained he goes ashen, as Ben recounts that they are emails that cover a three month period, and it's pretty lascivious stuff. That would be fine of it were private but they seem to describe acts that took place on school grounds. Acts which, morality aside, the school board would frown upon. Not to mention what would happen if it got to the guy's wife.

Reynolds asks what Ben wants and he answers ‘your job'. He tells him that he will resign for health reasons, personal reasons, whatever, his call. But with his resignation he will recommend Ben to succeed him. Ben notes that the irony of all this is that the school board holds the principal in such high esteem that he will actually get the job as a result. Ben presses if they have an understanding.

Reynolds takes a moment and at first seems overwhelmed by this blindside before offering that he should be allowed to read Linus an email in return. He motions him to walk around to his side of his desk and presses a button on a laptop, bringing up the email in question. It's from Ben's prized student Alex, asking for a glowing recommendation from the principal so she can get into Yale.

Reynolds that states that it's a funny thing about recommendations, for they can work both ways. He proposes that he puts the ball back in Ben's court. He can insurrect his little blackmail scheme, and as a result? Reynolds threatens to torch this girl's future. He asks if his job, his power really that important to him? So, what will it be, Dr. Linus?

Whoosh!

Cut back to the jungle with Ben running frantically while Illana chases close behind. Ben finds the tree Flocke described as well as the rifle that he promised and takes it up quickly.

Ben: Drop it! Put the gun down!

Illana does as ordered.

As Ben readies the rifle closer to his shoulder they both lock eyes. As Illana lowers her hands after several moments, Ben's lower lip trembles slightly.

Illana: What are you waiting for?

Ben: (Tearfully) I want to explain.

Illana: Explain what?

Ben: I want to explain that I know what you're feeling.

Illana: (defiant) You have no idea what I'm feeling.

Ben: I watched my daughter, Alex, die in front of me.

Illana silently shakes her head. No, screw you, you're not going to talk your way out of this.

Ben: And it was my fault. I had a chance to save her. But I chose the island. Over her!

And with that, Ilanna begins to silently relent a bit. And perhaps identify.

Ben: I sacrificed everything for him! (lowers the gun) And he didn't even care! Now, I stabbed him. I was so angry. Confused. I, I, was terrified that I was about to lose the only thing that ever mattered to me, my power! But the thing that really mattered? Was already gone.

Illana now looks upon Ben with genuine sympathy, and perhaps understanding as he continues to speak.

Ben: I'm sorry that I killed Jacob. And I do not expect you to forgive me, because I can never forgive myself.

Illana: (With tears welling in her eyes) Then what do you want?

Ben: Just… Let me leave?

Illana: Where will you go?

Ben: To Locke.

Illana: Why?

Ben: (sobbing) Because he's the only one that will have me!

Illana blinks back tears and looks Ben in his eyes before nodding and passing her own personal judgment upon him.

Illana: (tearfully) I'll have you.

And with that, she picks up the rifle she has set aside and sets off without looking back, leaving Ben completely stunned.

She'll have him. After every evil act he's committed and in the last few moments admitted to? Ben reacts in stunned silence. And after a few moments alone, he sets off after her, Flocke's offer no longer on his to do list.



Back in the Flash-sideways, Ben enters into the Principal's office, closing the door behind him. He turns on the light and lingers in front of the desk, picking up Reynolds' nameplate. He blinks in disgust. As he takes some papers out of his briefcase and begins to to place them on the desk, there's a knock at the door and Alex enters. Ben seems pleased to see her as she comments that she was just dropping by to thank Dr. Reynolds, seeing as he wrote her the most incredible letter of recommendation. Ben responds that this is ‘wonderful', and Alex asks if he somehow had something to do with it. She asks because she thought that Reynolds maybe would say some nice things, but the guy went all out apparently. Ben steadfastly says he had nothing to do with it. He gives her a compliment but stating that he knew that she was a great student, and obviously he wasn't the only one to notice.

Just then, the prick himself enters and angrily demands what the hell Linus is doing in his office. Ben responds innocently that he was dropping off the detention sign-up sheet per his request. Reynolds instructs him to place it on his desk, as the two play off like nothing happened between them for the sake of the student in their presence. Ben asks Alex if he'll see her at history club. She asks when it's back on, and he assures her that they've got their old slot back seeing as the principal found someone else willing to cover for detention. (Anyone want to bet it's Arzt?)

Speaking therof, as Ben steps out of the office and moves down the hallway, Arzt asks if he went through with it, to which Ben responds no. Arzt asks about the parking space Ben promised him, and Linus offers up his in trade. Steamed, Leslie heads off as Ben turns to see a very happy Alex heading down the hallway in the opposite direction.

Whoosh!

Ben follows Illana back to the beach. Once there, he steels himself for judgment from those that remain. He notices Sun trying to put together her shelter, and sets the rifle he's carrying aside and offers to help. She takes him up on the offer, and he begins to pitch in.

As Lapidus stacks logs on the fire he's started, Miles inspects some diamonds he's discovered, (Slimebag dug up Nikki and Paulo!) and Illana sits alone and weeps, some familiar faces unexpectedly show up, as Jack, Hurley and Richard walk out of the jungle. Everyone takes notice, and Sun happily runs towards and embraces her friend Hugo. Franks is quick to follow as Sun moves on to Jack. Richard stands back dispassionately as Frank and the Doc shake hands and Hurley and Miles hug. Jack and Illana meet for the first time, and then the Doc takes two steps back to see Ben standing alone, apart from the group. An island onto himself.

Cut to a periscope emerging from the ocean's depths, and catching sight of this happy reunion taking place as it goes down. Whose sub do you ask?

It's Charles Widmore. He's back…



Easter Eggs: Ben was dealing with one Principle Reynolds. Reynolds was one of the names that Jacob had written on the wall that Flocke took Sawyer to… As we all know, back in the day Ben killed his father with poisonous gas. This time around he's exchanging out an oxygen tank to make his father's life better. Interesting parallel… While rummaging through the tents at the beach, finds a book by Chaim Potok about a friendship between two boys. This book features themes of science, religion, and father-son relationships, all of which are core themes on LOST… Also while rummaging through the tents, Ben finds another book that features the quote "Justice is truth in action". The notion of justice is relevant considering the balancing of the scales between black and white… Miles used his mojo to find the diamonds that Sawyer poured upon the seemingly dead bodies of Nikki and Paulo before they were buried alive back in the day…. Alex's mother is still alive in the flash-sideways, suggesting that Danielle Rousseau either made it off the island after being shipwrecked or she never set foot upon it…


Analysis: I think that we'd all agree that it's kind of a foregone conclusion that Michael Emerson is an amazingly talented actor. After all, just last year he finally earned a long overdue best supporting actor Emmy for his work as Benjamin Linus.

With this episode? He has a chance of going back to back.

For while he committed a solid piece of work overall in this episode, it was one scene in particular that just sold me on the notion that once again, despite all his lies and deceptions and manipulations? In the hands of Emerson, with full knowledge of the lying bastard this character has been since he first reared his bug-eyed head back in the middle of season two, this character has the uncanny ability to actually make us feel sorry for him. He's sympathetic. Even after everything that we've witnessed him do and say these past few years.

But I'm getting ahead of myself a little bit. Let's backtrack some and work our way forward from there.

It starts with Illana learning thanks to Miles ghostbusting abilities (and yes, that reference is not a coincidence) that Jacob didn't actually die by Flocke's hand, that it was in fact Ben that did the deed. Needless to say, she wasn't too happy to hear that bit of news. So much so, that she quickly turned a deaf ear to Ben's pleads that psychics can be unreliable on top of the fact that Miles once tried to extort him. She wasn't having any of it.

Ben killed Jacob. Ben as a result, needs to die. And eye for an eye. Or so it goes.

Turns out Illana considered Jacob "the closest thing she had to a father" (Interesting considering there were already internet theory rumblings that the two were possibly blood related) so yes, her next item upon her immediate agenda was killing one Benjamin Linus in cold blood and burying him in a grave that she made him dig for himself.

But then, Flocke magically flew in with his clickety-clackety noises and whooping howl that nowadays always portends his appearance. He gave Ben an easy out. Listen, you run to where the gun I set out for you is placed, you take the bitch out that is wanting to kill you, and then you meet me on Alcatraz. Once I blow town, this place is yours. All yours. To do with as you will. You'll get everything that you have wanted and desired for your entire life. The shit that you have killed for… It's yours. All you have to do is follow my gameplan and it will all work out.

In other words, Flocke was counting on Ben's current situation (where Illana was about to kill him) and his past lust for power in an effort to recruit him, much like we have seen Smokey do thus far with various other characters previous.

But surprisingly, the one douchebag character that we've all loved to hate for so long now, may have honestly, and subtly genuinely turned face.

Because he was the first to not bite the apple the snake offered.

And so the scene I brought up previously plays out. Ben gets the drop on Illana. Has her dead to rights to the point that she asks what is he waiting for?

Absolution. Redemption.

As a result, he pours his heart out for her to see. As he does so he pointedly makes sure that she knows that he isn't seeking forgiveness, for he at this point can no longer forgive himself for the things that he's done. He knows for a fact, that he is beyond all that.

And it's an acting tour de force.

So the question moving forward is one of Ben being genuine in this path towards redemption? Will he begin to put others before himself? Or in the long run will he revert to being the bug-eyed bastard we love to hate? Based on his actions in this episode, I'm leaning towards the former. But again, I wouldn't put it past the guy if he pulls a 180 on us yet again…

Here's Rick…

*****
Like Hurley, I too know "crazy," not exactly from first-hand personal experience (I've never had the dead come talk to me after the fact, for instance) but because of all the nuttiness I've seen on this favorite show of ours. I had a funny feeling that Ageless Richard wasn't leading Hurley and Jack back to the Temple, and of course those suspicions were confirmed when we saw the magnificence that is the Black Rock. Chains referenced in the season premiere were seen (chalk one up in the answers column) and Richard, like so many before him on the show (in a nice parallel to Ben's story, which Mr. Piper and Dustin have covered) has a major crisis of faith, admitting in so many words his immortality as well as saying with the same breaths that he would like nothing more than to shuffle off this Island coil. Jack is more than happy to oblige by lighting some of that oh-so-unstable dynamite still inside the Black Rock for him (nice shout-out to what was left of Doc Artz in Hurley's shirt, BTW) since, like others we've seen, Richard cannot take his own life. Instead of fleeing the scene as fast as he could ala Hurley, Jack decides to sit with Richard as he awaits oblivion, steadfast in the belief that all he has experienced (including being spied upon by Jacob since his childhood years) via the Island means that he – and Richard – aren't destined to just blow apart courtesy of some very old TNT.

Jack's attitude took me back a bit during this whole situation. Last time we saw him, he was brooding on an Island cliff, looking like he would punch Jacob in his existential baby maker if he had the chance. Now he's accepting of the fact that the Island, and Jacob, has him. I believe that Jack believes that he is meant for a greater purpose (after all, he is a "Candidate"). I've got to be honest, though: I'm not really sure he's going to like what he finds at the end of that particular tunnel, and am now officially more interested in Jack's character than I have been since the days of "We have to go back!"

What Jack, Hurley and Richard did find as they returned to "where it all began" was a sweet, slow-mo reunion with requisite Giacchino score. (I'm not ashamed to admit that I smiled giddily when this happened; I guess I'm just another sucker after all.) I felt great for everyone involved except for one Benjamin Linus, who managed to out-act his earlier monologist conversation with Ilana simply by standing there, unsure of himself and how to approach others who may choose to have him, arms at his sides in emotional exhaustion and defeat. Just like I chalked one up in the answer column above, pencil in another Emmy for Mr. Emerson. And that's all I'll say about Linus, because as mentioned above my partners in crime have him covered. I would just be a bit remiss if I didn't mention how striking that one instance of body language was to me as the episode ended.

But wait! It wasn't over! Through a periscope view that looked like something out of oh, I don't know, a Terminator flick (okay, not really, but something futuristically sci-fi), someone below the sea surface approaching the Island in a submarine spied on this heart-string plucking reunion.

Well, well, well. Hello, Charles.

I don't think that Widmore was necessarily the person Jacob spoke of when he told Hurley that someone corresponding to 108 degrees on the lighthouse dial was coming to the Island. I still think it was no one, really, but I'm sure I'll be proven wrong on that. Once again, if the writers somehow manifest this "Wallace" person, I'll happily eat my words. If it turns out to be "Well, you know me as [insert name here], but I was once known as/am now know as "Wallace," I will not be very pleased. Long tangent aside, I have never thought that the arrival of Widdy was something to be celebrated, no matter where the locale. Nor do I now. I think that war we've been hearing about may be fast approaching. I guess we'll find out soon enough who is on what side, and what the final prize may be.

Until next time, Namaste!

Thanks Rick. And to finish everything off, here's Dustin…


First of all, I have to admit something real quick. Ben Linus is easily one of the most evil characters I have ever seen on television, however he remains one of my all-time favorite TV characters. It's just something I can't explain. Whenever I hear that the show is going to be a "Ben-centric" episode, I get excited. There's still a lot we don't know about this character and with only ten episodes left...let's hope we learn more. The one thing that remains constant with Ben is the fact that you just can't trust the guy. The question now is, is Ben still the evil guy we have grown accustomed to in the "flash sideways" world? Let's take a look....

Perhaps the biggest difference between the Ben we have grown to know and the new "flash sideways" Ben is the fact that the "new" Ben doesn't seem to have an evil bone in his body. I mean, the man is a teacher (can you see the "island" Ben ever being a high school teacher?) and you have to be somewhat sane to do that job. Not only that, but Ben had the opportunity to basically cheat his way into the principal's chair at the expense of Alex (seeing her in the "flash sideways" story was refreshing and brought up even more questions, which I'll get to later....), but at the end of the day, he just couldn't do it. Why? What happened to Ben in this "flash sideways" universe that made him so nice?

I personally believe the most shocking part of this episode was seeing Ben living comfortably in a nice little home along with his father. We all remember what kind of relationship "island" Ben had with his father (in the end, Ben was responsible for his death), but in the "flash sideways" world, this Ben seemingly has a pretty good relationship with his old man. But that wasn't the most shocking revelation. Perhaps the most shocking piece of news we learned this week was that Ben and his father actually had been living on the island, but left the place before it vanished underwater. Now we need to know exactly when they left the island and why they left the island. Still, we aren't even sure why the island is now underwater (some people assume that the island went underwater after Jughead was detonated), so for now all we can do is just assume. You could tell by the conversation that Ben's father had with Ben that he was very disappointed with how Ben's life turned out. He even mentions that it was probably a bad idea that they decided to leave the island, but we all know that isn't true seeing as they would more than likely be fish food if that happened.

As I previously mentioned, this "flash sideways" story brings up a whole new slew of questions as far as it pertains to the island in this "new" world. While we now know for sure that the Dharma group was still on the island, what we don't know is what happened to them after the island sank? Were they responsible for the island sinking or was it in fact the LOSTies blowing up Jughead as I referred to earlier? Did the island actually sink or did someone move it and one of it's moving spots just so happens to be underwater? While we have all these questions regarding each and every character in the "alternative universe", we also have a whole new grip of questions regarding the island that I hope they touch up on soon.

Another interesting thing in this exact episode was Ben's relationship with the high school principal. While you could tell that Ben truly disliked the guy, we just couldn't understand why Ben wouldn't jump on the opportunity to get the guy out of office after Alex informs Ben of the principal's wild extra-curricular activities. The "island" Ben would have jumped all over the chance to screw the principal out of a job, yet this new Ben hesitated even after the principal informed Ben that he was dropping the "history club" and was putting him in charge of detention. Even after that piece of news, this new Ben swallowed his pride and just did it without putting up much of a fight. That isn't the Ben we have grown accustomed to at all. Why is this Ben so different? What happened in his life that made him a little bit of a.....chicken (sorry, Marty McFly)?

One interesting theory making the rounds right now is how "altverse" Ben seems to be a giver, while "island" Ben seems to be the complete opposite. The new Ben seemingly was giving people what they wanted. Instead of screwing up Alex's life (like he did on the island), Ben decided to not pursue his blackmail against the principal after the man threatened to ruin Alex's chances of going to Yale. Even when Arzt found out that Ben wasn't going to go through with the blackmail, he was disappointed as well. You know how Ben made Arzt feel better? He gave the man his parking spot! Do you ever see "island" Ben doing something like that? Why is this Ben so generous and good-hearted? Is it true that "island" Ben is actually doing the work of the "smoke monster/the man in black" when he thinks he's been Jacob's right hand man for so many years? For me, that's the safest bet right now. Then again, that's what I love about the show the most. Right when you think you have it figured out, BOOM...there goes your theories. Things are getting really interesting and each week I'm dying for more answers. I know I'm beating a dead horse here...but thank you LOST for helping make life more interesting each week!

-Dustin James

And with that, we're outta here. Many thanks as always to both Rick and Dustin, and to you all for reading. Come back next week and we'll do this whole thing again for "Recon" which promises to be Sawyer-centric.

Stay LOST!
-BP