that might have been the best episode of the season so far. Dr. Linus never ceases to surprise me. I really had no idea whether he was going to do the right thing for his "daughter" in the flash sideways.... but how about that, a completely selfless act. and he even gives his parking spot to arzt! good times.
Michael Emerson (Ben) was fantastic as usual, it would have been a shame to kill him off just yet because his acting and that character bring so much to the show. I was kind of disappointed that Ben didn't say he was going to accept just the letter of recommendation, let her get it and then say: "well, these e-mails are still damning to you so I want your job anyway."
That didn't fit into the character development they were going for though so I get why they didn't do that. That brings me back to a point I've made before. Most of the people we have seen in the alternate off-island timeline have found some sort of resolution to their character's main flaw. The exception being Sayid, but with him finding Jin in the closet his story may not be all told. It's an interesting trend and it makes me wonder where they are heading with it and the on island story being told side by side.
and on the island... a rare moment of complete and utter honesty from him. granted, it was born out of hitting rock bottom, but was touching even so.
It was definitely a moment of change for Ben, the old Ben would have killed her and ran off to take his place with Smocke. It was also a telling moment for Ilana, she realized that her "team" can use all the help it can get, and a contrite Ben might prove to be a great asset.
all of jacob's servants are feeling the frustration right now, like they have been hoodwinked into serving him for no real point. but, as jack showed richard... perhaps the fat lady hasn't sung just yet. it was nice to see richard pissed off! so, was he a slave or captive on the black rock (the chains)? the dynamite thing harkens back to when michael was trying to kill himself but couldn't!
Yeah, Richard's rare moment of weakness was great, that scene between he and Jack was pretty important. Jack has fully transitioned from a "Man of Science" to a "Man of Faith." Very interesting, he is now firmly on Jacob's team.
They have definitely hinted at Richard having been a slave/captive on the Black Rock. Earlier this season Smocke said to him "Hello Richard, it's good to see you out of those chains" Most people likely assumed it was a metaphor for Jacob being dead and Richard being "free" now, but it was also likely very literal.
The weird thing about the similarities of Michael not being able to kill himself, or even Locke's failed attempt off island too, is that in Michael's case it was Christian Sheppard telling him he could finally die. In Richard and Jack's case it is clearly Jacob's doing. Thinking about Michael's circumstances, he couldn't die until Sayid, Kate, Sun, Jin, and Desmond got off the boat. All candidates. Many and myself included have kind of assumed that Christian = smokey = smocke. That may not be the case.
it's a credit to the show that halfway through, as ben was digging his grave... at least a part of me wondered if they just MIGHT kill him. i thought the odds were good that he weaseled out of it somehow, but this show is so crazy, i wouldn't 100% put it past them. i'm glad he lived though. he's great.
Indeed, they had even flatly said in the preview that he meets his demise in that episode.
was the guy who played the principal on the show before? he looked like someone i should maybe know, but i couldn't remember where he might have fit in.. :B
I do not remember him on LOST previously, but I know he was the evil professor from Real Genius!
will the finale be a big battle between smocke & jack/richard/illana et al? or will that come sooner? it seems fairly imminent!@#
I have no clue. I just remember season 4 I think where we knew the Oceanic 6 were going to get off the island, but right up until the finale they were all nowhere near each other. Then in a crazy cluster of events they all came together. I still have a feeling you are going to see some side changing of "teams" and a bit more to the story before the big climax. For instance, Widmore is back! Where does he fit in? It will be very interesting. He was determined to help Locke and the Oceanic 6 get back because in his words 'There is a war coming and you have to be there for the right side to win' or something to that effect. He also perceived that Ben was his enemy and on the other side. Does that mean he is with Smocke, or did he perceive that Ben was with Smocke? Maybe he was talking about a personal war with Ben and not THE big battle.
Let's say he is a Jacob guy, was he the one Jacob was trying to set the lighthouse for? Maybe it wasn't a complete lie afterall. Wouldn't it be interesting to see him and Ben on the same side. Could they even coexist?
If he is on Smocke's team is he how they are all going to get off the island? I also think it means Penny and Desmond are soon to follow.
