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L.A. Reality: Dr. Benjamin Linus, European History teacher at whatever fine high school that is, takes good care of his ailing, elderly father, who wanted so much more for fair haired boy (and dear old Dad says he thought they'd get it when they went to that Island with the Dharma Initiative, years ago).
Truth be told, Ben wants a little more for himself too, and he becomes keenly aware of this once his slimeball Principal makes him give up the history club he leads, in order to cover detention. The new substitute, John Locke, hears Dr. Linus griping to Leslie Arzt about the administration and makes a crazy suggestion. Benjamin Linus should go for the Principal's job. The whole idea is just a fire in Ben's belly, until his favorite student, Alexandra Rousseau, confides in him that she totally saw the Principal and the School Nurse doing it in the hearing test room.
Ben taps Arzt to find a way into the Nurse's email account, hoping that therein, he'll find the incriminating evidence he needs to oust the current Principal. And, Ben does get that evidence, and confronts the Principal -- hoping to force him to resign. But the Principal knows Ben's Achilles heel -- his aforementioned favorite student, Alex. Alex needs a recommendation from a Yale grad (i.e. the Principal) in order to get into Yale. Ben may well be a gambling man, but he would never gamble with Alex's future -- her life. And so... Benjamin Linus does the right thing, after all.
Island Reality; Jack, Hurley and Richard: Jack and Hurley are on their way back from the lighthouse, but Jack gets frustrated with Hurley who is trying to stall their return to the Temple. They run into Richard Alpert, who somewhere along the way informs them that everyone who remained at the Temple is now dead. Richard also tells the guys they're headed the wrong way, and takes the lead. But, he leads them to the wreck of the Black Rock. Because he was touched by Jacob, Richard doesn't age and can't kill himself, even that's what he so desperately desires, now that Jacob is dead. He asks Jack to kill him -- wanting him to blow him up with some of the dynamite on the old ship. Hurley tries to talk them out of this crazy maneuver, but when he can't, he runs clear of the ship.
After Jack lights the dynamite, he refuses to leave Richard, which gets Richard quite agitated. Jack then tells him about seeing his childhood home in the lighthouse mirror and how he's coming to terms with the fact that Jacob has a purpose for him. He doesn't think Jacob wants either of them dead, and insists that the dynamite will fail to explode in one way or another, and fail it does. With Richard's faith in Jacob restored, or at least redirected at Jack, they set off of their trek, which I'll get back to, in a moment. But now, let's go to...
Island Reality; Ilana, Frank, Sun, Miles: Ben catches up with Ilana and crew soon after they make their escape from the defiled Temple and suggests they retreat to the Losties' old beach camp, where at least they'll have the water at their backs. Ben tells Ilana that Sayid killed Yoko and Lennon, and later, he tells Miles that "the thing" back at the Temple that killed everyone is the same "thing" that killed Ilana's friends, back at the statue. Ilana turns on her heels and says, "And Jacob too, right? It killed Jacob, too." Ben lies that yes it did, but Ilana's not buying. She knows of Miles' reputation (which is a great call back to Bram trying to recruit him in "Some Like It Hoth") as a dead-reader or whatever and takes out Jacob's ashes for Miles to work with. He confirms Ben killed Jacob (and mocks Ben with his own words while he's at it, too), which puts Ben on Ilana's shit-list, since Jacob was the closest thing to a dad she's ever had.
When this crew gets back to the beach, Ilana chains Ben up on Boone's Bluff, and makes him dig a grave -- his own. Later, Faucke appears at the tree line and invites Ben to join him over on Hydra Island. He unfastens Ben's shackle with his fricking mind, and tells him that he can find a gun a little ways off, in a clearing. All he has to do is get to it before Ilana does, and he'll be able to make his escape. But when Ben gets to the gun, and turns it on Ilana, he doesn't demand his freedom. Instead, he explains how his own thirst for power led to Alex's death, which weakened his faith in Jacob. He only killed Jacob because he was vulnerable to Faucke's manipulations, and Jacob's death is something he'll always regret. He also tells Ilana he would like to join Faucke. When she asks why, Ben cries that Faucke is the only one who will have him. Having finally gotten the truth out of Ben, Ilana tells him he can stay with her.
The episode ends with Hurley, Jack, and Richard reuniting with Ilana, Sun, Frank, Miles and Ben at the beach camp. There are hugs all around between the Losties, and friendly greetings among the rest, except for Ben, who stands on the outside, looking in. As always.
But wait? What's that out in the water? It's a smoke monster. It's a leviathan. It's a submarine! It's a submarine carrying Charles Widmore right back to Craphole. Excuse me. I have to take a sedative.
So... that happened! What's there to say about it. Michael Emerson's performance knocked my socks so far off that I have to buy new ones. Seeing Richard Alpert all vulnerable is a thing of beauty. Understanding the method in Jack's madness feels rewarding. Laughing at Miles cuts the tension. Witnessing Sun's joy at reuniting with her old friends warms my heart. But most of all... I never thought I'd enjoy the redemption of Benjamin Linus so very much, so I'm going to sign off now, before the questions return to screw with my enjoyment of this funhouse ride.
(Did you see that fricking submarine? I didn't just dream it, right?)
I'm starting the full recap now, so until then, please join us in the forums, where we seldom make you dig your own grave.
Want more? The full recap starts right below! Previously on Lost Ben stabs Jacob to death and then Faucke punts the corpse into the fire pit. Jack sees (some familiar) names and corresponding numbers on the lighthouse wheel, including an extra-bold 23 Shephard, and freaks out on Hurley. Jacob attempts a cute-off with Hurley, as he explains that he lured Hugo and Jack away from the Temple because, "Someone's coming there. Someone bad." Cue the Great Temple Smoke-Out and Desecration. Original Recipe Smokey kills everyone who isn't nailed down, claimed, chosen, a candidate, hiding in a pit, running for their lives, or previously murdered by Sayid. Speaking of... Ben tries to coax Sayid away from the Murky Mikvah (and the bodies of Lennon and Yoko) by telling him that there's still time, but the darkness in Sayid had grown such that he can only look all sleekly sick yet still somehow sexy, as he smirks, "Not for me." Ben backs away -- slowly at first -- and then high tails it out of the Murkey Mikvah Mezzanine to parts unknown. Now we're all caught up, and it's time for our latest installment in the very last season of Lost.Aside: After we nuke ourselves to oblivion, nay -- after that -- after even Keith Richards and the cockroaches have fallen, Benjamin Linus will still be plugging along. He may have a thing or two to learn about telling the truth, but the man's survival instincts are...to die for.
Currently, in the Island Reality: Ben runs through the jungle, and after he falls flat on his face, he looks up to see a line of torches passing through brush. But it's not the wood elves leaving Middle Earth forever for the Grey Havens. It's Ilana, Frank, Sun, and Miles (who, henceforth, will be known as Ilana & Co, unless I get bored, and then elves it is).
Ben is on Ilana & Co. like white on rice. He startles them, so they surround him, and Ilana demands to know where Jarrah is. Ben, still panting, huffs, "I'm fine. Thank you." Ilana's in no mood for licking his sore ego, so she ignores his attitude and demands Sayid-intel. Ben says, "Considering that he just killed Dogen, I don't think he's going to be joining us." He adds that Sayid killed the interpreter, too. When Ilana asks if he's sure, Ben says, "He was standing over their dead bodies holding a bloody dagger, so yeah, I'm pretty sure." Remember that, 'cause Miles will.
Ben suggests they go to the beach where the Losties used to live. "At least we'll have the water at our backs, and it's familiar territory. Anybody else got a better idea?" They all look at each other for a moment before Ilana says, "No." Back to the beach baby, yeah!
L.A. Reality: Dr. Benjamin Linus writes Able was I ere I saw Elba on the chalkboard as he lectures his class on Napoleon in exile. You'll never know how close I came to headlining this episode, "Linus was I ere I saw Sunil," until I remembered that you all don't know my Lost-watching friend Sunil (although he is famous on the internet). At any rate, the parallels fall fast and furious as Dr. Linus lectures that "it was on this island that everything changed; that everything finally became clear..." He thinks he's still talking about Napoleon and Elba, but we point and laugh as he gets into the part about how it was the loss of power that was a fate worse than death for the wee Emperor.
When the bell rings, Principal Reynolds (William Atherton) is at the door doing his best Ben Stein drone. "Walk with me." Due to budget crises and other events above Ben's "pay grade" Reynolds is pulling Ben in to cover after-school detention. This will mean Ben has to give up leading the history club. Doing so to watch a group of burnouts is so not Ben's cuppa. When Ben argues that they should be providing for the students who are ambitious and invested in their studies, Reynolds sneers that the history club isn't for the kids: "It makes you feel needed. Unfortunately, for now, you're needed. In detention. Thanks for your understanding, Linus." After Reynolds walks off, Ben snivels, "It's Dr. Linus. Actually."
In the break room, Arzt is whining about the formaldehyde some clumsy student got on his shirt, when Ben joins him at the table. Arzt then bitches about old equipment and the lack of lab aprons, leaving me wondering who paid for his trip to Australia. It seems to have taken place during the school year, so perhaps that's why the school can't afford essentials, Leslie, but there's no time for that now, because after Ben notes that the public school system ought to be all about taking care of the kids, Locke tells Ben he ought to be the principal.
Arzt mocks the idea of taking advice from a substitute, but when Ben expresses interest, Locke rolls with it. "Just sounds like you care about this place, and if the man in charge doesn't, then maybe it's time for a change." Nice echo, yeah?
Ben appreciates the sentiment but asks who's going to listen to him. Locke smiles and waves. "I'm listening." His smile is creepy, like season-1-orange-peel-smile creepy. Wouldn't it be funny if L.A Reality Locke was actually the formerly formidable Smoke Monster, who staged a coup to gain his freedom, only to be trapped inside of Locke's broken body until he dies? Yeah, I think so, too. Anyhow...
Island Reality: As the wood elves (what?) trek through the jungle, Miles asks Ben what "that thing" back there was. Ben indicates that it's the same thing that killed Ilana's friends. At that, she turns on her heels and says, "And Jacob, right? It killed Jacob too?" Ben nods and talks with his hands as he of-courses her to death, but Ilana's not buying. In a clever callback to Bram's attempted recruitment of Miles (for Team Jacob) in "Some Like It Hoth," Ilana informs Miles she knows his reputation as a death eater reader, or whatever. Miles clarifies, "I can tell you how someone died, pick up their last thoughts before they check out, but I need to be near their bodies." Except for when I don't.
Ilana, as you'll remember, scooped up Jacob's ashes from the Four-Toes fire pit, so she digs down into her pocket (catch a falling star and put it in your...) and hands Miles the satchel full of Jacob, as she looks sideways at Ben. "So tell me, Miles, how did he die?" Ben soils his granny panties, but everyone's so dirty, sweaty, and smelly that they don't notice. But that's gross, so let's change the subject. I was under the impression that Miles' power didn't work well with cremains, but in the show's defense, these particular ashes aren't spread over a football field, and well... it's not like the show has ever been consistent on Miles' special brand of woo, so I'm not going to start sweating it now, with so little time left. Let's just pretend even Miles doesn't know what Miles can do, and leave it at that.
One thing Miles can do, though, is get down on his knees. So he does. And then he does that thing he does. When he's done doing that thing he does, he pauses for a moment, as if to consider the possible consequences of what he's about to reveal. Finally, he rises and turns slowly toward Ilana, still cradling the bag full of ashes in his hands. "Linus killed him." When Ben insists that isn't true, Ilana asks Miles if he's sure. And in a callback to the opening scene, Miles says, "Well, he was standing over Jacob's dead body with a bloody dagger, so...yeah. I'm pretty sure." Gnarffle.
As Ben tries to act all WHO ME?!?!? Sun, Frank and Ilana look on with a mixture of surprise, pity and disgust. Ilana thanks Miles and then gets right in Ben's face. "Jacob was the closest thing I ever had to a father." She turns her back on him and marches forth. Miles, at his ball-busting best, sing-songs: "Uh-oh." Hee!
Daylight; Lost-Away Beach: As the gang surveys the scattered remains of the once cozy beach camp, Ilana says she's going to look for some tools and get to work on some shelter. "The rest of you see what food's left; maybe get a fire going." Miles snarks, "Yeah -- a fire will fix everything." Oh honey, don't. Frogurt was the last guy who scoffed at starting a fire on that beach. Remember what happened to him? You were there, dude. Man, I hope that's not foreshadowing. Anyhow...
Ben tries to offer his help to Ilana, but she ignores him. Once Miles is out of earshot, Ben adds, "You know -- psychics..." He doesn't say piffle, but it's so very implied. "Totally unreliable. Miles actually tried to blackmail me, once, into...." Ilana walks off. Frank follows at a respectful distance, and never looks at Ben, even as he cracks, "You make friends easy -- dontcha?"
L.A. Reality: While waiting for a frozen meal to heat up, Ben catches sight of his reflection in the microwave door. I love how they've carried this theme through the season. He's making this frozen organic (and not "Lean") dinner for his father, Rotten Roger, who's sporting a nasal cannula for oxygen, and very little hair. I can't decide if he's balding in an old-man way, or in an old-man way combined with an old-man-with-cancer way. Between the hair and the air, I can't help but think of Miles' mother, Lara, and wonder how many other Dharma refugees are now ill. And that's totally relevant, because...
In the course of conversation Sideways Roger reveals that he and Sideways Ben were with the Dharma Initiative years ago. When Ben expresses dissatisfaction with his professional life, Roger feels for him. "This isn't the life I wanted for you, Ben. I wanted so much more." He wonders aloud, "Imagine how different our lives would have been if we'd stayed [with Dharma]." Ben patronizes him. "Yes, we'd have both lived happily ever after." Roger emphasizes that he's serious. "Who knows what you would have become?" Ooh, ooh. I do. I do. Ben switches out Roger's old oxygen tank for a new one, and I can't help but remember that in the old world he gassed his father to death, where in this brave new one, he's gassing him to life.
The doorbell rings, and it's none other than Ben's favorite student, Alex! She was concerned when she got to history club and he wasn't there. He apologizes for not leaving a note and explains about covering detention. After joking, "What'd you do," Alex explains she was counting on some help studying for her AP History exam, so they make plans to meet the morning at 7:00, in the library. Alex is buying the coffee. Alex is also showing too much cleavage for a high school student who has just popped in on her old-maid-man teacher, but what do I know?
Island Reality; Lost-Away Beach: Sun wants to know how long Ilana plans to hang around the beach camp. Ilana's rather short with Sun and she tells her she's not sure yet. When Sun says she wants to find Jin, Ilana reveals that she wants to find him, too. "...Your last name is Kwon; so is his. I don't know if I'm supposed to protect you, him, or both of you." Sun -- who, my word, has beautiful lips -- is all protect us?!? Ilana explains that she must protect the remaining six candidates who are still in the running to replace Jacob. When Sun wants to know what replacing Jacob entails, Ilana snarls, "If you're the one selected, I imagine you'll find out." Sheesh, Ilana. Take out your issues on Ben, not Sun, for heaven's sake.
Island Reality; Clearing: Hurley lies in a meadow dreaming and talking in his sleep about cheese curds, as I dream about yelling at the writers for playing the Hey Have You Noticed Hurley is a Rather Large Fellow note, over and over this season. Enough! We're quite clear on that, guys, as is, I'm sure, Jorge Garcia. But he's ours, and we love him, so shut the hell up. Jack wakes Hugo, saying he wants to make it to the Temple by nightfall. Hurley tries to stall, and it's evident, so Jack starts off. Hurley hustles to catch up with him and tries to misdirect him, but Jack clearly remembers the way they came.
While the guys are arguing, Richard Alpert shows up and tells them they're both wrong. When Jack asks where he came from, Richard says, "You wouldn't believe me if I told you." Jack: "Try me." Richard shakes his head. "Not yet." Audience: "We're running out of time!!!" Richard ignores us and walks off, saying, "If you want to go to the Temple, it's this way." When he's gone, Hurley asks Jack if he trusts Ri
chard. Jack gives Hurley the stink-eye. "At least he's not stalling." Heh.
Beach: Ben digs through Sawyer's stash, and finds a skin rag (Title: Booty Babes: "Big, Bouncy, Beautiful Buns"; the graphic on the model's flank reads "The 'B' Spot"; Other headlines include: "Going There" and "Getting to the Bottom of It"). He also finds a book: Benjamin Disraeli -- Justice and Truth in Action. There's no author's name on the book, and I can't find any evidence that it exists. "Justice is truth in action," is a famous Disraeli quote, though. While considering the "Buns" magazine, Ben clutches his metaphorical pearls as he tsks the things some people will bring on a trip. Word, Felix. He doesn't give the Disraeli book much attention and completely ignores the most pertinent book lying right in front of him: Chiam Potok's The Chosen. Oh my word, that book. That book! I love it and I want to go on and on about it right now, but I think I'll save that for the end, to spare those of you who just want to get on with the show.
When Ben finds an Oceanic Airlines water bottle, he tells Frank he remembers that plane breaking in half like it was yesterday. Frank accuses him of sounding nostalgic (the "over a ghastly tragedy" is implied). Ben admits that maybe he is. Frank then reveals he was supposed to be flying that plane. Ben can't believe it when Frank says he overslept. Frank says, "Imagine how different my life would be if that alarm had gone off." Um...probably not very, Frank, unless you were full on dead, like the first pilot. Ben sort of agrees with me. "How different would it have been? The island still got you in the end, didn't it?" Frank cocks his head as he considers this with a chuckle. When he then flashes an all-too-bright smile of approval, Ben beams, thinking it's for him, but it's actually for Ilana and the rifle she's about to shove against Ben's neck. And she does just that. Ilana then orders Ben to walk, and marches him up to Boone's Bluff, where she chains him with cables and a make-shift shackle she MacGyvered up from the final remains of the fuselage. She then commands him to start digging a grave. "You murdered Jacob. It's for you." Whee!
L.A. Reality; School Library: Ben quizzes Alex on Cornwallis, the East India Trading Company, the Charter Act of 1813, etc. When she can't answer the last question, she freaks out. Ben reminds her it's just a test, but Alex says it's her entire life. Her mother works two jobs just to pay the rent. "How I am going to pay for college, never mind Yale, assuming I get in?"
Ben tells Alex she's his best and brightest, assures her he has every confidence in her, and offers to write her a recommendation. Alex says she needs one from an alum, though, like that "pervert" Principal Reynolds. Ben is flustered by this, and prods to make sure that Reynolds hasn't been perving on Alex. He hasn't. He's just been doing it, in the hearing test room, with school nurse Kim Kondracki, who must have forgotten Alex was in sickbay, sleeping off a tummy ache. I've been out of high school for longer than I care to admit, but the thought of any of my former school principals doing it with any of my school nurses shuts my libido down for at least a week. For my husband's sake, I'm going to move forward. Suffice it to say that Ben promises to keep the conversation a secret. "A promise is a promise." Suffice it to say: Ben lies. While they return to their study of the high seas, we watch the gears in Ben's mind whir and click into place. He's having a thought. Now, he's having a plan!
Island Reality; Lost-Away Beach; Boone's Bluff: Ilana patrols the shore in front of Ben, making sure to give him the evil eye whenever she passes. Soon Miles approaches with some mockery and some food. "Hope you like green beans and banana, 'cause that's all we got." I wonder if they have Sun's gardening to thank for the green beans. Ben's not hungry for food, but he is hungry for freedom -- for life.
Ben reminds Miles of the time he tried to bribe Ben for 3.2 million bucks. Miles asks if he's going to write him a check on a banana leaf (ha) but Ben explains that he can get off the island, and has contacts all over the world -- wealthy, connected ones. He can get Miles whatever he wants. Miles says, "Why would I need your money, when there are a couple of jabonis under there named Nikki and Paolo, who got buried alive with 8 million dollars in diamonds -- on top of them?" Ben whines that he can't believe that Miles is going to stand by and let Ilana "murder" him, "for killing Jacob -- a man who didn't even care about being killed." Miles says, "No, he cared. [...] Right up until the second the knife went through his heart, he was hoping he was wrong about you. I guess he wasn't." As soon as Miles starts off, Ilana fires a shot at the ground near Ben's feet. "DIG!" As Ben gets back to work, lets hop over to...
Jungle Trek; Hurley, Jack, and Richard: Since Richard looks the same as he did 30 years ago, Hurley figures he's time-traveling, or a cyborg. Richard says he's not. When Hurley suggests, "Vampire?" Richard doesn't answer. You be the judge! After Richard is done rolling his eyes, he says, "Jacob gave me a gift." Jack's ears perk up at the mention of the name. "Jacob! What do you know about him?" Richard says, "I know he's dead," right before he arrives at his destination...
The Black Rock: Hurley says, "Uh...I thought you said we were going to the Temple, dude." Richard deadpans: "I lied." Jack wants to know why. Richard says, "Because everyone at the Temple is dead." Hurley's expression says he already knew that, and yet, he also looks nauseated and mournful. Jack needs more details than that, though. When Richard says there were no survivors, Jack asks about "our friends..." KATE, "Sayid?" KATE, "Kate?" Richard says 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." When Jack asks Hurley if he was stalling because he knew about this, Hurley says that Jacob hinted at this outcome. Richard turns to him, agitated. "You spoke to Jacob?" Hurley: "Yeah." Richard: "Well, whatever he said -- don't believe him." And at that, he marches towards the ship. Jack wants to know where he's going. Richard says there's something he needs to do. Jack hollers after him: "To do what?" Richard keeps marching. "Die." Commercial.
L.A Reality; Ben's High School: Ben taps Arzt (who is in his glory, giving students "F" grades with bright red Sharpies) for a way into staff email. He doesn't want to admit his plan at first, but, promise to Alex abandoned, he finally confesses that he understands the school nurse is engaging in an inappropriate relationship with Principal Reynolds. Tool that he is, Arzt is excited that Ben is making a play for the big job, and says that in return, he wants a primo parking space, "The one to the maple tree -- not under the maple tree -- to the maple tree. That way, I get the shade from the maple tree, but not all that tree crap all over the hood of my car." Have you ever seen maple tree crap, Les? It doesn't confine itself to the area directly below the tree. Just sayin'... "And I want aprons. I want lots of aprons, and I want some lab equipment in here that was built in this decade. Is that a deal?" Ben says, "Deal."
Island Reality; Boone's Bluff: Ben continues to dig his own grave, which sounds like the most clichéd thing, ever, doesn't it? But that's what he's doing.
Island Reality; The Black Rock: Inside the ship, Richard scopes out the place, pausing to examine a particular pair of shackles as the music of Cindy, This Is Dreadfully Significant plays in the background. And I know, in "LA X Part II" I didn't think Richard's chains that Faucke referenced were actual chains on The Black rock, but it's looking now like I was wrong. All of this has all happened before, and all of it will happen again. /Galactica. Jack comes in, carrying a lantern and asks, "Been here before?" Richard says, "Yes, and in all the time that I've spent on this island, today's the first time I've ever come back." Just then, Hurley calls out to Jack, and finds the guys. Meanwhile, Richard finds the crate of dynamite.
Hurley warns Richard off the explosives, since they're "mega unstable." Richard knows but doesn't seem to care. Hurley says, "So did Dr. Arzt, and I was wiping him out of my shirt, two days later." He then whispers to Jack that it's time to go, but Jack says, "No, not yet." Hurley argues: "He's opening up a crate of dynamite and he says he wants to kill himself. Richard clarifies that he can't kill himself. "Even if I wanted to --and trust me, I do -- I can't kill myself, which is why I want you to do it for me." When Jacob touches you, it's considered a gift, but it's really a curse." When Richard throws down a corroded stick of dynamite for emphasis, Hurley cringes, ducks, and yells, "Dude. Seriously. Let's go. Now!"
Jack ignores Hugo and asks Richard why he wants to die. Richard explains that he devoted his life, "longer than you can possibly imagine, in service of a man who told me that everything was happening for a reason -- that he had a plan -- a plan that I was a part of. And when the time was right, he would share it with me, and now that man's gone. So -- why do I want to die? Because I just found out that my entire life had no purpose." Yeeeouch. Let's see Rick Warren fix that. Richard adds that although he can't kill himself, if Jack lights the wick on the dynamite stick, it ought to do the trick. Hurley, of course, argues against this. Jack, of course, is all in -- balls to the wall. "If he wants to die, there's nothing we're going to do to stop him." Have you not been listening, Doc? Dude can't kill himself. There is very much something you can do to stop him: don't help. Jack takes the long (enough so that he has time to escape) wick and lights it with the lantern. He then lays it on a whisky barrel and says, "Now, let's talk." Commercial!
As the flame consumes the wick, Hurley insists that he and Jack must leave, but Jack's not budging. At first, Hurley says he won't go without Jack, he eventually decides to leave, and says he'll be about a mile away. Richard tells him to go with him, but Jack won't. He doesn't think he'll die. He doesn't think either of them will die. He tells him about his visit to Jacob's lighthouse, which revealed he'd been watching Jack ever since he was a kid. Richard asks why. Jack doesn't know, but he's pretty sure if Jacob went through all that trouble, he's not going to let Jack die while sitting with Richard. Richard asks, "What if you're wrong?" Jack says he's not, and puts on an orgasm face, akin to Frodo's when he slips on the One Ring. The wick sizzles, sizzles some more, and...burns out. Jack laughs at Richard. "Want to try another stick?" Richard ignores this, and cops to the fact that Jack's faith has borne out. "You seem to have all the answers, so now what?" Jack says, "We go back to where we started." It's then that my 9 year old walks through the room and says someone says that in every episode. I ignore him, because I've watched this episode several times, but Mr. 9 insists he's seen other people say the same thing. La la la.
Boone Bluff: Ilana is a little ways down the beach, keeping an eye on Ben and doesn't hear the telltale ticka ticka rattle clank as it approaches. Ben hears it though, and he pauses and waits, until FAUCKE appears. He says he's just visiting, but Linus isn't impressed, on account of the fact that he's digging his own grave. Ben points out Ilana (eating a mango) and explains that she's Jacob's bodyguard. "So now you've got what you wanted, because she's going to kill me."
Faucke says, "I don't want you to die, Ben. In fact, I went back to the statue to get you, but you'd already gone." I think that's a bald-faced lie. He wants Ben to die; he just wants him to die after everyone else, except, possibly, Sayid. Faucke says he's gathering a group to leave this place for good. "But, once we're gone, someone's going to need to be in charge of the island." Si habla Benjaminese, presione el numero uno. Faucke can't think of a better man for the job, and so as soon as Ben starts complaining about his inconvenient circumstances, Faucke unlocks Ben's shackles...with his MIND!!! Even Ben finds this fairly freaksome, enough such that he's speechless. Faucke tells him to come to the other island, to the Hydra station. You've got the teeth of the hydra upon you. You're dirty sweet and you're my girl. "That's where we'll be." Ben insists Ilana will come after him, so Faucke tells him that just 200 yards inland from where he now digs, there's a tree in a clearing. Ben will find a rifle leaning up against it. "If you go now, you'll get there first, and you'll have the drop on her." Ben tries not to stare. Faucke adds, "But don't hesitate. She won't.... See you soon, Ben."
Once Faucke is gone, Ben looks over to Ilana, who just happens to be looking back at him. He doesn't dig another shovel full. Instead, he casts his tool in the sand and beats a path through the jungle. Ilana follows -- hot on his heels -- and we flash sideways to...
L.A. Reality: Ben knocks on Principal Reynolds' door. He hands Reynolds a stack of 30 e-mails, covering a 3 month period. "It's pretty lascivious stuff, would be fine if it was private, but they seem to describe acts which took place on school property -- acts which, morality aside -- I think the school board would frown on -- not to mention your wife." Ben states his case clearly and simply. Reynolds is to resign for personal or health reasons, and ironically, because the board holds him in such esteem, he will recommend Linus as his replacement. "So, do we have an understanding?"
Reynolds never blinks. Instead, he shows Ben an e-mail he recently received. It reads:
Dear Principal Reynolds,
I would appreciate it if you could write a letter of recommendation to Yale, on my behalf. It would mean the world to me.
Sincerely,
Alexandra Rousseau
Reynolds holds Alex's rec over Ben's head and puts the ball back in his court (in fact, he threatens to "torch" Ms. Rousseau). And to drive home the point that the Ben in this reality has no frakking clue about the Ben from the Island reality, this reality's Ben does not demand that a letter of recommendation be included with Reynolds' letter of resignation. Instead, he just blinks. We can't help but remember when once, Ben held Alex's life in his hands, but decided the island was where he needed to lay down all his chips. But what will he do this time? Only the future can tell.
Island Reality; Jungle: Ben runs from Ilana and straight to the gun Faucke left lying in wait for him. When he grabs it, he and his newest captor face off. Ilana appears more than willing to die, but Ben's in charge now, and he just wants someone, anyone, to listen. He orders Ilana to drop her gun and insists that she hear him out.
When he says he knows what Ilana is feeling, she contends that he has no idea, but Ben doesn't let that stop him. "I watched my daughter, Alex, die in front of me. And it was my fault. I had a chance to save her, but I chose the island -- over her -- all in the name of Jacob. I sacrificed everything for him. And he didn't even care. Yeah, I stabbed him, I was so angry...confused. I was terrified that I was about to lose the only thing that had ever mattered to me -- my power. But the thing that really mattered -- was already gone. I'm sorry that I killed Jacob, I am, and I do not expect you to forgive me, because I can never forgive myself."
Ilana asks, "Then what do you want?"
Ben says, "Just -- let me leave." Ilana wants to know where he'll go. Ben cries, "To Locke. [...] Because he's the only one that will have me." Ilana's face crumbles, but she never sheds a tear. "I'll have you." She picks up her weapon and walks off, through the jungle and back to the beach, leaving Ben standing there free, and fully armed. This isn't just redemption, babies. It's restoration. Ben stumbles off after Ilana, as we cut to commercial.
L.A. Reality; School: Ben, dressed in shades of grey, enters Principal Reynolds' office and fondles his nameplate. And I have to tell you -- when I watched -- even the first time -- I never thought for a second that Ben sold out Alex's future for his own present (again), and so I missed the gravitas this scene held for those who refrained from making up their minds ahead of time. I just knew Ben wasn't trading Alex in for glory, ever again, even though this version of Ben can't know what happened on Craphole. Alex knocks on the door and lets herself in. She's there to thank Principal Reynolds for his fantastic recommendation, and can't help but wonder if Ben had something to do with it. He swears he did not. Surely, he lies again.
Just then, Reynolds bursts in, and asks Linus what the "hell" he's doing in his office. He tries to modify his tone once he realizes a student is present, but it's too little, too late. Ben mentions he's just dropping off the detention sign-up for the week, and tells Alex they have their old slot back, as Principal Reynolds will be doling out the coverage to someone else. Reynolds swallows his bile and agrees. Ben promises to see Alex at 4:00 PM, and walks out.
Outside, he runs into Arzt, who is more than ready for his rewards. Ben says he couldn't go through with the plan and when Arzt complains, Ben promises him his parking space. Arzt isn't pleased, but he's not displeased enough to raise an actual stink. Once he walks off, Alex exits Reynolds' office. Eagle-eyed viewers have noted that among the many patches on her backpack, she's sporting one that features the Confederate Flag. Equality fail! Ben doesn't seem to notice that. He just looks at his little girl and smiles the smile of a man who chooses wisely and well.
Island Reality: Ilana and Ben make their way back to the beach. Ilana marches ahead, but Ben lays his weapon down against the framework of Sun's dilapidated hut, and asks if he can help. Sun, barely believing the sound of her own voice, says, "Please help me with the tarp." When Ben does just that, Sun fights to keep her eyes from bugging out of her head.
Meanwhile, Frank not only tends the fire, he sits down before it, still in full uniform, soaking up the heat -- which is oh so very necessary on a tropical island. In the background, Miles examines one of the Nikki/Paolo diamonds. Son of a bitch! He dug up their graves for that shit. Heh. Elsewhere, Ilana sits alone, and ponders the bag full of Jacob, as she fights back the tears.
Just then, Hurley, Jack, and Richard arrive at Lost-Away beach. Sun runs toward them and Hurley scoops her up in his arms. Then she spies Jack, mouths "Oh Jack," and runs to him. He hugs her as I remember how she was his nurse and righthand woman in the early days. Richard hangs back a pace, just observing. Jack shakes Frank and Ilana's hands, and then backs up, such that he can see Ben behind Hurley's bulk. He doesn't approach him. He doesn't greet him either, but neither does he run him off.
Meanwhile, out at sea, a periscope surfaces. It's attached to a sub, and in it, a crewman announces to his passenger that they're near the beach. Crewman asks the bossman if he should stop and pick them up. The boss says, "No. Proceed as planned." The crewman answers: "Yes sir, Mr. Widmore." Charles looks up at him, and then back down at the paper he's reading. Dun! BAD ROBOT!
I have to admit, I'm a sucker for a good redemption story. I never thought we'd get one for Ben Linus, though. Not after everything he's done for years on end. Michael Emerson deserves a lifetime supply of Emmy awards just for his scene with Ilana. It was so beautifully written, shot and acted (by both performers). It's moments like that I'll miss, long after this show has bowed. I'm going to leave it at that and just make a few...
Notes, Comments, and Stray Thoughts:
The Chosen, by Chiam Potok: Okay, Wikipedia has a good (but spoilery) summary of the book, so I'm not going to reinvent the wheel, here. The book's title pretty much screams that it belongs in this season of candidates and those claimed. The bare bones of the book are these: Set in the mid 1940s, Danny Saunders, the firstborn son of a Hassidic Rabbi, and Reuven Malter, the only son of an Orthodox academic (who gets involved in the Zionist movement, which Rabbi Saunders opposes) become friends -- true friends, the kind who are vulnerable for and to one another. The reader is treated to an exploration of these two ultra-conservative but very different branches of Judaism.
It makes me think about Lost-Aways, Others, and Other-Others, and Templars, of course. But what I really want to mention is Jacob's treatment of Ben, when he was the de facto leader of the Others. In The Chosen, Hassidic Rabbi "Reb" Saunders never speaks to his brilliant son, Danny. I mean this silence is a purposeful policy, not a mere bad parental habit, and has weighed on my mind since I read the book as a child. Reb Saunders stopped speaking to Danny (outside of their Talmudic studies) when he was quite young. He tells Reuven (Danny's friend) that he did this because Danny (a genius) is more brilliant than compassionate. Reb wants Danny to suffer so that he will be able to understand the suffering of others. And finally, for those of you who haven't read it, I'll note that the book is full of gematria -- Jewish-Mystic numerology (see Kabbalah) and we all know Jacob has a thing about numbers. I saw that book lying in the sand in Sawyer's old shelter and my brain nearly exploded. I have to find my copy and read it again. Right now! Er...okay, maybe after the series finale.
If you've never read The Chosen, I can't recommend it highly enough. It's a lovely book about unlikely friendship, family, faith, suffering, and self-actualization. It's also a wonderful window into turbulent times in our recent past. It's simply yummy. There's a film version, starring Robbie Benson, and my memory of it is that it is pretty good, but it is NOTHING compared to the book. Read the book.
...
We never heard the Flight Numbers for the L.A. Reality flight from Sydney to L.A. With all the use of mirrors this season, I would not be surprised to learn it was Flight 518.
...
I know Darlton debunked the The Island Is Purgatory theory, very early on in the series. But no matter what the island is or is suppose to be, as I watch scenes unfold in the L.A. reality, it is at times, a spot on metaphor for purgatory, or Hell (hat tip to Anthony "Sawyer" Cooper).
QUOTES:
ALEX: Principal Reynolds was in there, and the nurse. I guess she forgot I was in there. They were...you know...doing it. In the room right to me. Where they give kids hearing tests. Isn't that totally gross?
BEN: Totally.
ARZT: You know, you really had me fooled with that sweater vest. Linus, you're a real killer.
Join me tomorrow morning for my first reaction to tonight's episode, "Recon," in which Faucke gives Sawyer a mission, and Sawyer gives everyone a lot of lip. Until then, don't forget to vote for your favorite in the Ben-centric episode QUESTION of the MOMENT, right over there in the righthand sidebar, and give the episode a grade up top.
See the four big Lost mysteries that we want resolved before the finale.
Check out more Lost sideways theories.
Cindy McLennan can no longer see straight, so email her something twisty like your speculation about the end of Lost at CindyMcLennan[at]gmail.com, or follow her on Twitter
I know Darlton debunked the The Island Is Purgatory theory, very early on in the series. But no matter what the island is or is suppose to be, as I watch scenes unfold in the L.A. reality, it is at times, a spot on metaphor for purgatory, or Hell (hat tip to Anthony "Sawyer" Cooper).
QUOTES:
ALEX: Principal Reynolds was in there, and the nurse. I guess she forgot I was in there. They were...you know...doing it. In the room right to me. Where they give kids hearing tests. Isn't that totally gross?
BEN: Totally.
ARZT: You know, you really had me fooled with that sweater vest. Linus, you're a real killer.
Join me tomorrow morning for my first reaction to tonight's episode, "Recon," in which Faucke gives Sawyer a mission, and Sawyer gives everyone a lot of lip. Until then, don't forget to vote for your favorite in the Ben-centric episode QUESTION of the MOMENT, right over there in the righthand sidebar, and give the episode a grade up top.
See the four big Lost mysteries that we want resolved before the finale.
Check out more Lost sideways theories.
Cindy McLennan can no longer see straight, so email her something twisty like your speculation about the end of Lost at CindyMcLennan[at]gmail.com, or follow her on Twitter