We got our original Lost writer back this week...enjoy!
Since this week’s episode Dead is Dead revolved around judgment day for the evil Ben Linus, I just had to make a guest appearance this week to give my review. I love the Red Sox to death, but when they play the Yankees it is a totally different anticipation when they come to town, this is kind of how I viewed this week’s episode, you just knew it was going to be a classic, and unlike some big sporting games that were highly anticipated, yet did not deliver the goods, Lost nailed this one as an ESPN classic. I mean having the Ben story is enough, but add in the most detailed information on good old Smokey, the story of how Ben kidnapped baby Alex, to what exactly happened to Penny and Desmond, and oh yeah the reason and way Charles Widmore was exiled from the island. So let’s get to break down one of my favorite Lost episodes yet.
Ben’s Flashbacks
It was awesome having classic Lost flashbacks throughout the episode and hearing the familiar whooooosh sound, I have missed them too much this season. Yet, more importantly, we learn really valuable information through these flashbacks. The 1st one centers on Charles Widmore riding bareback on his horse into the Others Camp right after Ben’s life was saved as a little boy from being shot by Sayid. Charles is very pissed at Richard for bringing Ben into the temple and saving him. Richard calmly explains while batting his eyeliner that simply Jacob wanted it done and that the island chose young Benjamin. This deflates Charles’ argument and concedes defeat as he enters the tent to have a talk with young Ben. Ben of course has no recollection of being shot by Sayid (as Richard talked about the consequences the previous episode). The main point in all of this is to reinforce Charles was indeed the leader of the Others during this period, which he had previously claimed.
We then shift to a Ben in his early 20s with a young boy named Ethan, who Juliet delivered in the Dharma nursery back in the day and who of course would go on to kidnap Claire, hang Charlie, and ultimately get shot and killed by Charlie. They were sent by Widmore to exterminate the young Rousseau, who at this time has given birth to her baby Alex, after the rest of her gang, was killed off by Smokey. Ben surprisingly doesn’t know she has a baby with her, and shows a bit of compassion as he disobeys orders of killing Rousseau, instead taking her baby and telling her if she ever follows him he will kill her. This of course infuriates Widmore, who demands he kill the baby now. Ben refuses, saying Jacob would never want this, and if someone is going to kill the baby, Widmore has to do it. Well Widmore is a bad guy, but even he can’t kill a baby, as he leaves Ben in charge of raising her. Score another fight to Ben, get used to losing to him Charles.
Time skips ahead to the day where Widmore is exiled from the actual island. He is in handcuffs and is being led to the sub to take him off island. Here we learn his crimes. He has frequently left the island over the years, and fathered a child (Penny) to an outsider. These are big no-no’s in Other world I guess. This is where it gets interesting though, Ben claims he is taking his place because he would do anything for the island, make any sacrifice. Widmore points out he didn’t sacrifice Alex, and that the island wants her dead. Ben disagrees, saying only Widmore wants her dead, as Charles counters he better be right, or someday Ben will be in his place, being exiled from the island.
Finally, our last flashback takes us to the marina where Penny and Desmond are staying right before Ben boards the Ajira flight that returns him to the island. He calls Widmore telling him he is going to kill Penny, and marches off to the boat. Desmond recognizes him first, and Ben shoots Desmond (or so it seems, maybe the magical grocery bag he was holding was somehow in the world of lost able to deflect the bullet) and is prepared to coldly gun down Penny as well until he sees she too has a baby, little Charlie of course. Oh what a dilemma, the same situation presenting itself after all these years. It seems Ben has decided not to kill her after all, where out of no where Desmond form tackles him, beats him to a bloody pulp, then heaves him into the harbor, yikes!
Present Day (or 2007 in Lost time)
Ben finally wakes up from the beating Sun gave him with the oar to find Locke staring at him. Another reason why this episode ruled, Locke has been gone way too long, it is awesome seeing him again. Anyways, Ben is in full bullshit spin control, saying he knew Locke would be ok, blah blah blah. Locke listens as Ben explains why he killed him, that is was best for the island and the way to get everyone back to the island. They finally touch upon why Ben killed Locke right after stopping him at 1st from hanging himself. He says he got crucial information 1st from him that was essential. This of course is the knowledge that Jin had indeed survived (I have no idea why this is relevant) and that Eloise Hawking had been helping Locke to get back to the island. This leads to Locke and Ben agreeing on that Ben has to be judged, and that judge of course is the famous smoke monster. Oh boy here we go!
So Ben and Locke proceed to take the canoe back to the old Dharma barracks but are interrupted by annoying Caesar, who thinks he is in charge around here. He won’t allow them to leave without getting some answers, so Ben (who previously stole the gun Caesar had) shoots him in the chest, ending that aggravating complication. Off they go and cross to the main island and reach the barracks to summon Smokey. At this point, Locke correctly guesses that Ben isn’t going to be judged on breaking the rules and coming back to the island, but more importantly for killing Alex. Ben knows he was given the choice of leaving the island by simply coming out of his house that time and surrendering to Keamy and the mercenaries, but he stayed inside, willing to sacrifice his daughter. Anyways, they see a light on in Alex’s old room and go to investigate, only to find Sun and Frank getting it on Dharma style, man that Sun gets around on poor Jin huh?
Ok, that didn’t happen but we do learn some surprising things from them. They show Ben the old Dharma picture with the gang in it, and Ben acts genuinely shocked to learn that they are there in the Dharma Initiative. We also find out they are in the house because Christian told them to wait there for Locke, who would in turn take them to Jin. They believed this was impossible since Locke was dead, until they looked out the window and saw John. Well, Frank has had about enough of this and tells Sun he is going back to the Alcatraz island and wants her to go with him. Sun of course refuses, knowing this is her only chance of finding Jin. Frank warns her to be careful and watch her back, and takes off. This seems to be a bad decision because when he gets back to Alcatraz, he quickly learns the chick Illanya (who captured Sayid) has taken control with a couple of guys and have guns. They demand an answer of Frank to the question, “what lies in the shadow of the statue?” Frank of course has no clue and they knock him out, with the comment tie him up he is coming with us. Now earlier in the episode we saw Illanya boxing up a huge crate saying she was moving stuff. She is a very mysterious person, and we still haven’t found out who exactly she is working for, Ben or Widmore. I first thought it was Ben, in his attempt to get Sayid back to the island, but I wouldn’t be shocked at this point if Charles or some other mysterious character is behind her motives at this point.
Back at the barracks, Ben opens up his closet (we learn in the season 4 finale this is the way to summon Smokey) and crawls down a tunnel then drains a puddle, I kid you not to summon him. Well this doesn’t work as Locke then unveils his own bombshell, that he knows where Smokey is and leads them on a trek to this location. This drives Ben crazy, and further illustrates how their two roles have totally swapped. Locke used to be the one asking questions, having to blindly go where being led on faith, now Ben is in this role. Finally, they get to the outside wall of the Temple again (where Ben was brought to be saved and where Rousseau’s gang met their end).
We learn the Temple is about a ½ mile behind the wall, and the wall itself was built to hide their temple. Yet, it isn’t the temple itself they are going to; it is the tunnel underneath the temple. Ben and Locke go down this tunnel, until Ben falls through the floor leading to another level. Here we see many clues of Egyptian influence; with symbols all over pillars and the walls (the statue we glimpsed earlier this year seemed to be Egyptian influenced as well). Ben approaches a structure with many holes in it, until the smoke monster pours out of these holes and engulfs Ben. Judgment day is on Biatch! As it engulfs Ben, it replays Ben’s interactions with Alex over the years, and learns everything. Suddenly the smoke disappears and Smokey manifests itself as Alex herself. Ben tells her how sorry he is, how it is his entire fault. Smokey/Alex isn’t fazed and pins him against the wall, saying it knows he wants to kill Locke again and if Ben hurts him at all, it will hunt him down. It also delivers the message Ben is to follow every one of Locke’s wishes and orders, but in the end, allows Ben once again to escape.
That’s all I got, be sure to tune in next week, “Some Like it Hoth” tempers flare in the Dharma Initiative after young Ben disappears from the infirmary. Airs Wednesday April 15th, at 9pm on ABC…..peace.
Thoughts/Theories leave in comment section.
