At the risk of losing of my sanity and my friends, I'm just going to say it. Here goes: after tonight's episode, I have a new found respect for Ben.
There, I've said it. It's off my chest. *whew*
This week's Ben-centric episode saw us staring at poor pitiful Ben in his useful state of not knowing where he belongs and always looking for acceptance. It looks as though things haven't approved for him during his flash sideways.
Off the island, we see Ben at the whim of the Principal asked to serve detention for a week in lieu of his usual history club. As he grumbles away in the teacher's lounge he is persuaded by Locke to take the Principal position. The same man posing as the Man in Black off the island who later finds Ben digging his own grave at the hands of Llana who discovers (thanks to Miles) that he murdered Jacob and tells him to follow him back into the woods. This is interesting to note: it seems as though Locke plays devil's advocate both on and off the island for Ben.
Back on the island, Richard Alpert finds Jack and Hurley and leads them towards the Black Rock. We finally get one of our questions answered thanks to Hurley incessantly nagging Richard about his youth. Here we learn that Jacob's touch means eternal life and Richard is "cursed." He warns Jack and Hurley not to listen to Jacob and devises a plan to kill himself. He tells Jack that one of them has to light the dynamite and Jack tests the theory of Jacob's touch and sits inside the Black Rock with Richard. When the fuse doesn't go off, they learn they are both "cursed."
Meanwhile back on the mainland, Ben devises a plan with Dr. Artz (remember him? Blew himself up at the Black Rock demonstrating dynamite) to oust the Principal after he learns from his prize student Alex (formerly his daughter in a previous life) that he is having an affair with the nurse. When he presents the evidence and threatens to take the job, the principal presents him with an ultimatum: he can resign or write a bad letter of recommendation for Alex who is pursuing a chance at Yale.
Ben is left to make a decision much like the one he is faced with on the island. The Man in Black frees him of his grave digging duties and tells him to join him. Ben runs and Llana pursues him. Once he corners Llana, he explains his frustration with Jacob, about his daughter, and they share a moment. Ben finally reveals that he only turned to Locke a.k.a. the Man in Black because he is the only man who would have him. Llana breaks down her defense barriers and tells him he would be welcome back.
Now here's why I like Ben: off the island, Ben puts aside his position of power and we see that Alex has gotten a great letter of recommendation from the Principal. Back on the island, Ben leaves with Llana and returns to the beach with the others where they are soon joined by Richard, Jack, and Hurley. Either Ben is a good actor or he has changed for the better. Let's hope for the latter.
And it wouldn't be Lost without a cliffhanger, out on the ocean a threat lurks. We see a submarine. It is scanning the beach and the man behind the submarine is none other than Charles Widmore. Is this the man Jacob was lighting the lighthouse for? Is Charles the enemy? Or is Charles the good guy? Even I'm questioning Jacob after Richard's statement. Who's right and who's wrong?
Only 9 episodes remain and we only have a few pieces of the puzzle. Stay tuned as we continue to untangle the mystery.
