A new season, our first two episodes, and the journey continues. As in the episode “Because You Left,” I would like to start my first article of season five by talking a trip back in time and revisit one of my last postings in season four. So, shade your eyes, cover your ears, there is a bright white flash and watch out for nose bleeds.
My next to last article on Doc Arzt’s for season four was entitled “Locke is not the new leader, Ben always has a plan.” And I think a lot of what we saw in “Because You Left” and “The Lie,” dovetails nicely into my past predictions.
In my article after the end of season four, I wrote…
“I don’t think Locke’s destiny is to be the leader of the Others. He didn’t pass the test that Richard gave him as a child. He was not interested in attending the science camp, and he makes choices too dependant on his feelings, his emotions, instead of considering the cold, hard facts. He is a dreamer, unsuited to responsibility of protecting the Island.
Ben is still in control, he is the leader and only leader. Look at what transpired in the season four finale. Ben had one, and only one job to do, save the Island. When Ben asked Richard what was the promise to Kate for their help, Richard responded that they wanted to be able to leave the Island. Who approved that arrangement? Ben. I think Ben knew that the Island still needed the Oceanic 815 survivors for some purpose, but he was willing to let them go, for now.”
And, in the first two episodes of season five, has anything really changed? We have Sayid popping off people for Ben, Ben cavorting with a number of off-island operatives (Jill in the butcher shop, Mrs. Hawking in her “time” laboratory), Ben retrieving items hidden in a motel room vent, and in general manipulating the eventual return of the Oceanic 6 to the Island.
Most viewers wants to see Locke realize his destiny, but some of us have assumed his destiny is to be a great leader. But it is possible that Locke’s greatest achievement will be that of a martyr, a role that history has shown us can serve a greater good. Is Locke really dead? Maybe not, but it only matters that Ben is serving the greater good, the Island.
These first two episodes also exposed another side of the Dharma Initiative, and it appears that it may not be the all so altruistic project that we imagined on first look. Pierre Chang is shown as a hard-nosed task master, who comes across in the orientation videos as a mellow fellow traveler on the save the world bandwagon. Off camera he orders people around as if he is running a prison island. And it evident that there are some very intense mercenaries, guarding the perimeter of the Dharma complex. Remember, Widmore claims the Island was his domain at one time, and we know that he has a propensity to using cut-throat mercenaries to solve his problems. Is Dharma out to save the world, or to rule the world?
As I said in closing last season…
Ben always has a plan, and as we see in the closing scene of the season, Ben is in control. And now he is using the “dead” Locke to get the 815 survivors back. It was almost like Locke gave up his other kidney, and he is now relegated to simply being a prop in Ben’s game. Even Locke’s new alias, Bentham, speaks of his “utilitarian” purpose in Ben’s overall scheme. Ben is still the leader, for now.
14 Responses to “When are we? A look back.”
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I don’t think Sayid is still “popping off people for Ben.” Judging by the comments made by he and Ben, I think they’ve gone their seperate ways.
There was no dialog that indicated beyond a shadow of a doubt that Sayid was done with Ben. Sayid’s advice was to keep Hurley from becoming involved with Ben, nothing more at the moment.
Actions speak louder then words!! Ben’s actions are of someone in complete control. Poor Locke; played again. But, I’m not convinced that he’s dead, yet, considering how “dead” Sayid appeared.
A couple of things that seemed off to me: I don’t recall Rose and her husband picking at each other all of the time like they were doing in the premiere. Also, why is Sawyer so set on wearing a shirt??
>Also, why is Sawyer so set on wearing a shirt??
It’s the mosquitoes.
I am still confused about some things:
For instance, why was it necessary to move the island at all, after Keamy and his people had been already killed? Sure, Widmore knew about the island’s location, but still they could have waited.
Why has Claire left the baby in the jungle only for Jacob to demand it back (‘you are not supposed to raise him’ and all)? Without moving the island Aaron could have been raised there and Locke would be the living leader.
In a sense, you just answered your own question. Widmore knew how to get to the Island, and it is evident that just because Keamy was killed, was no indication that Widmore would not try again.
How do you know that it is Aaron being spoken of in the phrase “you’re not suspose to raise him?” Could that be in reference to Locke, in as “raising him from the dead?”
seems like any bodies that are on the island are abled to be manifested (i say its jacob trying to lead people)so bringing Locke back, he would be able to continue his work in someway
If I remember correctly, Kate saw Claire in a dream and stated that she should NOT bring Aaron back to the island. Judging from what I have seen in previews, it would appear she does not bring Aaron back with her.
Claire never said not to bring Aaron back. here exact dialog was “Don’t bring him back, Kate. (Chair creaks) Don’t you dare bring him back.” She never uses the name Aaron.
It’s the same as Hurley telling Jack “You’re not suppose to raise him.” Once again, Aaron’s name is never used.
In both cases, Claire and Hurley could have been talking about Locke.
Claire could have been talking about Ben when she said, “Don’t bring him back”
What I found interesting was that, once again, Sawyer was trecking through the jungle barefoot and stepped on a sharp object. The same thing happened in The Brig when he was following Locke to The Black Rock. There has to be a clue/message there for the same thing to happen again in BYL. If I remember correctly, one of the “Paul Is Dead” clues from the early 70’s hoax was that Paul was barefoot on the Abby Road cover. Anyone have any ideas?
Perhaps Sawyer loses a toe. Then the four toed statue might make a bit more sense.
I think that you contradict yourself in this article. You state that Ben is the leader because of his decisions, pointing out he approved the arrangement for the losties to leave, but look where that got them? This decision was an ill-fated one and this WHOLE season is devoted to showing that decision to be wrong and one that has to be changed to save the island. In otherwords, if Ben’s only goal was to protect the island, he clearly failed in that decision and is trying to make up for it. And as a leader, that is a very bad choice on his part.
Also, Ben is given commands, I think it still remains to be scene if he is the leader or one of the leader’s trusted inner circle members. He is given a deadline by Ms. Hawkings, this does not fit that idea of him making the decisions as well, he clearly doesnt fully understand the island. Also, there is constant reference in his speeches in the premier that he is unsure if they will return “maybe well never know” was his response to what happened after they left.
Clearly he fulfills a leadership role, but I tend to think of the question surrounding his leadership is one of “how high is he on the totem pole” and not one relating to his goals as leader.
Let’s look at what I said, both in my last season article and my new comments above. His decision was CORRECT for the moment. I said…
“Ben knew that the Island still needed the Oceanic 815 survivors for some purpose, but he was willing to let them go, for now.”
I suggested above that they would have to return, but considering the freighter folk were ready to “torch” the Island, Ben took the necessary steps to save the Island for the moment.
No where in my article do I discuss how “high Ben is on the totem pole.” My discussion is about the fact that Locke is not the new leader.