So Benny boy got his moment in the sun on Thursday night and while Sayid crossed over to the dark-side last week we saw the Lost character least likely to find redemption do just that. And what’s more we were actually rooting for him.
Ben Linus has always been on the outside as Frank reminded us early in the episode “you make friends easy don’t ya?” Un-likable, superior, peevish, yet always craving a sort of acceptance, you got a sense that Ben almost relished the vile deeds he was required to carry out to play his part in the drama of the island. It gave him a sense of importance, a reason to be at the centre of events while all the time still being an outsider. He is the sort of guy who is happy to keep a secret as it gives him a sense of power over those not in the know. Turns out after many seasons referencing Jacob he was not permitted to meet the man but he was happy to create the impression that he had his ear.
As a history teacher in LA he talks about Napoleon on Elba and how as a leader who has lost his power he might just as well have been dead. This sums up Ben’s position. His one-time role on the island as a leader is no more. Now he is just another guy running around the woods (in the dark as it happens) on Thursday night. IIana, on bumping into him, asked where’s Sayid? The sting of being ignored yet again – don’t mind me I’m just fine. He of course is not one of the candidates. Despite his years of long service to the island what does he get – no carriage clock and certainly no place on the list of candidates!
Michael Emerson has someone managed to create such a complex character in Ben that several seasons ago we viewed him as the devil himself while on Thursday not alone did you want him to triumph with his Ben-lite persona in LA but you also wanted IIana to spare him on the island.
Dr Linus was instantly appealing. A new pair of specs and hey presto Emerson creates a man, clearly intellectually stymied by the oppressive Dr Reynolds, but respected by his students in the shape of ‘daughter’ Alex, loved by his ailing dad, supported in a fashion by his colleagues (Leslie working as a science teacher – this time it was formaldehyde causing him problems – not dynamite), and encouraged by the substitute teacher to aim higher. Just as on the island it was Locke/new Locke lending support. “I’m listening” he told Dr Linus - go for it and he did just that. Finally Dr Linus saw a way to stop being a loser and take control of his life but at the crucial moment he was presented with a choice – to take power for himself or give Alex a chance of a better life. He chose the latter and was content to know that he had made it happen for her.
Back on the island you saw the usual Ben tactic of trying to wriggle out of a sticky situation telling IIana “psychics are totally unreliable” Sure Ben the dog ate your homework! You felt Ben was going down his usual route but he shocked us by taking the road less travelled. New Locke came a calling offering him a senior managerial position and you expected him to shout “I’m on team smokie rah, rah, rah! But in that instant when he could have shot IIana he stopped and instead for once chose honesty no doubt expecting her to display the lack of compassion he himself would normally show someone in that position. “He’s the only one who’ll have me” he said to which she responded “I’ll have you.” Now I defy you not to be moved by that exchange.
Benjamin wasn’t the only one having a bad day – the enigma that is Richard was also in the throws of an emotional melt-down. Returning from whence he came – the Black Rock – he was determined to end it all (or as determined as someone can be who is prevented from such an act as he was touched by Jacob). “I just found out my entire life has no purpose” he told Jack. It turns out immortality isn’t that much fun. As all the candidates have been touched by Jacob I wonder if they have been given the same gift/curse as Richard? Jack’s man of faith routine gathered pace on Thursday as he was happy to take his chances with the stick of dynamite.
The pieces continued to move around the chess board on Thursday night and we finally saw Hurley and Jack reunited on the beach with at least some of the gang although Jack’s look when he saw Ben reminded me of new Locke’s reaction on seeing Kate outside the temple. Looks like some people might be up for a trade.
Charles Widmore’s appearance was a major surprise and I am looking forward to seeing Jim Robinson make land next week.
A good episode but I am finding the focusing on a few key characters each week frustrating not least because I am missing Sawyer.
Roll on ‘recon’.
Bree Treacy
