DHARMA! ISLAND! ALEX!
While we knew the Island existed in the X timeline, albeit underwater, it was kind of a shock to learn Ben and his father had been there with the Dharma Initiative in that timeline as well. Much unlike the original timeline, Ben and his father left the Island at some point, and one would guess The Purge never took place; at least not in the form of Ben’s betrayal. Whether a product of the passing of time or an altogether different attitude, Ben and his father seem to genuinely care for each other in the X timeline; Roger wishing he could’ve done better for his son.
Poignant and effective; very much a coin-flip mirror-image of the last time the two were together in the original timeline, in a Dharma van shortly before Ben murders him with poison gas. And speaking of improved relationships, Ben’s adopted daughter Alex turns up as one of the five members of his History Club.
The two are strictly teacher and student, but Ben has an obvious fondness for one of the few kids that takes a genuine interest in what he has to teach.
POOR RICHARD
Another man that’s seemingly lost all of his apparent powers as resident Others advisor, Richard Alpert is a man without a cause now that Jacob’s gone along with the faith the ageless one had in him. Short of a full-fledged flashback with Richard in chains and wearing pirate attire, I think tonight is as close as we’ll get to having Richard’s past fully explained.
Thus, we now know Richard was a slave onboard the Black Rock on its 1845 voyage and Jacob came into contact with him at one point, “touching him” as he did with countless others (well, not countless, probably about 360 if the Lighthouse dial is any indication).
Richard doesn’t seem to be a candidate, however — Jacob seemed to have a different purpose in mind for him, one he promised to reveal in time. That time never came, unfortunately for Richard, and he’s now ready to end his 150+ years on Earth.
Whatever he happens to be, he apparently cannot bring harm to himself; he’s reliant upon Jack or Hurley to light the fuse of the anti-Arzt dynamite in the Black Rock’s hold. As we’ve seen off-Island, however, the candidates don’t appear to be able to harm themselves either, unless the Island wishes it (recall Michael’s failed suicide attempts until the Island was through with him).
MAN OF FAITH
And who better to confirm that message than Jack Shephard himself, whose suicide attempt was foiled at the last second by a car crash on the bridge in Los Angeles. His time spent staring off into the ocean two weeks ago seems to have done him well, as he is moving with a purpose throughout the episode, and we see that same sense of contentment he had last season when trying to reboot the timeline.
He lights the fuse knowing full well the Island’s not done with him yet — he may truly be ready to accept the role of candidate, if not replacement for Jacob quite yet (we do get confirmation of just what constitutes a “candidate” in this episode — Ilana indicates they’re candidates to replace Jacob, as we’d assumed).
His faith is rewarded, the dynamite’s fuse snuffed out with a scant inch to spare.
I also remember a couple of the Others in a hotel room a few seasons back, that couldn’t be killed…can’t remember details or even who it was.
Also, didn’t Jacob ask Ben to go get Richard because he had something to tell him….but then Ben killed Jacob.
I’m confused about all the Others that left the temple before Smokey got there…did they go out and join Smokey at that point? and that is why they were saved? or did they go somewhere else and are still somewhere on the island?
I, for one, like Sun, and can’t wait for Jin and her to be reunited…btw, where is Jin? no, not in the freezer…but on the island healing from the bear trap wound?
Guess my bad memory is just that! Thanks in advance for the “answers”
Having you for a commentator is the best set of “Cliffs Notes” any reader could ask for! THanks!
Yeah, Tom Friend and his lover, Armando (or something).
Jin was last seen in Claire’s Crazy Hut.