Remember When It All Used To Be Simple?

Some thoughts on LOST having just watched the most recent episode from an Econolodge just outside of Greencastle, IN. This is an all Lost post; if you don't watch the show, would like to avoid spoilers, or just don't care feel free to pass and check back in for the next post. Otherwise, read on and let me know what you think ...

- the theory which makes the most sense regarding the flash sideways (a theory which now has so much steam it is almost commonly accepted) is that it is a coda of sorts showing us what will happen after the island is no more. My brother accepts (or professes) this theory; other critics have begun pushing it as well. It makes enough sense: as they are showing us how the island meets its' doom they are also showing us what happens in the lives of our favorite characters if the island never had the impact on their lives.

We now know that the island was existing in the 1970s courtesy of the Ben Linus flash-sideways. We have also seen it, in the first flash sideways, underwater in 2004. This would seem to indicate that the island was submerged between these times, perhaps due to the H-bomb going off at the end of season 5. I was hopeful that they would take the flash-sideways in another direction entirely and look at parallel universes; it seemed plausible given the writers fascination with upper-level physics throughout seasons 4 and 5. Still, the "coda" idea seems to be the most plausible, although the H-bomb explanation doesn't seem to fit in with the "present" timeline we're seeing now.

- We've now had a direct contrast between the Sayid episode last week and Ben Linus' this week. Last week we saw Sayid, in both timelines, struggling with the inner battle to remain "good," but ultimately submitting to his ultimate nature: "evil." He tried, in both timelines, to convince himself that he was, as he put it, "a good man." In both times, however, he ended up killing again and seemed to come to grips with his nature in the present timeline at least.

This week, in contrast, we saw Ben Linus, the ultimate Machiavellian character, be given the opportunity for power and control in both timelines. In the present he was presented the opportunity to lead the island once again if he followed The Man In Black. In the flash sideways he was given the opportunity to take over the school he teaches at. In both instances he was presented with the reality that damages would be done, most directly to Alex in the flash sideways, should he pursue power.

Now, throughout the time we've known Ben he has done nothing but put his own well-being and power ahead of the concerns of others (although he would probably argue that he was only doing what Jacob wanted). Suddenly, in both timelines, Ben chooses to do what is right rather than what benefits his power base the most. From what I can see this leaves us with two distinct possibilities:

1. Ben was doing "what was right" all along, so he, much like Sayid, is what he always has been.

Or...

1. Ben suddenly "got it" and realized that his own power was worthless if it went to the wrong ends.
   

The first possibility lends itself to the idea that Jacob is actually evil, that Ben was only doing what he was told to do by Jacob, and it continues to drive home the point that people can't change. The second possibility leaves open the idea that Jacob is good, the Man In Black is evil, and that Ben has been saved. This idea satisfies me more as it plays right in to my "redemption of Benjamin Linus" theory. I suppose that with a closer review of the previous flash sideways we might see a greater pattern, but with just the last two it would seem that we are being presented with a stark contrast.

- Finally, Richard. How nice to see you again Richard, out of those chains. After thinking this through a bit I believe that my father is probably more correct than I am regarding Richard's origin (a matter that intrigues me a great deal). Here is what I have pieced together:

• Richard came to the Island on the Black Rock
• The Black Rock was the ship that Jacob and The Man In Black were watching during their talk on the beach at the end of season 5
• Richard was imprisoned on the Black Rock, not an officer on it. This is supported by the "out of chains" comment by the Man in Black, as well as by Richard's looking at the shackles

Richard now seems to have seen something in Jack that has made him believe all hope is not lost. Time will tell if that's the case, but it's nice to have him back in our lives. I'm decidedly less excited about Charles Widmore's return to this Island, but hopeful that it will continue to help tie up loose ends.