Dr. Linus Revisited

I got to watch the episode again last night and was even more blown away.  I think the scene between Ilana and Ben is gripping and very key.  What did Ben mean when he said to her "I know what you're feeling?"  That he, too, thought of Jacob as a Father?  But for Ben he must not only deal with having killed him, but  - according to what Miles reported -  knowing that Jacob did indeed care about him and "hoped until the last second he was wrong" about Ben.  But I couldn't help wonder...  does he also recognize another damaged soul in Ilana?  Another wounded child who had to replace a parent with a, sometimes at least,  phantom presence?   The power of Ben's heart wrenching confession is only out-done by Ilana's granting of forgiveness: "I'll have you."  Watch his face, his walk back to camp.  He has been totally shattered and the process of rebuilding is beginning.  Now, take a look at Dr. Linus coming out of the Principal's office after he has sacrificed his power grab for Alex's shot at Yale...though not as pronounced (nor as life and death) as the Island scene, there is a haunting similarity of look on Ben's face.  It passes quickly, he knows he made the right choice and quickly offers up his parking space to Arzt. 

One of the many things that I wonder about is the idea that it was never Jacob in communication with Ben - it was MIB/Smoke trapped in the Cabin.  If so why would Jacob allow that to happen?  Was he hoping Ben would figure it out?  Where was Richard in all this?  If he was "made" by Jacob wouldn't he have known that the entity in the Cabin wasn't "good"?    I guess we don't know enough about Island Management Protocols and I hope we will get more insight now that Richard is with the LOSTIES on the Beach.   

Now, before I forget this deep thought again - so much going on in my head, you know - I will toss this out: What if the Kwon that is on Jacob's list of potential Candidates is neither Jin nor Sun, but.... Ji Yeon, their daughter?????   The child who only exists because her parents - one of whom was infertile - came to the Island and, like Rose and Locke, was healed.  Just think, maybe this has all been to get her and Aaron together....  OK, I don't want to go off on a Doc Jensen like speculative journey, but its hard for me to believe that little Kwon doesn't have some significance.  Not the least of which is she wouldn't exist if Oceanic Flt 815 hadn't crashed!!!!    Which reveals (again) that I don't think all is better is Sideways land.

Doc Jensen mentioned in his recap a thought that Jack might take on the MIB role while Ben, now on the road to redemption, could be the next Jacob (I don't remember Jacob touching Ben so if someone can educate moi it would be greatly appreciated.) That opens some very interesting possibilities, not the least of which is the the Leader/Protector of the Island is someone who has found redemption and the MIB is someone who hasn't and must be - hopefully - kept from returning to the outside world.  I would put my money on Jack as being the new MIB, he was, after all, once the one who couldn't wait to get off the island, would even set off a nuclear bomb to make it happen.  But then, he seems to have come through a crisis of his own, so I reserve judgement.  Besides....   I am still waiting to see where Sawyer has been all this time and if, as I believe, he never really bought Smocke's line but is just conning him.  He's my choice for Island protector; with Hurley or Ben as his Richard Alpert. 

Now for something completely different.  I mentioned in an earlier post that Kevin Durand who played "Martin Keamy" would be in the new Russell Crowe/Ridley Scott version of Robin Hood coming out in May.  Well if you go to http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/03/10/must-watch-epic-final-full-length-trailer-for-robin-hood/#ixzz0ht4JZnZo and watch the fabulous trailer and keep a sharp lookout you will see him.

Well, I could discuss industrialization and men's fashion  - and LOST - all day but work must intrude. (ah, the classics!) so let me say,

Namaste!