I found the theme of free will quite intrigueing in this episode. I am not even sure a tumor really exists in Ben, or if it is a scripted situation created to test Jack's moral compass.

When Ben Speaks to Jack after the funeral he tells him point blank what their agenda is: "we had a plan to break you" and "to lead you to believe you were CHOOSING to do whatever we asked you to do."
Jack:"You want me to save your life."
Ben: "No, I want you to WANT to save my life." (there is a difference)
He then equated Jack's falling from the sky as an act of God. Which is a powerful manipulation.

Later Juliet speaking to Jack (while opposing messages are being held up on the screen)
"You probably feel like you don't have a choice." "Free will is all we've really got."
She is saying these things with her mouth, but the video tape is asking him to murder Ben because he is a dangerous bad liar that everyone is afraid of.

She tells Jack that the movie she has brought him is "To Kill a Mockingbird" The theme of this story found is a teachers guide: To Kill a Mockingbird is an exploration of human morality, and presents a constant conversation regarding the inherent goodness or evilness of people. Atticus, father of Scout and Jem, also plays the role of teacher, for his children and his town. Atticus believes that people usually contain aspects of both good and evil, but that good will usually prevail."

I believe that free will was also a prevalent theme with Eko's storyline. Two brothers were born into the same violent world. One chose a path of humility and peace. The other chose the same violent path as those who nearly murdered his young brother. He stated that he did not feel he had any other choice, but clearly he did.

Good points. There were many small examples as well. Locke asking anyone who wanted to come along on the trip to the Perl hatch. The exchange between Jack and Ben About taking a walk. Jack said something like as if you wouldn't throw a sack over my head and drag me out. And Ben's response. Then don't say no. intresting.

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Hope is a very dangerous thing to lose. - Sayid

I do what my Rice Krispies tell me to. - Anonymous

I think part of the manipulation from Ben is letting Jack "think" that Ben has lost power/hope. He is telling Jack what he wants to hear. My feelings are that this will give Jack a false sense of power over Ben. Jack will be led into thinking he is making his own decisions and bargains when the truth is, Ben is getting what he wants all along.

Jack, in good conscience, cannot let someone die, it is against his nature. Ben knows this. Jack took an oath to save people, not harm them.

Juliet, in my opinion, is a master manipulator!! Juliet is "the woman behind the man", a true puppeteer and she is really working Jack over!

Juliet is way more powerful than we give her credit for...I do think she wants Ben to die because she knows full well that she is the next in line for the "power position".

Juliet is far more dangerous than Ben.

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Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler - Albert Einstein

"Choice" came up alot last nite...Even with Eko:

"I did not choose this life, but I did my best with the one I was given..." in response 'Yemi' seemed to freak on him for suggesting he was unable to choose a different path.

Then shortly after he got whacked.

BTW great post, Frogger...

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Sorry...I think my Kharma just ran over your Dogma...

Jesus these writers on the show are really F***ing good at confusing us viewers eh? Good thing we so many brilliant people on this forum (in other words everyone!)

That is the way I took the confession scene with old smokey/yemi, also. It seemed that in the beginning (right after crash) Eko was taking responsibility for his choices and rethinking the path he'd chosen, yet in the end his attitude shifted.... Why wouldn't he feel guilt for killing the man to save his brother? The man to my recollection was a complete innocent, a bystander.....not someone who was a threat. Shouldn't you feel some measure of guilt in that situation...not to mention that he was the one responsible for his brother's death by forcing him into the drug running scheme. Very disturbing, and thought provoking.

She is more dangerous, becuase she is a woman. Spiteful... and obviously we have seen her taze Sawyer. Ruthless...

maybe jack didnt save the woman who was her sister or something.



Agreed. very interesting.

But Ecko would not be on the island if it werent for killing a man when he was a boy. His brother never would have grown up and chosen the church... the drug running would never have occured... and ecko would probably have died some other way... but his choices brought him back to his brother so they could rest in the same place.

You cant keep thinking that this show is about GOOD VS EVIL..when did you ever hear the word EVIL or BAD...never. It's who is or isnt good. You hear somebody isn't a good person...but never a BAD person.

What we have learned is that "God" has entered their (Benry's) world, and that "Free Will' is not the rule of the camp anymore, since Fenry found out there's a spinal surgeon on the crash-plane.

THIS IS THE CONFLICT.

I'd say Juliet is an "infiltrator" on behalf of the "NO-GOD" ie. Science team...she thinks Ben is a "Sell out" since he "Found God."

He might have been there all his life..she hasnt!

Or maybe not

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Sorry...I think my Kharma just ran over your Dogma...

I can't remember... how did Locke describe the game of backgammon?

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Unhatched is right to the point of they never mentioned Good or Bad, but as queenbeesteph pointed out about the Backgammon game in Season 1. Black VS. White, so that pretty much implies Good Vs. Evil.

That said, LOST is a many themed show so Good Vs. Evil is just one of the many many themes.

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