Ben

So what is everyone's opinion on Ben's box story? Also Ben was funny in this episode "No John we don't have a code for 'there is a man in my closet with a gun to my daughter's head...though clearly we could use one' And the hamster's in the wheel in our underground lair. So funny. And Ben drinks Dharma beer. When Locke went to get some leftovers from the fridge Ben's eyes seem to quickly glance around the room like he was making sure there was nothing around that he didn't want John to see. Just the impression I got. Does everyone think Ben really needs the chair? I don't think he does. I think it is part of his manipulation of Locke. He is making Locke thinks he needs him, they have something in common, playing the sympathy card. I also thought it interesting that Ben speaks freely in front of Richard Alpert. Oh and Ben said 'The sub maintains the illusion' that his people can leave whenever they want. So they can't leave on the sub? Makes me think maybe they are right in the other thread about only being able to leave by dying.

I was also wondering about the box and read something about it being smokey on lostpedia.net. We know smokey can become people, and animals...but what else?

Before Locke was brought into the picture, it really seemed like Ben was going to let Jack and even Juliette go, which I didn't realize. I think they really would've left, had not Locke intervened and provided Ben a way out.

If that is true and he really was letting Jack go, and he was telling Locke the truth about how letting him go, keeping him or killing him would all be bad for him and his power over his people...then...Jack out-manipulated Ben!

I'm with Hazzard... Ben was acting suspicious in the kitchen, and he put the chicken back in the frig. A whole lot of weird stuff is going on(john's gonna blow the sub, jack's talking to Kate, alex hates her father right now...) and he thinks he should put the leftovers away. Question: which house was Jack in that it was being listened in upon? Do you think Ben's house was being listened in upon too?
Also - Tom said he was holding Kate over at his place - is his place the sweet set up with the arcade games, foos(spelling)ball table, and pool table. Either way - the others have a nice rec room.

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Oh and Ben said 'The sub maintains the illusion' that his people can leave whenever they want. So they can't leave on the sub? Makes me think maybe they are right in the other thread about only being able to leave by dying.

I think he said that it maintains the illusion that they can leave whenever they want because once they are on the island it is Ben's job to keep them manipulated into staying... Not that they could not physically leave, he would convince them they wanted to stay and it was their idea too.. This is what Alex said to Locke when heading to the sub..

Agreed Wednighter, they CAN physically leave on the sub, but there's no way Ben would really allow them to. Just the idea that they can makes them feel safe. I think this new box idea is really really interesting .. perhaps it is what the Hostiles are there on the island for.

there's gotta be some connection between 'the monster' and 'the numbers' and 'the box'.

11:28 AM

yes and Ben says something like 'most of them aren't ready to make that commitment yet' seems odd and backwards. You have to make a commitment and then you can leave? Thoughts?

Also this is so not important but the contents of his fridge are different when John opens it and when Ben is in front of it.

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Originally Posted by Lost in Hazzard

yes and Ben says something like 'most of them aren't ready to make that commitment yet' seems odd and backwards. You have to make a commitment and then you can leave? Thoughts?

Ben is a master manipulator. Apparently some of the others are not completely on board with Ben. Don't know if he is talking about the tallies and kids or some of his own people. Reminds me of Juliet complaining at her bookclub meeting saying " I thought there was still such a thing as free will on this island" or her video tape message where she said some of us want a change.

Ben doesn't want anyone to leave, but he doesn't want anyone to think he is forcing them to stay. He wants them to think they want to stay, that it is their descison.

The sub was like a secruity blanket for many people. When things get rough they can get through it because they know that if it comes to it they can always leave. Since Locke destroyed it Ben won't take the blame from his people, and he doesn't have to go back on his word to Jack about leaving. He can say it was out of his control and look innocent when actually it was exactaly what he wanted to happen.

So do you think anyone has left the island? I think maybe Richard Alpert comes and goes (since he got Juliet 3 years ago), maybe he is from the island like Ben is. But of the people who've been recruited? I wonder if anyone has ever actually left the island for good, via the sub.

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Originally Posted by folie a deux

Ben is a master manipulator. Apparently some of the others are not completely on board with Ben. Don't know if he is talking about the tallies and kids or some of his own people. Reminds me of Juliet complaining at her bookclub meeting saying " I thought there was still such a thing as free will on this island" or her video tape message where she said some of us want a change.

Ben doesn't want anyone to leave, but he doesn't want anyone to think he is forcing them to stay. He wants them to think they want to stay, that it is their descison.

The sub was like a secruity blanket for many people. When things get rough they can get through it because they know that if it comes to it they can always leave. Since Locke destroyed it Ben won't take the blame from his people, and he doesn't have to go back on his word to Jack about leaving. He can say it was out of his control and look innocent when actually it was exactaly what he wanted to happen.

I agree completely this is what I was thinking too!!