I agree with this statement.

I think Richard's disappointment in the young Locke's choice of the knife did not make him discount Locke's "specialness" to the island but rather made him think maybe he was meant for the other side (Widmore/Abbadon). That's why he was so pissed.

Is the possibility of Ben and Locke being brothers being pursued anywhere? I missed the first couple minutes Thursday but couldn't Locke's birth mother have been the same woman as Ben's mother, chronologically I mean?