Cheejohnny, In the case of Richard: Anyone who NEVER ages, I would assume, is NOT just a fringe character. lol Pivotal would be a better adjective.

I agree.. He may not have been in many episodes but the ones he has been in he is an important character. I think he is a very important character if we are ever going to figure out what is going on, on that island!!

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Please don't give up, Des. Because all we really need to survive is one person who truly loves us. And you have her. I will wait for
you. Always. I love you, Pen

DESMOND: I love you, Penny. I've always loved you. I'm so sorry. I love you!
PENNY: I love you too.
DESMOND: I don't know where I am, but--
PENNY: I'll find you, Des--
DESMOND: --I promise--
PENNY: --no matter what--
DESMOND: --I'll come back to you--
PENNY: --I won't give up--
BOTH: I promise. I love you.

Not saying that he is not important, just trying to figure out if the story changed. Maybe changed twice. Maybe they had originally had Richard as a central character, he then gets a major role on Cane, no longer in the plot line, Cane cancelled, now a major role again. I guess my quest for the end just continually hinges on the characters that seem to be " in the know". How does Richard fit in....is he a former leader, a chosen one, someone who is a vessel for another ie...Jacob, or just another misdirection?

Do we know if any of the "Others" besides Richard do not age? I do not think he is the only one- I think he is the only one we have been shown so far. I do not think he is Locke's father, I do think he has an important role in the "secrets" of the island. However, when this all come to close we may still not know everything about him. Keep your eyes open- I bet he will play an important role!

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"Sounds like you've got it all figured out." Kate

So far, all we see is Richard not aging.

We know he has jumped timelines.

We know that Ben can jump timelines.

We know that Locke doesn't seem to be able to die.... or at least is able to cure self.

We know Sun got pregnant on the island.. therefore, her husband is healed from sterility.

We know dead people do NOT stay dead .. and/or, reappear.

maybe we should start a list on another thread. Seems to be a more simple solution to getting absolutes.

I still think that it's possible that Richard may be Locke's dad... however, I do not KNOW he is....

/me starts a thread, "WE KNOW".. hehehe

What is up with Richard. I will ask again. Are we assuming that he was once the "leader" or "chosen one" on the island?! I have never heard his backstory. I just watched the Orchid orientation video for the 100th time, and he can be heard saying that the doctor should wear makeup and not shine. What is his supporting role. I still think he is a supporting, and yet, valuable character.

Blackorchid, good idea about the new thread But we don't really know that the trick to Richard's youthful appearance is 'jumping timelines' now (not to mention the ambiguity of the expression)..And wasn't Locke's around even after Ben's gunshot because 'he had work to do' as Walt said...? About Richard Alpert, I'm not sure if he ever was a leader prior to Ben. He seems to have held a great influence on whatever community he's been a part of, but I doubt his influence was that of a typical leader of the front line. Not something that official, but much more charismatic and subtle..like being the right hand of who ever's behind the curtain. Such positions often require playing down and under..

As for the question "what do we know about this guy?" and his backstory
Richard Alpert - Lostpedia

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"Bear...? Is that you?"-- Hurley S03E4