LOST: Redemption

Wow I'm cutting it close to not getting this up before the following episode. "Dr. Linus" was a fairly strong episode that was slightly marred by an implausible plot element meant to aid in creating a thematic moment. I'm always up for learning more about Ben Linus, and this episode showed both his Machiavellian side and his true, scared self.

On the Island, Illana learned from Miles that Ben killed Jacob, so she chained his leg to a tree and forced him to dig his own grave. Rightfully fearing Illana and her rifle, Ben decided to dig, hoping that in the interim, he could appeal to Illana's humanity to spare him. But Titus showed up and offered him a place in his camp (I don't think they ever explained how Titus was able to undo the chain on Ben's leg, which I think we're just supposed to see as another of his powers). Ben decided to take him up on his offer by running to take a rifle that Titus provided. But instead of killing Illana, as Titus wanted, Ben tried to explain himself. He talked about killing Alex and how he hates himself for doing so, and that the only reason he's going to Titus is that he believes no one else would want him around. Illana says she will accept him, and he returns with her. But when Jack, Hurley, and Richard reunited with Sun, Miles, Lapidus, Ben, and Illana, Ben is left out of the happy reunion.

Before the reuniting, Richard explained a little bit more about his origin, and went back to the Black Rock, where he said he'd been before (most likely as a slave), so that he could use dynamite to finally end his life. He asked Jack and Hurley to light the fuse, because, due to Jacob's "gift" of life (though he calls it a curse), he can't end his own life. However, Jack talks him out of it by explaining that he has finally accepted that he is on the Island for a reason, and Jacob still has a purpose for Richard. Looks like Jacob was right about Jack needing to sit and think about things.

In the alternaverse, Ben has a doctorate in European history, but sadly goes through his life teaching high school history to people who could care less. The bright spots in his life are his ailing father and his history club, attended by his brightest students... including Alex Rousseau. Ben hates the principal, who has forgotten what it means to be a teacher, as well as the joy of teaching students who want to learn. When he discovers that the principal may be doing some things that could get him fired, he takes the opportunity to blackmail him for his job. Here's where the episode falters: Alex wants to go to Yale, but Yale will only accept a recommendation from an alum (bullshit), and the principal is the only alum she knows. The principal tells Ben that if he makes his move for the job, he will write Alex a poor letter. But all Ben had to do was tell him that he'd release the info if the principal failed to write a good letter. Ben had all the power right there. But the writers wanted Ben to have to "save" Alex after he failed to do so in Season 4. They sacrificed believability for a theme, and I think it hurt the episode (also, in another example of my well-documented fictional character sadism, I almost would have liked to have seen Ben make his move and the principal write a bad letter, to show that no matter what, Ben cannot save Alex, no matter how hard he tries).

Still, overall great episode. Especially because, at the end, we saw a submarine approach the Island, containing none other than Charles Widmore.

Up next: Time permitting...