Ben’s ironic behavior
+9 9 Votes
Rate it:
By tharde5
- Ben’s ironic behavior
- Created: May 9, 2008
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 4.11: Cabin Fever
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
Ben’s behavior in Cabin Fever was that of a defeated, wounded, lackey
— tharde5
Last nights episode brought much to light. The behavior of Ben (which will probably be overlooked) was just so filled with irony that I felt compelled to speculate.
Early life for Ben was difficult. Having to dwell on the fact that his own existence lead to the untimely death of his mother, Emily. The constant reminders from his resentful father hung on Ben like a Coat of Arms. He shouldered this weight his entire adolescent life. He wasn’t proud but could not shake the moniker.
As an adult Ben followed the path given to him by his ‘gang’. He has told us that he was following the orders handed down to him. He appeared to the he chosen one, but was he chosen or was he simply a ‘fill-in’ until the real ‘chosen one’ arrived? He lead the purge of the Dharma Initiative or did he. What part in the purge did Richard Alpert really play. In the scenes immediately following the purge, Ben emerged and was seemingly ‘in charge’ as Ben is asked what he wanted done with the body of his father. Ben instructs the Others to leave him, and this scene leaves the viewers to the conclusion that Ben is now in charge.
He has masqueraded as the leader of the others but some time ago started to see that he was merely a stand in, until the cavalry arrived. Welcome to the island John Locke, and the dawning of a ‘new order.’. Ben’s behavior in Cabin Fever was that of a defeated, wounded, lackey. Seeing him sitting on the edge of the open death pit was pitiful.
What an ironic scene, to see Ben as a helpless pawn!!! The scene at the Cabin sitting on the log, eating a candy bar with Hurley, relegating Ben to the position of receiving charity from the lowest man on the totem pole, What irony. So my question is this, ‘Is Ben throwing in the towel?” Last nights episode would certainly seem like Ben is being ‘fired’ by the island and there is nothing that he can do about it.
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben | Benjamin Linus | 3.20, 4.9, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1716 |
| John | John Locke | 3.3, 2.17, 1.4, 1.19, 3.13, 3.19, 4.11, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1230 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.11 | Cabin Fever | 5-8-2008 | John | 215 |
Key locations
| Theme | Relevant Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob’s Cabin | 4.1, 3.20 | 163 |
i agree. a changing of the guard……Hurley might not be too far from being next though. Locke has a way of getting ahead of himself and cocky.
+1
I agree that Locke can get caught up in things, and losing sight of what he’s doing. This has led him to lose faith before, He has a lot of resolve but seems to lack confidence and is easily untracked. How good of a leader he will be is definately up for debate. Hopefully he has learned to not get too full of himself, and to not be so easily dissuaded into losing what he has.
I agree also. Ben’s persona was absolutely a 180 degree change. We do have to remember in the flashforwards that Ben kind of gets a second wind and takes charge again. He is actively working again (recruiting Sayid, challenging Widmore, etc. etc.) So while right now Ben is moping around… in the future (What does “future” even mean anymore? Haha) he gets all revengeful and motivated.
+1
Let’s not forget that Ben just had “his daughter” killed before his eyes. I’m sure that he’s feeling some guilt. Could it be that his choices as some kind of leader have been quite poor. Also, in season 3 When Richard Alpert talks to John and hands him his father’s file, he mentions the “group” not being happy with Ben’s leadership. He takes John to the Cabin but cannot hear him. John cannot see him. And now - much to everyone’s chatting and suggesting - instead of Jacob in the cabin is…. christian shepherd!!! Who didn’t see that one coming?
LaMer: that is a really good point. It makes me think or wonder if Ben’s role is changing. If Locke is running the island and Ben goes off on a mission to prove to the island that he is in fact doing the ‘dirty-work’ for the island to regain its favor? Excellent points LaMer
+1 tharde, I agree also that it was pathetic to see Ben taking handouts from Hurley (although I do love Hurley). It appears, at this point, that Ben was not the chosen one after all and he knows it. Yes, he does regain some power and gets some revenge in the future, but it’s off the island.
Well thought out, tharde, as usual. :)
Tharde, I think you make some very good observations about Ben and Locke’s apparent ‘role reversal’. Good work! +1
While some of Ben’s statements seemed valid, I feel Ben is just pulling another manipulation of Locke, but am not sure just exactly what that might be, at present.
Ben is hardly the type of man to give up ‘power’ to anyone on any level. Consider his battle of the wits with Widmore. That, in and of itself, tells me Ben is ‘playing’ Locke once more.
Ben’s behaviour seemed ‘passive’ and ‘uninterested’, which is very uncharacteristic, and not of the power hungry madman we know him to be. I sincerely doubt Ben would be willing to turn the other cheek, so readily. Ben is doing what Ben does best! He is scamming again!
Widmore’s comments to Ben where he calls him ‘boy’ and says he knows who he is and what he is DO suggest perhaps that Ben has been acting ‘above his station’. Being a stand-in until a true leader comes along does seem to fit.
Is Ben manipulating Locke to ‘take over’ as the leader of the island? In last night’s episode, when he tells John that Hurley acted “like it was his decision”, was he sticking it to John a little? Is this like the tale of Atlas, where he gets someone to take the weight of the world off of his shoulders?
I love this show!
Maybe Locke DOES take over and Ben ends up working for him? Maybe everyone ends up working for Locke…..and Jacob, through Christian is the main boss…..
I thought Ben was become more likeable when he was sharing the candy bar with Hurley.
Dabs&Annie: Good point both of ;you. I too have a feeling that what Ben was showing on the surface was remose, saddness, and at the same time he was probably devising his next move. His body language was just so defeated. His words had a EEyore ring to them. Oh wow is me!!! No doubt he will rally, but will it be a rally for himself, or will it be pure unadulterated Revenge. Will Bens future be about what is truly best for the island or to satisfy a vengenful heart.
Obscure- I too felt that Widmore was treating Ben as an unworthy opponent, The ‘boy’ comment was classic!!
Stat: What a great analogy. I wouldnt put it past Ben to do such a thing. Bens seemingly uninterested demeanor was sad on the surface, but could very easily be the effect he was going for. He comment re: Destiny being a fickle bitch was priceless. You could be right on the Atlas idea. It would fit quite nicely.
luvin: Christian seems to me is going to have a similar role to the role previously held by Richard. Its going to be interesting to see how all of these different parts fit into the puzzle. Where will Claire be through all of this?
I think the leader may not be Locke or Ben but Richard Alpert. He seems to be bouncing around in time an a lot in role that would not handed to some everyday lacky. I’m suspicious that Ben may actually report to him. Ben had to learn the island secrets from someone and I think Richard may be the guy pulling the strings in the background.
I think Ben wants Locke to take over so he can start his quest for vengeance for the killing of his daughter, which is what we se him doing in the flash forwards with sayid. I think Ben is done with the island.
Ka: You make a good point in so much that Richard has been there from the beginning. I just have this sneaking suspicion that Richard is more of a field general as opposed to the man behind the curtain. But you could be absolutely right, because we know hes one of the key components to the island.
I actually agree with this and maybe that was Ben’s job all along. Now that he has someone (Locke) to replace himself, maybe Ben can die now. +1
Interesting observations tharde. A few weeks ago though, following The Shape of Things to Come, everyone on this site was bowing down to Ben. He was compared to “The King” in a chess game, or “The ace of spades” in a card game.
I am not saying you were one of those people, but I think we should all step back and look at the whole series, including flashforwards, and not judge Ben on a few scenes with him sitting by a pit eating a candy bar.
Iroc: I wasnt one of those coronating Ben, and what you say is absolutely true. Just because hes moping around doesnt mean that he isnt still the cunning shark. I was just so taken aback with his demeanor it was shocking. He did seem to be ‘down’ but we all know that he’s not out!
tharde, +1 I like this post,and the thing I like most is seeing that you have responded back to most everyones comments. It is nice , to see the theorist has followed through, by reading what has been said. You cannot always be sure of that. Nice discussion.