On Lost "Dead is Dead"

Benjamin Linus The Follower. That statement just doesn't make sense to me. At the end of the new episode "Dead is Dead," a spectral Alex threatened Ben to follow John Locke or be destroyed. Ben said yes but can we really believe him?

"Dead is Dead" was the conclusion to last season's gripping "The Shape of Things to Come," in which Ben watched his daughter Alex being killed at the hands of the ruthless Keamy. A lot has happened since then, but it was nice to bring a close to that story line. Ben's revenge against Widmore for the death of his daughter became an introspective journey and he came to the conclusion that is was his own fault for Alex's death. He saved her life from Widmore before and could have done it again, but Ben became too corrupt and too confident in his manipulative ways. Just as Charles Widmore had become.

Did this episode actually bring about a real change in Ben? Would the show be the same without the love-to-hate bad guy proclaiming to be a good guy puppet master? I, for one, wont hold my breath. Ben does not like the new John Locke (now with Swagger) and despite dead Alex's threats, I think Ben is still going to try and overthrow Locke. I want to believe otherwise, but how many times can you be burned by Ben?

What is up with new character Ilana and the mysterious question, "What lies in the shadow of the statue?" It appears to obviously be referencing the 4-Toed statue that we have been waiting to see. Why does she seem to know what it is all about? Seems to be a "Are you one of us" code. People have speculated that she is in the same vein as Richard Alpert, a 3,000 year old immortal of sorts. After watching the episode a second time, the scene between Ben and Ilana gives the impression that she is actually working for Ben. At first glance, it seems like a friendly convo, but we all know Ben doesn't just have normal conversations. Perhaps it was a little check up to see how their "plan" was going? Also, why would Ben kill Ceasar? Was it for Locke? No way. He scoped out Ceasar and found out he had a gun. This made Ceasar a threat to Ben's plans, so Ben took him out. Whatever is going on with Ilana and crew is definitely going to have to do with this upcoming war.

"Dead is Dead" was another riveting emotional episode. The scene with Penny and Ben as he attempted to kill her was one of the most suspenseful scenes in the entire series. The relief that she wasn't killed and that Penny and Desmond could still live happily ever after was one of the greatest reliefs in the show's history. Last but not least: To have John Locke finally confident and back to his Season One self is so awesome and I can't wait to see where they go with Locke the Leader.

Comments

[Canaanja]

What did I miss; what happened to Rose and Bernard when the time shifts took place? Why aren't they with either group Ben, Jin, and John OR Sawyer and Jack, etc...?

[starwart1]

not sure yet, but for now I'll assume they are the "Adam and Eve" skeletons from Season 1.

[alicetilden]

I thought this was the best episode of the entire series. This place does seem to be the lair of the old Egyptian gods. I would like to see Desmond show up again this season, but I doubt it. I keep hearing that a wedding will be the finale. What a bore. If that's the case, let's have something really weird happen. Also, is Sun going to get to Jin's time or he to her's?

[Json]

At this point should we assume that Ethan got eviled up by the smoke monster, too? He also went from DI to Others and didn't seem to know the Losties when he first encountered them. Or did they leave DI when he was too young to remember? We need to find out what happened between the time Ben got shot by Sayid and when he moved in with the others.
It's nice to know where Ben draws the line. He will kill just about anyone, except children, but he will kidnap them. (If I was Ben's enemy I would keep a bunch of babies strapped to myself at all times, just to be safe)

[mredder4]

Personally, I'll enjoy watching Ben try to burn Locke and then get burned for it by the Island. After all, this is the dead-perso­n-imperson­ating Smoke Monster we're talking about. That threat didn't seem like an idle one, so if Ben does take the bait and rebel, then we get to see him squashed in the end.

[superlive]

My guess is that Ilana is one of Charles Widmore's agents (the "other" Others).

[logologic]

This was perhaps my favorite episodes in years.

[garlicpowder]

Im sorry but I just dont see Locke as being back to his old self, whatever that may be. 1st season Locke was totally confused as to what he was supposed to do, confused about what his purpose was.
This was one of my least favorite episodes ever. Old Ben playing young Ben was tough to watch. The smoke monster/ Ben confrontation was lame.
The Desmond/Penny/Ben thing isnt over since The Island isnt though with Desmond.

[kapalabhati]

I agree that the Ben/Smokey bit was underwhelming, but the interaction between Locke and Ben may have made this my favorite episode ever. Their dialog and their delivery of it was award winning caliber. The two of them could have been interacting for the entire show in an empty studio, and it would have been one for the record books.

I also agree that the Des/Pen thing isn't over, and I don't think I like where it's going, either.

[Peosmom]

I'm pretty sure Ilana is an 'Other'. What other reason would she have for asking such a question? Also, she doesn't seem to be too upset at the disappearance of Sayid. I'm not 100% that Locke is actually alive either. The island is obviously pretty good at creating these 'golems'. After all 'dead is dead'.

[Michelle Cormier]

I wouldn't be so sure about Penny and Desmond living happily ever after. Desmond was shot and even though he beat up Ben, the last time I checked, milk cartons were not impervious to bullets. Even if Desmond is OK, I suspect he is not going to let Ben get away with it and he now has a reason to return to the island.