Why only send 5?

[D-Roc]

Yes, good shout - forgot about the Four Toed statue.

The ancient civilisations that the island has played host to has to be revealed sometime..and Charlotte and her expertise does seem like the ideal way to do it.

I just wonder where the demarcation line, between her wide-eyed enthusiasm and her specific instructions (from her bosses), rests. She genuinely seems like an adventurer, someone who enjoys making discoveries - I wonder what discoveries she's been sent to unearth. As you say, the statue could be part of it, but what do her bosses want out of it..what do they hope to prove or find? Are they seeking 'evidence' of somesort, or to they want Charlotte to retrieve something specific..

The Temple (currently 'protected' by Alpert and the Others) could also be another relic which will attract her gaze. I wonder whether we're looking at a 'Holy Grail' type mission..(doubt it, but worth considering)

Hmm...

[Reed]

Originally Posted by D-Roc

Hmm, I don't think it's a plot-hole.

It kinda makes alot of sense. It's classic stretegy - send in one person so as to not raise great suspicion. For a team which is not used to the environment and terrain like Naomi's lot, it makes sense for them to send in a skilled 'scout'. Someone with the ability and prowess to unlock the 'backdoor', if you will - and this is precisely what Naomi did (despite dying for her troubles). Had more of them been sent in on the first drop then it may have raised more suspicion. Also, and this is crucial I feel - the less links in the chain, the less chance for people to slip up or for mistakes to be made - especially when you're relying on a group of people who have specific skill sets but who are not fully fledged operatives (Naomi apart).

We can also compare Naomi's insertion to Ben (or 'Henry's') insertion into camp Lostie in S2. I have no doubt that this was planned (although Rousseau's trap may or may not have been part of that plan). The leader (or high ranking official) sent himself in to the lions den cos he was the only one capable of doing the job properly (see Ethan and Goodwin debacle) - this could help us understand why Naomi went in alone first off.

Tactics and strategy..and the art of war

I should also add that their "Primary Objective" may not be their "primary objective", if you get me. Oh, those crafty Freighties!

Excellent points you have made here. I suppose at the very least it was a risk purely because they [& Naomi] had no idea as to what the Survivors were up to. In other words Jack's 'distress call' may have been a trap for example. But there are always risks with jobs such as these - military missions etc.

Though in spite of the points you made, it is a wonder why they did not send perhaps 2 or 3 more people to accompany Naomi - obviously any more would appear threatening. Naomi is not Rambo afterall.

Good comparison there. That SHOULD have resulted in Ben's death, luckily he survived his hostage experience - narrowly. This only supports that HUGE risks are often taken. I do not think Danielle's trap was part of it, imo. I think Ben expected to walk into the Survivor's camp.

I agree, capturing Ben is not their Primary Objective - instead it is more the first step of the Primary Objective. Speculation of course.