Army of One

[Reed]

Ben Linus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Michael Emerson has stated that "I have full sympathy [for Ben]. I believe he has a mission and an agenda that he hasn’t shared with us yet. The survival of the earth may depend on Ben’s work, so it justifies his ruthless behavior. Maybe I’m just fantasizing or deluding myself".

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While I could theorise on many ideas as to what his agenda is, I thought perhaps we could all generate some ideas as to what exactly Ben is doing, in vague terms. Do you suppose the Others know the precise details?

WHY - if Ben is the "key player" - has he made himself prone to 'kidnapping', 'torture' and possible 'murder'? What happens to the objectives if Ben dies?

Of course Michael Emerson is just guessing here, but fans have debated on ideas of the Others and/or Dharma saving the World.

It seems as though he and the Others have taken the most difficult path, though I get the impression communicating the details to the Survivors was always out of the question as perhaps the 'Rules' would not allow for this to happen.

In a short paragraph [or whatever you like], what do you think Ben is trying to achieve? - and do you share the same ideas he expresses above?

[D-Roc]

Interesting.

Let me first say that I believe that Ben has alturistic (good) reasons for doing what he does. I personally wouldn't follow him otherwise.

I don't think his "Others" know/knew all of the details - I seem to recall Greta and Bonnie inferring as much during the whole - "If we start to question, this whole thing falls apart" (or words to that effect) speech in the LG hatch. However, I do believe that most, if not all, of them know alot more than it seems. I think that they believe in the goals (intentionally plural) that Ben has been pursuing, even if they have become side-tracked on the odd occassion. In many ways this might have happened to the DI, but with far more lethal outcomes.

Anyway, I think that Ben is trying to save the world - it sounds cliche, but I do think that the end-game for LOST is that far reaching..it has to be in order for to have the magnitude that this show needs. It has to boil down to something we can all relate to on an epic scale. I think that Ben has been written into this central arc..one which will only fully unravel (become fully apparent) in those final few episodes. IMO.

I think that Ben has been very 'cloak and dagger' for one of many reasons. My pet favourite explanation is that he knows that certain things must be done in certain ways - if we are indeed on a 'loop', then to expose key protagnists to information before the nature (or previous) course of events could be disasterous. After all, Ben is a big believer in fate - he's perhaps the most accepting out of all of the characters of his own fate, be it good..or bad (as we saw when handed the 'torch' over to Locke and turned the wheel). Therefore, perhaps Ben knows that certain things must happen in specific ways..and if the 'rules' are changed then one can respond in kind. I'm not suggesting that Ben knows everything, but I think there's a reason behind his extensive reading of people and their choices.

I do agree that the Others have seemingly taken the most difficult path as you say, Reed. I think Juliet said it best:

"It's stressful being an Other"

[monster-eats-pilot]

The others don't really seem to agree with everything Ben does do they? (s3e05-"Ben is a liar...And he is very dangerous...Some of us want a change)
I believe that Ben is good and he has a reason for doing everything he's done and going to do. He may have to make sacrifices along the way and not give away to anyone what he's doing but I'm sure once the bigger picture has been revealed (his mission or agenda) all will be clear

[D-Roc]

I agree Meppy, Ben does indeed have alot of opposition. Infact I LOVED his line in S4 (can't remember which episode, might have been the third or fourth?) when he said that at first everyone was on-board and then they started chipping away at him (words to that effect). So yeah, he does have his doubters, not to mention fickle souls like Jules () who'd sooner be home on the beach than saving the world

I guess not everyone is capable of making the sacrifices that Ben has, i mean how many people would have been able to go through the torment of seeing their only daughter killed for a game he could have packed in ages ago. I commend Ben for his bravery but I also weep for his sacrifices. *weep*

[KatesFate]

I have always seen Ben as a sort of Messiah. Whatever he is doing is grand scale and he does appear to be on his own. The "Army of One" title fits him well here and he knows much more than the Others do IMO. As Roco said, the ending must be one that we can all relate to in order for us to be invested in it. If he isnt saving the world, he must be saving the universe, so yes I agree with his one man crusade.

[D-Roc]

Good points KF. Your post reminded me of how lonely it must be for Ben at times - even when he had Alex by his side. I recall one episode (TMBtC) where he was just looking longingly at his doll (made by Annie), and I think it was supposed to convey the incredible loneliness suffered by the man.

Ben's path is one which he must seemingly travel alone..even though he has 'Others' by his side, ultimately one feels that he was destined to be alone.

I can only think of one other Lost character who is emotionally as isolated as Ben..