I remember but I think it would've distracted and--not to mention--discredited Charlie's appearance. It's been a while since I've seen that episode but I think they made a big deal about Hurley overcoming his "demons" in the form of Dave and coping with Reality.

Good point, Kneesh...I meant to bring that up here earlier. The guy that recruited Ben in the first place has remained ageless since Dharmas demise and to this day....what is up with him?

Anyone comment on last nights episode? WOW!! So Sayid is the other one of the Oceanic 6...so we KNOW Kate, Hurley, Jack and Sayid...two more remain. I didn't count BEN because he wasn't "Oceanic" and we don't even know how he got off the island, if it was even with the other 6. But Ben obviously isn't the dead guy in the coffin in last years finale. Do you think it's John Locke? the obituary said John Lantham...is that his real name?  So much speculation, but I thought that was cool that Sayid is Ben's hitman now...assassinating those on the list of people who are 'trying to find the survivors and the island' according to Ben.

Wild.  And what is up with that 'payload drop'  It was off by 31 minutes? How did the chopper fly when every other attempt has seen malfunction?

While I'm not yet convinced that it would be Ben, last night's episode doesn't entirely rule him out. The Flash-forwards aren't linear. Remember, in this seasons first episode, when Jack visited Hurley he hadn't hit rock-bottom yet. and
The events depicted in last nights episode could very well be before the events of last seasons finale. In fact I believe that Jack's is one of the climaxes in that timeline--eventually and inevitably leading them back to the Island where the rest of either the Fifth or Sixth Season take place.

The Helicopter is not the only vessel to escape the Island. Ben and the Others had a submarine; this was one of the ways how they were able to recruit more people (Juliet, Tom, Mikhail(sp?) etc.). and Michael and Walt were able to leave (or so we are lead to believe) thanks to a bearing that Ben had given them. So apparently one can escape the Island if they take a specific bearing as Daniel Faraday strongly cautioned Frank Lapidus to take the exact same as what they followed to arrive at the Island "no matter what!".

The time-dilation most likely has something to do with the "electro-magnetism, geographical unique" to the Island* and I believe it will account for things such as why some attempts to escape have failed (Desmond's boat), there being on the Island for approx. 90 days while the actual show has spanned four years (just a wild guess), Jack's perpetual 5 o'Clock Shadow and yes, Hurley's inability to lose weight.

_{*Flashback episode with Desmond in Season 2. Sorry I don't remember which.}

Amen, brother!

That is a very good question.

It's true that Ben hasn't directly harmed any of the Survivors physically but he's still a master manipulator who to never seems to cease getting on Jack or Sawyers nerves--and the wrath and beating that soon follows each time. However wasn't it Ben who arranged for purging of the initial survivors? If I remember correctly the plan was to eliminate the strongest ones (and the ones not on Jacob's List) so they would not be as big a threat to him.

With all that being said, I believe Ben was telling the truth to Locke. His life was at stake and I don't think he would lie unless he was terrified of something more than death. Also, Juliet stated to Jack that "They know of it but don't know what it is." There just as small on this Island as the Survivors and it's a BIG Island.

Thank you.
Unfortunately I'm having to watch a recording of each episode early the next morning (usually around 3:00am) because of work.

It would definitely be an interesting twist if Ben really was the "good guy", albeit an evil, twisted good guy.

It's all good, without you I wouldn't have gotten the C.S. Lewis reference, and so many other intriguing insights!

Just don't let your guard down around Ben...he'll put a cap in ya!