Thoughts after "The Man From Tallahassee":
The one sure thing I came out of this episode
with is that Ben is evil, and part of something VERY evil.
My feelings are that when Ben spoke
of "the box" it was in a metaphorical sense. I think he was implying that the island or someone on it has the ability to make
things happen, like killing your ex with a bus or bringing your dear old Dad for a visit. Is it because Smokey reads your
mind, then the others act on the info, or is it that the island can conjure things up out of thin air? Not sure.
I believed Ben's statement that most
of his people are not "townies" like him, and I think the blowing of the hatch, flame and sub are part of his master plan
as he somehow feels that he has all his players/pieces in place on the island now.
I think his fascination with Locke
stems from his frustration and hunger to know why the island seems to be favoring Locke. Perhaps Ben, like Flagg in "The Stand",
is the personification of evil. Someone who draws the worst of humanity to him as his minions (like Cooper). He may be starting
to wonder if God or "The White" or whatever cosmic muffin you believe in, is trying to throw a monkey wrench into his grand
plan, and I think it frosts his already chilly ass.
