Episode 20 - The Man Behind The Curtain
7 August 2009
Review
Present: Locke arrives at the Others’ camp with his father’s dead body. He demands that Ben take him to see Jacob. Ben takes him there and though Locke can’t see Jacob he hears him. Ben takes Locke to the mass grave of the Dharma Initiative, shoots him and leaves him there. At the beach Sawyer plays Juliet’s recording to Sayid and he informs the whole camp just as Jack and Juliet return with a plan.
Flashback: Ben is born prematurely just outside Portland. His mother dies during birth. His father blames him for killing her and becomes increasingly neglectful and turns to drink as the years go by. Roger Lynas joins the Dharma Initiative and takes Ben with him to the island. He becomes a workman while Ben makes friends with a girl called Annie. Ben sees his mother and goes out into the jungle to look for her. He finds a similarly aged looking Richard who tells him he will need to be patient if he wants to leave his people and join the hostiles. A grown up Ben takes his father up to a ridge (in Hurley’s van from 310) and releases a gas canister. The purge kills the entire Dharma population at the Barracks and Ben joins Richard’s people.
The Good: As we know with Lost, the producers are very good at characters first flashbacks. This is because they usually manager to change our perspective on those characters and allow us to understand their current behaviour. Ben’s story certainly helps us get to know him and explain who he has become. However rather than change our perspective on why he is the way he is, it rather confirms what we might have suspected.
We learn that Ben and Locke have quite a bit in common. Both their mother’s were absent from their lives (and both were called Emily) and they both spent large parts of their adult life bitterly resenting their fathers. We see that Ben, like Locke, was seen as special because he could see his mother on the island. And we understand why Ben insisted that Locke kill his father: because he wanted to remind the Others of the huge sacrifice he was willing to make for the island and prove that Locke couldn’t do the same. Ultimately both men were offered hope of fulfilling their destiny by this strange place.
Ben’s tortured past is what we would expect for someone who confidently claims to be one of the good guys (see 224), despite his seemingly immoral behaviour. His flashbacks tell his story very effectively as we see the huge burden of guilt which his father forced him to carry around over the death of his mother. The cold and alcoholic parenting he then received push him to be quieter and more introspective until the island offers him hope of a different life. We don’t know what other reasons Ben might have for wanting to purge the island of the Dharma Initiative but on his way to becoming a mass murderer we see glimpses of his humanity in his friendship with Annie, his attempt to be a good son (taking off his Dad’s shoes) and finally closing Horace’s eyes. It’s a very well told story with really nice acting from the younger Ben and Roger Lynus.
The final scene where Ben kills his Dad and the Dharma Initiative shows us the man Ben became. As a child he barely spoke but as an adult his father refers to him as a “Chatty Kathy.” Clearly he has learnt how to use speech to his advantage as we now know well. Then he kills everyone and he looks calm and collected about it all, evidence of a deep conviction that he had done the right thing.
We also get loads more information about the Dharma Initiative, the island and the Others. The appearance of Ben’s mother and Richard’s shocked look at hearing that gives us many answers. First is the appearance of the whispers to accompany his mother’s apparition. It implies that the whispers are not controlled by the Others but are an independent entity on the island. Then there is the continuity of Ben seeing a “ghost” the same way Jack and Eko did. Ben’s ability to see his mother (and subsequently Jacob) is clearly why he became leader of the Others. We discover that the Dharma Initiative did indeed use the submarine to get to the island and that they were already giving injections back at the start of operations. We discover that there was once a volcanic eruption on the island and that the war with the hostiles went on for over a decade. Finally we have Richard seemingly ageless and almost recruiting the man who would subsequently become his leader (see The Unknown). The Others’ appearance in old clothing implies they tried to make the Dharma people believe they were nothing but hillbillies as well as our survivors.
In the present the confrontation with Jacob is hugely dramatic and takes you on a journey with Locke. At first he questions if Ben is mad or just lying. Then we realise that Jacob really is there and has genuinely been giving Ben directions all this time. It’s a huge revelation, topped only by the huge number of questions it raises (see Best Moment). Ben’s desperation is well explained after we see Locke beat up Mikhail as the Others just stand and watch. They clearly believe that Locke’s healed body marks him out as a “special” person who may become their new leader. Locke is good here as he pushes Ben further and further, wanting answers but not believing the ones he sees. You can see how much he distrusts Ben and doesn’t want to believe that he has the answers. For Locke of course, being betrayed by Ben (217) has brought back painful memories of past betrayal (119).
Back at the beach we again (316) get the survivors all talking openly about their situation which is always good to see. After all, if there were a chance to find rescue then you would all want to talk about it.
The Bad: Because Locke is such an important character it isn’t a dramatic twist to see him get shot. We assume that he will be back on his feet soon enough. Especially as Mikhail survived death so recently and told Naomi that wounds heal faster on the island (318). Did Ben mean not to kill him? If he was trying to kill him then he looks very foolish for not finishing him off.
The Unknown: Initially it is tempting to look at Richard’s appearance as just a difficulty with makeup. As we see with Roger Lynus, it is much easier making someone look older, than it is to make them look younger. However early on Ben says “You do remember birthdays, don’t you Richard?” Does this imply Richard really hasn’t aged? Do the island’s healing properties extend to slowing the ageing process? Is there any significance to the Apollo candy bars which the children are encouraged to eat? The Dharma Initiative video claims they are working for the betterment of mankind and world peace. Is that true?
What is the grey powder which is in a line on the ground near Jacob’s cabin? Could it be holding Jacob where he is? Ben certainly talks to Jacob in a manner not fitting the fearsome description which he gave. Is that why he needs Locke’s help? Indeed what or who is Jacob!? Why does he seem to hate technology so much?
Best Moment: The entire scene at Jacob’s cabin. We really go on a journey with Locke, wondering if Ben might be mad or lying before hearing Jacob’s voice. Then suddenly the room shakes and we see him in the chair. It’s the creepiest the show has been since “The Other 48 Days” (207) and is a very gripping scene.
The Bottom Line: This is another superb episode. In a way this is even better than the previous episode because it combines the excellent characterisation with the science fiction revelations. This episode is a wonderful attempt to make us sympathise with Ben even as he commits mass murder.
That is the mark of what makes Lost a good show; the recognition that without well developed characters, the show wouldn’t work. By the end we know why Ben has done what he has done but we still don’t know whether to think of his ends as justifying the means because we don’t know what his purpose on the island is. Again, leaving you wanting more is another mark of good television and why this episode is so good.
Feedback
Add your comments on this episode below. They may be included in the weekly podcasts.
’)