"Dr. Linus" [Michael's 52'nd ep, 4'th Ben-centric]

Michael spilled some scoop on the episode for People TV Watch, at tvwatch.people.com/2010/03/10/lost-michael-emerson-breaks-down-dr-linus/
One interesting thing he said is that he hadn't had a new showdown with Charles Widmore yet, even though he's already on his way. That could hint that they're saving it for the three part finale - which could suggest that's how Ben will save the day at the end, and/or die doing it.

The whole episode was great.
Ben, being so imbued with a sense of responsibility for children and dutiful to his dad. . . His touching devotion to the history and the history club, which only 5 students attend. . . his tender care for Alex and `What matters` scene . . .all those things can`t leave even the hardened heart indifferent and unsympathetic towards him. . .

I`m crying and trembling all over..

The music in the end, when Richard, Hurley and Jack showed up was great!

I just watched the clip from the end again and have tears in my eyes. Such a different side of Ben, sure to get that Emmy nom.

I was so darn proud of the off island Ben for choosing Alex. He totally redeemed himself for what happened on the island and I agree that this is his turning point. He will be a huge player in the end of it all, for the "good side".

Richard said - When Jacob touches you, it makes you special. I know I"m going to come off rude, but this is bothering me. EVERYONE and their mom keeps saying what special gift does so and so have now, who's gonna live forever, . I think so many people are not listening to the words. Richard is alive becasue Jacob made him that way specifically. He touched Hurley, Jack and the others to get them to the island.
I don't know, something about it all is bothering me immensely. I had to get it out. It's like the question, "What was the president's name in 1980? Most people say Ronald Reagan. you'd be wrong, it was Barack Obama, his name hasn't changed since 1980. Do you see or understand what I'm saying???

Jacob's touch doesn't necessarily mean agelessness. When Jacob touches somebody, it means that that person becomes special. But being specieal only means that the person becomes a candidate to replace Jacob in the event of his death. There is still a lot of things that the person must overcome to become a true candidate. We are in the midsts of learning what that is.

Now, being touched by Jacob doesn't prevent the person from getting killed, but it does prevent that person from being able to comit suicide. In other worlds, the person can be killed but can't kill him- or herself.

We saw this phenomenon with Michael. No matter how much he tried to kill himself once he was off island, he stayed alive. Only when the freighter exploded did he get killed. We also saw that evidencent with Locke. He tried to commit suicide by hanging himself and couldn't. But Ben was able to kill him. Sayid was murdered by Roger Linus. Roger shot him. Despite the fact that Sayid was a candidate, he died. The ressurected Sayid is not the blessed-by-Jacob Sayid.

I hope that this explains it to you some of the rules of the game that we were able to learn so far.

It didn't really live up to my expectations, and I think all of his other centric epis have been much stronger in terms of storyline. But of course, Michael's acting was first-class, I have no complaints there. His conversation with Illana was so sad and pathetic - hand him another Emmy, please!!!!

On the other hand, I really didn't dig the high school drama at all. I feel like they could have come up with a much more powerful way for Ben to correct his mistakes with Alex.