Now is a great time to join Patreon! www.patreon.com/lostonthecouch Ben sure has grown a lot over the past few seasons, and it all comes to a head in this episode. Ilana gives him a dreary task, and Locke tries to recruit him. But given the opportunity for power in the flash sideways, Ben ultimately chooses the right thing. Hope you all enjoy what the couch gang thinks of Ben's transformation both on the island and as a teacher in this classic Season 6 episode.
One of the best Micheal Emerson moments talking to Ilana. He truly makes you feel what he's saying. One of my favorite moments in the entire show for sure.
Nothing wrong with feeling for Ben, as character arc is important. But I'd also like to present Ben in a slightly different light than many consider, because he was so good at being easy to hate. Who knew that when he told Michael "we're the good guys" he certainly believed it. So how bad was Ben really? Here is my very condensed opening argument. His mother dies in child birth, and his father is a selfish, misguided drunk that blames his son for his wifes death, and never once remembers Bens birthday. He then tells Horace screw Bens education I want hazard pay. So the trade-off for the sin of being born is that he gets the joy of never feeling the love of another person, ever again. So he falls in love with an island. A special island in which he is told to be patient, told he is special, all while watching the island do amazing things. He follows orders, he is manipulated, and he does what he is told by Jacob. And his payback for all that loyalty was Jacob (having Jacks bedside manor) saying "what about you?" No thank you, no explanation, nothing... In Season 5 we watch Ben use shady methods to bring our Losties back to the island, and I cringe everytime someone hates Bens methods, but applaud his results in getting everyone to come back. And lets keep going, and look at a few things that first appeared vicious. He wasn't kidnapping children, he was giving them a better life (per Carl - S3E9 Stranger in a Strange Land). He didn't kidnap Alex just "because", he did it as an alternative to her being killed, Widmores instruction to Ben was to kill Danielle. (He never mentioned a baby) and when Widmore was confronted about whether or not this is what Jacob wanted, Widmore refuses to answer. So Ben having a soft spot for kids he raises Alex as his own. After all he believed he was taking her away from a mother that was insane. (a baby) at the time, and spares Danielle's life. What the writers show us, tell the audience he was a good but tough father. When we later discover that pregnant women die during their 2nd trimester, we understand why Ben locked Carl in room 23 (getting Alex pregnant would have led to her certain death). And while we are on Alex......... He didn't kill Alex either.'s Keamy instruction was to capture Ben and kill everyone on the island (something Ben calls out Keamy about, and he does not deny it either). We also later see Keamy back on the freighter ask Sayid for the location of all the living people on the island. So either Akex dies by bullet b4 Ben surrenders, or by a Keamy carpet bombing of the island thereafter (the island takes whom they want). What about Ben telling Locke to kill his father? Ben told Locke he had to kill his own father before he could become the leader. He did this not to embarass him, but because he wrongly believed that this was a sacrifice Jacob demanded of the islands figurehead leader. Ben was manipulative but he could also be very honest and self aware, admitting he is a liar and not easy to trust. And on and on I could go... and I will remind everyone that we should all remember Juliet's speech to Sawyer and Sayid, as fans we all need to check our righteousness at the door and spare the embarrassing "yeah but Ben did...., and Ben killed..... remember...we all love Sayid .. the man that pour boiling oil on the arms of a woman, murder many people in cold blood. Not because he was protecting his friend's but because he wanted too. And guess what?? That is ok.. people change, people make mistakes, and we are capable of forgiveness (Enter 77 teaches us that). And unlike Sayid who shoots Ben, he himself has a soft spot for kids due to his own upbringing. The writers even went out of their way to drive this point home by making sure Ben was a teacher in the flash sideways. This is also the 1st reference to the island. This is important because it lets us know the island, the DI, etc. existed. Is this his life now? Was this the life he always lived due to an alternate event or "The Incident", is it a parallel universe, is it a dream... I guess the couch will find out soon enough. As for Ben....well the island has placed him here, the island has let him live, Flock has let him live, Jacob still believed in him. With about 10 episodes to go Bens fate is still in doubt. But hating Ben, feeling for Ben, understanding Ben, respecting Ben, and even feeling sympathy for Ben is what the writers would have wanted from us, so the "Couch" is right on track. Lost is the GOAT..
7:36 - I went to a teacher's house every single day after school. I even ate his food, used his shower and spent the night every night. His name was Dad. He was a high school math teacher. 😜
This episode is so good for some reason The alternative story even though doesn't progress the show, shows Ben through other eyes. Ben is like that person that does what he needs to do. And the island was not good for him at all.
Love the Ben flash sideways...Ben getting the canister of oxygen to hook up to Roger to help him breathe instead of opening up a canister of poisonous gas to stop him from breathing!
I recognize that actor who plays the school principal as the therapist on “Desperate Housewives.” He was trying to make Bree Van De Kamp look like an insane person.
Hi, it’s 2am on Monday night/Tuesday morning and I watched this when it dropped on Monday morning, but I just had a mental revelation that David clearly planned for their reaction series to end on 5/23, the finale episode’s 12 year anniversary. Why I’m thinking about this now, god only knows. Okay, carry on with the great reactions & commentary. :)
@@davidnaffie hahaha Oh man, this is what I get for trying to do math and thinking about RUclips and TV shows when I should be sleeping apparently! I swore I counted the remaining episodes in my head against the weeks and thought they landed in May! Well whatever the case, looking forward to it all. :D
22:34 I can't take credit for the realization, but we've seen the MIB move things at will previously. The first time Ben and Locke go to the cabin. Shit goes flying around.
The moments with Ben growing as a character made me love him, I honestly and truly hated him at the beginning of the show, but the writers really turned it around. It was so damn impressive, and I’m so excited to see what you think of the finale!
My daughter was 11 the 1st time she watched LOST, mature beyond measure he has always been her favorite character. And I suspect kids would have less visceral hatred for Ben and more compassion for his childhood than adults.
I love him as well. Probably my 2nd favorite character, and not for being a villain. I love how deceptive his character arc was, and how important it is to revisit previously held beliefs. LOST is not a show for those with cognitive dissonance or those that seek confirmation bias.
I love this episode. And that's coming from someone who absolutely hated Ben when I first watched the show. Rewatching though, I can enjoy how awesome the character and Michael Emerson's portrayal of him is.
5:56 Miles: Linus killed him. Ben: HWHAAAAT I always love that line delivery. Other great lines include "I'm digging my own grave!" and the whole rant by Leslie about the parking space. And yes, it's a Confederate flag on Alex's backpack. I'm not sure why they decided to have that weird piece of flair, it doesn't really suit the character, but it is what it is.
FINALLY! I think Zola is the 1st reactor I've seen who noticed the Confederate flag on Alex's backpack! I remember the first time I saw it...had to rewind. Like, what?! 😳 Omg. 🤯 Really? Yikes! 🤦🏻♀️
Spoiler at one moment. I had a t-shirt printed with the coat of arms of the USSR, it did not mean that I adhered to communist theories. I just found it aesthetic. And personally, I find the Confederate flag beautiful, apart from what it represents. Then (SPOILER), the flashsideways are Ben and Alex's future where they must end up. And on the island, Alex had gone into rebellion against his father. The rebel flag can also be interpreted like this in the relationship they had during their lifetime.
Ok I'm not from Usa so my guess can be wrong, but my take was: 1- she's french heritage so she doesn't care; 2- at the time the flag wasn't "cancelled"; 3-stille the french heritage, a little inside joke, because during he war France didn't recognise the confederate union (or many other reference you could come up with)
@@CoryGasaway well I agree. I'm also happy that you are facing a time of self reflection, we outsiders are happy to help providing some examples of good practice that we earned with blood over the centuries and you are now considering. I have high hopes for the metric system too!!
#35 on my list. I have a love/hate relationship with Ben and back in the day I was so mad when he didn't die but overtime I really appreciate this episode
@@danielcurry1695 he's one of the greatest characters in television history but who he is I still can't reconcile with especially since he killed one of my favorite characters in Locke.
A top 5 for me FOR SURE. “Who’s Dr. Linus?” 🤣 The intros never get old, i’m gonna miss them! 😅 Ben is so different in the sideways haha 😆 Arzt is annoying, but not as annoying as Principal Reynolds! 😒 I also love the parallels that you mentioned of Locke wanting to support Ben. 👍🏻 “I’m not in a big hurry.” and Nikki & Paulo haha 🤪 Omg how did I never notice that Ben wanted the job of Principal just like he wanted the job as Jacob 🤯 “I’m digging my own grave!” Ben is just the best 😝 I said in my comment above that Principal Reynolds was annoying, he’s just a horrible person. The conversation between Ben & Ilana is incredible and makes me cry. “I could never forgive myself.” & “The only thing that really mattered, was already gone.” 🥺 Such a great episode. So comedic at times, so sad, so confusing, AND also makes me anxious 😥 The ending is CRAZY! “They’re coming!” 😎 I can’t wait for the next one!!! Love the thoughts as always!!!
Ben killed Ilana's god. I think her reaction is reasonable, even without the things we'll learn later. We also saw with Richard that Jacob's rules are a blessing, but also a curse, much like the desires of a lamp djinn. But Jack taught what to do with those blessing: one you understand them, you have no need to fear them
I did not like this episode initially but on a few rewatches I started to change my mind. I still hate Ben’s guts but I love the actor who plays him. Such a phenomenal actor especially when Ben poured his soul out to Ilana.
I LOVE Ben's story in this episode...his "he's the only one that will have me" always gets me. With that said, the submarine-Widmore reveal at the end is so cartoonish that it almost ruins the entire episode ending for me...reminds me of the Legion of Doom from the old Super Friends cartoon. I have a blinding, red-hot hatred for S6 Widmore (and yet to be named staff), Temple/Dogan, and all the other unnecessary crap they crammed up S6's butt. Blahh. S6 has some GREAT episodes but so much useless junk in it.
Cry? We have owned the big10 for 20 years. Keep hiring sore loser coaches who attack old men when they lose, which is ALL THE TIME. Its a Buckeyes Nation babe, ya can't stop progress
Now is a great time to join Patreon! www.patreon.com/lostonthecouch
Ben sure has grown a lot over the past few seasons, and it all comes to a head in this episode. Ilana gives him a dreary task, and Locke tries to recruit him. But given the opportunity for power in the flash sideways, Ben ultimately chooses the right thing. Hope you all enjoy what the couch gang thinks of Ben's transformation both on the island and as a teacher in this classic Season 6 episode.
@10:15 I will NEVER understand someone agreeing to dig their own grave like Ben was doing. I mean if you decline, what are they gonna do, KILL YOU? 😂
My GOD Michael Emerson! What a good actor. What an excellent episode this is
One of the best Micheal Emerson moments talking to Ilana. He truly makes you feel what he's saying. One of my favorite moments in the entire show for sure.
When Ben says "cause he's the only one that will have me" is amazing. Also perfect time to wear that shirt. They made the sweet 16
"Because he's the only one who will have me", bring a tear to my eyes every time. Michael Emerson is awesome. Go Team Ben
6:59 - Another Island/Flash Sideways parallel - Ben preparing the gas for his father...
Nothing wrong with feeling for Ben, as character arc is important. But I'd also like to present Ben in a slightly different light than many consider, because he was so good at being easy to hate. Who knew that when he told Michael "we're the good guys" he certainly believed it.
So how bad was Ben really? Here is my very condensed opening argument.
His mother dies in child birth, and his father is a selfish, misguided drunk that blames his son for his wifes death, and never once remembers Bens birthday. He then tells Horace screw Bens education I want hazard pay. So the trade-off for the sin of being born is that he gets the joy of never feeling the love of another person, ever again. So he falls in love with an island. A special island in which he is told to be patient, told he is special, all while watching the island do amazing things. He follows orders, he is manipulated, and he does what he is told by Jacob. And his payback for all that loyalty was Jacob (having Jacks bedside manor) saying "what about you?" No thank you, no explanation, nothing...
In Season 5 we watch Ben use shady methods to bring our Losties back to the island, and I cringe everytime someone hates Bens methods, but applaud his results in getting everyone to come back. And lets keep going, and look at a few things that first appeared vicious.
He wasn't kidnapping children, he was giving them a better life (per Carl - S3E9 Stranger in a Strange Land).
He didn't kidnap Alex just "because", he did it as an alternative to her being killed, Widmores instruction to Ben was to kill Danielle. (He never mentioned a baby) and when Widmore was confronted about whether or not this is what Jacob wanted, Widmore refuses to answer. So Ben having a soft spot for kids he raises Alex as his own. After all he believed he was taking her away from a mother that was insane. (a baby) at the time, and spares Danielle's life. What the writers show us, tell the audience he was a good but tough father. When we later discover that pregnant women die during their 2nd trimester, we understand why Ben locked Carl in room 23 (getting Alex pregnant would have led to her certain death). And while we are on Alex.........
He didn't kill Alex either.'s Keamy instruction was to capture Ben and kill everyone on the island (something Ben calls out Keamy about, and he does not deny it either). We also later see Keamy back on the freighter ask Sayid for the location of all the living people on the island. So either Akex dies by bullet b4 Ben surrenders, or by a Keamy carpet bombing of the island thereafter (the island takes whom they want).
What about Ben telling Locke to kill his father?
Ben told Locke he had to kill his own father before he could become the leader. He did this not to embarass him, but because he wrongly believed that this was a sacrifice Jacob demanded of the islands figurehead leader. Ben was manipulative but he could also be very honest and self aware, admitting he is a liar and not easy to trust.
And on and on I could go... and I will remind everyone that we should all remember Juliet's speech to Sawyer and Sayid, as fans we all need to check our righteousness at the door and spare the embarrassing "yeah but Ben did...., and Ben killed..... remember...we all love Sayid .. the man that pour boiling oil on the arms of a woman, murder many people in cold blood. Not because he was protecting his friend's but because he wanted too. And guess what?? That is ok.. people change, people make mistakes, and we are capable of forgiveness (Enter 77 teaches us that). And unlike Sayid who shoots Ben, he himself has a soft spot for kids due to his own upbringing. The writers even went out of their way to drive this point home by making sure Ben was a teacher in the flash sideways. This is also the 1st reference to the island. This is important because it lets us know the island, the DI, etc. existed. Is this his life now? Was this the life he always lived due to an alternate event or "The Incident", is it a parallel universe, is it a dream... I guess the couch will find out soon enough. As for Ben....well the island has placed him here, the island has let him live, Flock has let him live, Jacob still believed in him. With about 10 episodes to go Bens fate is still in doubt. But hating Ben, feeling for Ben, understanding Ben, respecting Ben, and even feeling sympathy for Ben is what the writers would have wanted from us, so the "Couch" is right on track.
Lost is the GOAT..
7:36 - I went to a teacher's house every single day after school. I even ate his food, used his shower and spent the night every night. His name was Dad. He was a high school math teacher. 😜
you had me in the first half, not gonna lie
15:45 to 16:50 - an Oscar winning performance by Michael Emerson. This is the greatest and most moving scene from the whole of this show!
Agreed!
This episode is so good for some reason
The alternative story even though doesn't progress the show, shows Ben through other eyes. Ben is like that person that does what he needs to do. And the island was not good for him at all.
"I'm digging my own grave!"
Said like someone who knows all too well. :)
Love the Ben flash sideways...Ben getting the canister of oxygen to hook up to Roger to help him breathe instead of opening up a canister of poisonous gas to stop him from breathing!
One of my favorite episodes but than again, I've been on Team Ben ever since Season 4 even though he did shoot me.
Michael Emerson was phenomenal in that scene.
Michael Emerson’s best moment in the series. He is so good.
Love Bens monologue and yes, “he’s the only one who will have me” gets me always
I recognize that actor who plays the school principal as the therapist on “Desperate Housewives.” He was trying to make Bree Van De Kamp look like an insane person.
Michael Emerson and how to win an Emmy in 5 minutes
Hi, it’s 2am on Monday night/Tuesday morning and I watched this when it dropped on Monday morning, but I just had a mental revelation that David clearly planned for their reaction series to end on 5/23, the finale episode’s 12 year anniversary. Why I’m thinking about this now, god only knows. Okay, carry on with the great reactions & commentary. :)
Haha I wish I had thought that far ahead. The finale will go up on April 25th!
@@davidnaffie hahaha Oh man, this is what I get for trying to do math and thinking about RUclips and TV shows when I should be sleeping apparently! I swore I counted the remaining episodes in my head against the weeks and thought they landed in May! Well whatever the case, looking forward to it all. :D
I think this makes my top ten episodes. Excellent reactions, as always!
15:47 - 16:43 One of the greatest scenes on the Lost ... 18:42 Probably the best still of the show ❤❤❤
22:34 I can't take credit for the realization, but we've seen the MIB move things at will previously. The first time Ben and Locke go to the cabin. Shit goes flying around.
Great point!
The moments with Ben growing as a character made me love him, I honestly and truly hated him at the beginning of the show, but the writers really turned it around. It was so damn impressive, and I’m so excited to see what you think of the finale!
My daughter was 11 the 1st time she watched LOST, mature beyond measure he has always been her favorite character. And I suspect kids would have less visceral hatred for Ben and more compassion for his childhood than adults.
I love him as well. Probably my 2nd favorite character, and not for being a villain. I love how deceptive his character arc was, and how important it is to revisit previously held beliefs. LOST is not a show for those with cognitive dissonance or those that seek confirmation bias.
The Degroots, the Hanso Foundation and this Michigander salute David’s shirt! Hail to Ann Arbor!
Love your reactions! I hope when you finish lost that you will react to another show together! Michael Emerson is a genius.
I love this episode. And that's coming from someone who absolutely hated Ben when I first watched the show. Rewatching though, I can enjoy how awesome the character and Michael Emerson's portrayal of him is.
15:44 That's called being human. People are the real monsters.
5:56
Miles: Linus killed him.
Ben: HWHAAAAT
I always love that line delivery. Other great lines include "I'm digging my own grave!" and the whole rant by Leslie about the parking space.
And yes, it's a Confederate flag on Alex's backpack. I'm not sure why they decided to have that weird piece of flair, it doesn't really suit the character, but it is what it is.
yes! Another update! Thank you for this! Love your reactions! :D
FINALLY! I think Zola is the 1st reactor I've seen who noticed the Confederate flag on Alex's backpack! I remember the first time I saw it...had to rewind.
Like, what?! 😳 Omg. 🤯 Really?
Yikes! 🤦🏻♀️
Spoiler at one moment.
I had a t-shirt printed with the coat of arms of the USSR, it did not mean that I adhered to communist theories. I just found it aesthetic. And personally, I find the Confederate flag beautiful, apart from what it represents. Then (SPOILER),
the flashsideways are Ben and Alex's future where they must end up. And on the island, Alex had gone into rebellion against his father. The rebel flag can also be interpreted like this in the relationship they had during their lifetime.
Ok I'm not from Usa so my guess can be wrong, but my take was: 1- she's french heritage so she doesn't care; 2- at the time the flag wasn't "cancelled"; 3-stille the french heritage, a little inside joke, because during he war France didn't recognise the confederate union (or many other reference you could come up with)
@@JacopoBasanisi The Confederate flag didn't get canceled. It should never have been accepted by any American to begin with. It was long overdue.
@@CoryGasaway well I agree. I'm also happy that you are facing a time of self reflection, we outsiders are happy to help providing some examples of good practice that we earned with blood over the centuries and you are now considering. I have high hopes for the metric system too!!
18:40 Multiple Purges can have that effect.
My view on who unlocked Ben’s shackle was that it was the island itself that did that. I don’t think Locke instigated it. Just my view.
20:47 King of the Ashes
#35 on my list. I have a love/hate relationship with Ben and back in the day I was so mad when he didn't die but overtime I really appreciate this episode
I can understand that, plus right before it aired, the commercials made it seem like Ben was going to die in this episode.
@@danielcurry1695 he's one of the greatest characters in television history but who he is I still can't reconcile with especially since he killed one of my favorite characters in Locke.
A top 5 for me FOR SURE.
“Who’s Dr. Linus?” 🤣
The intros never get old, i’m gonna miss them! 😅
Ben is so different in the sideways haha 😆
Arzt is annoying, but not as annoying as Principal Reynolds! 😒
I also love the parallels that you mentioned of Locke wanting to support Ben. 👍🏻
“I’m not in a big hurry.” and Nikki & Paulo haha 🤪
Omg how did I never notice that Ben wanted the job of Principal just like he wanted the job as Jacob 🤯
“I’m digging my own grave!” Ben is just the best 😝
I said in my comment above that Principal Reynolds was annoying, he’s just a horrible person.
The conversation between Ben & Ilana is incredible and makes me cry. “I could never forgive myself.” & “The only thing that really mattered, was already gone.” 🥺
Such a great episode. So comedic at times, so sad, so confusing, AND also makes me anxious 😥
The ending is CRAZY! “They’re coming!” 😎
I can’t wait for the next one!!! Love the thoughts as always!!!
GIVE MICHAEL EMERSON ALL THE AWARDS 👏👏👏
OMG, Zola;s correct....It's Ned Poleon!
Ben killed Ilana's god. I think her reaction is reasonable, even without the things we'll learn later.
We also saw with Richard that Jacob's rules are a blessing, but also a curse, much like the desires of a lamp djinn.
But Jack taught what to do with those blessing: one you understand them, you have no need to fear them
I did not like this episode initially but on a few rewatches I started to change my mind. I still hate Ben’s guts but I love the actor who plays him. Such a phenomenal actor especially when Ben poured his soul out to Ilana.
Ben❤️
Written by: Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz
Directed by: Mario Van Peebles
I LOVE Ben's story in this episode...his "he's the only one that will have me" always gets me. With that said, the submarine-Widmore reveal at the end is so cartoonish that it almost ruins the entire episode ending for me...reminds me of the Legion of Doom from the old Super Friends cartoon. I have a blinding, red-hot hatred for S6 Widmore (and yet to be named staff), Temple/Dogan, and all the other unnecessary crap they crammed up S6's butt. Blahh. S6 has some GREAT episodes but so much useless junk in it.
Zen Jack is best Jack.
at least it's Dr Linus and not Dr Lucy or Dr Charlie Brown ]:P
Its 1:03 est and Michigan still sucks. Can I get an O-H?
Cry harder, hater
Cry? We have owned the big10 for 20 years. Keep hiring sore loser coaches who attack old men when they lose, which is ALL THE TIME. Its a Buckeyes Nation babe, ya can't stop progress
I-O!
@@hakalakanakahakanakaheekak4197 this guy gets it^^^