Lost is back!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Eliza Hodgkins 1812

Hmm. I recall that he was in the books as a suicide, but was likely killed by other means. I don't think the writers are leading us to conclude that he had to move the island at all. If his job, upon leaving, was to make sure that everyone who left must come back with him, I think he would be gone for a long time. First, he'd have a tough job convincing people to go back to the island. Second, some of those who need to go back may be MIA. I believe Penny and Desmond are in hiding, and if Ben is having a hard time finding her, I imagine Locke would just as hard a time.

We also (unless I missed something) don't know how long Ben was gone. Or, if he is time traveling, whether he leaves and returns to the island multiple times.

Of course, this is all true. They are obviously purposely, as usual, playing it both ways. By having John show up off the island in the very same episode that they make a big deal about one way to get off the island, they obviously want you to think about it. But yes, it could go either way.