Lost!

[Pirate Bill]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

So....all the other stuff Ben did was a-ok, all the other people he tortured or killed, directly or indirectly...

I'm having trouble thinking of someone Ben killed or had killed who Smokey would not judge to be bad or bad for the island. I'm not saying Ben was justified in killing off the Dharma folks or that they were bad people deserving of death. Just that it's probably what the island wanted, by Smokey's judgement.

Maybe Alex's death is, so far, the only "bad" consequence as a direct result of Ben's selfish actions.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Originally Posted by Pirate Bill

I'm having trouble thinking of someone Ben killed or had killed who Smokey would not judge to be bad or bad for the island. I'm not saying Ben was justified in killing off the Dharma folks or that they were bad people deserving of death. Just that it's probably what the island wanted, by Smokey's judgement.

Maybe Alex's death is, so far, the only "bad" consequence as a direct result of Ben's selfish actions.

See, her death was less a result of his selfishness than some others, wasn't it? If he was doing what the Island wanted - not give up at any cost - than he may feel guilty over Alex's death because he could have prevented it. But he may have done the right thing (for the Island) by not preventing it. Whereas, when he sent Goodwin off on a dangerous mission to infiltrate the tail end crash victims' camp, Ben did so to separate Goodwin and Juliette because he was jealous. That was definitely selfishly motivated. He had to send someone, sure, but he sent Goodwin to be a prick.

I wonder if we'll ever fully understand how Smokey passes judgment. When Eko saw visions within the smoke, he was then killed. I wonder if it's how one judges himself that decides whether he lives or dies. Eko had respect for the Island, but perhaps Eko judged himself as unworthy and was killed. (Or, you know, because the actor wanted to leave the show.) And perhaps Ben, even faced with the consequences of his actions, truly believed he did what was necessary. Even if he is haunted by guilt and craves forgiveness. Based only on two scenarios, it seems the person being judged as some say. But I am probably grasping at straws.

Still wondering about the curious mechanical noise Smokey makes when it's out and about the Island.