The preview for this week’s episode stated that Ben would “meet his demise.” I guess what they really meant was that Ben will eventually meet his demise. That’s obvious now after “Dr. Linus;” a redemption episode for Ben that added fresh layers of depth to both Ben and Richard. Traditionally, a redemption episode on Lost is a death sentence (see: Ana Lucia, Charlie). So it’s a safe bet to say that Ben will die within the final nine episodes. He’s been my favorite character for a long time and it’s a pleasure to watch Michael Emerson deliver week after week, so it’s kind of a bummer to know he’s most likely gonna bite it. Here’s to a noble death!

The glimpse of Professor Linus we got in “The Substitute” was a perfect tease for tonight’s full serving. But instead of bitching about coffee machine etiquette, we got a flash Ben with hints of the devious power player we know from the Island. Dr. Linus makes a play for the principal’s seat, but in the end he takes the path Island Ben did not…He chooses the life, the future of Alex over his own ends. Bravo Dr. Linus, nice sweater vest.

Other points of interest: In the original timeline, Ben and Arzt never met before Arzt blew himself up. During the flash they’re co-workers and buddies. Ben is teaching his class about Napoleon’s exile on the island of Elba and his loss of power. Napoleon managed to escape Elba and return to power, only to be defeated later at Waterloo. Napoleonic Europe was my main focus of study for a while and one of my favorite “conspiracy” theories is that Napoleon’s Achilles’ Heel was W’s; the Duke of Wellington, Waterloo, winter weather (1812 campaign), women, and water (naval battles). And what’s the name of the dude Jacob is waiting for to arrive at the Island??? WALLACE! Just sayin’.

Did we already definitely know that Richard was a passenger on the Black Rock? I forget, but if we didn’t it was confirmed tonight. Dude went back to his old chains. That’s intense. We also learned that being graced with Jacob’s “gift” of immortality comes with a catch. Suicide isn’t an option, but if someone else pulls the trigger or, in this case, lights the fuse, you’re all set. Jack took a giant leap in his path of faith by posting up while the fuse burned down. In doing so, he also gave Richard some faith CPR. Jack, Hurley, and Richard then gang up with Ben, Ilana, Sun, Frank, and Miles back on the beach. It was a nice mirror to the MIB-side mount-up we saw at the end of last week.

In the final moments we see Widmore on some Cpt. Nemo shit as he rolls up in a submarine. One of his lackeys reports a sighting of the survivors, but Widmore decides to stay on target. The preview showed Sawyer and Kate flirting like retards, so it looks like we’re headed to the Hydra Station on the other Island next week. So, don’t expect to find out what’s up with Widmore right away.

Finally, Miles continues to be awesome by digging up the diamonds resting with Nikki and Paulo. My man.

- Oh Mars