Ep 7. Dr. Linus

In Lost season 6 episode 7, titled "Dr. Linus," the audience is taken on a journey through the complex backstory of the often-maligned character of Benjamin Linus. As the main antagonist for the majority of the series, Ben is portrayed as manipulative and untrustworthy, but this episode aims to provide insight into the events that ultimately shaped him into the character we know him as.

The episode opens with Ben leading his high school history class, discussing Napoleon's rise to power. However, it becomes quickly apparent that his desire to be seen as an authoritative figure in the classroom is due to a deep-seated need for control. This desire is further highlighted when it is revealed that Ben has been passed over for the position of school principal, a job that he believes is rightfully his. His ongoing power struggle with the school's principal lays the groundwork for the flash sideways storyline of the episode.

In the flash sideways timeline, Ben is still a high school teacher, but instead of teaching history, he is the principal of the same school. However, his methods of controlling the school and his own narrative are just as questionable as they were before. Ben's primary goal is to secure funding for the school, which necessitates him sucking up to wealthy parents and giving preferential treatment to their children. This is epitomized in the character of Alex, a student who is a clear favorite of Ben's and whose father is a potential donor. This plot point serves to highlight the ways in which Ben is willing to compromise his personal values for the sake of advancing his career and maintaining his power.

The episode also delves deeper into Ben's relationship with his father, Roger, on the island. These scenes have a deeper significance when viewed alongside the flash sideways storyline, as both timelines explore Ben's desire for fatherly approval and the ways in which he is willing to go to attain it. In the island timeline, Ben's desire to please his father leads him to make moral compromises, while in the sideways timeline, he manipulates his father's memory in order to achieve his own goals.

Throughout the episode, there are several tense and emotionally charged scenes, but one of the most notable is a conversation between Ben and John Locke. Their exchange highlights the central tension of the series: faith versus reason. Ben is a character who relies heavily on manipulation and strategy, while Locke is a man who firmly believes in the power of faith. The divide between these two ideologies has been a driving force of the series, and it is particularly significant in this episode as Ben grapples with how much he is willing to compromise his own beliefs in order to maintain the power he craves.

The episode ends on a characteristically dramatic note, leaving the audience wondering what the future holds for both Ben and his fellow survivors. The repercussions of Ben's actions in this episode are likely to have lasting consequences, and the viewers are left to ponder the morality of his decisions and the extent to which his past experiences have shaped him into the complex figure he has become.

Overall, Lost season 6 episode 7 provides a deep dive into the complex psychology of one of the series' most divisive characters. Through a combination of flashbacks and flash sideways, the audience is taken on a journey through Ben's past and present, allowing for a greater understanding of the motivations behind his actions. The tension and drama of the episode make it a standout in the series and a must-watch for fans of the show.