Ep 9. Ab Aeterno

Ab Aeterno is the ninth episode of the sixth season of the TV series Lost. This episode is different than the others, as it goes back in time and focuses on one of the show's main characters, Richard Alpert.

The episode begins with a shipwreck in 1867. Richard, who was a sailor on the ship, survives the wreckage and washes ashore on an island. There, Richard meets the Man in Black, who at the time, takes the form of his deceased wife Isabella. The Man in Black convinces Richard that he can bring Isabella back to life, but only if Richard helps him. In return, the Man in Black asks Richard to kill Jacob.

After several years of living on the island, Richard ages but does not die. In 1954, Richard is discovered by John Locke, who at the time was a child. Locke helps Richard escape from the Others, who were after him. Richard then tells Locke that he is special, and that he has been chosen by Jacob.

Back in present-day, Richard's backstory is revealed to the other characters on the island. He tells them that he was originally a slave, and that he killed the man who owned him to save his wife, Isabella. For this, Richard was sentenced to be hanged, but the Man in Black saved him, only to later manipulate him into killing Jacob.

Throughout the episode, flashbacks show the Man in Black's manipulation of Richard. The Man in Black tells Richard that he is in purgatory, and that he needs to kill Jacob to be able to leave. However, Richard eventually realizes that the Man in Black is lying and changes his mind.

In the end, we see a conversation between Richard and Jacob, where Richard asks Jacob why he cannot die. Jacob tells Richard that he must protect the island and that he is the island's guardian. Jacob then offers Richard a choice: become the new guardian of the island or live forever as a mortal. Richard ultimately chooses to become the island's guardian.

Overall, Ab Aeterno is an emotional and action-packed episode that provides much-needed backstory to one of the show's most intriguing characters. The episode not only reveals the mystery behind Richard's agelessness but also delves deeper into the show's mythology. It is a must-watch for all Lost fans.