LAST EDITED ON 03-10-10 AT 10:51 AM (EST)

This was a phenomenal all around episode and I agree, GREAT acting by Michael Emerson. I loved some of his lines, and Miles' as well. "Where's Jarrah?"
"I'm fine, thank-you for asking!"
"Where is he?"
"Considering he just killed Dogan, I don't think he's going to be joining us."
"Who's Dogan?"
"The leader of the Temple"
"Sayid killed the interpreter, too"
"Are you sure?"
"He was standing over their dead bodies holding a bloody dagger, so yeah, I'm pretty sure."

Then Miles' noting that "right before you stabbed him with that dagger he was still hoping that he was wrong about you"...

His acting was brilliant. And, I just loved the whole episode from start to finish. His Flash: Sideways mirrored him to the letter, I thought. Right from the beginning when he was teaching his class and spoke of Napolean's fall from power, he might as well be dead, and it all happened on the island!

And, Arzt comment, "you're a real killer".

And, I especially loved their conclusions....YES, I was thrilled to see Ben make the right choices. I have viewed him as a victim forever.

Loved his interaction with Locke and then again his scene with Ilana.

All he wanted was a chance to explain. The thing with Ben is that for me he has always been a victim. He has always tried to take "shortcuts". He even said to Sayid when he went to get him to join Ilana and her group, that he knew a "shortcut...it's not too late". Ben always tried to take the "shortcut" through trying and difficult times, ending up doing the wrong things for the right reasons.

Now we see his story coming to an end, a GREAT end at that. In the end in flash: sideways and on the Island, Ben chose the right path. He is showing that all of his actions in the past were the wrong ones, and he sees it and wants redemption. He recognizes that he killed Jacob because he was "angry, confused, terrified that he was about to lose the only thing that had ever mattered to him, his power. But, the thing that really mattered was already gone, Alex." He is truly sorry for his actions, regardless if they were done for the right reasons. In the end, he chooses the right path, in Flash: sideways and on the Island. GREAT end for Ben....

We also saw him tempted by evil incarnate with the one thing we thought he always wanted, to be left in charge of the Island. But, we know that MIB/XLocke will tempt and lie to recruit.

So regarding Jack, Hurley, and Richard....when Jacob touches you, you can't die...it's a gift. Who has received the gift:

1. Hurley
2. Sayid....so, is this really the reason that Sayid came back to life, because he coudn't die? But, I thought that someone else could indeed kill you?
3. Sawyer
4. Kate
5. Jack
6. The Kwon's

7....LOCKE???? No longer a candidate. Crossed off

What about John Locke? We did see him come back to life when touched by Jacob. Richard said he wasn't able to kill himself, but someone else could....so if Jack had not been touched by Jacob, he would have indeed been able to kill Richard. So Locke, was killed by Ben.

Thus, Richard, MIB, Jacob all never seemed to age. Now our hero's will not age. Wonder if that applies to them off of the Island as well. (Richard and Jacob have both appeared off of the Island)

And, at last, Widmore has arrived. We knew he was coming. I won't be surprised when Desmond shows up later as well???

Wanted to add that the scene with Ben and Ilana where he "explains" was one of the best scenes ever....very moving and touching. I also LOVED his return to beach camp, where he asks Sun if he can help, then they look over and see Hurley, Jack and Richard coming, and the joy that they all feel together. A GREAT Lost moment!

Just loved this episode.