cine + octo = boo

Finally! The LOST-pocalypse brings us our first Ben episode! Tonight could promise to be huge!! Here are the rules, the liveblog begins below:

9:41pm — So Jack has changed his tune. Now he’s following blindly. The fuse burned out! Looks like Richard has been converted once again. Here’s the interesting thing about LOST, when do we know definitively that each Lostie has fulfilled their purpose? Was convincing Alpert to live the only reason Jack was there? We shall see.

9:37pm – I KNEW Jack would use this situation to barter for answers!

9:33pm – And we’re back in the Black Rock, and Richard is messing with Arzt’s super unstable dynamite…and he’s spilling the beans about Jacob’s gift. Everlasting life. Richard is unstable, Jacob’s death has really impacted him. Obviously Jacob’s love compelled Richard in a way that has only led to disappointment. He, like Ben, was promised clarity and purpose. So basically, was Jacob just a really bad manager?

9:30pm — Arzt’s cynicism is pretty funny. Here we go, Ben is making his move. I bet even in the flash-sideways timeline Ben ends up breaking Alex’s heart. Wait, Ben’s reaction to the “you’re a real killer” line was a little like Jack’s reactions in LA X. Is he having triggers of recollection?

9:26pm — Alpert steered Jack and Hurley to the Black Rock…why? Wait, now Richard has lost faith in Jacob? Why? Now he has to die? Why? How many more times can I ask why?

9:22pm — East India Trading Company. Hmm, Black Rock anyone? I find it interesting that the stars are aligning for Ben’s upheaval of Principal Reynold’s control over the school. There’s the evil Ben Linus we know and love. Back to the island, I love that Miles just used “jabonies” in reference to Nikki and Paolo. Miles knows where the diamonds are, is this significant too? Whoa, his little insight about Jacob caring up to the moment of death hit Ben.

9:20pm — Hurley is stalling, obviously. Oh hello, Richard! “Where’ve you been?” “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” “Try me.” “No, not yet.” Where was he? More island secrets?! More locations?! So, back to Linus’ fate. Now he’s being tasked with digging his own grave. Is this the end of our dear Mr. Linus?

9:15pm — Ilana the protector. So who will be the replacement for Jacob? Still no word on who is 108. Here’s a thought, could 108 be Lapidus?

9:12pm — Whoa, so the island was actually a factor in Ben’s past. I’d been operating on the premise that they never turned up on the island at all, but it looks like Dharma still existed. So what happened to them?

9:10pm — Back on the beach. Ben’s game of discrediting people isn’t working. It’s crazy to see a character who had so much power reduced to such a state. Ben has a doctorate in Modern European History…significant?

9:07pm — Oh man! Now it’s Miles’ time to shine!! Ben isn’t going to like this one bit. I find it pretty interesting that although rough around the edges, Miles is an honest person at the core. “Jacob was the closest thing I’ve ever had to a father.” Linus is in for some trouble now!

9:06pm – Ben the teacher. I think it’s amazing that Ben, Arzt, and Locke all end up teaching in the same school. Fascinating. Dr. Linus. Whoa, Locke is instigating a coup at the school…a shift of power in favor of Ben.

9:02pm – Ben does a pretty good job running. Torches!! Wait, he found the good guys (they are good guys, right?). Back to the beach?