Jack seems to have fallen in love with Juliet. He saved her. But my question is whether the whole thing was a set-up so they could con Jack into saving her in exchange for curing Ben. Is Juliet in on this? Or is she really a victim of Ben and the Others? Juliet looks so much like Jack's ex-wife, it was always my thought that they were using that against Jack so he would fall in love with Juliet.

I go back to Ben's conversation with Jack when he was first imprisoned in the "glass house". Jack asked what Ben wanted, and Ben replied that he wanted Jack to change his perspective. Later, he emphasized to Jack that he wanted him to "want" to do certain things. I think Ben's getting his wish. There is a gradual change in how Jack views his situation and how he interacts with the Others (in particular Ben). I wonder if it's possible that Ben wants to groom Jack to take over the leadership mantle? I wouldn't be surprised if Ben dies by season's end and Jack takes over. Take that Isabel!

jack also has a hero complex, he needs to save or fix something

I go back to Ben's conversation with Jack when he was first imprisoned in the "glass house". Jack asked what Ben wanted, and Ben replied that he wanted Jack to change his perspective. Later, he emphasized to Jack that he wanted him to "want" to do certain things. I think Ben's getting his wish. There is a gradual change in how Jack views his situation and how he interacts with the Others (in particular Ben). I wonder if it's possible that Ben wants to groom Jack to take over the leadership mantle? I wouldn't be surprised if Ben dies by season's end and Jack takes over. Take that Isabel!

Very well said! :clapping: I don't often clap but what you said makes perfect sense. When Jack came in to check up on Ben's infection he did that because he wanted to. Yeah he wanted to help Juliet too, but I feel he was genuinely concerned about Ben. At the end of the episode he wants to be Ben's "personal doctor", if you will.

I go back to Ben's conversation with Jack when he was first imprisoned in the "glass house". Jack asked what Ben wanted, and Ben replied that he wanted Jack to change his perspective. Later, he emphasized to Jack that he wanted him to "want" to do certain things. I think Ben's getting his wish. There is a gradual change in how Jack views his situation and how he interacts with the Others (in particular Ben). I wonder if it's possible that Ben wants to groom Jack to take over the leadership mantle? I wouldn't be surprised if Ben dies by season's end and Jack takes over. Take that Isabel!

Very interesting theory. But, I feel that Jack is too strong willed to join the Others. Although I can not deny that he seems to be a pawn in Ben's game. Wow, what a twist it would be if Ben is grooming Jack....
:surprise:

Ben wanted Jack to WANT to do the surgery. He got that: because Jack had a plan for getting James & Kate freed. Ben doubtless wanted Jack to WANT to stay and help him through his recovery. He got that: because Jack had a plan. This time, he wanted three main things: 1) to save Juliet (who he then knew, via Alex, had killed to help James & Kate escape); 2) to gain the alliance of Juliet and Alex, who were as much outsiders now as he was (and thus, maybe find out enough about the Others so that the beachies could ultimately defeat them?) and; 3) to save his own neck. Despite what Tom said, Jack had served the purpose for which he was taken: he'd operated on Ben. Now, he played the one card he had left: he was a trained surgeon and doctor. Possibly the only one the Others now had. Certainly the only one who could oversee the specifics of Ben's recovery.

Pretty good reasons, I'd say!

So Ben's gotten what he wanted, all right. And Jack's perspective HAS changed: now, he's planning to work from within to bring the Others down. Heck, he all but TOLD Isabel that at his questioning! But apparently, she only applied it to the Juliet situation. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig mistake!

Ben should've been more careful what he asked for. . . .:biggrin:

We may also be seeing Jack finally take charge, gaining allies, and playing the same game. It could be said that he manipulated everyone he dealt with in tonight's episode (on the island, not in the FB, of course.)

Ben wanted Jack to WANT to do the surgery. He got that: because Jack had a plan for getting James & Kate freed. Ben doubtless wanted Jack to WANT to stay and help him through his recovery. He got that: because Jack had a plan. This time, he wanted three main things: 1) to save Juliet (who he then knew, via Alex, had killed to help James & Kate escape); 2) to gain the alliance of Juliet and Alex, who were as much outsiders now as he was (and thus, maybe find out enough about the Others so that the beachies could ultimately defeat them?) and; 3) to save his own neck. Despite what Tom said, Jack had served the purpose for which he was taken: he'd operated on Ben. Now, he played the one card he had left: he was a trained surgeon and doctor. Possibly the only one the Others now had. Certainly the only one who could oversee the specifics of Ben's recovery.

Pretty good reasons, I'd say!

So Ben's gotten what he wanted, all right. And Jack's perspective HAS changed: now, he's planning to work from within to bring the Others down. Heck, he all but TOLD Isabel that at his questioning! But apparently, she only applied it to the Juliet situation. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig mistake!

Ben should've been more careful what he asked for. . . .:biggrin:

Very nice analysis of Ben's motives and Jack's motives. I totally agree!!

:hesaid:

Ben wanted Jack to WANT to do the surgery. He got that: because Jack had a plan for getting James & Kate freed. Ben doubtless wanted Jack to WANT to stay and help him through his recovery. He got that: because Jack had a plan. This time, he wanted three main things: 1) to save Juliet (who he then knew, via Alex, had killed to help James & Kate escape); 2) to gain the alliance of Juliet and Alex, who were as much outsiders now as he was (and thus, maybe find out enough about the Others so that the beachies could ultimately defeat them?) and; 3) to save his own neck. Despite what Tom said, Jack had served the purpose for which he was taken: he'd operated on Ben. Now, he played the one card he had left: he was a trained surgeon and doctor. Possibly the only one the Others now had. Certainly the only one who could oversee the specifics of Ben's recovery.

Pretty good reasons, I'd say!

So Ben's gotten what he wanted, all right. And Jack's perspective HAS changed: now, he's planning to work from within to bring the Others down. Heck, he all but TOLD Isabel that at his questioning! But apparently, she only applied it to the Juliet situation. Biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig mistake!

Ben should've been more careful what he asked for. . . .:biggrin:
Excellent analysis, STH. I agree. Another case of the Others underestimating Jack. Regardless of Ben's motives, Jack's actions are about alliances and using them to get to what he wants long term -- apparently to get off the island or at out of the Others' captivity.
Ben seems to thrive on manipulating people and getting them to pair up to serve his own ends. He successfully steered Sawyer and Kate into a union that served his purpose in showing it to Jack to motivate him to drop his refusal to operate. Now, if the Juliet execution threat was in fact staged, he seems to be wanting to build strong feelings in Jack for Juliet. Not clear on what his exact purpose for that is, other than to get him to stay chez Others voluntarily. I have no illusion that Ben will actually make good on his promise to get either one off the island.
Jack has a long way to go before we can say he's fallen in love with Juliet. Remeber in the first part of this episode he was still playing her (just as she was playing him by asking for a personal favor) and saying he wouldn't help her. But the juxtaposition of the rebound relationship in Thailand seems to suggest there may be a rebound relationship happening with Juliet.