ok..so we've seen some of ben's manipulations. some very evident ones in this episode, namely john blowing up the submarine, and the way he worded his promise to jack (i will let your friends go as soon as you're off the island...which we know wouldnt have happened since he was planning on john blowing up the submarine anyways).

is ben manipulating the way everything is going on the island? after all...he doesnt want to leave the island and apparently doesnt want anyone else to. so if you think back to season 2...he was instrumental in destroying john's faith in pushing the button. which eventually led to the "anomaly" as he called it. which cut off communication with the outside world.

is he manipulating on purpose? and why wouldnt he want anyone to leave the island?

You definitely have something there

Even more interesting to note though, is what Locke said about understanding the island. After all Locke is the one who has been cured, unlike Ben

good thought, i agree with you,

he doesn't want people to leave because he doesn't want to leave, and if everybody left he would be alone

I suspect he is still manipulating Locke with his comments about Locke's "connection" to the island. He has plans for Locke. There is some kind of grand scheme at work here.

i definately think there's more going on here. its almost like a long con.

Yes we have come to learn that Ben is always manipulating (or lying as I like to call it).

It seems almost everyone else you can take at their word (and him to when he 'gives his word'), but when he is just talking to the losties he seems to know them soooo well that he has the perfect words for them - always hitting a nerve. The losties are at such a disadvantage when dealing with Ben...

Interesting to note though that John knew he was being manipulate but went ahead anyway... John's always been a bit selfish since he hit the island, but perhaps with good reason.

it was interesting how Ben's behavior changed from when he was Locke and when he was back with him after Locke blew up the sub

Kind of like when Ben was in the hatch and was able to convincingly play different characters. Ben really is a good manipulator.

As he told James, "You're pretty good, 'Sawyer.' But we're better." :eek:

Maybe Ben has been cured and doesn't need the wheelchair but doesn't want anyone to know. Jack would know if the infection had healed but as far as walking . . . Jack probably doesn't care.

he doesn't want people to leave because he doesn't want to leave, and if everybody left he would be alone
Locke is a kindred spirit to Ben! Though in Locke's case, it's less a matter of being alone than:

1. If rescue came for everyone, he'd be FORCED to leave with them.
2. He feels "destined" to care for his Island "family" (see FI). To Locke, living the primitive life on the Island is what is "best" for his "family." Thus, rescue would be a BAD thing.

Still, Ben and Locke are roughly on the same page about wanting to stay on the Island. . .and wanting everyone else there to stay (even WANT to stay), too.

I do believe Ben when he says he wants to help Locke, though. The "you're in a wheelchair, and I'm not" argument is INarguable. Whatever Locke "has" with the Island, Ben WANTS, so he can walk and be restored to health again! Thus, he has to understand what it is Locke "has." And he can't understand that until LOCKE understands it! Thus, Ben's gonna be all helpful with Locke.

In fact, that may be what causes Ben to release all the losties--Locke wants them back on their primitive beach on the Wonderful Island. What Locke wants, Locke gets! At least, for now!

Perhaps Ben is staying in the wheelchair to make Locke feel more powerful, and to give them a way to relate.

I posted this elsewhere, but I dont' think John gave Ben what he wanted.

He was soaking wet when he came back from the sub. I think he moved it and blew up the end of the dock or something. At any rate, I don't think he blew up the sub at all.