So Ben wants a back doctor, one falls from the sky. Ben wants someone to blow up the submarine. John does what Ben wants. Ben wishes Johns dad will find his way to the island. BAM he's on the island.

I think that's how the losties ended up on the island, Ben simply needed a doctor and he wished and the island gave it to him.

Hmm, interesting. Tonight showed that anything is possible with this show.

Taking this further it could also mean someone wants Charlie dead and the "box" is trying to make it happen. Desmond can see what the box is doing and works to save Charlie.

Hmmm, I don't like it. I think that using the "box", like "wishing" Cooper to the island, upsets destiny and so the universe tries to correct itself. Hurley wins the lottery with the numbers (box), then a meteor blows up his chicken place, a fire destroys the house he buys his mother, etc... Hurley calls it a curse. I think whatever power the "box" has to make things happen bends the universe which tries to bend back. If this is the case the box was used to save Charlie, and now the universe is trying to fulfull destiny and kill him as he should have been killed before the box saved him. Maybe when Ethan hung him.

I don't think Ben used the box to get Jack to the island. He seemed surprised when the plane crashed and certainly didn't go looking for his spinal surgeon. Someone else may have used the box to get Jack there though in order to save Ben. This notion of a box that can make things happen is a big clue and helps explain everything from the numbers to Kate's horse, and lots of other strangeness. Such as box would be valuable and worth fighting over and a good reason for people to live on an isolated island. Its also a good reason for people elsewhere to want to get it and control it. I'm still a believer that the Losties were sent there to defeat the Others so whoever sent them can control the island and thus the "box".

I think so too..

Ben wants baby..
Danielle's ship crashes

Ben wants doctor..
815 crashes

There could be a reason for Nigerian plane, Desmond and the balloon too

I don't think it's as simple as making a wish and having the box deliver it to you.

There are a couple of things I noticed last night that make the Wish Box nothing more than another game, but basically it comes down to not being able to explain away with science or even pseudoscience how something like that could ever exist.

These are my arguments against an all-powerful Wish Box.

1. Alex told us (via Locke) that Ben manipulates people - that's what he does. Most people on these boards already understood this, but Alex reminds us soon before Ben reveals the Wish Box.

1a. Ben brought Locke's attention to his father as they walked to the "Wish Box," trying to stir bad memories and vengeful thoughts. This was done purposefully in order to make Locke want to "wish" that his father would be behind the door.

2. Locke didn't even open the door, the bodyguard did. What was on the bodyguard's mind? Probably wasn't Locke's dad. I mean, if I wish for a mountain of cash, while my friend wishes for a Porsche, my sister wishes for a horse, and we're all standing in front of the door and I open it... Are all three things inside the room?

3. Ben was the one that summoned Locke's dad from another dorm in Otherton. He's obviously the "Man from Tallahassee." Ben thinks fast, even in bed. But of course, Locke's dad was there for a reason, too - and this was the time to use it. Obviously Locke's father has ties to DHARMA. If ben had to summon Locke's dad an hour before he showed Locke the room, then obviously his father wasn't there because Locke wished for him to be there.

So, why is Locke's dad on the Island, and how long has he been there?

Also, Flight 815 didn't arrive in the Wish Box, it arrived at about 30,000 feet. Danielle shipwrecked on the Island, not in the box. Ben said whatever you wish for appears inside the box. Not outside.

Think OUTSIDE the box. :)

Just had another thought... That's not really Locke's dad. It's just an image of Locke's dad. Just a projection of Locke's memory, like so many other things the Losties see on the Island. The "Man from Tallahassee" might be the key to why everyone sees wierd things from their past on the Island. Then again, why would Ben and the bodyguard see him too, if that were the case...?

Sounds like that episode of the Twilight Zone where the little boy controlled the whole town because he could wish for whatever he wanted and make it materialize, but if you made him mad he'd wish bad things to happen to you.

Well what if the whole Island is the real box? That was just a holding room...

Yes ben is a master manipulator (it works on everyone but Alex) so I don't know if what he said to locke (about the box) was part of the manipulation. But what if the island itself is the box and special people (or those on the list) can have their thoughts come true or manifested on the island. Maybe locke's walking and ben not walking is proof that locke is tapped into it and ben is losing touch. Maybe Ben has a "power" for manipulation (remnants of the 4 toe tribe??) and what he thinks gets manifested in others peoples actions. These peoplehave no idea and think it free will (debate is on about whether john blew up the sub so if so then it worked and if not maybe john is immune). Maybe this only works on the island?? The I am rambling I know but I have so many thoughts about so much stuff after wed's episode I can't even think straight.

This is far fetched I know but are the 4 toe tribe and the island really atlantis risen from the sea and ben a descendant of that tribe? Those would explain powers as atlantis people are supposed to have extraordinary powers etc. Dharma finds "atlantis" and sends folks there for experiments?

I think so too..

Ben wants baby..
Danielle's ship crashes

Ben wants doctor..
815 crashes

There could be a reason for Nigerian plane, Desmond and the balloon too

Ben needed some la chiva, a scottish sailor and a canopy for a jungle party.

There could be a reason for Nigerian plane, Desmond and the balloon too


The island's energy enhances people's (everyone's) natural will and magnetism. So when people use their will and focus their attention on one thing -- one hope or wish -- then the isalnd manifests it for them.

Kelvin hoped for someone to take over for him in the Swan hatch and then Desmond shows up.

Desmond hoped for someone to take over for him then Locke shows up.

There could be a reason for Nigerian plane,

Are you insinuating that my Ben has a drug problem? Come over here a minute and stand right here :chair:

The box as the whole island could explain the Black Rock in the middle of the island. Someone tied to the Black Rock was probably standing where the Black Rock is now located and wished that the Black Rock was there maybe for shelter or some other reason. The Black Rock appeared and this person was squashed under the Black Rock. Probably was Magnus who wished it and this is why it is his final resting spot.

Taking this further it could also mean someone wants Charlie dead and the "box" is trying to make it happen. Desmond can see what the box is doing and works to save Charlie.

Hmmm, I don't like it. I think that using the "box", like "wishing" Cooper to the island, upsets destiny and so the universe tries to correct itself. Hurley wins the lottery with the numbers (box), then a meteor blows up his chicken place, a fire destroys the house he buys his mother, etc... Hurley calls it a curse. I think whatever power the "box" has to make things happen bends the universe which tries to bend back. If this is the case the box was used to save Charlie, and now the universe is trying to fulfull destiny and kill him as he should have been killed before the box saved him. Maybe when Ethan hung him.

I don't think Ben used the box to get Jack to the island. He seemed surprised when the plane crashed and certainly didn't go looking for his spinal surgeon. Someone else may have used the box to get Jack there though in order to save Ben. This notion of a box that can make things happen is a big clue and helps explain everything from the numbers to Kate's horse, and lots of other strangeness. Such as box would be valuable and worth fighting over and a good reason for people to live on an isolated island. Its also a good reason for people elsewhere to want to get it and control it. I'm still a believer that the Losties were sent there to defeat the Others so whoever sent them can control the island and thus the "box".


Good one.
I agree.

I think Ben was sneaking to the beach when Danielle caught him, i think he was going there originally to spy on Locke, maybe meet him in the jungle to try to recruit him.
This is after Tom saw Locke, and probably reported that he was not in a wheelchair, which set Ben off, only to find a spinal surgeon among the survivors.


-Exodus

It would be pretty boring if it turned out that it was simple as wishing upon the box or something. Like the previous poster said, Ben did seem surprised when the plane fell. I think Ben would like for people to believe that he can will anything he wishes, but I don't think it's likely.