It doesn't make much sense. If He joined the natives late in the game, and Alpert truly is ageless (think "you still remember birthdays", why is Ben chosen as leader? I think it must have something to do with Jacob and his (supposed) ability to communicate with him. Please people, lets discuss this. I haven't been thought provoked by LOST like this since the 23rd psalm and before that Exodus.

Jacob/whatever power he wields is obviously Ben's ace-in-the-hand. If not for this, I doubt Richard and the "natives" would still be putting up with him.

There's still life in the Ben/'natives' backstory. Looks like Mike Emerson's gonna be sticking around for awhile. Though I'm curious about in what capacity. But that's speculation territory, and I'll leave things at that.

Seems to me that Ben is not going to be the leader for too long after the way that Richard and Tom ignored him tonight. But if Richard was there first, why isn't Richard the leader?

Patience, Grasshopper. Only time will tell. ;)

Something is definitely up with Richard. It's known that apparently no one can leave the island. Richard is the only Other that we have confirmation of an on island appearance, followed by a trip off the island, then back on again. He was around before Ben joined the Others, and pretty much doesn't age huh.

Either Richard Alpert is one of the biggest influences on this island, or he's a complete mislead that the producers are toying us with.

Ben did say once he manipulates everyone to do what he wants them to do. Maybe this is part of it. Of course, it seems he was a big part of purging Dharma from the island, so I'm sure that gave him a few steps up the Natives chain of command.

There is also the possibility that Ben is not as in charge as he thinks. Richard and Tom ignoring him was a pretty good indication that not everyone jumps for Ben.

Seems to me that Ben is not going to be the leader for too long after the way that Richard and Tom ignored him tonight. But if Richard was there first, why isn't Richard the leader?

Maybe he is. He could be giving Ben the illusion of being the leader. I have a feeling Richard might be more in control of everything other than the Jacob stuff. Would that be something if Richard turned out to be a bigger manipulator than Ben?

Good question. I got the feeling that Richard thought Ben might be "special" in some way when they first talked and Young Ben said he saw his dead mother. Maybe only "special" people see dead people on the island. I also get the feeling that the Others have been waiting for someone "really special" and maybe they thought it was Ben at first and he turned out not to be the one they were looking for. Of course, it appears Locke may the "the One" in fact, I think Locke might be Jacob himself somehow.

Arg! I'm more confused than ever. But don't get me wrong, that's a good thing!

MB

I think obviously Jacob is key to Ben's hold on the Others. They respect people who have special powers; notice the way Alpert reacted to Ben as a boy. If only Ben communes with Jacob and Jacob can demonstrate his power in important ways, the Others have to respect Ben. Even if, as with Alpert, they don't like it and look to people like Locke as a person who has powers possibly as strong or stronger than Ben's and can be an alternative.

I would agree that Ben gained his leadership of the Natives (is that what we call them now, cuz it's getting rather confusing) through his connection with the island (seeing his dead mother). And also agree that they are now seeing Locke might have a stronger connection and may be that leader they thought Ben was supposed to be.

Question is, if no one else can hear or see Jacob then why would everyone assume Ben can, and that would put him in a position of power? I'd like to show up on that island and pretend I can see somebody named Jeff and he says that Jacob is a faker and that I should rule the island.

In all seriousness though, they're must be some island prophecy that we'll come to know about in the future that tells of a great leader that carries on the teachings of Jacob. So when young Ben starts talking about speaking to a Jacob, the Natives knew he was the one to lead them. A little corny maybe, but I could really see this happening.

Maybe he is. He could be giving Ben the illusion of being the leader. I have a feeling Richard might be more in control of everything other than the Jacob stuff. Would that be something if Richard turned out to be a bigger manipulator than Ben?

I really have the sensation that Richard is the leader! I mean he met Ben was he was very young and fragile....i'm sure he has a big responsability in what Ben has become. I agree with the illusion of Ben being the leader...i wonder if Ben knows that or not?
I think Ben knows and it's less easy for Richard to manipulate him...so he possibly wants Ben dead...:rolleyes:

I jsut posted a theory answering this very question.

http://www.thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?p=1541751#post1541751

Basically I think that there was a prophesy that detailed who would become the leader of the Hostiles. Ben fulfilled that prophesy (for the most part) and the Hostiles accepted him as their leader. But then Locke showed up and threw a wrench in their ideas. Anyway, my theory goes into more detail.

Ben sees dead people.
Jacob, his mother, etc
Richard was clearly intrigued by the fact that he saw his dead mother on the island in the flashback.
I think Ben, through his manipulativeness and "specialness," was able to climb his way to the top of the natives/others, but I think things are about to change because they don't seem to happy with the way he is leading them.

I jsut posted a theory answering this very question.

http://www.thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?p=1541751#post1541751

Basically I think that there was a prophesy that detailed who would become the leader of the Hostiles. Ben fulfilled that prophesy (for the most part) and the Hostiles accepted him as their leader. But then Locke showed up and threw a wrench in their ideas. Anyway, my theory goes into more detail.

That would be awesome. I would love for it to turn out that way.

It seems to be that the Hostiles/Others see Ben simply as Jacob's "mouthpiece" and listen to Ben as if Jacob was speaking. Now that Locke showed up, they now have a different impression of both Locke and of Ben, although both of them did kill their respective fathers.

I liked the scene where Ben asked Tom to stop Locke from smackin' Mikhail around and Tom didn't even respond to him...