So in the previous episode it seemed like once you drew lines between the dots it was obvious that Ben wanted to tape recorder to go back to the Losties. He asks for Locke, then proceeds to listen to the tape so that Locke walks as it is playing, prompting Ben to divulge what is going on. Then he makes no effort to hide where the tape recorder is placed. It all seemed a bit too much of a setup on Ben's part.

Now this episode we see the others alone, no Losties about, wondering what happened to the tape recorder.

Perhaps this is still a con on Ben's part, but one he alone knows about. Perhaps this is his way of removing Juliete quietly, hoping that the losties kill her once they find out, but not involving any of the others so as to maintain the aura of his leadership.

Also, how could Juliette know what Ben's message would say, after all she had sent the tape to Ben - Locke nicked it and she never heard it. Why would Ben put a message onthe other side, surely when he ehard her message he would erase it?

I'm thinking that Richard might have given the tape recorder to Locke... He (along with Tom) is probably part of the faction that isn't interested in Benry's fertility quest. Perhaps he's live and let live concerning the Losties, which is weird considering that he was all for Dharma genocide.

Good points. Or it could be read as an example of Ben losing it. He's losing his control of the Others and he's starting to show signs of weakness by making mistakes.

But I like the idea that Richard might have given the recorder to Locke and I also like the idea that Ben is in on the con alone b/c he must be starting to guess that he can't trust his people.

Ben and Juliet send their message back and forth using the tape recorder. Juliet wouldn't have known exactly what it said on the other said, but assumed it would contain his response to her last message. Richard acts as courier dropping it of and picking it up from the medical station. Ben freaked out when he started thinking that Locke might have pilfered it and that their plan (and their fertility expert) would be comprimised. I know that Locke says that being able to cheat is what makes being human so wonderful, and who am I to argue with Locke? But if you ignore everything that TPTB show you and make up your own story, you're only cheating yourself! ;)

Ben and Juliet send their message back and forth using the tape recorder. Juliet wouldn't have known exactly what it said on the other said, but assumed it would contain his response to her last message. Richard acts as courier dropping it of and picking it up from the medical station. Ben freaked out when he started thinking that Locke might have pilfered it and that their plan (and their fertility expert) would be comprimised. I know that Locke says that being able to cheat is what makes being human so wonderful, and who am I to argue with Locke? But if you ignore everything that TPTB show you and make up your own story, you're only cheating yourself! ;)

Exactly. Juliet probably assumes that Ben is orchestrating an effort to kidnap Sun (and perhaps Juliet as a ruse), but doesn't know what exactly he said.

I think that it might have been a test on Ben's part to see if he could trust Locke. The following events with the shooting and all might also have to do with the recorder.

My take is composed of some of what has already been mentioned. I believe Alpert may have slipped Locke the recorder, although Locke knew right where to find it. Richard, Tom and Alex are all forming a coup d'etat for ol' Ben.

Now the reason why I sincerely believe Ben was NOT in on the tapes disappearance instead of a con job is because he totally trusts Richard and seemed legitmately confounded at its misplacement. The thing that interrupted that conversation was Locke's arrival -- Bigger fish to fry you know.

My take is composed of some of what has already been mentioned. I believe Alpert may have slipped Locke the recorder, although Locke knew right where to find it. Richard, Tom and Alex are all forming a coup d'etat for ol' Ben.

Now the reason why I sincerely believe Ben was NOT in on the tapes disappearance instead of a con job is because he totally trusts Richard and seemed legitmately confounded at its misplacement. The thing that interrupted that conversation was Locke's arrival -- Bigger fish to fry you know.

Yes,Ben's anger was very real and he would've surely insisted on a satisfactory explanation for the recorder's disappearance had Locke not shown up with that grotesque fardel.:eek2:

Now the reason why I sincerely believe Ben was NOT in on the tapes disappearance instead of a con job is because he totally trusts Richard and seemed legitmately confounded at its misplacement. The thing that interrupted that conversation was Locke's arrival -- Bigger fish to fry you know.This matches my view of the tape recorder incident.

I believe Alpert may have slipped Locke the recorder, although Locke knew right where to find it.

It's possible. It would explain how Locke was able to get it without it requiring Ben to be too careless about it. I'm not sure why Richard would want to do it though... maybe to earn brownie points with their future leader. Or maybe we can just chalk it up to Locke's hunter-esque stealth. Tom's definitely too much of a follower to do be responsible for it. (Though one of my favorite scenes is Tom sipping coffee after Ben tells him to stop the ***-whoopin' Locke is handing Mikhail.)

Ben's reaction at hearing that the recorder was gone was too genuine for me to believe that he meant for anyone to take it.

I do agree that Richard may have been in on the theft, though he certainly didn't need to be as Locke saw exactly where the recorder went.

I'm thinking that Richard might have given the tape recorder to Locke... .

Good point. We never did see how Locke got that tape recorder, did we?
I sense that Richard is plotting another overthrow of sorts, this time with Locke's help (not Ben's).

Also, how could Juliette know what Ben's message would say, after all she had sent the tape to Ben - Locke nicked it and she never heard it. Why would Ben put a message onthe other side, surely when he ehard her message he would erase it?

I think on Ben's side of the tape were his instructions to Juliette, and she flipped it over for her report. That's probably how she knew it was there.

I agree that Richard is looking for new leadership on the island-thus secretly putting things into action for a change.

maybe juliet is playing the losties ... maybe ben did want locke to take the recorder and its part of he and juliets plan