richard/hostility

[robshob]

richard seemed like he some hostility toward ellie and charles being the so called leaders. i am wondering if he had something to do with them leaving the island

[Baibe]

I think Richard just was upset that someone would question his authority although Charles or Ellie or both were at the top of the chain of command at the time. Almost like "how dare you". I don't think he minded that they were leaders so much becuz he is the one who actually choses them. It is an interesting point you make about Richard being the one who got them kicked off but Widmore seems to think it was all Ben. And Richard kinda chose Ben to be the next leader.

Which brings up a question... what was Ben's test to being a leader? Richard said that everyone is tested at a young age. What was Ben's test... the purge or surviving the temple? In fact what was the test for anyone and how did they get on the island in the first place. Most had British accents so they had to come from somewhere near there? When/How/or Why would Richard test them to be leaders?