If you were the smoke monster...

[Jeremy]

If you had been the one to judge Ben, would you have let him live?

[S.T]

nah, knowing he would not follow locke

[hurleysgurl]

If you had been the one to judge Ben, would you have let him live?

If I was the smoke monster he would have been really dead. But I wonder why smokie only judged him about Alex and nothing else.:confused:

[RussellEarl3]

I'd say it says a lot about Smokie and the Others. Apparently killing non Others is not even a misdemeanor. As Ben says to Jack when he asks what happens to everyone else on the plane, "Who cares."

[Jeremy]

Well, Jack did say that he didn't care about the rest of the people on the plane back in the season 3 finale when talking to Kate about crashing...

As for how it judges, I think it has to do with what the particular person finds the most important, and whether they did the right thing regarding it. Eko turned his back on his faith and his brother(the two most important in his life). Ben may have let Alex die, so maybe he should have been killed, but I got the feeling that, based off of his conversation with "Alex", the monster is only letting him live because he is crucial to Locke's success.

[Here'sLOCKEing at you,Kid]

Ok, we are not to question Smokie. Got that? :eek:

... but if you don't say anything to him, we can talk amongst ourselves...heehee

Obviously, and remember Island rules are simply NOT the same as "our" civilization's rules..., Ben committed no crimes. I'll say it again, he did/does what has to be done. Some things have played out already and that has an impact on whether or not someone is expendable. Ben was only being judged about Alex, for, evidently Smokie DID blame him for that. It seemed unfair until I thought of something. Smokie didn't go after Ben when Ben released it on Keamy. It only went after Keamy.... so how come?.... It was because Keamy was not sorry and never would be. Ben was truly repentant that his pride/arrogance/too sure of himself attitude caused him to make a reckless decision in calling Keamy's bluff. It's not that Ben loved the island more than his daughter, but that he let it get in the way of bad decision making. It, in effect, caused Alex's death.
The island was juste in that it took careful consideration of the entire picture - Alex grew up secure, loved and protected. Ben doted on her. He gave this child everything he hadn't received. I was so relieved that they brought this out FINALLY.
Yes, I would have let him live. ...and I also think he deserved to have the hell scared out of him, like he said. This was maybe a mere slap on the wrist to those who still hate Ben, but I hope he will shape up and do what he was told to do now. (Do I expect him to totally tow the mark?...Are you kidding? I love him, but I'm not stupid! HAHA) I'm sure he'll stir the pot sooner or later...:)

[when am i?]

?...Are you kidding? I love him, but I'm not stupid! HAHA) I'm sure he'll stir the pot sooner or later...:)

If he does then he will be destroyed as promised by Smokie(Alex).
I would also have let him live cos he was really sorry and also cos he is in a position to help Locke.

[lostforawhile]

Surprisingly, I keep reading people think the island has a good purpose.....maybe we should adopt that tyler durden view of god (Smokey)

[DarkPhoenix-24]

hhhmmmm.... obviously there is still a purpose for Ben or he would have been destroyed. so if i knew what that purpose was, then I could decide whether or not to kill him.

[Here'sLOCKEing at you,Kid]

Surprisingly, I keep reading people think the island has a good purpose.....maybe we should adopt that tyler durden view of god (Smokey)

I'm still thinking someone (Dharma) discovered the Valendeti.....(how do you say that again??) equation and figured out when the end of all things was going to happen. The Island has the power to avert this, but what happens all depends on WHOSE hands the Island is in.

Just food for thought there....

[notsolost42]

Ben always has the best interests of the island in mind. He made all his decisions in a very cold and emotionless manner except when it came to Alex. That is why his mind became clouded and he thought perhaps he would outwit Keamy on a bluff. His emotions scewed his decision making. That's why Ben is so good at taking care of the island. If he hadn't had the bad background he did, he would not have the guts to do what needs to be done. I think we will soon see what Ben is needed for. The war is coming between the Others and Dharma. Locke is now leader but he is ruled by his emotions and I think this will only serve to get him in trouble. Ben will be by his side to help keep him on track. Ben will lead the effort in the war against Dharma to save the island.

[JfromtheD]

Ben's a goner.
... the fact that he may actually be a 'good guy' only re-inforces it.

[Turnip Queen]

Of course I would let him live! But the fact that Smokie let Ben live says a lot about him, and that he really is there for the greater good! He's just a flawed beautiful man!