Observations: Episode 3.20-The Man Behind the Curtain

As I said in the live posting post, the digital tower for my ABC affiliate might not have been at full power so I watched via Dish Network and thus will not have screenshots for Episode 3.20, "The Man Behind the Curtain". Just watched the episode again via ABC.com so I'm ready to go...

1) What killed Ben's mom? Is her death what fueled Ben's desire to help pregnant women on the island?

2) What was with the visions of his mom? Why was Richard not so surprised but more interested? Is that a common occurence?

3) Does Richard not age? Ben said at the beginning "today's my birthday, do you remember those?" kind of like Richard hasn't had a birthday in a long time. Approximately, he should be 30 years older than Ben yet he looks younger than Ben in present time.

4) What were the problems between the Hostiles and Dharma? How did the Hostiles get the deadly gas? Did Ben get it for them? How involved was Ben? We're going to need another flashback for that and to explain Richard since he seems to be indigenous to the island...

5) Even though I don't really like present-time Ben, gotta feel for him with his father issues (a common LOST theme of course).

6) What is Jacob? How did all that work? What was with the painting of the dog? What was in those jars? What did he mean when he asked Locke to help him?

7) Why did Alex say Locke would need a gun? Did she anticipate Ben shooting Locke? Has this happened before? Did one of the Others, perhaps Richard, know of Ben's plan and sent Alex as to not be considered a mole?

8) What happened to Annie? Is she still alive? Did she die in the purge or before? How could Ben kill her?

9) How did Ben overcome his silence? After his meeting with Richard as a kid was he more talkative knowing he would turn out fine and things would be good?

10) Who really is calling the shots as "the man behind the curtain"? Ben said that everyone answers to someone, who does Jacob answer to?

11) Will Locke die? I have my doubts...

Great episode. Enjoyed it in both viewings. Would watch it again, and probably will when it's on DVD.

Any other questions or comments about my questions? Comment below!

Episode 3.21, "Greatest Hits", airs tonight at 10/9c on ABC. It is the last episode before the two-hour season finale which airs next week, May 23, at 9/8c.

There will also be a recap of LOST so far airing tomorrow, Thursday, at around 10/9c after Grey's Anatomy. The same recap will air again at 8/7c next Wednesday before the finale. I suggest that you watch it or record it and watch it later, always a good refresher...

Tonight's episode airs in 6 hours from this writing! Only two episodes left in 2007!