Locke's Order: Toasted Sub, C4 on the side

Locke has definitely been someone to keep an eye on from day one. There's always been something strange about him, something that made you say, "Hmmmmm....." I've wondered why he no longer needed the wheelchair he boarded the plane in. I've wondered why he was so transfixed by all things Dharma. I've wondered why he seems to think he has some kind of communion with this island and why he would just stare out into space on the beach sometimes. He's been at odds with Jack, Sayid, and Ben/Henry.. but he's always helpful to the ladies. So, WHAT IS UP WITH LOCKE?

We still don't know for certain, but we got some of our questions answered about Locke this week. Even better, LOST has gotten interesting again. Locke has always been one of the more compelling characters and digging more into what makes him tick is always a good thing. This week's flashback showed that Locke's con-man dad had a new victim in his sights, a rich woman he planned to marry. Her son had concerns about the relationship and sought Locke out,having learned that Locke donated a kidney to "dad" while he was living under another name. The son was hoping Locke would either vouch for dad's character or help him scotch the relationship. Locke tells the son the donation was anonymous and random and claims not to have known the recipient.

Soon after, cops show up at Locke's meager apartment. The son who visited him has turned up dead with Locke's name and address in his coat pocket. Locke goes to confront "dad" about both the relationship/con and the son's death. Dad tells Locke that he had nothing to do with the son's murder and that the wedding has been called off because the woman was so bereft about losing her son. Locke doesn't buy it, so Dad tells him to call her to verify. As Locke approaches the phone, Dad grabs him and throws him through the window. He falls to the ground, EIGHT stories below. Ouch.

It was clear last week that Locke did not come along on the trip with Kate and Sayid to Othersville to save Jack. Why is he along? When Ben awakes from a nap, he finds Locke in his room with a gun pointed at him. Locke knows the Others have a submarine and he wants it. Just as Locke knows about the sub, Ben knows A LOT about Locke. He knows pretty much his whole backstory. He knows he doesn't EVER want to go back to the wheelchair again. He also knows that Locke wants never to be able to be reached, found, or touched in any way by his father again.

Locke doesn't want the sub to escape, to save anyone, or to sail away in it himself. He wants to destroy it so that no one can leave, so they can never be rescued, and he never stands the chance of losing his mobility or running into papa. He wants the "magic" of this island to last forever, at least for himself.

Ben certainly has a knack for knowing exactly what each person's button is and pushing it.. and in just the way necessary to get precisely what he himself wants or needs. He "allows" Locke to go to the Sub even though he knows he wants to destroy it. He lets Locke think he's succumbing to his demands. Locke feels that Ben has respect, almost awe, for him since he seems to have found and harnessed the "secret" of the island which lifted him from his chair. Alex even warns Locke, "My dad is manipulating you. That's what he does." (and doesn't Michael Emerson do it better and more menacingly than anyone? )

Of course, despite warnings and what might have been better judgment, Locke blows up the sub. Ben's reaction? "Thanks". Locke got him out from between a rock and a hard place. Ben's "people" need to feel they CAN leave (yeah, right!) when/if they want to, and the sub's presence is necessary for them to believe it. On the other hand, Ben promised Jack he could leave via the sub if Jack's saved his life and Ben would look bad to his people if he went back on his word. What a win-win for Ben! Now Jack can't leave - but it's not BEN's fault, it's LOCKE's... and gee, none of "his people" can either... and that's all LOCKE's fault too!

Ben kept his end of the bargain. Locke is fascinated with the island and it's secrets and powers so he gave him a taste. He told Locke that on this island there is a box and whatever one desires would be in it. (hmmm.... sounds like the smoke monster to me... taking the shape of what you long for - a lost brother, a horse, a dead dad, a bird that says your name, a lost friend from the insane asylum.... or maybe... ) AN EVIL DAD YOU CAN WAIL ON. Ben takes Locke to "the box" and who's inside??? Dad... all tied up and at Locke's disposal.

Kate and Sayid's "rescue" attempt? Nixed for a number of reasons. Kate goes to see Jack who is in a very Beaver Cleaver living room playing piano. He asks why she's there and tells her she shouldn't have come back. He's leaving the next morning. Oh and by the way, we're being watched. And you're being captured again. And we already have Sayid. Oh, one more thing... Jack... You're not leaving anymore.
Sorry......