I'm a LOST addict. I'll just get that out of the way right now. My son got me hooked sometime late in the first season, despite my scorn and cynicism and efforts to ignore it.
Now, I'm not an expert and I don't spend hours ripping all of the clues apart for hidden meanings or discussing theories with other LOST fanatics. Minutes, maybe...okay, maybe one single hour a week, but not "hours". Jeez. However, this is mostly because I have a terrible memory.
But I enjoy revisiting the Island every week. I'm invested in the characters; I love them because they are so intricate, so layered, so flawed. So human. Every single one of them.
One of my favorite characters is Ben, despite the fact that he has shown himself over and over to be a power-hungry, lying, cold-hearted murderer. Nevertheless, there have been glimpses of good in him over the past few seasons, like tiny flecks of gold in gray, cold rock. Michael Emerson is the actor behind Ben - he's phenomenal...somehow portraying Ben as a despicable yet sympathetic character.
Tonight's episode rewarded my faith in Ben and my belief that change is possible in everyone. Everyone can reform...everyone deserves a second chance. Ben finally confessed and expressed regret over many of his actions...and Ilana forgave him for the grief he caused her. Her forgiveness and acceptance of him, despite all of his previous sins and faults, opened the door for Ben's redemption and he stepped through, turning his back on the "dark" side.
A great lesson for everyone on both sides of that door, I believe.
