Lost - Dead is Dead - Recap

Lost - Dead is Dead

The smoke monster returns! Benjamin Linus is judged!

We learn a little bit about the Others in last night's episode. We also find out who beat up Ben before he boarded the airplane back to the island. And the smoke monster comes out swinging like we've never seen it before.

SPOILERS

In the past:

Ben was assigned to kill "the crazy French woman" but he let her live and took her baby. This upset Charles Widmore who was the leader of the Others. Charles said that he was looking after the interests of the island.

A few years later, Widmore was banished by the Others after they've taken over the Dharma Initiative facilities -- for "going to the outside world frequently and fathering a child there" -- something that was supposedly against the "rules".

In the real world, Ben attempts to kill Penelope Widmore for revenge against Charles for killing his 'daughter' Alex. When Ben arrives at the dock, Desmond spots him, and Ben shoots Desmond. Ben points the gun at Penelope, but is tackled from behind and beaten bloody by Desmond. Ben falls into the water.

Meanwhile in the present:

Ben says that he needs to see the smoke monster in order to be judged. Locke says ok let's go. They take a boat to the main island, but not after Ben kills Caesar. (I was very disappointed! I was hoping for a more significant role from Caesar.) They meet up with Sun and Frank on the main island.

Sun decides to go with Locke since this is what Christian said in order for her to find Jin. Frank decides to go back to the airplane to radio for help. When Frank gets back to the airplane island, that lady who had caught Sayid in the real world Ilana asks him: What lies in the shadow of the statue? -WTF- She knocks him down and says: Get everyone else and tell them it's time. Hmmm...

Locke leads Ben and Sun to the smoke monster under the temple. Before going in, Ben tells Sun: If you ever get off this island, find Desmond Hume for me, tell him I said I was sorry.

Ben meets the smoke monster. It gives him flashbacks of his daughter-drama. And then Alex appears -- and threatens Ben! She says: I know you are already making plans to kill John again. If you so much as touch him, I will hunt you down and destroy you. You will listen to every word that John Locke says and you will follow his every order. Then Alex disappears.

Locke asks Ben: What happened? Ben says: It let me live.

Omigah!

Either that was really Alex and the smoke monster was channeling it's "thoughts" through her, or it was the smoke monster taking her form, or the Alex confrontation was all in Ben's mind -- but nevertheless -- this is the first time that the smoke monster actually said anything in the five years of Lost! The smoke monster is sentient! What's happening?

Next week, Miles talks to the dead.

I love Lost!