[Gogan]

Great episode. Really started out with a bang. Notes...

1) what's the deal with Ben killing Locke AFTER saving him from killing himself? Seems either knowing Jin was still alive, or Locke's knowledge of Hawking was too big a threat to Ben. But why?

2) seems like "the six" were transported to a different time period than the rest of new crash's survivors, including Locke and Ben, which is interesting. I can see why Ben would get left behind, but why Locke? He was supposed to take Christian's spot from the original crash, so why wouldn't he show up with Jack, Kate, et al?

3) Widmore's body guard that was "protecting" Locke -- I was originally thinking he was "Fate". He kept saying how he guides people to where they're supposed to go. In fact he straight up questioned Locke about the concept of fate. Was pretty cool when he asked Locke whether his death would really be a choice, or whether it was inevitable. John dimisses the idea that he's "choose" to die, only to later decide to kill himself. Very cool. But then "Fate" got shot, so I don't know what to think now.

4) I'm reminded of the S3(?) finale when we see the first flash forward to Jack talking with Kate outside the airport, saying how the last few years he's been taking flights all over the world trying to get back to the island. He's begging Kate to help him go back to the island. This was all right after we see him reading the newspaper article about Locke's death.

SO... I guess all of last night's activities took place well before that night? But according to last night, Jack didn't want to go back to the island until AFTER talking to Locke in the hospital. Seems to be some discrepancies in the timeline, or do I have things mixed up?