3.5: The Cost Of Living
Summary (from Wikipedia)
A delirious Eko wrestles with demons from his past, while Locke and some of the other castaways head back to The Pearl — one of the Dharma Initiative’s island stations — hoping to find a computer that they can use to locate Jack, Kate and Sawyer. Meanwhile, Jack doesn’t know whom to trust when two of “The Others” seem at odds with one another.
Key themes
| Theme | Relevant Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|
| Death issues | 3.5, 1.5 | 457 |
Key locations
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|
Top theories written after The Cost Of Living
| Title | Author | Cmnts | Votes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Power of Memory (Smoke Monster Theory) | DrShephard | 41 | 23 | +13 |
| Dharma Stations Part 4: The Pearl | AngeloComet | 30 | 9 | +9 |
| Smokie Harper | MacCutcheon | 22 | 8 | +8 |
| Backgammon—Live Together, Die Alone | ragamuffinjoe | 24 | 14 | +8 |
| A Comprehensive Island Theory (a time machine, multiple realities, the end of the world) | InTheYear4055 | 11 | 14 | +8 |
Not bad; it was tough to keep the fact that Mr. Eko was dead a secret. I knew this for a while.
So the smoke monster is back, huh? And are the two new people ‘Others’, or not? Is Ben telling the truth, or is Juliet? Hmm. More to think about.
I thought this was a great episode, though I am sad to see Eko gone… He did have to pay for his crimes in the end, huh?
Interesting to see the topic of religion come up in this episode. I thought it was rather poignant that Ben asked Jack whether he believed in God. “Why, do you, Ben?” “Two days after I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, a spinal surgeon fell from the sky. Yes, I believe in God…”
Man oh man.
And I find it interesting how, even in the end, Eko never saw his actions as being wrong. “I have no confession because I did not sin. I did what I had to in order to survive. I did the best I could with the life I was given.” Perhaps that is why the smoke killed him? His confession was anything but.
Great, great episode.
Also, I gotta agree with TJ, is Ben or Juliet telling the truth? I have no idea anymore… I know how manipulative Ben has been, but he was seriously caught off-guard by Jack’s discovery. It ruined all of his plans. He looked like a man who knew he had screwed up when he went in begging for Jack to consider operating on him… I wonder why Juliet wants Ben dead so badly…
So many more questions… Only one more episode left before the break. I can’t stand it!!!!!!!!!
I think Juliet is probably high up enough on the Others chain of command that if Ben was dead she would be in charge. I think she is manipulating Jack to achieve her own ends.
I believe if Jack does end up killing Ben on the operating table(Hippocratic Oath be damned,) Juliet will be no better maybe even worse than Ben was.
What is the deal with the magic smoke? I haven’t seen many theories on that one…
Chris, you said, quote, “Let’s say Ben has lived on the island all of his life and Juliet has not. What sort of situation might have occurred that would have Ben saying to Juliet: “You never did that for me.”? “ unquote.
I never understood that statement, and had forgotten about it until I read your post. If it’s true that no line of dialogue is meaningless, here’s my thought: Is it possible that Ben was in Jack’s position (being held in the aquarium) at one time and Juliet was his keeper? If so, that would make the above comment quite literal - that when Ben was held (prisoner?), Juliet never brought him food which she personally prepared.
Then it would also follow that somehow, Ben was either released for some reason, or (more likely) initiated some sort of coup and was therefore made the new “leader”. As in any coup, you have those leftovers from the previous “regime” that feel they have no other choice but to go along with the new leadership, but who are disgruntled nonetheless.
Anyone else thinking along these same lines?
I too enjoyed the episode, and was sad to see Echo go. His story line I think had a lot of potential. Especially since he was the only one that stood up to that smoke monster in the past. As far as Ben and Juliett go, I believe that neither one is to be trusted. I agree that with Ben gone, who is to say Juliett is any better of a “leader”? And who was in charge when Ben/Henry was being help by the losties? Was it Juliette? Maybe she enjoyed calling the shots during that time and wants the power back? Or maybe like someone else mentioned, maybe Ben was held captive at one point and she never made him food like she did for Jack. And why did Ben mention the “resemblance between Juliette and your wife” Did he really think Jack was dumb enough to let some blonde sway his need to get out of there? Oh she looks like my wife, so I’ll play nice? I don’t think Jack is that naive! And the whole tumor thing. Many of you have made reference the the islands “healing powers” Rose’s cancer, Lockes legs, Jin’s fertility issues…Oh, the island doesn’t do tumors?? I love this show!!!