Ferryman Theory
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By ProfOzone
- Ferryman Theory
- Created: Jun 29, 2007
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 3.22: Through The Looking Glass
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
The ferryman is doomed to take passengers across some river forever until another poor soul comes and agrees to take his place.
— ProfOzone
This theory is somewhat based on my previous theories that suggest Ben actually wants the island to be invaded:
http://www.lost-theories.com/theories/2007/may/25/what-juliet-knew-and-desmond-w/
and
http://www.lost-theories.com/theories/2007/may/24/bens-design/
But the ever clever shamballa has given me another idea.
In fairy tales there is sometimes a character called “the ferryman”. The ferryman is doomed to take passengers across some river (usually the river is somehow mystical or it’s the final obstacle to something mystical) forever until another poor soul comes and agrees to take his place. Of course, who would ever voluntarily take such a loathsome task? In the tales, the ferryman is usually liberated by way of some deception. That is, the person demanding the ferryman’s oar does so not only ignorant of the consequences, but also certain that having the oar is critical to fulfilling some obsession.
Assuming my other speculations about Ben’s actions are correct… what if his motive is to actually get off of the island? Of course, in order to accomplish this, he mustn’t LOOK like this is what he wants. But we really have to ask why Ben didn’t IN FACT destroy the Looking Glass rather than merely putting it under guard. Why did he want to preserve that one line of communication? And it’s obvious that he intends for anyone who knew about that open line to either die or otherwise continue to keep the secret. He’s gone to tremendous lengths to make everyone think he desperately wants to cut the island off for good. But surely that tells us that his real goal is the opposite.
Again, this speaks more to his actions than his motives. I’ve speculated that he’s trying to enhance his power via conflict. But what if he’s tired of being the steward of the island? What if there’s a way for him to leave as long as someone else is there to take up the cause? No, it can’t be John. John would never allow Ben to leave. But Jack. Jack’s ready to wrest the oar from the ferryman’s hand despite his ostensibly heartfelt protestations.
But then again, we know Jack didn’t stay. This poses an interesting idea. Perhaps the truth of the matter is that Ben could leave if he wanted to, but he knows he wouldn’t be able to live with the consequences of leaving without installing a successor. Are these the consequences that Jack is, in the future, so very upset about, assuming that he simply fled the island in defiance without ensuring a protector was left there in his place?
And… doesn’t this line of reasoning also paint Desmond as a wild card, the one person Ben doesn’t seem to be controlling? Everyone else who knew about the Looking Glass may be dead. It seems to me that, regardless of what Ben’s motives are, Desmond is the only person in a position to see through his con and expose it. (Well, perhaps other than Jacob or Richard.)
I really don’t know if any of this is where the show will go. But I find it interesting.
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben | Benjamin Linus | 3.20, 4.9, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1717 |
I too read shamballa’s thoughts in the comments of another post and thought the idea was brilliant! So glad you decided to post on it. I actually think that there might be something to this, because Ben’s actions are so manipulative and seemingly self-destructive. We know for a fact that Ben knows exactly what he is doing and why he is doing it, at all times, so it seems quite plausible. You make very good points about Jack as well.
Awesome post!
I definately think the ferryman connection is valid, but i’m not completely convinced that ben wants off the island. i mean, he really acts like he wants to stay. At least until he knew that Jacob spoke to Locke. and if your theory is correct, then wouldn’t it mean that locke is the ferryman because of the jacob thing?
I don’t think so, ChloZo. John wants to truly cut the island off. He doesn’t want anyone to leave. He doesn’t want anyone to find the place. But Jack is not only willing to make the call to Naomi’s team, he’s determined to.
If you read my previous theories, you’ll see that I, too, tend to think Ben wants to solidify his power on the island and stay. I’ve not abandoned that idea. But I don’t think his wanting to leave is out of the question, especially if some kind of “ferryman” motif is being employed.
And… thanks, dab. :-)
Cho: I still feel this IS a valid theory and can be taken seriously. I haven’t seen anyone post an alternative to it which would make complete sense. We can’t possibly deem it out of the realm of possibilities until we learn more.
And your welcome, Prof!
I think this is a valid theory as well, to use yours words Dabiatchishere (last time I type that in full, sorry ;o ) but I think ChloZo might be right that John is the next ferryman. Maybe it is the island itself (or Jacob) that decides who the custodian should be?
Good thoughts…this is definately a possible twist. And, to me, Ben isn’t completely in-charge of the ‘Others’-I think the hierarchy goes higher up from him and he’s just in general control of the Others in the wandering camp. So, either he could be trying to gain more power for a coup, or just try to get out of whatever web he got himself into.
I also love that we still have half the show left….so many possibilities at this point.
Good points, kat.
mrssawyer: Well, perhaps Jacob would like to tap John as the next custodian, but for the reasons I’ve mentioned Ben prefers Jack…
But, again… my money right now is on Ben causing a war to win his support back from the ranks. I just think this kind of story would be an interesting and unexpected twist.
This is very interesting Prof, but I think I might just have a different twist … very thought provoking +1
tharde… dude… post the twist! I want to see the twist!!! :-)
Fantastic points ProfO.
In Greek mythology, the ferryman is Charon or Phelgyas and the Styx is the river which formed the boundary between Earth and the Underworld or afterlife.
It fits nicely into the mythology references on the show and also reminds me of our friend Smokey or Cerberus.
Wow, I’m feeling the love today! First some props from Jester and then the almighty ProfO and dab! TY
Maybe all those hours re-watching LOST episodes are finally paying off. :)
I’m almighty?
Gosh I hope not. Otherwise we’re all in a HEAP o’ trouble.
O.K., now I have that stinkin’ song in my head…”don’t pay the ferryman, don’t pay the ferryman, until he gets you to the other side….”
good post.
@ shell! - You must be old school like me. It was Chris De Burgh and an old 80’s tune.
@ ProfO - Don’t grow your head. And don’t pay the ferryman until he gets you to the other side. :)
The third installment of the “All Mighty” series of movies will feature ProfOzone. :)
I’m glad I’m not the only person who was stuck with that song all day.
I WILL be in the last “Almighty” film. As a ferryman as a matter of fact.
PAY ME NOW!
(Sorry… I’m a “Method” actor… so this will be annoying for a while…)
I SAID NOW!!!
Sweet.
Thank goodness I’m not the only one who remembers Chris de Burgh. Makes me feel less old :-)
You have just reminded me of a concept similar to that of the Ferryman, the Eater of Sins. Instead of a guide to the underworld, the Eater of Sins offers absolution to the dead by supposedly consuming their sins. It was an ancient pagan ritual which involved the Eater of Sins placing food on the body of the dead and then eating the food, thus transfering the sin.
When the sin eater dies or is dying he has to find someone to eat his sins as well as those he has consumed or he will be eternally damned….
ProfO: I’m grappling with the crux of your theory that Ben wants off the island. We’ve seen that people (Richard/Ethan) can come and go to/from the island. Mikhail thought the sentries in TLG were on assignment in Canada so others must know that leaving the island happens at times, for assignments, etc. Why wouldn’t Ben just leave? Why does he need an elaborate alibi to conceal his true motivation?
The answer could be he fears for the continued survival of the people he would leave behind as you state, but Ben has shown us to be so frivilous with human life, I question how deeply he cares about anybody. I’m having trouble with this one (although I love your analogy of the ferryman. It reminds me of Kelvin handing over the oar to Desmond and then Des to John).
Ben calls the situation “his mess” and it seems he is unravelling under the strain. He doesn’t know exactly what has transpired in TLG but he has a good guess since the signal became unjammed. I see season 4 opening with Desmond making a scambling swim to shore to warn Jack he’s walking into a trap. If that boat lands, I’ll be waiting to see which way Ben sides.
Excellent post by the way…
Thanks, Stip.
I agree with your points and as I suggest in the theory I’m not certain what it is that Ben is trying to prevent by not leaving before his successor is found. If we assume that the reason Jack wants to get back to the island is because he did not leave a successor and he’s seen the terrible consequences of this, then we might get a sense of the pressure of the force that Ben is trying to soothe by attempting to leave the island “legitimately”.
Again, though, I realize how complicated this gets very quickly as one extends the idea further. I still favor the classic “conflict enhances Ben’s power” route. But at the same time the ferryman archetype is very compelling.
mrssawyer: Yes, the eater of sins… that is an interesting idea to consider as well…
Another nice on, Prof. I agree that we should seriously consider the idea that Ben wanted the island to be invaded, that he was yet again pretending to want what he doesn’t want. As you’ve shown, all sorts of tantalizing possibilitites arise when you consider it.
great ideas Prof—the roles for Ben, Jack, and Des seem spot on to me—I think we’ve seen a version of that substitution story already too with Des and Kelvin. I wonder if we follow the greek myth line and Des is Odysseus whether Jack might then be one of the heroes who didn’t make it back—someone like Achilles. I think Odysseus meets and speaks with Achilles when he journeys to the underworld.
Oh—and reading this post first thing in the morning—now I have to live with that song all day, Dag-Nab-It!
interesting idea…sorta like brair rabbit: “Please don’t throw me the briar patch” lol.
I like the idea that Ben’s real agenda is nothing we would expect. I’d much rather see Ben be used in a “twist” than say Locke or Jack!