Lost, a single character had almost solved all the problems of the island already in the second season

An example of how the choices of the protagonists have shaped the fate of the island

Image Credit: ABC

In Lost, survival on the island is marked by conflicts, mysteries, and crucial choices that determine its fate. However, there is a moment in the second season in which a single character could have solved many of the problems that torment the castaways. A simple gesture could have changed the fate of the entire island, but the decision made at that moment had unpredictable consequences, reshaping the course of history.

Essentially, many of the problems that plague the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 and the balance of power on the island could have been avoided if Sayid Jarrah had killed Ben Linus in the second season. Ben, the manipulative leader of the "Others", introduces himself to the protagonists under the false name of Henry Gale, claiming to be a castaway who survived a hot air balloon accident with his wife. Suspicious, Sayid interrogates him and discovers his true identity, even pulling a gun on him. However, Ana Lucia intervenes, preventing the execution and leaving Ben alive, a decision that will drastically change the course of events.

Had Ben died at that moment, the entire power structure on the island would have undergone a reversal. Control of the Others, already in the balance due to internal tensions, would likely have passed to Richard Alpert or John Locke, with potentially more favorable consequences for the castaways. Ben's death would have eliminated one of the main manipulators and catalysts of conflict, perhaps leading to a temporary peace or even an alliance between the two groups. However, Ben's presence introduced an element of unpredictability, with betrayals, precarious alliances, and a crescendo of tensions that defined the narrative arc of the series.

The decision to keep Ben alive was not only a narrative twist but also a creative choice dictated by Michael Emerson's performance. Originally conceived as a supporting character destined to die after a few episodes, Ben became one of the most iconic characters of the series thanks to Emerson's ability to make the character complex and fascinating. His evolution, from a ruthless antagonist to an almost redeemed figure, offered one of the most interesting narrative lines of Lost, exploring themes of morality, redemption, and destiny.

Sayid's failed execution, therefore, is not only a turning point in the plot, but also an example of how the characters' choices shaped the fate of the island. Had Sayid pulled the trigger, many of the tragedies and manipulations orchestrated by Ben would have been avoided, but the opportunity to explore the complex dynamics between the protagonists and the Others would have been lost. Lost, after all, has always been a story of choices and consequences, and that decision in particular defined the course of events, making the series a compelling and unpredictable tale until the end.

Source: CBR