My first theory: (It's a bit rough and rambly so my apologies!!)
An alternative theory for all those who don't like the thought of Locke being the chosen one!!
So after Dead is Dead it is looking like Ben and Locke's roles have reversed with ben not knowing what's going on and Locke seeming to have all the answers!! Like he knew where to find smokey even though Ben, who had been on the island for years and used to have all the answers, didn't know where it was! This is the complete opposite from what we have seen in the previous episodes where Locke has followed ben round like a Puppy trying to find answers and find out the islands secrets!
In dead is dead we see Ben being judged by the island for his actions, which ultimately confirmed that Smokey agreed he was responsible for Alex's death. I think Dead is Dead also confirmed that Ben's actions have always been about the safety of the Island. Everything he has ever done has always been in the interest of the island and his choice to protect the island led to the death of his daughter! Even though Ben didn't think Keamy would kill her because as far as he was concerned Widmore would never go that far but he did and thats where it all started going wrong for him, like majorly wrong.
We see Ben being judged by Smokey, which was a fantastic scene in my opinion! We see that the only thing that he is judged for is Alex's death meaning that all those other people he has killed in cold blood or tricked doesn't matter in smokey's eyes. This really reinforces my thought that all Ben's actions have been for the greater good of the island and that's why they are not deemed wrong or sinful! This makes me think that Alex was not supposed to die and as such he is being punished for letting this happen. We had just seen how he had saved her life from the horrible Widmore when she was a baby and I think that he was always supposed to protect her. We know how important children and the connection with their parents (good or bad) are to the island!
This brings me to my theory:
Because ben lost his way and let Alex die the island needs to guide him onto the right path again and I think it is usng John Locke to do this. We always hear about how special Locke is and the fact that he seems resurrected after he was murdered kind of backs this up but I think it's obvious that this isn't the Locke we've always known and hated (in my case anyway). He seemed knowledgable like Ben used to and he conveniently disappeared each time Ben was about to have an encounter with Smokey. I think this is because Smokey is using Locke to guide Ben back to the butt kicking leader who was always one step in front. Alex/Smokey told ben specifically to follow Locke's orders and by doing this he will find what he needs to do to save everyone. It's much the same as how christian always appeared to guide Locke at the right time except by Ben not knowing that this is what the island is doing he is becoming humbled by the experience. Like he really thinks Locke is the new l! eader and that the island doesn't favour him like it used to. This will only make him a better leader when it comes to the point that he has to take the reigns again!!
So I think that Locke is special but only for the fact that he is needed to put Ben on the straight and narrow!
This is also why the island let him come back! We've always been told previously that once you leave you can never come back but for some reason it let Ben back! This is because he is the true leader. We know that Widmore has been trying to come back for 20 years but has never been able to and we know he knows how because he knows Ms Hawking! Ben got back first go and so far has not been catapulted of or killed!!
So basically the island needs to make Ben worthy again before he can be trusted to take control after his mishap with Alex and it is using Locke to do this and teach him a lesson in the process!!
P.s - this theory is dependant on the island and smokey both having the same intentions and ultimate goal and is possibly a bit bias based on my love of Ben and dislike of Lcoke! Theory by LMC
An alternative theory for all those who don't like the thought of Locke being the chosen one!!
So after Dead is Dead it is looking like Ben and Locke's roles have reversed with ben not knowing what's going on and Locke seeming to have all the answers!! Like he knew where to find smokey even though Ben, who had been on the island for years and used to have all the answers, didn't know where it was! This is the complete opposite from what we have seen in the previous episodes where Locke has followed ben round like a Puppy trying to find answers and find out the islands secrets!
In dead is dead we see Ben being judged by the island for his actions, which ultimately confirmed that Smokey agreed he was responsible for Alex's death. I think Dead is Dead also confirmed that Ben's actions have always been about the safety of the Island. Everything he has ever done has always been in the interest of the island and his choice to protect the island led to the death of his daughter! Even though Ben didn't think Keamy would kill her because as far as he was concerned Widmore would never go that far but he did and thats where it all started going wrong for him, like majorly wrong.
We see Ben being judged by Smokey, which was a fantastic scene in my opinion! We see that the only thing that he is judged for is Alex's death meaning that all those other people he has killed in cold blood or tricked doesn't matter in smokey's eyes. This really reinforces my thought that all Ben's actions have been for the greater good of the island and that's why they are not deemed wrong or sinful! This makes me think that Alex was not supposed to die and as such he is being punished for letting this happen. We had just seen how he had saved her life from the horrible Widmore when she was a baby and I think that he was always supposed to protect her. We know how important children and the connection with their parents (good or bad) are to the island!
This brings me to my theory:
Because ben lost his way and let Alex die the island needs to guide him onto the right path again and I think it is usng John Locke to do this. We always hear about how special Locke is and the fact that he seems resurrected after he was murdered kind of backs this up but I think it's obvious that this isn't the Locke we've always known and hated (in my case anyway). He seemed knowledgable like Ben used to and he conveniently disappeared each time Ben was about to have an encounter with Smokey. I think this is because Smokey is using Locke to guide Ben back to the butt kicking leader who was always one step in front. Alex/Smokey told ben specifically to follow Locke's orders and by doing this he will find what he needs to do to save everyone. It's much the same as how christian always appeared to guide Locke at the right time except by Ben not knowing that this is what the island is doing he is becoming humbled by the experience. Like he really thinks Locke is the new l! eader and that the island doesn't favour him like it used to. This will only make him a better leader when it comes to the point that he has to take the reigns again!!
So I think that Locke is special but only for the fact that he is needed to put Ben on the straight and narrow!
This is also why the island let him come back! We've always been told previously that once you leave you can never come back but for some reason it let Ben back! This is because he is the true leader. We know that Widmore has been trying to come back for 20 years but has never been able to and we know he knows how because he knows Ms Hawking! Ben got back first go and so far has not been catapulted of or killed!!
So basically the island needs to make Ben worthy again before he can be trusted to take control after his mishap with Alex and it is using Locke to do this and teach him a lesson in the process!!
P.s - this theory is dependant on the island and smokey both having the same intentions and ultimate goal and is possibly a bit bias based on my love of Ben and dislike of Lcoke! Theory by LMC