I think we can agree after the end of "Whatever Happened, Happened" that Richard was taking Ben in to see Smokey. It appeared to be the same structure that Montand was pulled into by Smokey earlier in the season (and a few years into the future timeline-wise)
I believe that Smokey's ultimate purpose is course correction to avoid time paradoxes. It kills those who shouldn't be alive to avoid any potential time paradoxes or end-of-universe scenarios from cropping up; if Smokey deems you crucial to play a part in the unfolding events, it "changes" you as Richard suggested would happen to Ben.
What do the "changes" entail? The loss of innocence could have to do with making a number one priority that you protect the island and its interests by any means necessary. Killing immediately when needed: Patchy killing Bea; young Charles Widmore killing his Other friend; Rousseau's team attempting to kill her (which could have potentially avoided some down-the-line time/paradox complications).
So essentially: when Smokey doesn't kill you but "changes" you, he enlists you as a "course correction recruit" to ensure that time keeps on ticking as it should and the universe doesn't cease to exist. Theory by Mennen
I believe that Smokey's ultimate purpose is course correction to avoid time paradoxes. It kills those who shouldn't be alive to avoid any potential time paradoxes or end-of-universe scenarios from cropping up; if Smokey deems you crucial to play a part in the unfolding events, it "changes" you as Richard suggested would happen to Ben.
What do the "changes" entail? The loss of innocence could have to do with making a number one priority that you protect the island and its interests by any means necessary. Killing immediately when needed: Patchy killing Bea; young Charles Widmore killing his Other friend; Rousseau's team attempting to kill her (which could have potentially avoided some down-the-line time/paradox complications).
So essentially: when Smokey doesn't kill you but "changes" you, he enlists you as a "course correction recruit" to ensure that time keeps on ticking as it should and the universe doesn't cease to exist. Theory by Mennen
