Well That Answers That...

So, it looks like they were always there. You can't change anything. This is very interesting and a real departure from the Back to the Future theory of time travel. I was sort of right about the irony of it all -- that Sayid's actions would lead to Ben becoming Ben. It looks like Jack is also worthy of much blame for not helping Ben himself, which would have obviated the need to take him to the Others. So the people that hate Ben the most are to blame for creating Ben.

Except only sorta. If they can't change anything, then can they really be blamed for their actions? They are sort of predetermined at this point. There's a strange passivity to it all now.

I really liked the convo between Hurley and Miles. It's the same convo that we're all having! The show's response to Hurley's "Why doesn't Ben remember Sayid shooting him?" question was a little weak, I think. The whole "he'll lose his innocence and not remember any of this" concept feels like a real contrivance -- unless we see something next week in the Temple that will make this line make sense. (Note that they still need to explain why Rosseau didn't remember Jin. Relying on "all Koreans look alike" probably won't cut it.)

I'm excited about finding out more about the Temple! It feels like the last uncharted place on the island!