Island scenes during the opening montage of "The End"

During the opening montage of "The End," we see Jack at sunrise by the creek, washing his hands and looking at them intently. We see Ben Linus looking somewhat terrified as he loads a gun. He turns and looks at Locke who is wrapping a rope.

Sawyer, Kate and Hurley are sitting around the camp where they talked to Jacob the night before. Sawyer approaches Kate and examines her bullet wound.

Not a lot to analyze, but some beautiful opening shots.

Christian Shephard's coffin arrives at LAX

As the series finale opens, we see Christian Shephard's coffin arrive at LAX and gets removed from a plane and placed in a van.

While this happens, we see Jack in his office looking at Locke's x-ray. Ben is making himself a cup of coffee, his arm still in the sling. Locke is being wheeled off to surgery on a gurney and looks at his empty wheelchair. Sawyer prepares for another day at work and looks at himself in the broken mirror he punched in "Recon."

This sets up our characters as we enter the finale. I'll include the island shots from this montage in the next post.

Locke discovers Desmond is not in the well, tells Ben he wants to destroy the island

As Locke and Ben walk through the jungle, Ben asks Locke why he bothers walking if he can turn into smoke. Locke says that the he likes the feel of his feet on the ground because it reminds him that he was human.

They then arrive at the well, where Locke discovers that Sayid didn't kill Desmond and someone helped him out with a rope. Locke says that whoever helped Desmond out actually helped him because Widmore said that the Desmond was a fail-safe for Jacob to ensure that Locke never left the island, just in case Locke managed to kill all of the candidates.

Locke then reveals that he plans to use Desmond to do what he can't, which is destroy the island.

And this is where we're left headed into the finale. Jack is the protector of the island and Locke wants to destroy it, so a showdown is coming. More later.

Locke slits Zoe's neck, Ben shoots Widmore

At Ben's old house at the barracks, Ben leads Locke into the house and tells him that Charles Widmore and Zoe are inside and that Zoe is armed, but he assumes that doesn't matter dealing with smoke monster Locke. Locke tells Ben to wait outside because he doesn't need to see what's going to happen, but Ben says that he wants to see it.

As they Locke enters the room, he says to Widmore that it's nice being able to talk without the fences. He asks Zoe who she is and as she's answering, Widmore tells her not talk to him. Locke swiftly pulls out his knife and slits her throat. She falls to the floor, bleeding and quickly dies. Widmore asks him why he killed her and Locke says that since he told her not to talk to him, that made her pointless.

Locke then tells Widmore that if he doesn't tell him what he wants to know, then the first thing he'll do when he leaves the island is kill his daughter Penny. Widmore says that he'll kill her either way, but Locke gives him his word that he won't if he cooperates.

Widmore then tells him that he brought Desmond Hume back to the island as a "last resort," then says that he won't say anymore in front of Ben. Locke tells him to whisper it and as Widmore leans in a whispers, Ben fires three shots, killing Widmore. Ben says "He doesn’t get to save his daughter!" Locke says that Ben never ceases to amaze him and adds that Widmore had already told him what he needs to know. Ben says that's good and asks "Did you say there were some other people to kill?"

So Ben finally got what he wanted by killing Charles Widmore, apparently forgoing whatever rules they were playing by that were addressed in "The Shape of Things To Come" in season 4. Ben certainly seemed to let his jealousy surface again, making another rash decision. He certainly doesn't like the idea of Jacob talking to Widmore and not him. This jealousy is what led to Jacob's death.

Ben meets Danielle Rousseau, gets emotional about Alex

At the school, Ben is struggling to get to his keys since his left arm is in a sling. He drops them and Alex comes over to help and inquires about what happened. She asks why anyone would want to hurt him since he's "like, the nicest guy ever."

Alex insists that he shouldn't drive since he only has one hand like Napoleon. She asks her mother who is in the car near-by if they can give him a ride home. As expected, Danielle Rousseau appears (it's the first time we've seen her since she was shot by Keamy's team in the season 4 episode "Meet Kevin Johnson"). Danielle says that a ride is the least they can do for Ben after the help he's given Alex.

Alex then asks him if he wants to come to dinner and Danielle insists, saying even if they have to kidnap him (a nod to the fact that Ben kidnapped Alex on the island).

Later at the Rousseau home, Ben is helping clean up after dinner. Danielle says that it is nice to cook for someone other than just Alex. Ben asks what happened to her father, and Danielle says that he died when Alex was two (very different from the island timeline). Danielle says that's probably why Alex is so attached to Ben since he's the closest thing to a father she's ever had.

Ben looks at Alex in the other room working at a desk and starts to get choked up. When he returns to the kitchen, Danielle asks if he's alright, and Ben says that it must be the onions. She says that she'll have to use less next time and they share a look like they're about to kiss as we hear the infamous sideways woosh.

So it's interesting to see Ben and Danielle have a budding romantic connection in the sideways. It's nice to see Ben as a humble, emotional character that he doesn't show in the island timeline.

Smoke monster takes out Richard, Locke makes a deal with Ben

Locke arrives on the main island and sees Zoe and Widmore's gear in an outrigger canoe. He looks at in for a moment then moves on.

The the barracks, Zoe arrives and tells Widmore that they need to go. Widmore tells them that they are going to hide in Ben's secret room. Ben says that he's not going to hide because Locke's going to find him sooner or later.

Miles says that he's going to survive by running through the jungle, but before he leaves, Ben asks for Widmore and Zoe's walkie talkies and gives one to Miles. Before Widmore goes into the secret room, he tells Ben that Locke is going to kill him. Ben says "Then I guess this is goodbye."

Richard then decides that he's going to talk to Locke, since all he wants is for him to join him. As Richard and Ben slowly walk outside, they suddenly hear the sound of the smoke monster approaching. In one motion, the smoke monster catches Richard by the neck and tosses him off into the distance.

Ben is stunned, but slowly sits down in a chair in front of his old house. Locke appears and sits down next to him, ominously playing with his knife. He says that Ben is who he was looking for and Ben offers him some lemonade. Locke tells Ben that he wants him to kill some people, and if he does, he can have the island after he leaves.

Ben hesitantly agrees and then after Locke asks whose outrigger is down at the dock, Ben tells him it's Widmore's. When Locke asks where Widmore is, Ben gives it up that they're hiding in his closet.

We're left wondering the fate of Richard, who is not seen for the rest of the episode. We also don't see Miles again. Ben was quick to give up Widmore to Locke, but Widmore is certainly the one person Ben has no interest in forgiving.

Ben is visited by Locke in the nurse's office, mentions "letting go"

At the school, Ben is being tended to by a woman who is presumably the school nurse. He left arm is in a slign. As she tends to his wounds she calls him "Mr. Linus" and he corrects her by saying "It's Dr. Linus actually." She is clearly a bit annoyed and says she'll return with an ice pack.

Locke rolls into the room in his wheelchair and asks Ben if he is okay. Ben tells him that he got into a fight with the man (Desmond) that ran Locke down. Ben says that as he was being beaten, he saw something. Locke dials 911 and Ben tells him that he may not want to do that.

Ben tells Locke that Desmond said that he wasn't trying to hurt Locke with his car, but trying to help him "let go." Locke stops cold when hearing the words "let go," the same thing Jack said he wanted Locke to do. Ben asks if that means anything to Locke, who is stunned and Locke hangs up on the police.

It seems that Locke has had numerous moments where he's remembered at least small bits of the original timeline, like when he saw Jin at the hospital, when Jack says to him "I wish you would believe me" and as he was sleeping and mentioned the button. He's really taking a lot of pushing to get him to believe in this timeline.

Widmore says Jacob told him to come to the island, Locke is coming

Ben continues to hold a gun on Charles Widmore and asks what he's doing there. Widmore brushes him off telling him to put down the gun and telling Zoe to go the equipment from the outrigger and then sink it. Ben says not to go anywhere, but Widmore says that if he shoots him, his last chance of survival will be gone. He then tells Zoe to go because Ben won't shoot her. She slowly walks out as Ben stands there.

Widmore turns to Richard and asks why they are there and Richard reveals their plan to blow up the Ajira plane. Widmore says that he's had the plane rigged with explosives since they got there and that as usual, he's three steps ahead of Ben.

Ben then asks Widmore how he returned to the island and Widmore reveals that Jacob invited him back. He says that Jacob visited him after the freighter was destroyed and showed him the error of his ways and shared with him the information he needed to know when he returned to the island.

Zoe then interrupts on the radio to tell Widmore that Locke has arrived on the main island in an outrigger. Wimore tells her to get back quickly and tells everyone that they need to hide if they don't want to die.

So Jacob brought Widmore back to the island which explains why he knew the candidates names and the other information he possesses. Ben is certainly not happy that Widmore has seen Jacob since Ben was ignored by him for so long. We see jealousy inside Ben stirring again.

Ben, Richard & Miles get C-4 from the barracks, discover Widmore & Zoe

We finally see Ben, Miles and Richard again, making their way through the jungle towards the barracks. Miles questions whether Ben's short cut is accurate and Ben says he lived at the barracks a long time and he knows how to get there. Mile hits back saying he lived there 30 years ago, "otherwise known as last week." It's nice to see a little humor return to the show.

Once they arrrive at the barracks, Miles starts getting that dead body feeling and says that he get "wonky around dead stuff." Ben asks him if he has something to share and before Miles can say anything, Richard says that Alex is buried there. He says that he buried Alex's body after Ben left the island. Ben pauses and looks down at the ground then thanks Richard.

They then enter Ben's old house where he immediately moves the bookcase, revealing his secret room. Miles notices the door where Ben summoned the smoke monster and asks what it is. Ben says that it is where he was told he could summon the smoke monster, but he now knows that it was really summoning him.

Behind the hanging shirts, there is a safe that Ben opens to reveal six bricks of C-4. Ben asks Richard if they want to cripple the plane or "blow it to hell," and Richard chooses the latter, so they take a six bricks.

They suddenly hear a noise, and leave the room to discover Zoe in the kitchen. They point their rifles at her and Ben asks who she is. Then Charles Widmore enters house and says that she' with him. Ben looks completely stunned to see Widmore.

Ben sees his original timeline as Desmond beats him up

Desmond sits in his car at the school and watches as Locke returns to work. As Locke begins to cross the parking lot, Desmond starts his car, but then Ben comes over and yells at him, screaming that he is the man who hit Mr. Locke.

As Desmond gets out of the car, Ben says that he's going to make a citizen's arrest. Desmond tells him not to get in his way and then punches Ben in the face. He then slams Ben repeatedly on the car's hood. Ben says that he won't let Desmond hurt Mr. Locke again, and Desmond says he's not trying to hurt him, he's here to help him let go (the same thing that Jack was trying to convince Locke to do by letting him perform the surgery).

Ben asks Desmond who he is and Desmond responds saying "You want to know who I am?" and then starts repeatedly punching Ben in the face. As he's being beaten, Ben sees flashes of the original timeline of Desmond beating him up at the marina when he was contemplating killing Penny.

Desmond then throws Ben on the ground, gets in his car and speeds away. Ben is left lying on the ground, his eyes wide after what he's just experienced.

So how does Desmond know exactly what will trigger each person's flashes? He seemed to have no interest in showing Ben his until he was confronted by him. Desmond has a specific plan, but we just don't know what it is.

Here we also see Ben's noble side again as he fearlessly stands up for John Locke, even as he's being beaten.

Sun is frightened of Locke when they arrive at St. Sebastian's

In the flash sideways Locke is in an ambulance with a paramedic and Ben being rushed to the hospital. Ben tells the paramedic that Locke is a paraplegic, but he doesn't know anything else about him. Ben says that he saw the man who hit Locke and the paramedic says that he can talk to the police at the hospital.

Ben says he doesn't know who to contact for Locke, when Locke weakly says the name Helen Norwood. He also says that he was going to marry her. Ben tells Locke that he'll still marry her because he's going to be okay.

Once they arrive at the hospital, an ambulance carrying Sun and Jin arrives too. Sun and Locke are wheeled in right next to each other when Sun looks over and sees Locke. Sun freaks out, repeating "It's him!"

So it seems that Sun has had a vision of the original timeline, since she recognizes Locke and is afraid of him. It's all seems to be coming together now.

Desmond runs into Locke with his car at the high school

Back in the flash sideways world, Desmond sits in his car at the school where Ben and Locke work and watches as Locke exits the building in his wheelchair.

Ben comes over and knocks on Desmonds window and asks him a series of questions about what he's doing there. Ben says that he's been parked there watching the kids for a while. Desmond says that he's there looking for a school for his son, and when Ben asks for his son's name, Desmond says Charlie. It seems clear here there Desmond remembers his son from the original timeline, though one could say that's just the first name that popped in his head.

After Ben leaves, Desmond watches Locke start to cross the parking lot and accelerates his car toward him. Desmond hits Locke, who hits the windshield and the flies over the top of the car and lands on the ground. Desmond speeds away as Ben runs over to help Locke who is once again lying bloody on his back.

The look on Locke's face is similar to when he was on the ground after Anthony Cooper threw him out of the window. Will this be Locke's moment of clarity where he remembers the original timeline like Desmond, Charlie and Hurley?

And the big question is, why did Desmond do this? Was he trying to kill Locke or was he trying to push him towards Jack at the hospital? This seems to be similar, yet a more forceful version of what he did pushing Hurley towards Libby during their conversation at Mr. Cluck's. What does Desmond know?!

The group splits up, some go with Richard & the rest with Hurley

At the flaming wreckage of the Black Rock, Richard is preparing to go to the Dharma barracks to get grenades and other explosives. Jack wants Richard to slow down and Hurley pipes up saying that they should go talk to Locke. He says that Jacob is there now and told him that is what they should do. Richard wants proof that Jacob is there and tells Hurley to ask Jacob what the island is. Hurley tells Richard that he has nothing to prove to him. Richard says that he's lying because Jacob never tells them what to do.

Richard says that he's going to destroy the plane and asks who is coming with him. Ben and Miles both choose to go with him while Frank, Sun and Jack decide to stick with Hurley. As Richard's group leaves, Hurley looks panicked about his own plan.

It's certainly worth nothing that all of the candidates stuck with Hurley, which may not bode well for Richard's group.

Hurley blows up the Black Rock + Ben ponders Ilana's death

As the beach camp gang make their way across the island towards the Black Rock, Ben ponders Ilana's death. He says that she was handpicked by Jacob and trained to protect the candidates. He continues saying shortly after she told the candidate who they were, the island was done with her and she died. He says he wonders what will happen the rest of them once the island is finished with them.

As the group reaches the Black Rock, Richard notices that Hurley is missing. Suddenly they hear him screaming "Run!" and "Go!" as he runs away from the Black Rock which is destroyed in a massive explosion. Everyone is thrown to the ground as pieces of the ship rain down around them.

Richard screams at Hurley asking him why he did that and Hurley simply says that he was protecting the group. Richard says that now they're all dead and walks off.

Miles goes to Hurley and asks him why he blew up the Black Rock. Hurley tells him that Michael told him to and that people come to him and yell at him after they die. When Miles questions whether he always does what the dead people say, and Hurley replies "Dead people are more reliable than alive people."

Well, that's likely the last we'll be seeing of the Black Rock, at least in the present. We've been there a lot this season, so it will be nice to move on.

Hurley brings Richard back to camp, Sun doesn't like Richard's plan

Sun returns to camp and Jack examines. He believes she may have aphasia which affects the language center of the brain. Ilana then smiles when she see Richard and Hurley return to the camp.

Richard tells everyone to pack up because they need to go to Hydra island and destroy the Ajira plane so Locke can't leave the island. Sun fervently objects to the plan of destroying the plane since she wants to leave the island with Jin, but no one can understand he impassioned rant since it's in Korean. She angrily storms off.

So is the loss of the English language really being caused by aphasia, or is it possible, as some have theorized, that Sun may have partially slipped into a time where she didn't speak English (like the sideways timeline)?

Sun runs away from Locke & hits head, loses ability to speak English

At her garden, Sun cuts her hand and is then startled by Locke. He tells her that he found Jin like he promised and has him back at his camp. She mentions that he killed everyone at the temple, which he once again defends by saying he gave them a choice to leave and they were confused. Suddenly, Sun makes a break for it and Locke chases her through the jungle until she hits her head on a tree branch and is knocked out.

Later, Ben finds Sun unconscious under the tree and asks her what happened. Sun can only speak Korean, but does manage to tell him that Locke did this to her.

It's very interesting to see Sun choose not to trust Locke over being reunited with Jin, considering that's is her only real goal. Her distrust of Locke is so deep, that she refuses his offer. This seems to possibly indicate another white rock for Jacob's scale since she chose to give into Locke's temptation.

Sun is angry about waiting around, goes to her garden

At the beach camp, Ilana is passing the time by cleaning her gun as Ben tries to convince her that Richard does not have the answer to their problems. Ilana says that Hurley will bring him back and they should wait. Sun gets frustrated by the conversation and storms off after jamming a knife into the table.

Sun goes to her garden which we haven't seen since the season 3 episode "D.O.C." Jack follows her out there and mentions that it seems like she first planted the garden a hundred years ago. Jack then proceeds to tell her about the lighthouse and mentions the Richard and the candidates and Sun doesn't care about any of it. Jack tells her that they're on the island for a reason, but again, Sun isn't having any of it.

It's interesting to continue to see Jack as the man of faith, trying to convince Sun that they are destined for something bigger than themselves. It certainly seems like he's taken the full leap at this point, but that was apparent during the dynamite scene of "Dr. Linus."