Random thoughts following "316"

Note that despite his JL/Orchid words to the contrary, Ben is able to return to the Island - possibly only because he’s accompanied by the Losties. His anguish while pushing the FDW seemed at the time to suggest Banishment Remorse, so I’m eager to find out how he managed to get "permission" to Go Back. Since his last-second arrival echoed Hugo’s (onto Flight 815) and since his trip to the front of the plane was a "Charlie proxy" - type move, this might explain it. Sort of. Note that "Caesar" gets a ticket to the Island too. Maybe he's a Widmore plant.

Note that there were several carved stone pillars, including a pair supporting an arch in the Pendulum Room. To me, this suggests that the DI was involved in TT even "before" finding the Island.
There were two Virgin Mary statues in Ms Hawking’s Office - one (small) on her desk, the other (large) on the hutch. My only "explanation" for these "recycled" props involves Illusions, Hallucinations and/or Dreams and I really don’t want the Show to be about that.

The shot of Ben "praying" placed him below a stained-glass half-circle so as to suggest Saintliness. Ignoring the "glitch" that it was night-time outside, TPTB seem to be suggesting that Ben really is a Good Guy.
While Ben was educating Jack about St Thomas’ bravery in the face of anticipated murder, it occurred to me that Ben’s subsequent North Beach Marina injuries might have resulted from a murder attempt (possibly instigated by Widmore - OR The Economist) on his life.

Ben’s callous disregard for the fates of the Economy passengers aboard Flight 316 is shared by Jack’s similar disregard while using his Oceanic Golden Pass to Go Back at the end of S3.

Kate is right that Hugo "bought a ticket" - well, he bought 78 tickets - but she’s wrong about Sayid buying one.

After Kate wakes up at poolside, she asks: "The plane, where’s the plane?" - and I suddenly thought about Tattoo’s trademark line on Fantasy Island - another place where Wishes Come True.