Dr. Linus

Ben flees the temple. With Ilana, Sun, Miles, Frank and Lapidus. Ilana knows. Miles confirmed it: Ben killed Jacob. Ilana ties Ben to a tree. Gives him a shovel. "Dig your grave."

Ben digs. Alone. For hours. The Man in Black appears. He breaks his chains from a distance. "Run to the jungle. A rifle waits for you. Join me. You can lead the island when I leave." Ben runs. Takes the rifle. Aims it at Ilana.

But he doesn't shoot. He talks. For the first time, Ben is honest. "I killed Jacob because he never gave me what I wanted. I sacrificed everything for the island. My daughter died. And Jacob didn't care." Tears fall. "I know what I am. Where would I go?" Ilana looks at him. "You'll come with us." Ben lowers the weapon. Redemption.

In the other reality, Ben is a European history teacher. PhD. Brilliant. Underpaid. He discovers the principal is having an affair with a student. Ben can use this to take his place. Power. Like always.

But the student is Alex. Alex Rousseau. His best student. She needs a recommendation letter from the principal for Yale. If Ben blackmails him, the principal won't write it. Ben chooses Alex. He gives up power. For her.

The island Ben sacrificed Alex for power. The other world Ben sacrifices power for Alex. The loop is closed. The most beautiful redemption episode of the series.