Television Review: The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham (Lost, S5X07, 2009)

The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham (S5X07)

Airdate: 25 February 2009

Written by: Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof
Directed by: Jack Bender

Running Time: 42 minutes

In the annals of Lost, few decisions by the creative team proved as pivotal as the rearrangement of Season 5 episodes. During the production of this season, showrunners Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof crafted two distinct narratives: The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham and 316. Originally, the writers intended to air "Bentham" first, as it seemingly adhered to a more conventional chronological progression in a series that had already become convoluted by its complex time travel mechanics. However, upon reviewing the dailies, the duo realised that Bentham stood as a far superior narrative piece. Had it been aired first, 316 would have been rendered significantly weaker in comparison. The final decision to place Bentham after 316 meant that the emotional resonance of the former was amplified, making it a far more memorable and impactful episode than its predecessor, ultimately proving that character depth often outweighs pure exposition.

While 316 depicted the Oceanic Six attempting to return to the Island, The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham explored the catalyst for their decision. It reveals the personal tragedy of the man who set their return in motion. Even in Season 4, it was established that this man was John Locke. The plot traces his trajectory after he moved the donkey wheel on the Island and was transported to the Tunisian desert, mirroring the experience of Ben Linus years earlier. Plagued by a broken leg and deprived of the Island’s miraculous healing powers, Locke is in a dire condition. His salvation comes in the form of Charles Widmore, a figure who reveals he knows Locke from a 1954 time-travel adventure, noting he was once a young man among the Others. Widmore explains he was ousted by Ben and now convinces Locke that a war is imminent, arguing his presence is the key to victory for the "right" side.

To facilitate Locke's mission, Widmore provides a false Canadian passport under the name "Jeremy Bentham" and assigns Matthew Abaddon as his driver. Locke's task is to reunite the Oceanic Six, yet the journey is fraught with failure and tragedy. He finds Sayid content in Santo Domingo working on humanitarian projects, Hurley satisfied in Santa Rosa Mental Institution, and Kate too dedicated to Aaron to leave. A visit to Walt in New York City yields little, and a trip to Santa Monica to visit the grave of former girlfriend Helen proves particularly poignant. The mission reaches a violent peak when Abaddon is shot and killed. Locke attempts to escape, resulting in a severe traffic collision that inflicts further injuries. In a hospital, his desperate attempt to reason with Jack, who is visibly crumbling under alcohol and drug abuse, yields no results.

Out of pure desperation, Locke decides to end his life, hanging himself. In the last moment, Ben intervenes, admitting to killing Abaddon but claiming Jack has booked a ticket to Sydney and actually desires to return. Believing Jack will convince the others, Locke decides to live. However, upon hearing Locke's plans to seek out Eloise Hawking, Ben strangles him and stages the scene to look like a suicide.

The episode’s epilogue offers vital context regarding Flight 316, revealing that most passengers and crew are alive on Hydra Island. A group led by a mysterious Caesar operates there, distinct from Ilana who had Sayid in custody during the flight. It is revealed Locke is alive, and when Caesar shows him an infirmary, Locke recognises Ben, describing him as the man who killed him.

Critically, The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham is a far superior episode to 316. The character focus works in its favour, serving as a basis for intriguing plot developments. Although the audience had general ideas of events, Cuse and Lindelof made things interesting by revealing the actual mechanics of Locke’s absence. This provided opportunity for significant plot reveals and compelling action sequences, with the car crash providing for some impressive stunt work. Terry O’Quinn delivers another grand performance that anchors the episode. His characterisation is realistic, placing Locke somewhere between the pathetic pre-crash cripple and a man of action, showcasing his fragility and resilience.

Even brief moments contribute significantly to the episode's quality. In the scene at Santa Rosa Mental Institution, Jose Ortega demonstrates great comedic skill, mistaking the visiting Locke for a ghost, which adds a layer of humanity to the surroundings. Furthermore, Cuse and Lindelof use the episode for meta-commentary through Widmore, who jokes about Locke being named after the English philosopher John Locke and renames him Jeremy Bentham, another English philosopher.

The episode also serves as an opportunity to tie loose ends. Walt, once a regular with psychic abilities, is shown living a normal life as a student. Helen Norwood is shown to have died of a brain aneurysm in 2006, adding to Locke's sense of loss. Finally, Matthew Abaddon, character who brief but menacing appearances made him one f the most intriguing recurring characters, leaves the stage in a spectacularly brutal fashion, his last words being "I'm just a driver", allowing formidable Lance Reddick to maintain his presence as a regular cast member of Fringe.

The episode is the great example the power of character-driven storytelling within a high-concept framework. By prioritising Locke's internal journey over the external mystery of the Island, the showrunners delivered one of the most emotionally devastating yet rewarding entries in the series' run. It cements the idea that while time travel complicates the narrative, the human cost remains the constant variable that drives the story forward.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

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