Alright Chief…I know what that means…say it…

In Desmond’s flash, Ms. Hawking convinces Desmond not to buy the ring. She tells Desmond that pushing the button is the only important thing that Desmond will ever do. Basically, Ms. Hawking is stating that this is Desmond’s ‘fate’ or ‘destiny’ in life.

However, what was unique about Desmond is, that he found a way to ‘change’ or ‘delay’ fate/destiny in the case of Charlie. Desmond knows that he cannot prevent the inevitable death of Charlie, but by exercising his own ‘free will’ and making choices surrounding how and when Charlie’s death would be best served, he proceeds with his plan with TLG. The ‘choice’ that Desmond makes has immediate benefit.

Having said that, we do have to consider all aspects of what may be predetermined, and what the consequences are to the choices that he made, in terms of the ‘big’ picture in the end to know whose best interest this really served.

It will be interesting to see how this will be portrayed by the writers. They have done a fairly good job ‘messing’ with our minds over these issues and have a full season to keep us thinking about it.

I also enjoyed your perspective and reasoning on Charlie and Desmond too. Right on the money! Both Desmond and Charlie effectively figured out what they needed to, in order to make the proper choice for themselves. How those choices will play out in the big picture, I am uncertain of.

I almost feel as that ‘the writers’ are going to show viewers the positive/negative side of ‘choice’.

Thanks again all.

Chiefof16, we learn by way of the discussions generated in a post, so I am glad you’re getting into the comments.

So, even though Charlie was supposed to die, before ever going down in the Looking Glass… He did not, until a task was completed. And, as we saw it, it was Charlie who made the choice to die… I believe after that task was completed there was no more reason for Charlie to die… He died because he believed he was supposed to because of Desmond… So, keeping with my thoughts, Charlie’s death in the Looking Glass can be considered a manipulation by Desmond… A choice to die that Charlie would not have made otherwise.

And we all know that if Charlie were to leave the Looking Glass alive, it would have caused a completely different outcome, especially for Claire and Aaron…

So, Desmond will always save Charlie because Desmond executed free will… But, because Charlie was manipulated into dying in the Looking Glass his death has the power to be changed!

TaweretsAnkh, Yes, Jack used Ben as a bargaining chip… But, he did end up saving his life… Kate and Sawyer were already in the clear and it was only then that Jack made the choice to save him… He was not manipulated into saving him or killing him as Juliet wanted him to do… The choice to save Ben was of Jack’s own free will…

I’m having a problem keeping these comments short…

I didn’t even notice. If the problem persists though, you can just call me Will, LOL.

I just read your earlier comment. That’s pretty deep. Looks like you’ve considered this for quite some time. Ben’s line “I want you to want to do it.” Has a controlling tone as well as a free-will belief to it. Jack was manipulated into doing the surgery by some force other than Ben I believe. Ben has a future purpose right? Bringing people, or maybe Locke, back to the island. He’s not like Charlie, Charlie was needing to die because the “universe” needed it to happen. Ben was going to get saved regardless because the “universe” had more for Ben to accomplish.

That’s my view for now anyway. This show can make you contradict yourself on an hourly basis.

Oh, and Chiefof16… Sorry for the typo in your name. I really do know how to spell Chief. lol!