Who's the Big Bad?

[Mr Light]

SPOILERS for the most recently aired episode "Jeremy Betham"
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So in this episode Widmore tells Locke he's the good guy trying to protect the Island, and in the same episode Ben murders Locke.

So in the end who is the Big Bad? Who is the villain of the series?

I still think it's Widmore. He sent a commando team to the Island with backup orders to release the Tempest gas and kill every single living person on the Island. Given we now know he was the Native Commander before Ben exiled him, I think we can assume he was behind the Purge as well. He gave the order to gas the Dharma Initiative (Ben said he didn't want to do it but was forced to). Not to mention the way he treated Desmond.

And apparently in the commentary for "The Constant" the writers DO say Widmore is the "big bad" of the series. Would they outright lie like that?

While Ben is a little bastard and screwed up in the head, I still think he's the good guy. Yes he does bad things, and yes he manipulates events to his own favor, but I think he's still working towards the greater good. And I'm sure there is a good reason for murdering Locke as well to be yet revealed.

There is also a tiny possibility it's a yet unseen third party. Widmore mentions that there's a war coming. Could he merely be referring to him versus Ben? Or something larger? Could it be the outside world learning of the Island and coming to exploit it?

 

[Hober Mallow]

And apparently in the commentary for "The Constant" the writers DO say Widmore is the "big bad" of the series. Would they outright lie like that?

He was definitely the big bad of season 4. I still don't trust him. Hell, his own daughter thinks he's a cold-blooded killer. Ben is a just a weasily cockroach.

Maybe the shock will be that Ms. Hawking is, in fact, the big bad.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I think they're equal - both motivated by the same thing (the intoxicating possibility of being in control of a place as amazing as the island - and not just because of the money and power it could give them) - both utterly self-justified and capable of doing just about anything in pursuit of their goal.

The question is, with a place like the island up for grabs, who wouldn't be corrupted by it? Whose motives would remain pure? Maybe Locke. And maybe that's why he belongs with the island, and no one else does.

 

[Starbreaker]

I don't have any idea. I give up trying to figure it out too. I'm just going to watch.

 

[Alpha_Geek]

I gotta go with everyones favorite bugeyed weasel for the Big Bad.

Maybe the upcoming war is 4 Toe vs 5 Toe? Don't recall the statue being addressed yet.

 

[TheArsenal]

Nothing good about these two. I fall in the "They're equally evil" camp. The question I have is whether - from their individual perspectives - they think they're in the right and the ends justify the means, or if they are trying to get back to the island/gain control of the island for knowingly malevolent reasons.

A blind guess leads me to believe the latter.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

They're both evil. Yet, I find myself rooting for Ben. Damn charisma! :lol;

 

[Brent]

Ben killed his own father.

I think Widmore is less Evil than Ben, but both are bad I guess. I would trust Widmore over Ben though. Ben is a big fat lier.

 

[Mr Light]

^^ Widmore made Ben kill his father. Ben said he didn't want to do the Purge but they forced him into it. It was the rite of passage to prove he was loyal to the Others.

 

[Aragorn]

Maybe Walt can be the ultimate big bad. No one will see that coming.

 

[Gertch]

Ben killed his own father.

I think Widmore is less Evil than Ben, but both are bad I guess. I would trust Widmore over Ben though. Ben is a big fat lier.

Good points. But Widmore ruthlessly killed one of his own and even fought with Richard when Locke walked into their camp. Ben is a liar, but he's always done what's best for the Island.


Edit: Okay, thinking about this after posting, Ben also has had his own people killed as we saw in the Looking Glass. Darn, we may have to watch some more episodes.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Maybe Walt can be the ultimate big bad. No one will see that coming.

Nope. Vincent is the evil mastermind behind it all.

 

[auntiehill]

^and Vincent is being controlled by The Smoke Monster.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I think they are equally bad. Despite any denial they may have, they are both motivated by greed. Not necessarily for money, but for power and control. They are both incredibly selfish and will go to any means to get what they want. I think that Ben has deluded himself into thinking that he is doing good for the island, but really he is just doing what is best for himself.

 

[Ben Sisko3]

Everyone knows the bad guy is really Mom, from Mom's Friendly Robot Company. She built the damn Smoke Monster, for cryin' out loud!

 

[Alidar Jarok]

And apparently in the commentary for "The Constant" the writers DO say Widmore is the "big bad" of the series. Would they outright lie like that?

Yes

It's possible they're equally bad. I'm getting the impression they're self-interested people. They're not necessarily bad or good, just that they don't care if others get hurt because of them. Honestly, it's hard to forgive Widmore because of Alex's death, but Ben's been responsible for some deaths that aren't so great either.

 

[mirandafave]

Equally/good bad except that being played by unseen/unknown third party. Original islanders perhaps - maybe 4 toed folk.

PS how toes does Richard have?

Oh and does John have only four too?