In Response To Susan's Questions

Q1: I don't understand how we now know 'why' Richard doesn't age. Why doesn't Richard age?

A1: They didn't really go into depth on this. I think we are just supposed to assume that he is travelling back and forth in time so frequently that everytime you see him, no real time has elapsed. It's a stretch, but I think that's what they're leaning toward. That does not explain why he is the same age when he sees Locke as a child as when he sees Locke as an adult -- unless he only goes back to Locke as a child AFTER he meets him as an adult. But that would mean changing the past, and we have been told that's a no-no. Too many scenarios for the mind to comprehend.

Q2: I still don't know if Ben is 'good' or 'evil'. Clearly Hurley and Sayid think he's evil, but Hawking and he are working together and believe everyone must go back. I remember also though once last season, Ben saying that the one who turns the wheel - can never go back.

A2: For my money, Ben has passed the point of no return on being evil. Can't trust him. He and Hawking seem to have their own best interests at heart in regards to wanting everyone to go back to the island. Here's my own twisted little imagining ... follow me on this if you can ... Richard changes the past, causing the "record to skip" as Farraday puts it ... Ben is now off the island and can't find it because it's moved (which is why anyone who moves the island can never get back) ... if Hawking is the woman who branded Juliet, she has aged considerably ... after Walt left the island, his aging process also accelerated ... maybe they need the Oceanic 6 to "find" the island again in order to stop their aging process and save themselves? ... or maybe they need to "find" the island in order to keep from creating another hiccup in time where Jacob is now trapped? These are just my theories.

Q3: Where is 'Jacob' in all this?

A3: See answer to Q2, above.