Ben Linus

Infobox Lost character
Title=Benjamin Linus


First= "One of Them"
Flashback1="The Man Behind the Curtain"
"The Shape of Things to Come"
Name=Benjamin Linus
Profession= Leader of the Others
Actor=Michael Emerson

Benjamin "Ben" Linus is a fictional character portrayed by Michael Emerson on the ABC television series "Lost". After being contracted for three guest appearances in the second series, where Emerson features as a captured Other known as "Henry Gale", his fantastic performance lead to his role being expanded to the leader of the Others, becoming a regular cast member from the third season. During the third season, he is the "de facto" antagonist, but in the fourth season becomes more of an anti-hero due to his battle with businessman Charles Widmore (Alan Dale). Ben's perfected ability to lie and manipulate has lead to much speculation of his true motives. Emerson's portrayal of Ben has garnered many positive reviews and lead to him being nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Drama Series in both 2007 and 2008.

Ben is the leader of a group of island natives called the Others. He organizes the capture of some of the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815, which crashes on the island on September 22 2004. He convinces Jack (Matthew Fox), a doctor from the plane crash, to operate on him, then allows another survivor, John Locke (Terry O'Quinn), to join the Others. When a freighter is discovered not far from the Island, he, Locke, and some of the other crash survivors hide in the Others' village called the Barracks, believing the people on the freighter to be dangerous. Locke eventually replaces Ben as the leader, forcing Ben to leave the Island.

Arc

Prior to the crash

Benjamin Linus was born in the U.S. to Roger (Jon Gries) and Emily Linus (Carrie Preston); Emily died after giving birth. When Ben is about 10 years old, he and his father move to the Island, after his dad is offered a job working for the DHARMA Initiative. After their arrival on the Island Ben begins to see a visions, while Roger starts drinking heavily and verbally abusing Ben on a daily basis; blaming Ben for his wife's death. Ben develops a hatred for the DHARMA Initiative and one day encounters Richard Alpert (Nestor Carbonell), one of the island natives known as the "hostiles", in the jungle. Richard accepts Ben's request to take Ben into his group, but asks him to be very patient. Many years later, Ben kills his father with poison gas. After Ben discovers every DHARMA Initiative member dead from poison gas, he joins the hostiles. Ben eventually assumes a leadership role, as he is the only one who can interact with their real leader, Jacob, and communicate his will to the group.cite episode | title = The Man Behind the Curtain | episodelink = The Man Behind the Curtain | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Bobby Roth | writers = Elizabeth Sarnoff & Drew Goddard | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-05-09 | season = 3 | number = 20]

Sixteen years before the crash of Flight 815 (and 4 years before the Dharma Initiative Purge would take place), the Others kidnap Alex (Tania Raymonde), a child born to a woman shipwrecked on the Island, when she is one week old.cite episode | title = Solitary | episodelink = Solitary (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Greg Yaitanes | writers = David Fury | network = ABC | airdate = 2004-11-17 | season = 1 | number = 9] Ben becomes her adoptive father, raising her as one of the Others, telling Alex her mother is dead.cite episode | title = The Man from Tallahassee | episodelink = The Man from Tallahassee | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Jack Bender | writers = Drew Goddard & Jeff Pinkner | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-03-21 | season = 3 | number = 13] Two days before the crash of Oceanic Flight 815, Ben discovers that he has a spinal tumor. After witnessing the crash, he commands Ethan (William Mapother) to investigate the fuselage and Goodwin (Brett Cullen) to investigate the tail section. Goodwin is sent in order to remove Ben's competition for the affections of Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell), a woman recruited to the island three years previously in order to help the Others with their fertility problems.cite episode | title = The Other Woman | episodelink = The Other Woman (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Eric Laneuville | writers = Drew Goddard & Christina M. Kim | network = ABC | airdate = 2008-03-06 | season = 4 | number = 6]

After the crash

Seven weeks after the plane crash, Ben and Juliet enter one of the DHARMA Initiative work stations, , where they watch Jack, a doctor that survived the plane crash, from one of the monitors. He tells Juliet that he will get Jack to come to them, and that he will convince Jack to perform surgery on him.cite episode | title = Exposé | episodelink = Exposé (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Stephen Williams | writers = Edward Kitsis & Adam Horowitz | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-03-28 | season = 3 | number = 14]

eason 2

network = ABC | airdate = 2006-10-25 | season = 3 | number = 4]

eason 3

Ben gives Juliet the task of interrogating Jack, while Kate and Sawyer are kept in cages.cite episode | title = A Tale of Two Cities | episodelink = A Tale of Two Cities (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Jack Bender | writers = J. J. Abrams & Damon Lindelof | network = ABC | airdate = 2006-10-04 | season = 3 | number = 1] He admits to Jack about having a tumor on his spine, and asks him to remove it.cite episode | title = The Cost of Living | episodelink = The Cost of Living (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Jack Bender | writers = Alison Schapker & Monica Owusu-Breen | network = ABC | airdate = 2006-11-01 | season = 3 | number = 5] He wakes up during the surgery, where Jack refuses to finish until Kate and Sawyer are safely away from the Others.cite episode | title = I Do | episodelink = I Do (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Tucker Gates | writers = Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse | network = ABC | airdate = 2006-11-08 | season = 3 | number = 6] After they escape Ben's operation is finished.cite episode | title = Not in Portland | episodelink = Not in Portland | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Stephen Williams | writers = Carlton Cuse & Jeff Pinkner | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-02-07 | season = 3 | number = 7] He returns to the Barracks with the rest of the Others, and Jack in tow.cite episode | title = Stranger in a Strange Land | episodelink = Stranger in a Strange Land (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Paris Barclay | writers = Elizabeth Sarnoff & Christina M. Kim | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-02-21 | season = 3 | number = 9]

When Locke comes to rescue Jack, he and Ben have a confrontation, which results in Ben taking Locke to a room, which he calls a "magic box", where Anthony Cooper (Kevin Tighe), Locke's father, is held captive.cite episode | title = The Man from Tallahassee | episodelink = The Man from Tallahassee | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Jack Bender | writers = Drew Goddard & Jeff Pinkner | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-03-21 | season = 3 | number = 13] Ben offers Locke the opportunity to join the Others, but only if he kills Cooper.cite episode | title = The Brig | episodelink = The Brig (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Eric Laneuville | writers = Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-05-02 | season = 3 | number = 19] Locke returns a few days later with Cooper's corpse, so Ben takes him to meet Jacob. Only Ben is capable of seeing him, Locke does however hear Jacob say "Help me". The next morning, Ben shoots Locke, and leaves him for dead. He returns to the Others' camp, where he orders a raid on the beach that night. He tells Richard, now his second-in-command, to lead the remaining Others to the Temple. Ben takes Alex with him as he attempts to prevent Jack from sending a radio message to a nearby freighter. He reunites Alex with her mother, and claims that if Jack contacts the freighter, every single person on the Island will die. Ben is beaten and taken hostage, and forced to watch as the freighter is contacted.cite episode | title = Through the Looking Glass | episodelink = Through the Looking Glass (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Jack Bender | writers = Carlton Cuse & Damon Lindelof | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-05-23 | season = 3 | number = 22]

eason 4

The survivors divide into two groups, those who believe the people from the freighter to be dangerous, Ben among them, join Locke and head to the Barracks.cite episode | title = The Beginning of the End | episodelink = The Beginning of the End (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Jack Bender | writers = Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse | network = ABC | airdate = 2008-01-31 | season = 4 | number = 1] . Miles (Ken Leung), a medium from the freighter, makes a deal with Ben, asking for $3.2 million dollars in exchange for Miles telling the person who sent the freighter that Ben is dead. [Sarnoff, Elizabeth (writer) & Nations, Greggory (writer) & Williams, Stephen (director), "Eggtown". "Lost", ABC. Episode 4, season 4. Aired on February 21, 2008.] Ben explains to Locke that a man named Charles Widmore is trying to find the island to exploit it in every way possible. Later, Ben urges Alex, and her boyfriend and mother, to travel to the Temple, where the rest of the Others are, for protection from the people on the freighter, but on the way the group is ambushed by mercenaries from the freighter, who take Alex as a hostage.Sarnoff, Elizabeth (writer) & Vaughan, Brian K. (writer) & Williams, Stephen (director), "Meet Kevin Johnson". "Lost", ABC. Episode 8, season 4. Aired on March 20, 2008.]

When Martin Keamy (Kevin Durand), the leader of the mercenaries, threatens to shoot Alex if Ben doesn't come forward, Ben staunchly denies any attachment to her, resulting in the execution of his daughter. Ben tells the others that Widmore has "changed the rules", as the smoke monster descends from the forest and attacks the mercenaries. A tearful Ben spends one last moment with his dead daughte, before leaving with Locke and Hurley (Jorge Garcia) to communicate with Jacob.Goddard, Drew (writer) & Vaughan, Brian K. (writer) & Williams, Stephen (director), "The Shape of Things to Come". "Lost", ABC. Episode 9, season 4. Aired on April 24, 2008.] Locke enters Jacob's cabin alone, and returns stating they need to move the island.cite episode | title = Cabin Fever | episodelink = Cabin Fever (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Paul Edwards | writers = Elizabeth Sarnoff & Kyle Pennington | network = ABC | airdate = 2008-05-08 | season = 4 | number = 11] They go to , a DHARMA station that will be able to move the Island. Ben goes to surrender to Keamy, but Keamy and his men are ambushed by the Others, who kill all the mercenaries and free Ben. Ben goes to help Locke move the island, but Keamy, who survived his fight earlier, tracks him down into the station. Ben stabs him fatally in the throat then sends Locke out to become the new leader of the Others. Ben dons a parka and enters a secret level of the Orchid. He turns a large frozen wheel in the wall, which causes the island to disappear from the ocean.cite episode | title = There's No Place Like Home | episodelink = There's No Place Like Home | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Jack Bender & Stephen Williams | writers = Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse | network = ABC | airdate = 2008-05-29 | season = 4 | number = 12, 13 & 14] Ben disappears and is transported to the Sahara Desert.

After the Island

Ben travels to a hotel, and asks the date, discovering that it is October 2005, ten months ahead of the date on which the island was moved. Ben finds Sayid at the funeral of his wife Nadia (Andrea Gabriel), and recruits Sayid as his personal assassin. Ben infiltrates Charles Widmore's penthouse apartment in London and tells Widmore he intends to have his daughter Penelope (Sonya Walger) murdered as revenge for the death of Alex. Years later, Ben visits Jack in a funeral home that houses the body of John Locke. Ben tells Jack that he will help him return to the Island, but the only way to get back to the Island is if everyone who had left it returns; therefore, that includes bringing the body of Locke with them.

Personality

Quote box
quote = "That's what my father does - he manipulates people. He makes you think it's your idea but it's his."
source = — Alex in "The Man From Tallahassee"
width = 25em
align = rightThe hallmark of Ben's persona is his impeccable ability to lie and manipulate the people around him in order to serve his own agenda. He claims to have been born on the Island, leading to him being thought of as a miracle by the Others, as pregnant women die on the island;cite episode | title = One Of Us | episodelink = One Of Us (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Jack Bender | writers = Carlton Cuse & Drew Goddard | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-04-11 | season = 3 | number = 16] but later confesses to Locke that he was lying. He unsuccessfully tries to convince the survivors that he is Henry Gale, although succeeds in manipulating Locke to turn against Jack whilst under this guise.cite episode | title = Lockdown | episodelink = Lockdown (Lost) | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Stephen Williams | writers = Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse | network = ABC | airdate = 2006-03-29 | season = 2 | number = 17] While he claims he will not sacrifice innocent life in order to accomplish his goals, he has been shown to do quite the opposite. In the third season finale, Ben is informed by Tom (M. C. Gainey), an Other, that they have captured three of the crash survivors: Sayid, Bernard Nadler (Sam Anderson), and Jin-Soo Kwon (Daniel Dae Kim). When Tom tells Ben they are unwilling to reveal any information about the rest of the survivors, Ben quickly replies "Shoot Kwon... You want them to answer questions, kill Kwon - do it now". This may have been further manipulation, since Ben knows Sayid has demonstrated resistance to torture before,cite episode | title = Enter 77 | episodelink = Enter 77 | series = Lost | serieslink = Lost (TV series) | credits = Stephen Williams | writers = Damon Lindelof & Carlton Cuse | network = ABC | airdate = 2007-03-07 | season = 3 | number = 11] whereas Bernard is simply a dentist and more likely to crack. Conversely Ben refuses to allow his spy on the freighter to destroy it long before it reaches the Island, as he would not kill anyone that "did not deserve to die". Furthermore, when Locke confronts Ben about causing the freighter to explode, Ben coldly replies, "So?"

Quote box
quote = "I have full sympathy [for Ben] . I believe he has a mission and an agenda that he hasn’t shared with us yet. The survival of the earth may depend on Ben’s work, so it justifies his ruthless behavior. Maybe I’m just fantasizing or deluding myself."
source = — Actor Michael Emerson, who plays Ben [Ravitz, Justin, (May 25, 2007). " [http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2007/05/lost_1.html ‘Lost’: What Can Ben Tell Us About Season Four?] ". "New York Magazine". Retrieved on February 19; 2008.]
width = 25em
align = left

Ben's unclear motives have led to speculation of whether he is a good or bad person. Ben Rawson-Jones describes Ben as a "supposed villian", pondering "Could he really have been the good guy all along" following the fourth season episode "The Shape of Things to Come". [Rawson-Jones, Ben, (May 4, 2008) " [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a95276/s04e09-the-shape-of-things-to-come.html S04E09: 'The Shape Of Things To Come'] ", "DigitalSpy". Retrieved on September 29, 2008.] One reviewer described Ben's personality as shifting from "scum to anti-hero". [Michael (April, 2008). " [http://tvfan.ew.com/blogs/post/856 Dexter, Battlestar Galactica, Lost, Office, Corner Gas] ". TV Fan from "Entertainment Weekly". Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] Actor Michael Emerson suspects where Ben's loyalties lie will always be ambiguous, making this a "wonderful role". [Webb Mitovich, Matt, (May 28, 2008) " [http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Tv-Mattrs/Michael-Emerson-2/800040514l Lost's Michael Emerson, Part 2: More Burning Questions] ", "TV Guide". Retrieved on September 29, 2008.] Ben is portrayed as being very polite, even with his enemies. When the Others capture Jack, Kate and Sawyer, he allows Kate to a shower, wear fresh clothes and share breakfast with him, albeit handcuffed throughout the meal. His ruthlessness is often couched in an unnerving calmness and he is rarely shown losing control of his emotions. When he does, it is done in a big and childish way. [Official "Lost" Podcast March 06, 2008.] Ben is also known for his commitment to the island and doing whatever is necessary to protect it. [Day, Patrick Kevin, (April 25, 2008) " [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2008/04/lost-ben-linus.html 'Lost': Ben Linus gets tough] ", "Los Angeles Times". Retrieved on September 29, 2008.] He has no qualms with Locke attempting to kill Naomi after she begins to call the freighter. He undertakes the risky and unpredictable step of moving the island to prevent the freighter crew, and thus Charles Widmore, from finding it. He always has a plan and is described by Kevin Thompson as a "know-it-all". [Thompson, Kevin, (April 25, 2008) " [http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/thompson/entries/2008/04/if_michael_emer.html 'Lost' Rec
] ", "Palm Beach Post". Retrieved on September 29, 2008.]

Development

In 2001 American actor Michael Emerson won an Emmy award for his guest appearance as a serial killer on "The Practice".Denise Martin (September 17, 2008). " [http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/emmys/la-en-emerson17-2008sep17,0,2090309.story?track=rss Michael Emerson's 'Lost' world] ". "The Los Angeles Times". Retrieved on September 30, 2008.] Following this, the "Lost" producers were keen to cast Emerson in the role of Ben, then known as "Henry Gale", as they liked his work on "The Practice" and thought he fit the character well.Audio commentary for "The Man Behind the Curtain", Season 3 DVD set of "Lost"] He was originally contracted to appear in just three episodes of "Lost",Official "Lost" Podcast March 26, 2007.] making his first appearance in the second season episode "One of Them". The producers were so impressed by him that they contracted him for a further five episodes, citing the scene at the end of "The Whole Truth" where Ben asks for milk as the moment they knew he was a "keeper". He was then made a part of the regular cast from the third season. [(August 4, 2006). " [http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2006/08/04/back_to_the_land_of_the_lost/ Back to the land of the 'Lost'] ". "The Boston Globe". Retrieved on September 30, 2008.] Had Emerson not worked out during his initial appearances a different actor would have been cast for the leader of the Others, but it was always intended that the survivors would have the leader right under their noses and not realise it. Emerson had no idea of his character's importance during his second season recurring role. He was told nothing about Ben's backstory and would only receive scripts at the last minute.Denise Martin (September 15, 2008). " [http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2008/09/lost-michael-em.html 'Lost' start Michael Emerson: What you didn't know] ". "The Los Angeles Times". Retrieved on September 30, 2008.] He enjoys how the ambiguity of Ben's motives allows him to "paint it the way [he] please [s] ". [Matt Webb Mitovich (May 28, 2008). " [http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Tv-Mattrs/Michael-Emerson-2/800040514 Michael Emerson, Part 2: More Lost Burning Questions] ". "TV Guide". Retrieved on September 30, 2008.] Sterling Beaumon was cast to play Ben in the flashbacks of episode "The Man Behind the Curtain". Emerson's wife Carrie Preston was cast as Ben's mother following Emerson telling people at parties that she was desperate for a part on the show.

Reception

During the beginning of season three, Chris Carabott from IGN described Ben as "one of the best "villains" on television", due to his "eerie manner" and "methodical delivery". [Carabott, Chris, (February 8, 2007) " [http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/762/762684p1.html Lost: "Not in Portland" Review] ", IGN. Retrieved on October 6, 2008.] Later in the season Carabott had a problem with Ben being so deceptive, as "anything he imparts must be taken with a grain of salt". [Carabott, Chris, (May 3, 2007) " [http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/785/785318p1.html Lost: "The Brig" Review] ", IGN.] Jeff Jensen of "Entertainment Weekly" also noted this, saying "I don't trust Ben. I have no idea when he's lying and when he's telling the truth. The only thing I'm reasonably sure of is that everything he says is for the purpose of impacting a character — and the audience". [Jensen, Jeff, (May 3, 2007) " [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20037639,00.html Getting Even With Dad] ", "Entertainment Weekly". Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] Ben's father issues revealed towards the end of season three are described as "not the most original Lost character trait by any means but it is the thrust behind Ben's development into the genocidal maniac he eventually becomes". [Carabott, Chris, (May 10, 2007) " [http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/787/787049p1.html Lost: "The Man Behind the Curtain" Review] ", IGN. Retrieved on October 6, 2008.] Following the penultimate episode of the season, Carabott stated "Even with his limited screen time, Michael Emerson's performance shines through and we hope that he survives the events of the finale because we love seeing his character every week." [Carabott, Chris, (May 17, 2007) " [http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/789/789272p1.html Lost: "Greatest Hits" Review] ", IGN. Retrieved on October 6, 2008.] Erin Martell from TV Squad picked the Others as one of her season three highlights, partly due to the development of Ben, adding "I cannot even picture the final three seasons without Ben". [Martell, Erin, (May 31, 2007) " [http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/05/31/lost-season-three-highlights/ Lost season three highlights] ", TV Squad. Retrieved on October 6, 2008.] Martell also gave six reasons to look forward to season four, one of which was Ben Linus. [Martell, Erin, (January 29, 2008) " [http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/01/29/six-reasons-to-look-forward-to-season-four-of-lost/ Six reasons to look forward to season four of Lost] ", TV Squad. Retrieved on October 6, 2008.]

Jeff Jensen of "Entertainment Weekly" praised Emerson's acting in the beginning of season four, calling him "a genius in [the] role". [Jensen, Jeff, (March 6, 2008) " [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20182755_2,00.html The Loves of Juliet] ", "Entertainment Weekly". Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] SyFy Portal's Dan Compora said that "The more I hate Ben, the more I realize that Michael Emerson is just a very fine actor doing his job".Compora, Dan, (March 7, 2008) " [http://www.syfyportal.com/news424791.html "Lost" Review] ", SyFy Portal. Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] Oscar Dahl of BuddyTV called Emerson an acting "god". [Dahl, Oscar, (March 8, 2008) " [http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-every-episode-is-a-ben-ep-17381.aspx Every Episode is a Ben Episode] ", BuddyTV. Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] Kevin Thompson of "The Palm Beach Post" wrote that "with those big ol' eyes of his, [Emerson] could always say more with a lengthy stare than he could with twenty pages of dialogue.… [He has] , once again, proved why he has become "Lost"'s star as well as its heart and soul.… an Emmy should belong to [him] ." [Thompson, Kevin, (April 25, 2008) " [http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/thompson/entries/2008/04/if_michael_emer.html The Night Belongs To Big Ben] ", "The Palm Beach Post". Retrieved on May 19, 2008.] Jennifer Godwin of E! wrote that "no one has ever done better work humanizing a supervillain." [Godwin, Jennifer, (April 25, 2008) " [http://www.eonline.com/gossip/kristin/detail/index.jsp?uuid=8238465c-26fb-4a93-9fa4-629af9f8b05c Death, Dear Ones and the Monster: Michael Emerson Talks "Lost"] ", E!. Retrieved on April 25, 2008.] Matt Roush of "TV Guide" puts Ben in "The Shape of Things to Come" in the top 20 moments of the week, stating "Michael Emerson on Lost. It doesn’t get better than that". [Roush, Matt, (April 25, 2008) " [http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Roush-Dispatch/Battlestar-Galactica-Met/800038315 Week in Review: 20 Unforgettable Moments] ", "TV Guide". Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] Ben Rawson-Jones of Digital Spy describes Emerson's performance as "fantastic", with "many layers of intrigue and humanity". [Rawson-Jones, Ben, (May 4, 2008) " [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a95276/s04e09-the-shape-of-things-to-come.html S04E09: 'The Shape Of Things To Come'] ", Digital Spy. Retrieved on October 4, 2008.] John Kubicek of BuddyTV also found his performance "fantastic", adding "he nailed it". [Kubicek, John, (April 25, 2008) " [http://www.buddytv.com/articles/lost/lost-easter-eggs-the-shape-of-18912.aspx "Lost" Easter Eggs: 'The Shape of Things to Come'] ", BuddyTV. Retrieved on April 26, 2008.] Critic Kelly Woo, from "TV Squad", placed him on #2 on her list of "Seven new characters that worked", ranking just below Desmond Hume, also from "Lost". [cite news|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2008/09/30/seven-new-characters-that-worked/|title=Seven new characters that worked|author=Woo, Kelly|date=2008-09-30|publisher="TV Squad"|accessdate=2008-10-03]

Awards

Following his recurring role in the second season, Emerson was nominated for the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor - TV Series, Miniseries or TV Film, but lost out to Ugly Betty's Tony Plana.cite news|url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2006.shtml |title=2006 11th Annual SATELLITE Awards|accessdate=2008-03-06|publisher=International Press Academy] He was also nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Program, losing to Masi Oka from Heroes.cite news|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/02/20/lost-receives-seven-saturn-award-nominations/|title=Lost receives seven Saturn Award nominations |author=Erin Martell| |date=2006-02-20|accessdate=2008-03-22|publisher="TV Squad"] In 2007, Emerson was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor - Drama Series for his portrayal of Ben in third season, losing out to fellow "Lost" cast member Terry O'Quinn (John Locke). [United Press International, (September 16, 2007). " [http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/articles/story.php?s=1012950back_to_the_land_of_the_lost/ 'Lost' star Terry O'Quinn wins best supporting drama actor Emmy] ". "RealityTVWorld.com". Retrieved on February 19, 2008.] He was also nominated for Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor - TV Series, Miniseries or Minifilm again, this time losing to David Zayas from Dexter.cite news|url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2007.shtml |title=2007 12th Annual SATELLITE Awards|accessdate=2008-10-04|publisher=International Press Academy] This year he won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Program, beating fellow "Lost" actors Terry O'Quinn and Josh Holloway (Sawyer).cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i39a618183fe30fd51e13541bc3fb7570|title='Enchanted' runs rings around Saturn Awards|author=Gregg Kilday|date=2008-06-24|accessdate=2008-06-24|publisher="The Hollywood Reporter"] Emerson was also nominated for the Teen Choice Award for Best Villian.cite news|url=http://www.tvsquad.com/2007/07/03/teen-choice-nominees-announced/|title=Teen Choice nominees announced|author=Adam Finley|date=2007-07-03|accessdate=2008-03-06|publisher=TV Squad] Emerson was again nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards, but lost to Damages' Zeljko Ivanek. [Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, (July 17, 2008) " [http://cdn.emmys.tv/awards/2008pte/60thpte_noms.php Complete 2008 Nominations List] ". Retrieved on July 17, 2008.]

References