I think the sidways flash has a simple meaning. I think it's simply to show the viewer that everyone has in them, the capacity for good and evil. Ben chose then more noble path, even though he showed signs of the Ben we all have known. And Jack made amends with his son, even though the relationship was strained like his and his fathers. Which way they go on the island has yet to be shown. But I just have this gut feeling, that Ben is gonna turn out to be the winning candidate. He will have learned what he needs to learn by the ending of the show. It's already begun for Ben in this episode.

There's a scene in the school between Locke and Ben while they are eating lunch. Where Locke talks abour how easy it is too see how much Ben cares about the school and teaching. And how he should be principle. I kind of took it as an analogy of the island. Ben cares about the island the way sideways Ben cares about the school. He wanted the power position to make the school better. Island Ben wants power in order to help the island. Or he did at times, but he lost himself and wanted the power for the wrong reasons. Jacob needed to teach Ben a lesson and so I believe Jacob knew exactly what would happen.

Ben is now back on track, he's making the right choices and the island will forgive him. Up until now the island kind of turned it's back on Ben. With his tumor not being healed and such. But I think it.s different now.

MIB thinks he knows Ben. That he can manipulate Ben. This is gonna be MIBs undoing.

Two things:

First, it would seem that the decisions they are making off island seem to correspond with those decisions made on island in the present. Though I agree that the flash sideways reflects another side in which they have made different choices, I also am convinced that they are making those choices now. They surely have a deeper connection than that of a reflection to its subject.

Second, there is a deeper hope in this episode than in some of the others before this. Though not all characters will choose to seek redemption, there is now a greater sense of this possibility for all of our characters. That possiblity seems to come from how that character was treated by the followers of Jacob. Sayid was met with doubt, deception, and violence, and he responded in kind. Ben, on the other hand was met with redemption, and his sins were greater and nearer to the heart of his judge and jury than those of Sayid, and he was accepted, and it could prove to be his salvation.

Nice thoughts, although I disagree on the meaning of the FS. We've seen already that everyone has good and bad in them through the lives of those on the island and their backstories. Even Sayid, who was a torturer, has (had?) good in his heart. He was the one trying so hard to get them rescued by fixing the transmitter and trying to make other receivers from all the batteries and cell phone debris from the crash site. He kept the large fire going on the beach, hoping a rescue team would find them. He loved again through Shannon. He was kind in many other ways, too.

The theme of redemption is finally coming full circle for our Losties. Not sure how it will happen but I do agree that Ben should be the one to inherit the Jacob role. Other than Locke, he is the one who has loved the island the most and never wanted to leave. He lost his way at some point, went a little Napolean and thought he could have it all. I could see him back in ragged clothes again like we saw him on the Pala Ferry dock when he let Michael go.

But he's off the island so I think this won't happen. I don't think there will be a "winner". It only ends once; everything else is progress. So the cycle will start again. And how else will we get a movie sequel? ;)

I have been wondering if the Flashes Sideways occur during the time the smoke monster(s) are judging people. Like in the past the smoke monster seems to hover and peer into someone and you'll see flashes of their life before it makes its judgment. Maybe this is what we are seeing in those flashes and that once the scenario plays out, the call will be made. Obviously, then, it moves more in dream-time than in real-time.