I was finally able to pin down something that had been niggling at me since last season and I posted it in another thread. I thought I was the only one who saw Willie Wonka in this show, but did a search and found quite a few threads discussing Wonka and Lost. Apparently in Walkabout, Wonka is mentioned. Here is a copy of my post, and link to a dead thread. In the past couple of Episodes Ben is really reminding me of Wonka, in a creepy controlling way. His TV screens, his odd voice and soft monotone way of speaking, his weird eyes....I'm waiting for Kate to blow up and turn purple! Anyone else?

<<snip>>This is so completely off this topic, but I had to post anyway with other people as goofy and obsessed as I am. I finally figured out why the Ben/Henry character is so familiar to me. He reminds me of the creepy Gene Wilder version of Willie Wonka. He has those weird eyes, and an expression as though he knows everything and lies about everything at the same time. He lives in his own private little world where he is in control of everything, he has lots of minions to do his bidding and can manipulate reality. For all of you who keep up on these things, I don't suppose TPTB have ever mentioned Willie Wonka have they?

http://www.thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=31358&highlight=willie+wonka (http://www.thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=31358&highlight=willie+wonka)

i was thinking more along the lines of David Koresh, waiting to find out that he has several wives, and well he's already got the guns and the compound.

either way he is creepy and controlling.

I can't see any resemblence with Wonka really.

Wonka was all about bringing joy to the world with his chocolate - something I cant see Ben doing (with or without chocolate)

I think perhaps the way the character is expressed is perhaps similar to that of Gene Wilder but I wouldnt think it would have been too much of an influence as they are worlds apart, character wise.

The Wonka in the book is seriously creepy. Not evil, just creepy. However Gene Wilder's portrayal of Wonka really reminds me of Ben--both the physical appearance of the actors and the demeanor of the characters they play.

Save_Walt, do you have a new baby? I noticed a new Avatar the other day?

Well, I wouldn't put it past Benry to be holding a bunch of Ooompaloompas captive down there in the Hydra hatch. :biggrin:

The Wonka in the book is seriously creepy. Not evil, just creepy. However Gene Wilder's portrayal of Wonka really reminds me of Ben--both the physical appearance of the actors and the demeanor of the characters they play.

Save_Walt, do you have a new baby? I noticed a new Avatar the other day?

hope this finds you, i was busy this week.
yes, 5 weeks ago number 4 arrived, makes 3 boys and 1 princess !

Ben does look like Gene Wilder to me too! I think it's the eyes!

Now that you mention it, he does very much remind me of Willie Wonka. He may also be putting subjects (the Losties) through rather elaborate circumstances to teach them a lesson, just as Wonka did.

Hmmm, I posted before, but the list must have eaten it!

Ben reminds me in a physical way of Wilder's portrayal of Wonka, wild eyes, childlike demeanor and innocence in some ways...but kind of creepy. In the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Wonka character is very dark and creepy. It's way too intense for my kids. Wonka tests people to see if they are worthy to take over. Perhaps Ben/Henry is testing the Losties to see if they are worthy. Just a thought!