I think that Ben went into the future and landed in Tunisia when he went into that basement door in the earlier episode. By participating in the future off the Island, he innoculated himself from being killed since the Island now won't let him die. That's why he's able to go to Keamy--that was always his plan.

I think that Ben has yet to jump forward in time. I think that will happen in the finale. The fact that he doesn't know the date when he "lands" tells us that he doesn't have a very fine control of the amount of time he can "jump", so that would make him extremely lucky to be able to spend months in the future only to come back seconds after he left.

I think that Ben went into the future and landed in Tunisia when he went into that basement door in the earlier episode. By participating in the future off the Island, he innoculated himself from being killed since the Island now won't let him die. That's why he's able to go to Keamy--that was always his plan.

That's a clever idea. But I think it's wrong, considering that Ben was wearing a coat with an Orchid symbol on it when he jumped over. I think, however, Ben is likely protected from death anyway, and he turned himself over, because he had signaled the Others to come raid the station.

Although he probably does, it's possible that Ben doesn't time jump in the finale at all. That could still be yet to come. He could be jumping back from season 5 or even 6.

Note that Ben has been wearing the same clothes for the entire season.

He was wearing different clothes under the Orchid parka when he popped up in Tunisia.

Good points about the clothing! I was leaning to something similar with regards to Ben jumping to the future when he went into the secret room... The change in clothing makes me think that he must have jumped at some other time because I don't think Ben would have time to change clothes before jumping.

Here some reasons why I thought Ben jumped when he went into the closet:

1) The timing
The main thing that made me think that Ben jumped when he went into the room, was because he went directly into the closet right after Alex was shot. If you notice, at the end of the episode Shape of Things to Come , Ben confronts Widmore about breaking the rules because he murdered his daughter (presumably after he visits Sayid because he mentions he has a tan from being in Iraq).

From a timing perspective, a parent wouldn't wait to confront someone who is responsible for their child's death, especially if they agreed to rules to not involve family members. As a mom, I would be FURIOUS and would confront immediately, so the timing of Ben going into the room and making a jump seemed to fit nicely.

2) Ben takes responsibility
Also when Ben confronts Widmore about killing Alex, he responds with the following:

Widmore: Don't stand there looking at me with those horrible eyes of yours and lay the blame of the death of that poor girl on me. When we both know I didn't murder her at all. YOU DID!
Ben: No, that's not true.

I read this to mean that Ben was not taking responsibility for Alex's death.

But in episode, Cabin Fever, Ben seems a bit sad and bitter, and acknowledges that he is responsible for Alex's death.

Ben: I was told a lot of things too. That I was chosen, that I was special. I end up with a tumor on my spine and my daughter's blood all over my hands........... Those things had to happen to me. That was my destiny.

If Ben hadn't talked to Widmore by this time, I would think he would be furious and would be blaming him still.

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But, thinking about it a little further, regardless of if Ben had jumped back and talked to Widmore, etc., Ben obviously knows everything that is going on, so when he tells Locke about destiny, etc.. he sounds more like he's just full of it and he's just trying to con John.

All along, Ben has been afraid to die--that's why he stopped Locke from killing him. Why bother if he knew he couldn't be killed? But I think that when Ben confronts Keamy, he and Keamy know something has changed and he can no longer die. That's why I think he innoculated himself--he wasn't safe before.

I think this is a great theory. Don't get to bogged down in the clothes issue. REmember, Tunisia was not his first stop after leaving his secret secret room (call it the wardrobe). He went somewhere cold first. Who knows what he did there or how long he was gone or if the cold weather destination was even his first stop.

I firmly believe that everything we saw in Tunisa and Iraq and even London happened in the 30 or so minutes Ben was gone from the house during the Keamy standoff.

I believe even considering his conversation with Widmore, even Ben doesn't know where the Island is now, he's kinda bluffing....Locke becomes the new Ben and knowing this Ben leaves the Island at the same time as the 06.........His time is done, but he still 'loves' the Island and now uses that to avenge Alex

I think this is a great theory. Don't get to bogged down in the clothes issue. REmember, Tunisia was not his first stop after leaving his secret secret room (call it the wardrobe). He went somewhere cold first. Who knows what he did there or how long he was gone or if the cold weather destination was even his first stop.

I firmly believe that everything we saw in Tunisa and Iraq and even London happened in the 30 or so minutes Ben was gone from the house during the Keamy standoff.

But would he change BACK when he comes back to our time?!?

-AJF

Good points about the clothing! I was leaning to something similar with regards to Ben jumping to the future when he went into the secret room...
So is it accepted by most folks here that his "secret room" aka closet is a time travel/teleportation machine IN ADDITION to a Smoke Monster unleashing station? (There's a lot going on in that closet!) I was under the probably mistaken impression that the Orchid Station held the key to time travel on the island, but perhaps only on a "whole island" basis? I guess Ben's keeping all of his passports and currency near that secret room does suggest that is where he goes to teleport ...