Benjamin Linus remains one of Lost's most fascinating and complex characters. When first introduced as Henry Gale during the show's second season, he keeps the characters and the audience guessing about his real identity and motives. As the leader of the Others, Ben proves to be cunning and manipulative. As the series progresses, though, he becomes a much more tragic character.
Many of these developments are best remembered by his memorable quotes. Ben is responsible for some of the most unique and iconic lines in the show that demonstrate his character's ability to be humorous, devious, and tragic in different instances.
"You Guys Got Any Milk?"
While still under the guise of Henry Gale, Ben goes into a worrisome monologue about what he would do if here were one of the Others and how the map he drew would be drawing Ana Lucia into a trap.
He leaves this possibility dangling for a moment and then asks Locke and Jack nonchalantly, "You guys got any milk?" The comedic timing is perfect as it's the very end of the episode and it leaves the characters and the audience more unsure than ever about this character's actual motivations and intentions.
"We're The Good Guys, Michael."
This is Ben's unsettling response when Michael asks him, "Who are you people?" Between kidnapping Walt and everything else Ben and the Others do in seasons 1 and 2, their actions indicate they are anything but the good guys.
Much like Ben himself, though, the rest of the series proves that the Others are more complicated than their actions suggest. The Others are Jacob's people and from their point of view, they are the good guys.
"She's A Pawn. Nothing More. She Means Nothing To Me."
These are the last words that Alex hears before she dies, with her father referring to her as a pawn who means nothing to her. He utters these words with enough confidence and sincerity to convince anyone.
Of course, the tragedy is that Ben doesn't feel this way at all. He loves Alex and is trying to use reverse psychology to save her while also holding onto his power. It doesn't work, though, as Martin Keamy shoots her in the head when Ben refuses to surrender himself. Ben loses his precious power and more importantly he loses his daughter, who dies hearing that she meant nothing to her father.
"He Changed The Rules."
After Ben witnesses the shocking and tragic death of his daughter Alex, both the characters and the audience are unsure of how he'll respond. Unpredictable as ever, Ben's first words are, "He changed the rules."
It is telling that Ben's first response is to examine the lack of order in the situation. As someone who's used to being in control, the first way he copes with the powerlessness of the situation is to identify why control and order are lost. Charles Widmore broke the rules of their sick feud and crossed a line that was never supposed to be crossed. Widmore broke the rules and now Ben will also break the rules to get the justice and vengeance that he feels he deserves.
"There Are Consequences To Being Chosen, Because Destiny, John, Is A Fickle B**ch."
Ben has a way with words, whether it's to manipulate another person or to voice his bitter frustrations and disappointments. This is certainly the case when he refers to the cost of destiny.
Ben's world and his faith have been upended in numerous ways. It's difficult to know what he believes anymore and what the future holds for him or John Locke. All he feels certain about anymore is that being chosen for an important destiny on the Island is a path filled with uncertainty and pain. Filled with self-pity, anguish, and jealousy, Ben can only hope the path ahead will be just as cumbersome for Locke.
"If You Mean Time-Traveling Bunnies, Then Yes."
Ben can be delightfully sarcastic and succinct when he wants to be. One of the best examples of this is when John Locke watches the Dharma Initiative's Orchid Orientation video.
When Locke asks if the video is saying what he thinks it's saying, Ben delivers this perfect line about time-traveling bunnies. It's a moment of levity amidst the tense and mind-blowing events of the season 4 finale.
"What About Me?"
When Ben finally meets Jacob, he seeks to understand why he was never good enough for Jacob, why he had to endure so much suffering after years of service. All that pain and desperation is wrapped up in his simple question, "What about me?"
Jacob's response "What about you?" is the most devastating thing that Ben can hear in response. His worst fears are realized as Jacob essentially tells Ben that he was never special and all of his sacrifices and suffering were for nothing.
"I Was Terrified That I Was Going To Lose The Only Thing That Ever Mattered To Me: My Power. But The Thing That Really Mattered Was Already Gone."
Stripped away of all his power and manipulations, Ben delivers a gut-wrenching monologue when cornered by Ilana. It is refreshing and emotional to hear him admit to the selfishness, greed, and fear that contributed to Alex's death.
He fought so hard to maintain his power and realized too late that this power was meaningless in comparison with his daughter's life. Ben is finally able to be honest about the most traumatic moment in his life and how it led to other terrible choices he made like killing Jacob.
"He Doesn't Get To Save His Daughter."
Ben grows a lot as a character but that doesn't mean he can forgive Charles Widmore for Alex's death. He cannot accept a world where his daughter Alex is dead and Widmore can bargain for the life of his daughter Penny.
Ben shoots Charles at great risk to himself, but he believes it's worth it to kill Widmore to get a semblance of the justice and revenge that he's been craving for years.
"I Think You Do What You Do Best. Take Care Of People."
It is beautiful to see the manipulative Ben becoming Hurley's supportive and compassionate "number two" on the Island. When the mantle of leadership is thrust upon Hurley, he's initially overwhelmed and at a loss at what to do.
Ben provides the best possible advice as he tells Hurley to do what he does best. Hurley has always shown leadership by taking the initiative to be compassionate and take care of other people. Ben helps him see that this compassion and initiative is what will make Hurley a perfect protector for the Island and Ben will be there to support him every step of the way.