Michael Emerson (Ben on Lost) is used to being compared with legendary bad guys, but Darth Vader? “He’s a great force of darkness, I guess, but how much acting goes on behind a plastic head?” Michael jokes to The AV Club. “It seems like his costume does more work for him than mine does for me. I should get handicap points, I think.” For four seasons, Michael’s ambiguously-gray villain “Ben Linus” has delighted fans of Lost —fans who wonder if the deposed leader of “The Others” is evil, heroic…or just a tragic pawn of greater forces on The Island. “There is a sinister quality to him,” the actor admits, “but the verdict is still out.” Michael has a storied history of playing creepy guys, most notably his six-episode arc as stalker “William Hinks” on The Practice, a guest role which won him an Emmy in 2001. The 54-year-old theatre veteran was only supposed to be a guest star on Lost, as well, but his spellbinding portrayal caused the writers to quickly bring “Ben” front and center. Most would agree, the series rose to new heights after that. This weekend, WBNX will air the amazing two-part finale of Season 4, during which the Oceanic Six are rescued and Ben is instructed to “move the Island.” It’s well worth another look! And be sure to catch up with past episodes throughout the summer in anticipation of next year’s final countdown.
Lost / Saturday 1am & Sunday 2am
