Locke's Odds

By now it's been widely reported what happened on the last episode of Lost, but if you don't want to know, stop reading.

Anyway, at the end of the show, Ben shot Locke. So here's the question: Is Locke done for?

Pro: Looked like he got shot in the gut--pretty serious. Furthermore, the producers have promised several deaths by the finale. Killing a highly popular character is the kind of shocking move they might make to shake up the show. Last year, Locke's survival was in question and he pulled through--would they want to repeat that trick? For that matter, last year Libby got shot in the gut and some (including me) thought she might survive, but she didn't. Also, Locke knows too much--he's on the verge of finding out big things and taking over; the show has 50 more episodes to go, so maybe they want to take a step back. Besides, he's been getting a bit too arrogant, even obnoxious--Eko said "you're next" and maybe it was time for him to go. Finally, Locke's back story is all done. We learned how he got to Sydney, all about his father, and how he was paralyzed--he even got to face down his father on the island. (Plus, outside the show, there's a rumor Terry O'Quinn has sold his house in Hawaii.)

Con: Locke is a (perhaps the) central character on Lost--kill him and the show loses its heart. Besides, Locke is close to the island and famously heals. On top of which, it's possible Locke was shot where his kidney used to be, so he can take it. The way it was done, Locke was still alive at the end of the episode--if they wanted him dead, why not kill him for sure, for maximum effect? Ben leaves him behind rather than finish him off. Also, Locke is still seeking, and has just been introduced to a big new mystery--it seems like the beginning of a major story, not the end. Furthermore, not only does Locke have unfinished business with Ben, Jacob and the Others, but the show has long been promising a showdown between Locke and Jack.

Odds: 3-1 in favor of Locke surviving.