Hurley and Ben end up as the Island's protector and his second-in-command -- the two most unlikely candidates imaginable. Ben, who lied and murdered his way through the entire series, is redeemed by serving someone who is incapable of corruption. Hurley, who never wanted power, is the perfect leader because of it. Their final exchange outside the church -- "You were a great number two." "And you were a great number one." -- is the series' thesis statement about redemption condensed into two lines.