I don't know about that. Richard played a pretty vital role in alot of the major events on the Island. I mean just because he didn't have all the answers doesn't mean he was "just another guy".
Other than taking Ben into the temple as a child, I can't really think of any "major events" that Richard play a role in. He was around during some major events but he didn't really play a vital role. I suppose you could say that helping Kate and Sayid survive Keamy's team was a major event...but you'd like to think that Richard's duties were more important than simply being a hired gun lol.
Also, the fact that Richard, and some of the other main characters are dying off in the way they are I think actually creates a tremendous amount of suspense. Alot of times in movies, even though a main character might be in dire peril, deep down we know they will be ok. I mean when you watch Superman, do you ever honestly think Superman is going to die? No. So while there is some suspense, it always reaches a glass ceiling.
Now in Lost...they've made it clear that nobody is safe, which adds an infinite amount of suspense. I mean how many of you were on the edge of your seat when Flocke and Ben were sitting on the porch after Richard got tossed? I have a feeling this finale is going to be one of the most intense television experiences I've had...not to hype it up too much.
The problem I had with Richard's death wasn't so much the manner in which it happened, but instead that nothing of real substance occurred
before it happened. In the Richard-centric episide Richard finally accepts that he needs to do what his dead wife told him he needed to do (via Hurley), and that's keep MiB from leaving the island. They made it seem as if his finally coming around and finally taking the lead in stopping Smokie was a significant and important event. Alright, Richard!
But as we now see, it wasn't significant and important, and neither was he...he really was just "another guy" who came up with a rather easy and generic plan of action, again one that any of the survivors could have just as easily come up with themselves. It didn't require Richard's experience and enlightenment as Jacob's right-hand man for 150 years...Arnzt would have come up with the same freakin' plan lol. I wish I had felt as if some very real solution died right along with Richard...that his death meant that whatever they needed to do they can now no longer do...that Richard's extremely unique experience and role with Jacob was providing the survivors--and the show--with some MUCH needed knowledge as to how to stop MiB. At least that way his death would not only be sudden, but would make me feel as if the Losties are in even
deeper sh!t than they were before. But I felt none of that. Richard's death didn't really effect anything.