Foreshadowing all along. It was the wrong choice from Richards perspective. But it was John's correct choice, his destiny.
BobX - I always remembered that and when I had viewed that scene with Richard it always struck me as odd. Never verbalized on here, but we were chatting about that this past weekend.
I also find it odd that Richard does not recall these things he did in the past. As if he did them but went on forgetting. I would imagine at one point he would say to Locke, so do you remember me? I also find it odd that John Locke does not recall him or the Mittlelos camp etc.
It could be the writers just brain burping or it will be pulled together later.
The answers are right in front of our faces, I just know they are
