Spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes of Lost.
Sayid sits in Dharma's jail in 1977 while the young Ben brings him food and asks whether Richard sent him. Roger catches Ben helping the prisoner and strikes him. Sawyer proposes a false confession that would let Sayid join Dharma as a defector from the Others, but Sayid refuses. Horace and Radzinsky instead take him to Oldham, who restrains and drugs him to force answers about his identity.
Under questioning, Sayid accurately names Dharma stations and describes the Swan, which has not yet been completed. He also says he comes from the future. The interrogators take that claim as evidence that the drug has affected him too strongly. Back at the barracks, Dharma's leaders vote to execute him. Sawyer tries again to arrange his escape, but Sayid says he now understands why he returned. Ben creates a diversion with a burning van and unlocks Sayid's cell, expecting to be taken to the Others.
Separate flashbacks follow Sayid's earlier life, his killings for the adult Ben and his attempt to leave that work behind. Ilana captures him after meeting him in a bar and says she is taking him to Guam for the family of a man he killed. That arrest puts him on Ajira Flight 316. In 1977, Sayid escapes with the boy Ben, knocks Jin unconscious and takes his gun. Believing he can stop the adult Ben's crimes, Sayid shoots the child and leaves him in the jungle.