Murphstrodamus wrote:
I think swoozie was just part of the con with Cooper

I think ths was confirmed a few seasons ago. Let's speculate that John's real mother (Emily) met Richard Alpert, and older gentleman who then became pregnant by him. After John's birth Emily ran away from home, leaving the grandmother to put him into foster care. The real Emily, now on her own, meets up with a nice fellow named Roger Linus. As they're dating Emily encounters Richard Alpert again. She falls for his charm once mor and they do the nasty. Afraid to tell Roger, she convinces him that the child is his and they marry.

John and Ben are brothers.

S.