I do like the different speculative theories on DarkUFO but take only the odd bits are worthwhile. That said, here's my take on some bits, excuse the rambling and lack of proof-read as of yet. I'm glad people have picked out the contextual relevance of certain characters names- do like the parallels between Locke and Alpert's counterparts. Also it's borrowed far too many references and drawn too many allegories to subscribe to one particular pre-determined idea, a lot of the Biblical reference are very strong yet i think it has to conclude with somewhat broad strokes to encompass all these ideas without being any particular one. And obviously work for the average viewer who doesn't draw these comparisons.
Jacob + Flocke/MiB/Smokey
We've put one and two together of Flocke meaning all the other dead apparitions are also incarnations of Smoke Monster. Could they all have physical interactions though, as Flocke did saving Sawyer? I think this new ability has something to do with Illana stating he couldn't change anymore. Something different has happened to him for this to be the case. Whether it's killing Jacob or the fact Locke was a Candidate is uncertain. It does however suggest the apparitions Hurley saw of Jacob was Jacob.
In regard to the relation between the two- Jacob and MiB- a lot suggestions say Jacob is MiB's guard and the Island his prison. I don't buy this. Just because the MiB wants to 'go home', I believe this could pertain to several situations not necessarily being the prison scenario. Primarily I think that Jacob and MiB are two equal but opposing forces, not strictly conscripting to good/evil- they seemed far to amiable at the beech to have a more aggressive dynamic. I see it as a larger version of the hatch, one believes he must stay and 'push the button' / 'protect the island' - the other believes it's futile and wants out. They both idealise to different outlooks on the human condition, off the cuff- free will and destiny. Who for which is questionable. Jacob's influence on the Losties seems to imply destiny and Smokey offering free-will.
Alternate Timeline
Personally, i think this being caused by Juhead is a big red herring along with the Island being underwater. I believe it's always been occurring simultaneously as the one we know. I do agree that some incident has caused some effect on this Alt time line giving it relevance to be shown, probably it's the Island underwater thus negating Jacob's influence. Though certain things will play at to similar effects in both timelines, such as all of them being in Australia. I think the ultimate purpose of this is to show the two converge and prove or dismiss the ideas of MiB and Jacob- and reach the final end. This is Jacob's endgame, i believe. He knew his death would put about a chain of events to achieve this. Desmond is the constant between the two or has an ability to be conscious across both, as was Juliet after being exposed to the electro-magnetism similarly as Desmond was from the hatch.
Island Underwater
Regarding the end of Season 5, i still believe whatever happened happened. This is why i don't think this caused the Island to be underwater in Alt. I don't deny it, just doubt it. The Island being underwater, however, would explain how the Black Rock wrecked in the middle of it and also when it was first 'moved' the initial view of it disappearing doesn't say it didn't just go underwater. Not directly related but through it in here, burying the dead- does this stop MiB taking their form? Is this why Locke was taken to the Island so he could be buried thus keeping MiB trapped in his form? However, why of all people, would Sun know this. Illana has the knowledge of it so if this were the case, she'd have wanted to bury Locke
The Loophole
OK so the loop hole was finding a way for MiB to kill Jacob. Initially it seems to be manipulating Ben into it. Why Ben? My guess is it's because when he was younger and shot by Sayid and subsequently saved in the Fountain- he was made different. This we know. Although how many others have been in the spring, Dogen knows of it's property and attempted to use it to heal his hand. Did young Ben die and come back from life? Other possibilities could be he's the "leader" of the Others, as is Locke. Also both turned the Donkey Wheel and returned to the Island. I think at this point it can't be worked out exactly.
Candidates
Ok so the cave gave us an answer to the numbers. This has given the most questions far for me. Were the numbers important before being assigned to Candidates or special because of them. Jacob must have known of The Numbers thus must have known which Candidates were special. Were the numbers assigned to names before or after, if so he must have known they were coming for a long time. I'm not convinced they haven't just tried to shoehorn in a meaning to the numbers as of yet. Kate's absence, maybe because she's a woman but there are arguably other women already on there crossed out, if you don't want to get pedantic and suggest the allude to male relatives. Is she important or not important at all. Yet to be seen, arguments for both- she wasn't meant to be on plane, wasn't there from choice, is the tie between Jack and Sawyer- more a Richard character. A theory i read was she is the 'substitute' so if any of The Numbers died, she'd replace them to keep the equation intact.
Who are the candidates? Ok so they're there to replace Jacob but Jacob never seemed like he to want to leave. Is this a lie so MiB can get away with killing Jacob whilst maintaining the balance. Or are they in fact to be his replacement and leaving with Sawyer was a lie or maybe that IS leaving? I'm not one way or the other on him wanting to kill the Losties, it makes sense in the good/bad dichotomy but it also seems far too direct of an approach for Lost to take considering all the shades of grey. Although the symbolic nature of the scales seems to suggest he is evil and does want to kill them, which would be a shame due to it's apparent simplicity.
Was it actually Jacob's cave? I like to think Jacob wrote the names and MiB crossed them off. MiB obviously knew Locke was a candidate when he chose to occupy his body so i don't think this was a mistake on his part. Whether Flocke becomes more Locke (as evidenced by one of his catchphrases) and his disability comes into play preventing MiB from leaving is another possibility. I think it's another point there's not enough information on yet to speculate a conclusion.
The Temple
The desire to keep the Losties 'safe' inside the Temple stems to their apparent importance as candidates. So safe from what? It seems to be Flocke who is now a threat as of Jacob's death. The Ash seems to be Jacob's after Illana took them out of the fire and the is to repel Smokey, much like the electromagnet fence- is Jacob and that energy tied? However, Smokey has been seen around the Temple and has been controlled by Ben via some similar ancient ruins below Dharmaville. I'd say the initial thought is that the Temple somehow relates to Flocke's home and this is where he wants to go.
Young Boy
It's a fair assumption this boy is Jacob but could be Aaron or a more omnipotent force, with his knowledge of rules and Flocke's apparent fear. It's fair to say Jacob can take other avatars as MiB has, plus we have already seen Jacob appear post death to Hurley. I'd say the visions Losties see of people not trying to influence them, Kate's white horse and some of Christian are Jacob. MiB using Christian to make Locke turn the Donkey Wheel might have a link to when he left or entered the cabin (depending if you see the ring to keep him in or out). The blood on his hands also tie to his stabbing. The fact Sawyer can see him also is worth note, i'm inclined to say whoever it is, only candidates can see it.
Infection
It's got Claire and seems to have got Sayid. It's a fair bet it's what got Rosseau's team but then why is she so similar to Claire? Is this how MiB 'claims' his candidates? Do they need to die to be reborn? It explains Richard's threat of Flocke wanting to kill all the Losties.
Jacob asking Hurley to take Sawyer to the Spring
An interesting counter to the notion is, as has been pretty ascertained, Jacob instructing Hurley to take Sayid to the Temple. He must have known the effect is death has had on the water and how Sayid would be 'infected'. People seem to think Dogen's poison was designed to kill Sayid, surely the more obvious answer it was a poison to the infection, anyway. Maybe he will take the pill, killing the infection yet still being claimed giving him some power- all part of Jacob's plan. Maybe he will be Ben's polar opposite and they will become the new MiB/Jacob.
Last edited by Pyro Tramp; 02-20-10 at 07:01 PM.
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Bentham was, of course, an ideological opponent of many things purported by the real life John Locke, hence Widmore's comment about how he "had a sense of humor" when he picked his alias, just as John's parents did when they named him.
