Discussing
Where is Lost going?

I think you're right, Jacob's no passive observer. I'm curious as to your take on what Jacob's touch did for Sun and Jin. . .I've watched the season finale, and that's one I can't figure out.

There's a big and very overt season one connection with Jacob and Man in Black. When Locke is describing backgammon to Walt, Locke calls it a game "older than Jesus Christ. . .Two players. Two sides. One is light one is dark." This appears to be what we're seeing played out on the island.

My take on Lost is that they all died in the plane crash; they are all in limbo/purgatory (assuming the writers' Catholic experience) each working out their individual issues . . . .

Collide Magazine quotes pastor Chris Seay when he guesses that the man in black is Esau. I think your guess makes more sense. Can't wait to watch the show tonight!

Great thoughts. The producers have said since season 1 that this is not any sort of purgatory/afterlife situation. (But they also said there'd be no time travel!) But would anyone be happy to find out that the big mystery along is that they are dead?

The theory that the Man in Black is Esau is very popular. That could be his name--and these could be two rival brothers vying for something--but my guess is that these are not in any way the Biblical Jacob and Esau just like this isn't the real John Locke or a female C.S. Lewis. But I am thinking that these characters are archetypal representations of good and evil.

There is a certain Eastern, Yin-Yang duality to Jacob and his alternate-in-black/Locke/Esau. But I saw in the premiere several bits and symbols of a more Biblical story.

Locke/Esau insists he's not an impersonal What, but a Who trying to get home. And we know he accuses humanity of nothing but corruption.

He describes Locke--his everyman puppet--as a hopelessly broken and confused being, shouting at the world for being told what he couldn't do (even though they were right), yet possessing a cetain strength and clarity.

Jacob sees his own murder coming, but gives his life willingly. It looked a lot like Aslan at table rock to me. He then appears to followers to give them direction.

Sayid, as good as dead, must be drowned in (blood-colored) waters to have his life renewed.

And of course, there's a list of who's in and who's out (written by Jacob?).

Of course, I'm still waiting to see how they reconcile the timelines of the crash-Losties and the LAX-Losties. Why, if "It worked," is there still a hatch station?

Great Aslan comparison. I've been so excited by how they are presenting Jacob--always stressing there is a choice, seeming to really care ("I'm sorry this happened to you, John."), and willfully giving his life (even to the point that Ben noticed.)

For those wondering about the reconciliation of this season's two very different plotlines (a great new twist on the old flashback device), I recommend this great interview with the producers (there is a spiritual connection...): http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/02...

I thought the same thing about Job. I also see a Jesus/Satan/Judas parallel with Jacob/MIB/Ben. Glad to stumble up your site. I am a pastor and huge LOST fan. I also am the faith contributor to http://lostblog.com. Would you be interested in participating in our fan interview? We have a series of 16 questions we ask everyone? would love to hear your answers and plug your site! Just shoot me an email! scott[at]lostblog[dot]com.

Just realized I never answered the question asked by Dr. Awesome (if that is your real name): "I'm curious as to your take on what Jacob's touch did for Sun and Jin."

If Jacob did change the path of each 815er he visited, this is the hardest one to guess what he changed. My guess would be that they needed someone to tell them not to take their love for granted. They needed to hear their love was special. And if they really held on to that, than just maybe it led to a different matrimony for them. But that is my only guess.

Yep, this is totally fantastic. Your thoughts helped form mine.