It was pays to have a back-up plan; Eko was Jacob's. In case Locke didn't work as potential servant of Jacob, 'Protector of the Island' or leader of the Others, Eko was being groomed and tested as a potential back-up servant.
The Island/Jacob tested Locke by playing with his need to belong and feel needed somewhere, as well as curing his paralysis. The Island similarly uses apparitions of Yemi to play with Eko's guilt and need to wash the blood off his hands. However, Eko found inner-peace and his refusal to 'confess his sins' to Yemi meant that Jacob no longer had any means to manipulate him. Also, Eko had sworn never to kill again, something Jacob definitely sees as necessary at times (Ben did claim that the Purge 'wasn't his [own] idea' after all), and whatever devotion Eko could have developed towards the Island couldn't have ever been greater than his devotion to God. Since he couldn't be strung along anymore, Jacob suddenly broke the facade of pretending to be Yemi ('You speak to me as if I where your brother') and sent Smokey to kill Eko.
'Evidence':
- The Cargo Plane. While most of the other characters see apparitions
of people (and a horse) they knew, only Eko had a physical item from their past appear on the island- something undeniably concrete.
The same way Desmond's system failure was perfectly timed to cause the crash of Flight 815, the first 'Incident' in The Swan may have been perfectly timed to cause the crash of the Cargo Plane. A lot of attention either way for only one of 60-odd survivors
- Similarity in character. Eko and Locke were both trackers and wilderness experts to their groups. Neither wasted words and often spent long periods silent, both 'men of faith'. After Ben had dily-dallied for so long, and then angered Jacob by being captured by Rousseau and the Losties ('He is a great man, but not a forgiving one'), Jacob had decided that his next pawn should be more of a man of action, more suited to the wild and less inclined to individual scheming. With the crash, Jacob had found TWO suitable candidates.
-The Other's attempted to kidnap Eko on the first night, Goodwin claimed that these where 'good people', and a list of names was found on a dead Other. It's possible that this 'Good People List' is part of Jacob's List- and Eko was on it, just as Ben claimed Locke was in Season 2.
-Both Eko and John saw the Monster and were analyzed by it, but not killed. Even when Eko was unmoved by it's noise an destruction, the Monster actually backed down.
-To try and cull belief in 'The Island', Jacob appeared as Anna Lucia and told Eko to find the 'question mark'. Eko had no idea of it's existence, but pursued it with a furor, passing his first 'test'. Many characters have seen aparritions on the island, but only Eko and Locke have ever been issued direct orders by them.
- Both Eko and John where once in charge of 'the button', and showed a level of commitment no other characters did. Since Locke lost 'faith' in the button, Eko gained more esteem from Jacob and Locke was punished by 'losing his legs' (temporarily) by being crippled by the blast doors.
- The Hatch Implosion showed John hae was wrong to lose faith, and reaffirmed his commitment to the Island. Jacob appeared to Locke in Boone Form, telling him to rescue Eko from the bears. This may have seemed odd since Eko died soon after anyway, but it served two purposes. One: to regain influence over one protege (Locke) and save another (Eko) for his final 'test'.
-Since Eko had shown such commitment to 'the button', The Island decided to move towards Eko's final test of faith- whether he would submit to Yemi's 'confession', and give in to his guilt. Jacob saw he couldn't make Eko give himself completely to the Island as Locke could (and did), as so saw him as no longer useful. But since Eko was unafraid of the Monster and the Island, this made him a threat, Jacob removed with the same Monster Eko stood in defiance of in Season 2.
-There was one further use for Eko: to impart information to Jacob's new favoured son: Locke. Eko's stick gave Locke the (right) idea to head north, and to impart the words 'Your'e Next'- refering to Locke, not the group- meaning Locke was going to be the next man to be both tested and (hopefully for Jacob)the next favoured pawn in Jacob's grand plan.
Theory by Hayzeus
The Island/Jacob tested Locke by playing with his need to belong and feel needed somewhere, as well as curing his paralysis. The Island similarly uses apparitions of Yemi to play with Eko's guilt and need to wash the blood off his hands. However, Eko found inner-peace and his refusal to 'confess his sins' to Yemi meant that Jacob no longer had any means to manipulate him. Also, Eko had sworn never to kill again, something Jacob definitely sees as necessary at times (Ben did claim that the Purge 'wasn't his [own] idea' after all), and whatever devotion Eko could have developed towards the Island couldn't have ever been greater than his devotion to God. Since he couldn't be strung along anymore, Jacob suddenly broke the facade of pretending to be Yemi ('You speak to me as if I where your brother') and sent Smokey to kill Eko.
'Evidence':
- The Cargo Plane. While most of the other characters see apparitions
of people (and a horse) they knew, only Eko had a physical item from their past appear on the island- something undeniably concrete.
The same way Desmond's system failure was perfectly timed to cause the crash of Flight 815, the first 'Incident' in The Swan may have been perfectly timed to cause the crash of the Cargo Plane. A lot of attention either way for only one of 60-odd survivors
- Similarity in character. Eko and Locke were both trackers and wilderness experts to their groups. Neither wasted words and often spent long periods silent, both 'men of faith'. After Ben had dily-dallied for so long, and then angered Jacob by being captured by Rousseau and the Losties ('He is a great man, but not a forgiving one'), Jacob had decided that his next pawn should be more of a man of action, more suited to the wild and less inclined to individual scheming. With the crash, Jacob had found TWO suitable candidates.
-The Other's attempted to kidnap Eko on the first night, Goodwin claimed that these where 'good people', and a list of names was found on a dead Other. It's possible that this 'Good People List' is part of Jacob's List- and Eko was on it, just as Ben claimed Locke was in Season 2.
-Both Eko and John saw the Monster and were analyzed by it, but not killed. Even when Eko was unmoved by it's noise an destruction, the Monster actually backed down.
-To try and cull belief in 'The Island', Jacob appeared as Anna Lucia and told Eko to find the 'question mark'. Eko had no idea of it's existence, but pursued it with a furor, passing his first 'test'. Many characters have seen aparritions on the island, but only Eko and Locke have ever been issued direct orders by them.
- Both Eko and John where once in charge of 'the button', and showed a level of commitment no other characters did. Since Locke lost 'faith' in the button, Eko gained more esteem from Jacob and Locke was punished by 'losing his legs' (temporarily) by being crippled by the blast doors.
- The Hatch Implosion showed John hae was wrong to lose faith, and reaffirmed his commitment to the Island. Jacob appeared to Locke in Boone Form, telling him to rescue Eko from the bears. This may have seemed odd since Eko died soon after anyway, but it served two purposes. One: to regain influence over one protege (Locke) and save another (Eko) for his final 'test'.
-Since Eko had shown such commitment to 'the button', The Island decided to move towards Eko's final test of faith- whether he would submit to Yemi's 'confession', and give in to his guilt. Jacob saw he couldn't make Eko give himself completely to the Island as Locke could (and did), as so saw him as no longer useful. But since Eko was unafraid of the Monster and the Island, this made him a threat, Jacob removed with the same Monster Eko stood in defiance of in Season 2.
-There was one further use for Eko: to impart information to Jacob's new favoured son: Locke. Eko's stick gave Locke the (right) idea to head north, and to impart the words 'Your'e Next'- refering to Locke, not the group- meaning Locke was going to be the next man to be both tested and (hopefully for Jacob)the next favoured pawn in Jacob's grand plan.
Theory by Hayzeus
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14 Comments:
Not a bad theory. I like it, especially the explanation of Eko's "You're next" to Locke. Perhaps we'll find out more in season 5 as it is rumored that the actor who played Eko was spotted in Hawaii.
I think this is a very interesting and sound theory. Undoubtedly Eko played an important role on the Island and for Jacob, for the reasons you cite. This is an innovative theory and makes a lot of sense with the mythology of the Island. 5-stars from me.
I think this is a very good theory and puts together answers well, I give it 5 stars
I think this was a very good theory and answered alot of questions logically. I give it 5 stars
Very good theory! I've always had the feeling that Eko was Locke's alter ego! Too bad he didn't live longer!
Very solid, thumbs up :)
Not bad, I can g o with some aspects of this theory. Fits very nicely, and Eko doesn't seem as useless to the show now.
5 stars... probably the best theory I read...
What a great theory.
Where does Alpert being present at Locke's birth fit into your theory? Because it seems that, correct me if I'm wrong, Jacob didn't necessarily need Locke. If Eko did pass the tests would Locke not be the one?
Very well thought out and researched, however I see this as the type of theory that will be debated 'til the end of time. I don't see any way that the writers of the show can go back and answer all of the questions with Eko - in some ways, I think your theory is beyond what the writers will try to tackle in the last 2 seasons. While I think we will get some sort of "answer" for Eko's existence on the island, I fear that we may be left in the dark on some unanswered questions. In many ways, that's what makes Lost great. There is no doubt in my mind that we will re-watch the series, after its completion, and bring up valid points that were left unanswered (as long as the "big ones" are answered).
I could be wrong, as Eko has been brought up by Hurley. I imagine he will show himself in season 5 I just don't feel that we'll be given the full explanation that your theory provides. Seems too tricky to try to write in. No matter what happens, good work on the theory, I enjoyed reading it!
Excellent theory. Eko was an amazing character whose story arc was never completed. Hopefully we will see some closure to it this season.
I think your over complicating Eko's role based on your person interest in the character. Eko died because he refused to show any remorse for his previous actions and ultimately blamed his choices on his upbringing instead of owning his decisions. He proved unworthy because he demonstrated a lack of personal growth. He was in essence blaming fate and this is very important to consider. How could Eko affect change if he willingly forfeit his ability to act. Choice is very important in lost. Don't tell me what I can or cant do has become a mantra for a number of characters. For this reason alone, the island/monster/Jacob or whatever it is, had no use for him.
Great theory!
I agree! Mr. Eko was finally at peace with himself. The smoke monster/island couldn´t manipulate him no more. He wasn´t no longer needed so, he was killed.
I just re-watched "The Cost of Living" tonight and decided to see what people thought about "you're next". This is a very sound theory, especially when combined with the idea of being at peace with yourself, which John still clearly isn't by "The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham".
Good job!