I think Rose and Bernard are with "black-shirted guy". Think about Rose's words when they met up with the Losties "it's ALWAYS something with YOU people" She separated herself from the Losties and she echoes the "black shirt guy's" thoughts from the beginning of part one. The "black shirt guy" said it was ALWAYS the same; people come, fight, and destroy. Maybe when Bernard invited Juliet to stay and have tea he was trying to prevent her from changing anything.
I also think that when Jacob visited certain people he touched them to either choose them for his side or it is how he judges their potential. (the smoke monster circles around them to judge them and therefore the smoke monster is how the other guy judges their potential) Hurley is important because he believes that things they do can change the future the same way Jacob does.
And I don't think it is a giant chess game but rather a giant game of backgammon or some form of backgammon. (think about the beginning of season 1 when Locke and Walt were playing a game of backgammon.
I also think that when Jacob visited certain people he touched them to either choose them for his side or it is how he judges their potential. (the smoke monster circles around them to judge them and therefore the smoke monster is how the other guy judges their potential) Hurley is important because he believes that things they do can change the future the same way Jacob does.
And I don't think it is a giant chess game but rather a giant game of backgammon or some form of backgammon. (think about the beginning of season 1 when Locke and Walt were playing a game of backgammon.
