Is Hurley the shoe, bucket or tub? by Little Ben

Calling this a theory is a bit of stretch, but I've been thinking about Jacob's apparent nemesis manipulating the island players via use of the dead - in particular dead bodies. Consequently Jacob's life giving touch could well be the side that allows the living to make their own, free willing choices. Not via manipulation, but by the truth - even if its the harsh truth. Life isn't easy, after all.

Then I got to thinking how much the dark and light impact these two main players impress, has both effected and affected our losties. The character that stands out, to me, is Hugo Reyes. Hugo has been seeing the dead, and so should I believe in what I am writing, he's being manipulated. He then meets Jacob who after a delightful conversation asks Hugo whether seeing dead people isn't actually a gift, rather than insanity? This leads me to think that Hugo is the ace up Jacob's sleave. One side manipulating via! the dead and the other offering free will via honesty and truth - so much so, that Jacob firmly believes Hugo will make the right choice (or certainly has faith) whatever that may be, even if emotionally manipulated by his apparent nemesis. Further more, I now have to have a firm belief of my own - Jacob has been plotting his victory for as long as his nemesis, and his roots probably go back before our Losties were even born.

"Well you start with all these parts off the board. One by one you build a trap. Shoe, bucket, tub. Piece by piece it all comes together, then you wait for your opponent to land here, on the old cheese wheel, and then if you set it up just right, you spring the trap"

Roll on the final season.