New Theory on Jacob

When Ben takes Locke to see Jacob he does seem to have an idea that Locke should be able see Jacob. But he also doesn't seem to react like someone would if Jacob were an ordinary person, or if Ben were crazy and believed that Jacob was real and Locke didn't see him. He asks Locke "You mean you can't see him?" And prompts him by saying "He's sitting right there." To Jacob he says "I told you he wouldn't."

Now, when Ben meets Richard for the first time, Ben tells Richard that he saw his dead Mother. When Richard finds out that Mrs Linus died off of the Island, he becomes very interested. What's the first thing that Richard asks Ben?... "What did she say to you?" Seems rather reminiscent of Ben's final question to Locke. What Ben tells Richard is VERY interesting he says that his mom said "That I couldn't come with her. She said it wasn't time yet." Watch Richard's reaction very carefully. He SMILES. Then what's the next thing that Richard does? When Ben asks to come with him Richard says that Ben needs to think about it an be patient. Essentially that it's "not time yet" for Ben to "come with" him.

I think that Jacob is responsible for most of the manifestations on the Island. He often appears as people's loved ones. He's either the Island itself, or some sort of entity which lives on the Island. The Other's/Hostiles follow/worship him. BUT... most of them cannot see or hear him. The Others/Hostiles know about the "magic" powers of the Island but very few of them have any access to them. Some people. Those who are "special." Have access to that power. One of the elements of this is being able to perceive manifestations. Ben can perceive manifestations. He KNOWS Jacob is real because he can see and hear him. But most people, perhaps no other Others, can perceive him. THAT'S why Ben is the only one who talks to Jacob. That's why he's the leader. He's got a "hotline to god."

When Locke shows up, they all think that he might be special too. The Island speeds up healing (see Mikhail) and even stops or drastically slows down aging in at least some (see Richard), but such a drastic act of healing as Lockes paralysis seems to indicate a major connection with the Island's power. When Locke shows up Ben becomes worried that Locke will upstage him. So he's always trying to undercut Locke. When he takes Locke to meet Jacob he's WORRIED that Locke will see him but he's HOPING that he won't.

The interesting thing is that we've seen a LOT of Losties who have encountered manifestations. Jack saw his father, Ecko saw Yemi etc. But Locke has NOT been one of these people. He's apparently seen the smoke monster but he HASN'T seen any odd appearances, at least not that I can remember. He hasn't even heard the Whispers (which may be a marginal manifestation of Jacob). So when Ben shows Locke Jacob, he doesn't see him. He barely hears him.

What's interesting here is that Jack HAS seen a manifestation. Perhaps he could see Jacob and would be a threat to Ben's leadership