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Smoking out some theories
Given the premiere episode of Season 4, and the official release of the final mobisode in the Missing Pieces series, it's high time to step back for a moment amidst the whirlwind of narrative activity in the Lost universe and focus on one aspect: the curious case of Jacob and Smokey. These two figures are central to the mysteries of Lost, yet are still cloaked in mystery. What roles did these two play in the history of the island, and what roles will they play in the seasons to come?
Now, rather than come up with some concrete, "this is how is it and that's that with that" type of theory, I'm going to offer up a host of possibilities. I'm man enough to admit when I have absolutely no idea what's going on. But that is far from saying I have nothing to SAY about what's potentially going on. Oh man, I have lots to SAY. And some of it may even be RIGHT. I just don't, like, know which parts are right. That's all.
I do need to set at least one fact down straight at the beginning, however. And by "fact," I really mean "I hope to God this is true, because if not, this will be one fantastically comical entry to anyone in the know." But I am of firm belief, as firmly as anyone can believe anything on this show, that the entity known as Jacob and Smokey the Monster are intimately entwined. I don't mean to imply that one asked the other to go on a double date with Marty McFly to the Enchantment Under the Sea prom, but these two figures are enmeshed in some intrinsic fashion. Everything below stems from this central assertion.
With that established, let's get to work!
Possibility #1: Jacob and Smokey are opposing, symbiotic entities created by the "incident" referenced by Marvin Candle in the Swan orientation video.
This has been my theory throughout the winter months on this blog. There once was a member of the Dharma Initiative that got caught in an experiment gone wrong, and poof, non-corporeal man in a cabin and creepy crawly smoke monster. And steps have been taken to ensure these two never meet.
Pros: Both seem interested in cataloguing people and making lists. The ash around Jacob's cabin suggests both a binding circle, as well as harkens to the circular pattern of pylons around the Barracks. The Orchid video potentially hints at the catastrophic nature of two similar entities colliding, so the circle could be built not only to contain Jacob but keep Smokey out.
Cons: If Jacob can't leave the cabin, then how did Christian Shephard appear inside the cabin? Appearing in front of Vincent, he sure seemed to be Smokey in disguise. Also, we learned this week that Jacob's cabin can move around quite a bit. The only way this is potentially possible while accepting the ash as a binding circle is if that circle is HUGE. Possible, to be sure, but doesn't explain how both could be inside the cabin.
Possibility #2: Smokey is simply Jacob's way of leaving the cabin and having what Locke might call a "walkabout."
Smokey, in this formulation, is the eyes, ears, and smoky tentacles of Jacob. While Jacob remains locked inside the cabin, Smokey can go out and enact his whims.
Pros: This could explain three things: the painting of the dog on the wall in the cabin, mentions of Cerebus in the blast door map, and Danielle's reference to the monster as a "security system." Smokey is potentially how Jacob has summoned Ben is the past, which is why Juliet has been kept in the dark about it. This also explains why the monster does not attack Locke in the beginning of the show, but tries to snatch him up as he attempts to open the hatch. Smokey's "flashes" on Juliet could in essence be recon work for Jacob. Furthermore, Smokey could in essence be a security system for Jacob himself, a way to ultimately protect his existence, as well as the Island's.
Cons: Boy, this sure makes Jacob one vindictive SOB, eh? Dealing out death and judgement left and right. I mean, what did the pilot ever do to Jacob? Plus, if Ben's keeping Jacob locked up in the cabin, wouldn't Jacob just send Smokey after him first chance he got? "Go on, boy, get 'em! Get that beady-eyed weirdo! Get 'im good!"
Possibility #3: Jacob and Smokey represent the "light" and "dark" forces on the Island, twinned elements tied together, canceling each other out, needing external forces to help them tip the scales.
Irrespective of origin, these two balance each other out, like Neo and Mr. Smith in The Matrix. Jacob wants to protect the Island; Smokey wants to destroy it. Jacob selects John Locke as his leader; Smokey picks Jack Shephard who, if he were on Grey's Anatomy, would no doubt have the nickname McSchmucky.
Pros: The dual use of "work to do" implies a connection between Jacob and Smokey-as-Christian. Since both are on such opposite paths, it stands to reason that they are chosen for their intrinsic nature to follow the path desired by their respective Island entity. Faith versus science is being tested, with the fate of the Island (and by extension, the world) lies in their hands. God help us all.
Cons: Then why are Jacob and Smokey chillin' in the cabin together? I'm not sure they are exactly chummy in there, but if Jacob offered Smokey a Double-Stuffed Oreo, chances are Smokey would gobble that sucker straight up.
Possibility #4: Smokey is in fact a security system, but one that has turned on the Island, and by extension Jacob.
This is the I, Robot theory: the servant becomes dominant master. Only, there's 100% less Will Smith in this version of it. If you subscribe to this theory, just call Smokey "Cujo" and be done with it.
Pros: "Help me." Jacob looking out at Hurley with that same stare little children give their mothers when their great-aunt, reeking of carrots and Aqua-Net, come barreling in for a big smooch at Thanksgiving.
Cons: Doesn't explain why Smokey wouldn't kill anything and everything in its path in the name of protecting Jacob. It would go all Smokey Fist of Great Vengeance and Furious Anger on everyone, just like it did on Eko.
So those are just four possibilities. I invite you to mix and match any you like, using them as a basis for your own theories on the symbiotic nature of Jacob and Smokey. Or, by all means, come up with new and better ones! I've hardly plumbed the depth of this topic today, but have hopefully given some insight (however accidental) into the nature of these fascinating two entities.
Tomorrow: I'll deal specifically with "Christian Shephard." Yup, he's in quotes. Because he's dead. Sort of. But not in a Princess Bride, "mostly dead" way, either. It's complicated. With Lost, it usually is. But that's why we love it, no?
Ryan also posts every 108 minutes over at Boob Tube Dude.
Good theories, the truth will most likely contain aspects of a couple of them.
Question: where can I find your theory of why the island did not want Locke to go into the hatch, and even killed Boone as a message for John to stop? I read that piece once and liked it, but am having trouble remembering why the island didn't want Locke in the hatch.
Dean: I'd love to take credit for that, but I don't even think that was me.
Why I'd venture a reason: the hatches, and Dharma in general, violate the spirit of the Island. It's colonialism mixed with scientific narcissism, as far as Jacob/The Island is concerned. Locke as Island prophet is fine; Locke as button-pushing monkey is bad. (This could also be why Walt initially told Locke not to open the hatch.)
Ryan | Feb 5, 2008 9:24:01 PM | #Ryan, why do you think Ben takes orders from Jacob, and refers to him as a "great man"? When Ben and Locke went to the cabin, and Jacob started TK'ing things around, Ben scolded Jacob for doing so, which seemed like a role reversal for Ben; scolding Jacob instead of taking orders from him. Do you agree? Also, do you think Jacob was one of the original hostiles or was he a Dharma member? Thanks.
Carol Ann | Feb 6, 2008 5:29:29 AM | #definitely down with 1 and 3. taking it s tep further, the "incident" that occurred was intended to create one, but not both. so either "light" was a side effect of "dark" or vice versa, depening on ewhat Dharma was up to. kinda like that Danny/Arnold movie "Twins" where poor Danny was the side effect.
so was Smokey the side effect or was Jacob? Smokey seems a lot more mobile (even though the cabin seems to move around some), and therefore useful...i guess. but then Jacob has directives, according to Ben, so mayve he's more useful. i don't know.
maybe Dharma was shooting for something totally different and forgot to hook up the doll, so Smokey and Jacob are the missile the dorks produced for the cool kids instead of Kelly LeBrock.
that's a whole lotta "maybes."
mri | Feb 6, 2008 6:17:26 AM | #I like your theories, Ryan, they're like a delicious buffet of ideas. In fact, I think I'll grab a few helpings of what you have to offer...
While it has its flaws, I've always subscribed to the I Robot theory. I think Smokey is a man-made security system originally designed by the DHARMA Initiative. Its main purpose was to keep separate the various participants of DHARMA Initiative projects, mainly as a means to prevent the projects from becoming diluted or even negated should two project teams meet (like the Swan team and the Pearl team). In a nutshell, it kept the scientists' heads down and focused on the task at hand.
At some point, something went terribly wrong with this system and instead of simply being a means to scare DHARMA participants into staying in their stations, it became self aware and started to literally deal out death and judgment as it saw fit. What intrigues me about this theory is the possibility that it was Jacob who acted as the catalyst for this malfunction.
While the Incident could be one way to explain Smokey's initial malfunction, it doesn't explain its supposed connection to Jacob. Personally, I think the Incident is limited to what happened in the Swan and took Dr. Candle's arm. I think what really changed Smokey was at some point Jacob encountered the entity and was able to change its primary function (through, I dunno, voodoo or something) to suit his needs. In a way, Smokey has become Jacob's pet (dog? Cerberus, anyone?). That could explain why the both of them seems to catalogue and keep stock of everything that's going on with the Island's inhabitants.
I know it’s not a rock-solid theory, but that’s my favorite one so far.
Jefff | Feb 6, 2008 6:50:55 AM | #I like Jeff's theory about Smokey being a man-made entity and Jacob being the island's original entity who takes over the "security system" and controls it. Cerebrus was definately the pet "dog" of the most powerful force on the island.
On the other hand, I have aften thought that Jacob and Smokey were one and the same and not 2 seperate entities. Therefore I also can get behind the theory that Smokey is Jacob's way of escaping the confines of the cabin. That would explain the appearances of Christian, Boone, Walt and other mysterious sightings by various island inhabitants including Ben who saw his mother before the purge, even though he never actually knew his mother.
I want to hear Richard's story told. He's got to be one of the most underrated yet, most interesting characters on the island. I hope the show explores the island's history and the history of the people who were there before Dharma.
Chris | Feb 6, 2008 8:03:31 AM | #I would prescribe more to possibility #2. I do not think they are one and the same. If I remember correctly, it was Ben's meeting with Jacob that led to the Purge. Or at least that was implied. Which leads me to believe that Jacob may have been one of the Natives (like Richard). Being one of the Island Natives, he may have been a part of one of the intial Dharma experiments. Leading him either trapped between life and death, between 2 different times, or between 2 different Parallel Universes.
Smokey may have been a side effect of the experiment, but Jacob is controlling it in some fashion. Cerberus?
Either way, Ben has strayed from Jacob's beliefs. It's probably only a matter of time before Ben is confronted by Smokey.
People elsewhere have been discussing whether Matthew Abaddon may be Smokey in physical form. This due mostly to his exit from the Mental Hospital. If you look at the scene when he leaves, it almost looks like a cloud of smoke going out the door. That and his question "Are they still alive?" leads some to believe he is Smokey. Maybe something that Dharma Revisited (or Dharma 2) does on the Island fixes prior mistakes (i.e. Smokey). This would somehow send it to Our World or Our Time. However, it is still trying to protect the Island.
Jacob and Smokey are definitely an integral part of the overall storyline. I can't wait to see how it all plays out.
Shaggysteve | Feb 6, 2008 8:11:58 AM | #I think the "Science vs. Religion" and "I, Robot" theories are where it's at.
Smokey was Dharma 1's security system, but during the Incident, it became self-aware and/or developed the ability to mimic people. As a product of science, it held onto it's scientific beliefs/principles and believes the Island needs to be purged of all metaphysical elements, symbolized by Jacob. So Smokey works to make Jack his champion, but at the same time, it's still got it's old directives programmed into it, so it continues to catalogue and kill people.
On the flip side, Jacob represents the Island's metaphysical side, and that is why it first worked with Ben and now works with Locke. Jacob believes the Island's, and perhaps the world's, salvation will only come through faith. However, as Smokey is more powerful, at least on the physical level, Jacob is trapped by it (I'm not sure of the purpose of the ash). Also, Ben could very well have been keeping Jacob trapped as well, maybe thinking "it was for his own good." This is why he calls to John Locke to help him.
As for the scene in the cabin, I think it was akin to two generals meeting after a huge battle (the battle being the arrival of Dharma 2, a clear victory for the forces of science). And Smokey/Christian was in Jacob's chair, likely gloating, which is why Jacob's eye appeared so frazzled and worried to Hurley.
Sean | Feb 6, 2008 8:59:24 AM | #I personally hate the theories that Abaddon is Smokey. There are clear rules that define what Smokey can and can't do (look into Cerebus Vents and some mention of these rules by the Via Domus producers) and what it definitely CAN'T do is get on a plane and fly to Los Angeles just to scare the crap out of Hurley. Nor can it broadcast itself over time and space.
It's a physical cloud of smoke that is governed by the rules of the Island. What you see when Abaddon leaves the room is nothing more than a shadow on the door.
Jeff | Feb 6, 2008 9:05:24 AM | #Oh, another thought. Jacob sees Walt as a weapon; the ultimate weapon, something he can finally use against Smokey and science. Walt is untapped psychic potential, the same potential Jacob had/has but can no longer use, either because of age or his imprisonment. This is why he has Ben test Walt in Room 23. It was only because the Others got too scared of Walt that Ben agreed to let him and Michael go, and there's a VERY good chance in my mind that this is why Ben's cancer developed; Jacob was punishing him for letting Walt go.
Sean | Feb 6, 2008 9:08:34 AM | #Have to disagree, Sean. Ben's cancer developed before the plane even crashed.
Jeff | Feb 6, 2008 9:16:31 AM | #Right: Ben's cancer was Sign #1 that Ben was falling out of favor with Jacob. In one of the mobisodes, you can see that Juliet realizes this means the entire Others society is by extension in trouble.
Season 3 is, in many ways, about Ben's fall from grace in Jacob's eyes/The Others' eyes, coinciding with Locke's ascension.
Ryan | Feb 6, 2008 9:21:00 AM | #That, I agree with :)
I wonder if there's enough time left in the series to show the Others in their heyday. Juliette has an episode coming up, maybe it will be pre-crash?
Jeff | Feb 6, 2008 9:32:37 AM | #Jeff: The flashback I can't wait for is Danielle's. I want to either see the "sickness" that took the rest of her crew, or just how she trapped Ben. Either would be totally fascinating. I got the distinct impression of a long history between the two during their small scene by the tree last week.
Ryan | Feb 6, 2008 10:15:48 AM | #Awesome time waster:
http://abc.go.com/primetime/lost/index?pn=nickname
I'm "Quick Draw". Heh.
Ryan | Feb 6, 2008 10:52:31 AM | #Absolutely! I'd love a Desmond-esque flashback for Danielle. I really want to see the sickness and Montand lose his arm.
They've made so many references to the sickness over the last 3 seasons, but it's almost like it's been dropped like a sack of potatoes, just like the numbers. Maybe they've just put those stories on the shelf for now...
Ryan | Feb 6, 2008 11:12:25 AM | #Oops! Sorry, Ryan, I seem to have posted as you.
Jeff | Feb 6, 2008 11:13:02 AM | #Hey Ryan,
i just wanted to say that iv been reading your log forver now...to the point where i fight over computer time with my family just to read what you wrote today.But its worth it. Anyways i just wanted to point out something i noticed while watching "the beginning of the end".
When locke gets attacked by jack and jack holds a gun to his face and shoots but there were no bullets. Keep in mind this is the same gun locke grabbed from the dharma mass grave and as i recall there were six bullets inside the revolver.Going back to the episode "through the looking glass", locke only used ONE of the bullets inside the gun to shoot at the ground when he told jack dont pick up the phone (at the end of the episode).
Now im wondering where did those other bullets go. Perhaps something happened when he went with walt, who knows except the writers. Just thought i should point out this "incidence" and see what the lost fans thing of it.
MJ | Feb 6, 2008 11:13:43 AM | #Here is something to throw into the mix.
What if there once was a man who was a native to this magical, elusive island where he lived a happy, peaceful life far away from the chaotic, crumbling “outside world". Let’s call him Esau. Then one day (Maybe even on Columbus Day ‘cause you know how the LOST writers love them some good irony.) there came along this group of idealistic scientists (DHARMA) who took over their island, forcefully exiled the natives, which they referred to as The Hostiles, to the "dark territory" of the island and made themselves at home. They started performing all of these weird experiments in order to supposedly save the world. Never mind the little utopian world that they were destroying in order to accomplish that. They’re the good guys. They were men of science not men of faith. They raped the island of its special properties and harnessed them for their own goals rather than live in communion with it like its original inhabitants.
Then one day these scientists came up with a hypothetical, ultimate answer to what they sought. However, this little experiment was potentially lethal to the subject because it harnessed the power of the island in unknown ways. So why waste a big brained scientist when they could just use one of those useless, annoying natives? Maybe Esau had been captured by these scientists (or maybe he was even somehow enlisted and then betrayed by the scientists) and provided them with a suitable guinea pig. Three, two, one…
KABOOM! Oops, something went wrong and during this "incident" and instead of getting what they had sought, they created this new entity that was incorporeal but could take the physical appearance of those it has scanned. (I believe that Jacob and Smoky are one in the same.) It was both the personification of the island itself and a “Bad Twin” of the peaceful Esau. It took the name Jacob, Esau’s brother in the Bible. Somehow Jacob was able to escape back to its people though.
It would probably be pretty vengeful with the DHARMA group for what they not only were doing to the island but also to Jacob and "his people". These new comers had infected his beloved island and the best way to handle this disease was to “purge” the carriers. Even though it was powerful, it was still kept from getting directly at these scientists because of a barrier they had constructed around their part of the island. Also, Jacob’s people were outnumbered and unequipped to carry out the extermination. He somehow had to recruit and manipulate an “Other” inside their camp to do his bidding. Enter Ben Linus.
Click. Psssst… Goodbye DHARMA, hello to the new and improved “Others” and their leader, Jacob. He became not only their omnipotent leader but also the ultimate protector of the island.
A few years pass and one day this airplane crashes onto that same island. A guy awakes, opens his eyes and sees a golden retriever run out of the forest. You know (well sort of) the rest.
Here's another theory regarding Richard. Is it possible that the "Richard" Ben saw as a child was actually Smokey? That would explain why the Richard in Ben's adult life has not aged.
Tim | Feb 6, 2008 12:45:48 PM | #ryan -
ok, sending out something called a "time-waster" while i'm trying to read macro-econ is just NOT FAIR. its like challenging a Sicilian when death is on the line. i figure i've been mixing movie metaphors all day, why stop?
oh and my nickname is "Brainpan." coulda been worse i guess...coulda been "Bedpan."
:-0
mri | Feb 6, 2008 12:55:54 PM | #MJ -
i just assumed that Locke removed the bullets from the gun. so when he said to Jack "you're not going to shoot me," he actually meant it literally. i.e. "you're not going to shoot me 'cause i took the freakin' bullets out of the gun."
mri | Feb 6, 2008 1:44:47 PM | #I think Jack trying to blow Locke's head off did more to send people to the Barracks than anything Locke or Hurley said.
"Sure, I wanna leave the Island, but I'm pretty sure Doc's gone cuckoo for Dharma cocoa puffs. To the Barrack, huzzah!"
Ryan | Feb 6, 2008 1:50:07 PM | #i dunno, if Doc's eating the Dharma-coated cocoa puffs, then Locke's eating...what? the Super Colon Blow from the Others?
mri | Feb 6, 2008 2:09:23 PM | #Interesting post and comments but I gotta ask: Do you guys think that you're reading more into this than the writer's ever anticipated and that, in reality, they have no idea how any of this ties together. That when they shelve "stuff" (and there's been a lot of it), it's because they never thought about the show past season 1 when they came up with it. That they are coming up with new crap so they can squeeze a few more seasons out of this concept and there really is no "master plan". That they read blogs like this and smile, not because they no the answer, but because there is no answer???
RealityCheck | Feb 6, 2008 3:47:57 PM | #
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