What "loophole" was found by the Man In Black (hereafter referred to as MIB) that would allow him to have Jacob killed? In the beginning of the last episode in season 5, "The Incident" we see MIB coming to visit Jacob telling him "You know how much I want to kill you". Jacob replies "I know". Then when MIB is about to leave he warns Jacob that he will looking for a "loophole" to kill Jacob and Jacob says "I will be here".

In the "Journey In Time" program Damon Lindelhof and Carlton Cuse explain that MIB and Jacob have been in conflict for over a hundred years and perhaps longer judging from the 1800's era sea vessel we see and the height of the Egyptian statute in this initial scene. DL and CC say MIB is Jacob's nemesis.

Since Jacob appears to be ageless as implied by the appearance of the Egyptian statute that was his home, he apparently has survived any attempts upon his life up to the moment MIB comes with Ben to Jacob's cave to kill him. MIB has taken over Locke's appearance to get Richard and The Others to take him to where Jacob lives. Locke is dead and his body lies in his casket just outside of Jacob's cave. MIB tells Jacob "I found a loophole (to kill you)" relating back to the beginning of the episode. Jacob says something like "I know".

Llana brings Locke's body to where Jacob is to show Jacob what he is dealing and one of her comrades implies there is a great evil that Jacob will be facing and will be threatened with. They want to make Jacob aware of this by showing Locke's dead body.

Was Llana aware Locke was the leader of The Others and as such would have access to Jacob to kill him? Did Llana know about Jacob's rule that only one person, the leader of the Others could consult with Jacob therefore eliminating the possibility that Jacob would be killed by an enemy? Did Llana conclude Jacob was in danger since Locke was dead and she was aware Jacob was vulnerable to another person who wished Jacob harm and would be able to take on Locke's physical appearance? Was Llana aware MIB was Jacob's nemesis and wanted Jacob dead?

Why did MIB hate Jacob so much? Had MIB been brought to the island by Jacob as a young boy and could not get off? Their conversation reflects differing attitudes on the nature of man with MIB saying men pillage, plunge and are corrupt while Jacob telling MIB that if man does that but then later changes his behavior there has been "progress".

Perhaps I am putting too much into the interaction of these two characters in this one episode but I do not think so. As commander of the island Jacob's his motivations, his actions, etc. are so interwoven with the island itself. The fact that Jacob has this nemesis, MIB, who through great lengths finally is given an opportunity to kill Jacob, a seemingly extremely indestructible and powerful figure, is an amazing story in itself.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I hope both MIB and Jacob will return in season 6. One of the most appealing aspects of Lost IMHO is its mystery and it would be a shame if Lindelhof and Cuse did not further explain how these characters and themes are part of the story of Lost. :)

Remind you of Narnia at all?

"It means," said Aslan, "that though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know. Her knowledge goes back only to the dawn of time. But if she could have looked a little further back, into the stillness and darkness before Time dawned, she would have read there a different incantation. She would have known that when a willing victim who has committed no treachery was killed in a traitor's stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backwards." :rolleyes:

mOO,

Thank you for your reply. I had not made a connection with Narnia. However, I do not see Jacob as being innocent for he has either caused or allowed to occur great injury or evil to the people on the island while the Lion wanted to protect the people of Narnia. For example Jacob knew that Sayid's wife, Nadia, would be struck by a car and did nothing to prevent it. Nadia was an innocent in that instance, not Jacob. Jacob knew Claire's baby Aaron and Alex would be kidnapped causing great pain to Claire and the eventual madness of Danielle. He also manipulated misguided loyalty that would result in the corruption of an already twisted man, Ben, resulting in the murder of Alex by the mercenaries.

I just do not see Jacob as an innocent but a being who will do anything to have the island survive at the cost of the lives, sanity and happiness of all its inhabitants.

Just my thoughts on the subject..... :) If you have a different take on Jacob, I would love to hear it.

I don't think Jacob or MiB can be considered good or evil. The theme of this being a game has been present through the series. In a game of checkers neither side is good or bad -- it's just too competitors. MiB even tells Jacob as much -- "Still trying to prove me wrong."