This has been bothering me from the time Ilana said of Lapidus that he might be a candidate and then he flunked the test.

The question I have -- Candidate for WHAT? That is what position etc. Seems kind of strange that Ilana and Berm et al knew what that meant even though they were just newly arrived at the island at whatever time that was to be.

I think the best guess at this point is someone to replace Jacob.

But we really don't have enough information yet to know what a candidate actually is.

I think the best guess at this point is someone to replace Jacob.

But we really don't have enough information yet to know what a candidate actually is.

I have been reading this theory in several threads and it occurs to me that in order for the candidate list to be a replacement for anyone, then somewhere, somehow Jacob and/or the MiB would know they would be killed.

After all, MiB has been looking for his "loophole" to kill Jacob since at least the time of the Blackrock, no? And yet, a great portion of the candidates are from the modern era, ie, the plane crash.

Whatever the candidate is or is supposed to be, it is much bigger than either Jacob or the MiB.


b.b.

I have been reading this theory in several threads and it occurs to me that in order for the candidate list to be a replacement for anyone, then somewhere, somehow Jacob and/or the MiB would know they would be killed.

After all, MiB has been looking for his "loophole" to kill Jacob since at least the time of the Blackrock, no? And yet, a great portion of the candidates are from the modern era, ie, the plane crash.

Whatever the candidate is or is supposed to be, it is much bigger than either Jacob or the MiB.

I don't really understand this logic. It seems like it was pretty clearly stated. A candidate is a candidate to be Jacob's replacement as protector of the island.

It seemed like Locke had that job pretty much locked up until he died, but he still seems very much alive within Smokey/MiB. My prediction is that Locke's strength will come through and prevail and he will still become the next Jacob -- Darth Vader style.

This has been bothering me from the time Ilana said of Lapidus that he might be a candidate and then he flunked the test.

I don't think answering the question was a test to see if Frank was a candidate. None of the Losties would have known the answer to the question and we know they are candidates.
"The Incident"
BRAM: Why'd we even bring this yahoo?
ILANA: Because, we might need him.
BRAM: For what? He didn't know the answer to the question.
ILANA: That doesn't mean he's not important.
BRAM: What, you think he's a candidate?
[Ilana looks at Bram, then at Frank.]
ILANA: He's awake.
[Frank realizes that there's no use pretending, so he opens his eyes.]
BRAM: How long you been listening to us?
FRANK: Long enough to wonder what the hell I'm a candidate for. [He gets up with the help of Bram] Who the hell are you people?
ILANA: We're friends.


The question I have -- Candidate for WHAT? That is what position etc. Seems kind of strange that Ilana and Berm et al knew what that meant even though they were just newly arrived at the island at whatever time that was to be.
According to NotLocke:
"The Substitute"

LOCKE: Because, you're a candidate.
SAWYER: Candidate for what?
LOCKE: He thought he was the protector of this place. And you, James, have been nominated to take that job.
SAWYER: And what does that mean?
LOCKE: It means you have three choices. First, you can do nothing and see how all this plays out. And possibly, your name will get crossed out. Second option. You can accept the job. Become the new Jacob. And protect the island.
SAWYER: Protect it from what?
LOCKE: From nothing, James. That's the joke, there is nothing to protect it from, its just a damn island. And it will be perfectly fine without Jacob or you, or any of the other people; whose lives he wasted.

However we don't know if NotLocke is lying or not.

It could be Jacob gave Ilana more information when he visited her in the Hospital.
"LA X"
RICHARD: Listen to me. Hey! Listen to me, and listen carefully. No one goes in there unless Jacob invites them in.
ILANA: Richard, that's why we're here, because Jacob invited us.
RICHARD: Asking me what's in the shadow of the damn statue doesn't mean you're in charge.
ILANA: Then who is?

I think the best guess at this point is someone to replace Jacob.

But we really don't have enough information yet to know what a candidate actually is.

If you watch the enhanced version of the "Substitute" they say at the bottom that a candidate is someone to take over for Jacob.

If you watch the enhanced version of the "Substitute" they say at the bottom that a candidate is someone to take over for Jacob.

I frickin HATE the enhanced version. WHY do they do that crap? Confirm things thru narrative ON the show, not thru pop up bubbles for idiots! GRRRRRRRR!!!!

Smokey spells it out pretty clearly here:

LOCKE: Because, you're a candidate.
SAWYER: Candidate for what?
LOCKE: He thought he was the protector of this place. And you, James, have been nominated to take that job.

I frickin HATE the enhanced version. WHY do they do that crap? Confirm things thru narrative ON the show, not thru pop up bubbles for idiots! GRRRRRRRR!!!!

I thought the pop ups were an ABC thing & not a TPTB thing... but I may be wrong.