Why would you thank someone for killing you? Unless it was less a death and more of an escape. Did Jacob's mother escape from something because MIB killed her?

An escape, or a release. I don't think anyone is supposed to leave the island once they have been there, with the possible exception of those that are banished, such as Charles.

Why would you thank someone for killing you? Unless it was less a death and more of an escape. Did Jacob's mother escape from something because MIB killed her?

He didn't die there though. Remember, he said luckily the sonic fence was set at a nonlethal level.

He died when he blew up the grenade underwater killing Charlie.

I don't recall his name being on either list. But, his character sort of brought up a list, didn't he? When he did the whole deal about being angry, weak, etc? Makes me wonder if they had different plans for Mikhail at one time. Maybe there were going to be other non-Lostie candidates around.

Nevertheless "where" Mikail wound up dying, his "Thank You" in light of Mother's "Thank You" is frankly, odd.

Nevertheless "where" Mikail wound up dying, his "Thank You" in light of Mother's "Thank You" is frankly, odd.
Agreed.. I have felt that dying on the island for people trapped on the island was actually escaping to a better world, etc..

I started believing this back in season 3, but not because of Mikhail, but because of Ms. Klugh...

Back in season 3 (Enter 77 (3:11), Ms. Klugh told, actually begged, Mikhail to shoot her as if she was not afraid to die.

First Ms. Klugh tells Mikhail to shoot her, but then they have an argument in Russian..

(Translated from Russian)
--Ms. Klugh: "We can't risk it, you know the rules."
--Mikhail: "There's still a way out."
--Ms. Klugh: "We won't let them into the territory. You know what to do. It is an order."
--Ms. Klugh: "(English) Just do it, Mikhail!"
(Mikhail takes aim at Ms. Klugh)
--Mikhail: "(Russian) Forgive me"
(Mikhail shoots Ms. Klugh)

Here's another interesting similarity. From Through The Looking Glass:


JACK: You OK?
KATE: Yeah, I just, had a rock in my shoe.
JACK: He didn't mean it, you know.
KATE: What?
JACK: Sawyer. When he said that he didn't want you to go with him, he didn't mean it.
KATE: He didn't mean it, why'd he say it?
JACK: I'm trying to protect you. That's why I asked you not to come back for me.
KATE: Hey. Why are you sticking up for Sawyer, he'd never do it for you.
JACK: Because I love you.

MAN IN BLACK: Why wouldn’t you let me leave, mother?
MOTHER: Because I…I love you…Thank you.

I don't even think Charles meets that standard...because where was he the last time we saw him? The island wasn't done with him, so back he came. And I would be very, very, very surprised if he manages to get off the island yet again.

Maybe it's best to hypothesize that having been to the island, one may not die anywhere but the island. So that's why Ben couldn't kill Charles in London.

I have no reason to disagree with that view.

Maybe Mikhail was thanking Locke et al because he knew the fence was set to a non-lethal level, and they were unwittingly letting him go.