Smokey's Ring Around the Rosie

[MichaelTheAngel]

Smokey's twirling around Ben and showing him images from the past (or reading his mind/memories), reminded me of the circle of ash around Jacob's cabin.

Smokey then disappeared before reappearing as Alex. Could Smokey have been the ring around the cabin, and appearing as 'Jacob'?

Spoiler:

In connection with podcast discussions of the smoke monster, Cuse has said the Island is capable of these apparitions, and likewise they confirmed certain apparitions like Yemi, the spider, Horace to Locke, Charlie to Hurley, etc. were the Smoke Monster

It seems to me at least Jacob and The Island have somewhat been used interchangeably by in the show and by Darlton outside of the show. Both the Island and Smokey are capable of apparitions. Could Smokey just be another 'face' of the Island?

The Island is the island, but is sentient.
Jacob is one 'face' of the island.
Smokey is one 'face' of the island.
Apparitions are one 'face' of the island.
Whispers are one 'face' of the island.
Alpert is one 'face' of the island.

Collectively, they represent the 'sentient being' of the Island, and transcend time and space.

[RAD24]

Maybe the ring was put there to show that Jacob is being perpetually judged by Smokey (if they aren't both 'faces' of the Island)?

[chemgirl81]

Originally Posted by MichaelTheAngel

The Island is the island, but is sentient.
Jacob is one 'face' of the island.
Smokey is one 'face' of the island.
Apparitions are one 'face' of the island.
Whispers are one 'face' of the island.
Alpert is one 'face' of the island.

Collectively, they represent the 'sentient being' of the Island, and transcend time and space.

What about Christian? He appeared to Michael before the freighter exploded. Do you think he is an apparition like Charlie and Yemi? Or is he like Alpert and Jacob? I think he is like Alpert and Jacob. The apparitions seem to only appear to those who mean something to them e.g. Yemi to Eko. Christian has appeared to Jack, Locke, Claire, Michael, Vincent and Hurley (I believe).

[MichaelTheAngel]

After Locke I think its clear the Island can reanimate, and I'd put Christian in this category. However I'd also note that some of Christian's appearances (e.g. off-island to Jack) are apparitions. All of his appearances could be apparitions (we haven't seen him eat anything or slap someone), but I think the different shoes/clothes are meant to indicate different 'types'.

I think Alpert is tied to the island in a different way (he's a different beast all together). I don't know how, but I think he's different.

[Avius]

Dave was a slapping apparition, wasn't he? I would assume that Emily Locke is a Smokey apparition.