I'm watching the first episodes of LOST again, and something occurred to me about Locke

[charlie and algernon]

How do we know when Locke really died? Watching the first episodes again, I almost get the impression that Locke died in the initial crash of 815. In the Season 5 finale, Essau is against bringing people to the Island; and in the beginning, it's Locke that destroys Sayid's transmitter. I think Locke has been Essau all along, that's why he was always so adamant about staying on and protecting the island.

[geek_sabre]

1. very interesting...

makes sense. and gives me an excuse to rewatch some old seasons.

thanks!

[Ohio Joe]

2. Nah, he died when Ben killed him

The performance was awesome, pretty much everyone liked the new and improved Locke till they found out it was not-Locke. I think he ends up not being a bad guy.

[charlie and algernon]

4. maybe that's the loophole

Essau can't just take a new form, he also has to have THAT form die, kind of a double reincarnation.

[Cass]

3. Wow, that is real interesting!

This got me thinking that Ben tried to kill Locke once before on the island and it failed - he shot Locke in the chest by the pit containing the bodies of the Dharma Initiative. Your theory would explain why Locke survived that.

Now I am going to have to watch the early episodes again.

[charlie and algernon]

5. there's definitely something "off" about Locke early on

That smile he shoots Kate with the orange in his mouth might one of the creepiest smiles ever.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. Well, he did miraculously begin to walk again.....

...that in and of itself is odd.

[Fleshdancer]

7. makes sense to me

His behavior on the island was so different from his flashbacks. We assume it's a new found confidence due to his legs working again, but maybe it isn't.

Great theory!

[Tyrone Slothrop]

8. That might also explain his confrontation with Smokey

As I recall, when Locke faces down the monster in the 1st season, it sucks him underground -- and then lets him go. He later describes it to Eko as a bright white light.

I always assumed it was because Locke was "good", but maybe there's more to it than that...

[charlie and algernon]

9. that's a good point

he also faces it in the 3rd episode. We had just seen it mutilate the pilot, yet it just stares at Locke. Perhaps Essau as Locke was reporting on the rest of the losties.