Who is Telling the Truth- Part 1

After watching what I felt was the greatest episode of all time; the ever growing puzzle that is LOST seems to be filling in its final pieces. Mysteries from previous seasons are finally getting their closure, like how the Black Rock ended up in the middle of the Island, what destroyed the statue and why doesn't Richard Alpert age.

But with these answers only comes more questions. One being who are we going to believe?

Jacob vs. MIB- Who do you believe?

Jacob and the Man in Black have been in what looks like an epic struggle for ages. Jacob brings people to the Island to make their own decisions, where MIB tries to manipulate them.

But whose story do you believe? Is the Island hell like MIB said, or is it the only thing standing in the way of evil escaping to the outside world according to Jacob?

There have been points in season six where I've felt swayed towards MIB. But after "Ab Aeterno," I believe that is exactly what the writers have wanted us to feel. The same confusion the Losties have when faced with this decision.

Also, the MIB has been portrayed in most episodes as evil. He wheres dark colors, he has an evil grin, he murders. Even his theme music has a diabolical sound.

So why does he garner sympathy? Well, he tells people what they need to hear to trust him. He told Claire the others had taken Aaron, he told Sayid he can return him the Nadia, he told Sawyer he could get him off the Island, he told Ben that Jacob didn't care about him and he told Richard what wife said moments before, that he was in hell. (MIB was Isabella at that point however). He has been manipulating people for his own gains.

In order for MIB to get what he wants he must kill Jacob. The only problem is the rules don't allow him to do it himself. The loophole is, he can convince one of Jacob's candidates to do it, like he tried with Richard and succeeded with Ben.

What MIB wants is to leave the Island. The only way this is possible is by killing Jacob. But why hasn't MIB left now that Jacob is dead? Well it wouldn't be very safe to keep someone as evil as MIB from escaping unless you had more than one way to keep him locked in.

Jacob's Candidates

As we know, the candidates are the people in line to take over for Jacob. The remaining candidates happen to be our Losties and each represents one of the magic numbers. These

people are one of the last fail-safes against MIB and like Jacob he can not kill them himself.

In order to finish what he has started MIB must gain the trust of the Losties, because they are the only ones with the power to kill each other. Only candidates can kill other candidates. So MIB must manipulate through his words or the sickness to help him get rid of the remaining candidates.

MIB is keeping those who are scratched off the list alive or have the sickness, such as Claire and possibly Sayid, because they will be easily convinced to kill their friends. The other Losties won't even see it coming when they are attacked by their own. Also he may be taking those with the sickness on his journey to be his evil minions.

Water

What is an Island? It is a small piece of land surrounded by miles of water. Now that Jacob is gone why hasn't MIB left. Well its because he can't cross water.

Since season one the safest place on the Island has been the beach because it is closest to the water.

The Island is the perfect place to keep someone from escaping if they happen to be vulnerable to water. So how does MIB plan to escape once he eliminates the remaining candidates? He will use the wheel that both Ben and Locke used in seasons past.