Jacob explains that the island is a cork to contain evil, gives Richard eternal life

Richard sits outside the statue wrapped in a blanket as Jacob approaches carrying a bottle of wine. Richard asks what is inside the statue and Jacob only says that no one comes in unless he invites them in. Jacob tells Richard that he is not the devil and reveals that he brought the Black Rock to the island.

Jacob then tells Richard to think of the wine in the bottle as hell or malevolence, evil or darkness. He says that if the evil got out, it would spread and that the cork in the bottle is the island, which keeps the evil where it belongs.

He continues explaining that the man in black believes that everyone is corruptible because it is in their nature to sin. Jacob says he brings people here to the island prove him wrong, because on the island, their past doesn't matter.

He said that before Richard, there were many other people who all died. Jacob says that he didn't help the people because he wanted them to help themselves and to make the decision between right and wrong for themselves. When Richard points out that if Jacob doesn't step in, the man in black will, this intrigues Jacob, who then offers Richard a job as his intermediary. Richard would be the the one to interact with the people Jacob brings to the island.

Richard asks what he'll get in return for doing the job. He first asks for Isabella back and Jacob says he can't do that. Then Richard asks for his sins to be absolved so he won't go to hell, but Jacob says the can't do that either. Finally, Richard says that he never wants to die, he wants to live forever. Jacob says he can do that, and touches Richard on the shoulder.

So this scene was possibly the biggest mythological reveal to date. We get an explanation of the island's possible purpose from someone who would actually know. The question is, what happens when the cork is not in the bottle and the evil escapes? What consequences would there be? And how does the island act as said cork? What force is it that keeps the evil on the island?

We also see the moment where Richard became the ageless go-between we've come to know. It's surprising that he asked to live forever rather than Jacob giving him the gift on his own.

Jacob kicks Richard's ass, dunks him in the ocean

Richard makes his way to the beach and sees the what remains of the Taweret statue. There is just the foot left as we've seen in the present, and there are broken pieces in the water and on land right around  the foot. Richard takes out the dagger and approaches the statute. He sees the entrance open, but is suddenly punched by Jacob.

Jacob beats him down and takes the dagger. He asks Richard who gave him the dagger, and Richard asks where Isabella is. When Richard reveals that Isabella is dead, Jacob asks if he met a man dressed in black. Richard confirms that he did and says that he told him that Jacob was the devil and that he needed to kill him to see Isabella again. Jacob tells Richard that it wasn't really Isabella and that he is not dead and the island is not hell.

Jacob grabs Richard and forces him under the water numerous times, repeatedly asking if he still thinks he's dead. Richard finally says that Jacob should stop because he wants to live. Jacob then stops and says that they need to talk.

So Jacob's line of questioning here seems to insinuate that this may be the first time the man in black has tried to kill him. We also see Jacob hostile and angry for the first time. It's a long way from his mellow, somewhat zen persona we've seen in the later years of his life.

The Black Rock crashes into Taweret statue on the island

The Black Rock is tossed about in the ocean by a nasty storm. Richard and another slave passenger named Ignacio are struggling to avoid being tossed about themselves. Ignacio looks through a hole in the ship and sees the island. Then he also sees the statue of Taweret (the four-toed statue) which he says is the devil that is guarding the island. Richard cowers in a corner, clutching the gold cross as a giant wave propels the Black Rock into the head of the statue.

So we finally learn how exactly Richard came to be on the island and why only the foot of the statue was left, all in one short scene. Truly awesome.

Ilana takes ashes where Jacob burned + Ben lies about killing him

At the four-toed statue, Ilana is sitting inside crying when Ben enters. She asks him what happened to Bram and the rest of her team. Ben tells her that Locke turned into a pillar of black smoke and killed them, but he lies and tells her that Locke killed Jacob too. When he tells Ilana that Jacob was kicked into the fire, she goes to the pit and scoops out a handful of ashes and puts them in a small pouch, much like the one Bram had. When Ben asks why Locke carried Richard into the jungle, Ilana says that he's recruiting.

So what exactly is Ilana's connection to Jacob? She not only seems concerned, but emotionally devastated by his death.

Locke/Smokey knocks out Richard, tells everyone he's disappointed in them

At the four-toed statue, Richard and the others see the signal from the temple explode in the air. Richard is clearly very worried and then turns to see Locke/Smokey and Ben emerge from the statue. Locke immediately walks towards Richard, who tells every one "Don't shoot him!"

Locke says to Richard "It's good to see you outta those chains." Richard only replies "You?" and Locke knocks him out and throws him over his shoulder. Locke tells the rest of the people that he's disappointed in them and leaves. This sentiment is also seems directed towards Ben too, who just helped him by killing Jacob.

So what is the Smoke Monster's history with Richard and in what form did he take when it occurred? And what exactly did he expect of the others that led to his disappointment? Did they choose to follow Jacob instead of him?

The smoke monster/Locke wants to go home

At the four-toed statue, Locke/smoke monster is moving bodies around the room. I guess he wants it to be a little neater before he leaves.

Ben is staring at him and asks "What are you?" Locke says that he's "a who" not "a what." When Ben says that he's the monster, Locke says "Let's not resort to name calling."

Smokey Locke then tells him that the last thing that John Locke thought as Ben was choking him was "I don't understand." He said that Locke was irreparably broken, but he was admirable because he's the only person who didn't want to leave the island.

Ben then asks Smokey Locke what it is he wants, and Smokey says that he wants to go home. Where exactly is home for the smoke monster? Is/was he human at some point and brought or came to the island? The questions are seemingly endless here.

The smoke monster/Locke kills Bram & 3 others, Ben cowers

At the four-toed statue, Ben is still staring at Locke's body, though his look has changed from utter shock to thoughtful determination. It would seem that he's going to stick with new Locke for the time being, as he tells Richard that if he wants to know what happened inside, he should go in and find out for himself. Bram comes over and grabs Ben, forcing him into the statue. Three other armed guys from Team Ilana join them.

Inside, Locke refers to Bram and the others as Jacob's bodyguards, and tells them that Jacob is dead, that he burned up in the fire. He tells them that there's nothing left for them to protect, so they can go and they're free.

Bram takes a shot at Locke, and others follow as he ducks behind a pillar and disappears. Bram picks up the bullet he hit Locke with up off the ground, so obviously he can't be killed, at least in a conventional way. During all of this, Ben cowers, taking cover in a corner.

As the familiar sounds of the smoke monster fill the room as it enters, grabbing and killing three of the men by slamming two of them around the room while once gets tossed out of the hole in the ceiling. Bram pulls out a pouch of that ash we've seen surrounding the cabin which stops the monster in it's tracks briefly. Smokey is smart though, an manages to knock Bram out of the circle by smashing a portion of the ceiling. He promptly gets tossed through part of Jacob's loom and his chest is skewered by a piece of wood.

The monster quietly disappears and Ben starts to walk towards the door when he turns around to see Locke once again, who creepily says "I'm sorry you had to see me like that."

So this confirms that the new Locke is the smoke monster, but is he also an incarnation of the man in black, or another force on the island all together? Either way, this was the most ruthless we've seen smokey yet and I'd guess he's not done killing yet.

Locke tells Ben to bring Richard to him + Ben sees Locke's body

Back inside the four-toed statue, Locke picks up the bloody knife and cuts a piece of a rug up to wipe the blood off. Ben is still staring into the fire and asks why Jacob didn't fight back and Locke says that Jacob must have he was beaten. Locke then tells Ben to go outside and tell Richard that he want to talk to him.

Outside, Richard, Ilana and Bram are having a heated discussion about what's going on and Richard says that they can't go in because Jacob has to invite them in. Ilana argues that they were invited by Jacob, but Richard promptly tells them that they are not in charge because they asked "What lies in the shadow of the statue?"

When Ben emerges from the statue and Richard asks him what happened, he lies and says that Jacob's fine. When he tells Richard that Locke wants to talk to him, Richard's not having any of it. He grabs Ben and throws him on the beach next to Locke's dead body, which leaves Ben wide-eyed and shocked.

The island underwater in new timeline

As Jack looks out the window of the new Oceanic 815 flight, we swoop down under water to discover that in this timeline, the island is under water. We see the sonic fence, the dilapidated Dharma barracks and the four-toed statue. We also pass by a Dharma shark, possibly the same one we saw in season two, even though this one has the Hydra logo where the other had a generic logo.

So what happened to the island is this timeline and when did it happen? We'll have to wait and see.

Jacob is stabbed by Ben, warns fake Locke that 'They're coming'

Locke (actually Fake Locke) and Ben walk into Jacob's living chamber and examine the room. Ben looks up through a hole in the ceiling where the remains of the statue can be seen along with the moon. Ben walks over to the tapestry which now appears to be complete.

Here are the passages translated from Greek:

• ΘΕΟΙ ΤΟΣΑ ΔΟΙΕΝ ΟΣΑ ΦΡΕΣΙ ΣΗΣΙ ΜΕΝΟΙΝΑΣ = May the gods grant thee all that thy heart desires.
• ΘΕΟΙ ΔΕ ΤΟΙ ΟΛΒΙΑ ΔΟΙΕΝ = May the gods grant thee happiness.
• ...Σ ΜΟΝΟΙ ΤΟ ΤΟΥ ΠΟΛΕΜΟΥ ΤΕΛΟΣ ΕΟΡΑΚΑΣΙ = Only the dead have seen the end of war OR Those who have died.

The bottom corner of the tapestry was removed and left in the cabin which Ilana found. Since it is ripped, the first word of the third phrase is missing because of this, causing an uncertain translation, hence the two options.

Jacob is sitting in a chair in corner, in the dark. He startles Ben when he asks "Do you like it?" referring to the tapestry. Jacob says that he made it himself and it takes a very long time when you make the thread, but he adds "I guess that's the point."

Here is the exchange between fake Locke, Jacob and Ben:

Locke: Hello Jacob.
Jacob: Well, you found your loophole.
Locke: Indeed I did. And you have no idea what I've gone through to be here.
Ben: Have you met before?
Locke: In a manner of speaking. [Locke walks over to Ben standing like a commander giving an order.] Do what I asked you to, Ben.
Jacob: Benjamin. Whatever he's told you, I want you to understand one thing. You have a choice.
Ben: What choice?
Jacob: You can do what he asked, or you can go, leave us to discuss our, issues.
Ben: Oh, so now, after all this time, you've decided to stop ignoring me. 35 years I lived on this island, and all I ever heard was your name over and over. Richard would bring me your instructions--all those slips of paper, all those lists--and I never questioned anything. I did as I was told. But when I dared to ask to see you myself, I was told, "You have to wait. You have to be patient." But when he asked to see you? He gets marched straight up here as if was Moses. So, why him? Hmm? What was it that was so wrong with me? What about me?!
Jacob: What about you?

Ben drops his head and says "well" and then proceeds to stab Jacob twice in the chest with the knife. A tear has fallen down Jacob's face as he clings to Ben, then falls to the ground. Jacob is spitting up blood on the ground as he says "They're coming." Locke bends over and says that he can't hear him. Jacob repeats "They're coming." Locke looks wide-eyed and shocked by the pronouncement and then kicks Jacob into the fire. As Locke watches Jacob burn, he has a dark, evil look on his face.

Wow. What a scene. Where to start. So what has the entity using Locke's form been through to get to where he is now? I think it's safe to assume he is the man in the black tunic from the opening scene. How long has his plan to kill Jacob been in motion? Did he cause Ben to see his dead mother, starting him on his path to become the "leader" of the others? And did he, through Ben, then use Locke as a pawn to reach his ultimate goal of killing Jacob? It's a bit complicated, but I think it makes sense.

Jacob gives Ben a choice, just like he did with Hurley, but then pushes Ben over the edge by saying "What about you?" Did Jacob want to die or was he just being brutally honest because Ben was never intended to be the leader?

Who is "They" and when and/or where are they coming from? Could "they" be Jack, Kate, Sawyer and the rest of the Losties in 1977? Or could he mean Richard, Ilana and the others currently outside of the statue chamber?

The big question is, what happens now that Jacob is dead? Are the two sides of the island, the black and white, now unbalanced? With Jacob dead, will the healing power of the island cease to be? Will Rose have cancer again? Will Richard start aging? The consequences of Jacob's death seem to be many.

John Locke's dead body is in the crate, Richard reveals 'What lies in the shadow of the statue'

At the remains of the four-toed statue, Richard offers Sun some water and she asks him if he has any alcohol. Richard says "No, but I sure wish I did."

At that moment, Ilana, Bram, Frank and the others come walking towards the statue with the crate. The others all pull weapons on them and Ilana tells them it's okay and puts her gun down. Ilana then asks "Which one of you is Ricardos?" Richard steps forward and says "It's Richard actually."

Ilana asks him the big question, "What lies in the shadow of the statue?" Richard answers in Latin "Ille qui nos omnes servabit" which translates to "He who will protect/save us all." Ilana and Bram look incredibly happy to hear the right answer.

Ilana tells Richard she has something he needs to see and tells her people to open up the crate. The others steady their guns again, but Richcard tells them it's okay. The crate is flipped over and it is revealed that the body of John Locke is inside. Richard asks where they found him and Ilana says that Locke was in the cargo hold of the plane in a coffin.

Sun then asks the million dollar question. She says "I don't understand. If this is Locke... who's in there?" Ilana and Richard both looked very, very panicked.

So in this scene we come to learn why Locke has not seemed very Locke-like since his faux ressurection? The question is, who is using Locke's form? There is also still a big question mark over Ilana. Who is she and how does she know Richard as Ricardos?

It's worth noting that this is the second season finale in a row where Locke's dead boby has been revealed inside a box. I don't think we'll be seeing it in the series finale though.

Richard bregrudgingly takes Locke and Ben to Jacob's home

At the remains of the four-toed statue of Tawret, Locke (or actually fake Locke) stands staring at the foot. Richard comes over and tries one more time to convince Locke not go to do Jacob. He says that Jacob would eventually come to him. Locke says "I'm tire of waiting" and asks where Jacob is. Richard turns and starts heading towards the statue.

Nearby, Sun asks Ben what happened to the rest of the statue. Ben says he doesn't know and says that it was like that when he got here. Sun asks "Do you expect me to believe that?" Ben replies in a defeated tone, "Not really."

Locke then tells Ben "Let's go" and they head up the rocks towards the statue. Richard stops when he sees Ben and asks him "What are you doing?" Ben says "Locke wants me to join him." Richard says that he can't come and tells Locke that only the leader can request an audience with Jacob and there can only be one leader on the island at a time. Locke says "I'm beginning to think you just make these rules up as you go along, Richard. Ben is coming in with me, and if that's a problem, I'm sure Jacob and I can work it out."

Richard begrudgingly proceeds to the base of statue and pushes in a section of the stone that is the door. He turns and says "Tell him I say hello" and then walks away. Locke pushes the stone further in so they can enter the chamber. There is a short hallway with a light the end where there is an entrance to a room.

Ben stares down the hallway almost like he's in a trance. Locke asks him if he will be able to kill Jacob. He says " I know it won't be easy, but things will change once he's gone. I promise." Locke holds out the knife for Ben and after a moment, Ben takes it and they head for the light.

Richard's objections to Locke going to see Jacob and then that Ben is coming to seems to be a part of some long-standing rules, though all it took was Locke saying screw the rules to get around them. Why does the leader have so much authority that Richard's objections and concerns really mean nothing? He took matters in his own hands in 1977 when he knocked out Eloise.