Hurley pays Ana Lucia to help Desmond, Kate & Sayid escape the police

At the police station, Sawyer comes to tell Kate, Desmond and Sayid that they are being sent to the county lockup. Kate stops him as he's leaving and says that he can still let her go because he believes she's innocent. Saywer says that he can't because he's a cop. Kate tells him that he doesn't seem like a cop.

In the back of the van, Desmond says that he thinks it's time to leave. Kate asks who he is and Sayid says that he's crazy, revealing that Desmond turned himself in. Desmond admits that he hit a man (Locke) in a wheelchair.

Desmond says that the driver already knows where to stop and says that when they stop, he'll expect Sayid and Kate to trust him, because he's going to ask them to do something. They both reluctantly agree, then the van comes to a stop.

The back door opens, revealing Ana Lucia who asks Desmond where her money is, because if she doesn't get it, she'll have to tell the police that she shot them while they tried to escape. As she releases them from their restraints, Hurley pulls up in his yellow Hummer.

Hurley gets out and says that he didn't know Ana Lucia was going to be there. With her trademark attitude, Ana Lucia says "Do I know you tubby?" Hurley realizes his mistake and says that they've never met and hands her an envelope with $125,000 in it. As she leaves, Hurley asks Desmond if she's not coming with them and Desmond says she's not ready yet.

Hurley's Camaro can be seen next to the van and he tells Desmond to take it. Sayid goes with Hurley who says he knows where they need to go. Kate stays with Desmond, who hands her a black dress and tells her that they're going to a concert. Kate looks bewildered.

So Desmond and Hurley both clearly know what's going on, and they have a plan. We learn what that plan involves in the finale.

Jacob passes protectorship to Jack by blessing water

Jacob leads Jack down to a creek as Sawyer, Kate and Hurley watch from a distance. Sawyer cracks a joke saying "And I thought that guy had a God complex before." Kate says "James" in a scolding tone and he says "I know." Hurley says "I'm glad it's just not me."

By the creek, Jacob tells Jack that over the ridge at the bamboo field where he first woke up on the island, that's where the heart of the island is, which he needs to protect from Locke. Jack says that there's nothing past the bamboo, but Jacob says that there is and he'll now be able to find it.

Jacob then asks Jack if he has a cup and Jack gets one from his bag. Jacob reaches into the water and pulls some out, saying in Latin as he does so "Nam non accipimus hoc quasi vulgarem potionem, sed ut ille sit quasi unus mecum," which means "Because we don't accept this as a simple potion, but so that he shall be as one with me." He releases the water back into the creek, puts some into the cup and gives it to Jack to drink. Jack asks how long he will have to do the job, and Jacob says as long as he can. Jack drinks all the water in the cup and then Jacob puts his hand on his shoulder and says "Now you're like me."

The ritual mirrors the passing of power from Mother to Jacob that we saw in "Across the Sea." It's interesting that the light (or the source or heart of the island) is only able to be found by the protector, but it's so close from where Jack's island story began.

Jacob tells the Losties why he chose them, Jack accepts the role of protector

Around the fire, Hurley, Kate, Jack and Sawyer sit across from Jacob. Hurley asks Jacob why he brought them to the island. Jacob says that he brought them there because he made a mistake, accidentally creating the smoke monster, which could lead to the deaths of all of them and everyone they care about. He says that monster has been trying to find a way to kill him for a long time, so he brought them all there because he would need someone to replace him once the monster succeeded.

Sawyer pipes up and asks why they have to be punished for Jacob's mistake, saying that he was doing fine before he was brought to the island. Jacob says that none of them were plucked from a happy existence. He says that he chose them all because they were flawed and alone like he is. He adds that they all needed the island as much as the island needed them.

Kate then asks why her named was crossed off of the cave wall. Jacob says it was because she became a mother, but adds that it's just a line of chalk in a cave and the job is hers if she wants it. Jack asks what the job is, and Jacob says that the job is to protect a light at the center of the island by making sure it never goes out.

When Sawyer says that the smoke monster (Locke) said that the island doesn't need protecting, Jacob says that it has to be protected from the monster. Jacob adds that they have to do what he could never do, and Jack jumps in asking "You want us to kill him?" and if that's even possible. Jacob says that he hopes they can find a way to kill the monster, because he's certainly going to try and kill them.

Hurley then asks Jacob how he's going to pick, and Jacob says that he's not going to. He adds that he's going to give them what he never had, and that's a choice. Kate then asks what happens if no one takes the job, and Jacob says that "Then this ends very badly." Jack steps forward and says that he'll do it, adding that this is what he's supposed to do. Jacob asks him if that was a question and Jack says "no." Jacob says "Good... then it's time."

This was easily one of the most satisfying scenes of the series. We finally learn why Jacob chose who he brought to the island and he gets to tell the remaining candidates directly. Simply awesome.

Locke is ready to 'let go,' Jack is pleased, but questions fate

At Jack's office, he gets an unexpected visit from Locke. Locke enters and sees a photo of Jack, David and Christian. Jack says the photo was taken at Thanksgiving and Locke says that David looks just like Jack.

Locke then runs off a list for Jack. He says that they were on the same plane from Sydney, but he threw away the card Jack gave him when they met. Then he says that he was hit by a car and taken to Jack as his doctor out of all the doctors he could have seen. Then he mentions how Ben was beaten up by Desmond, who said that he was trying to help Locke "let go," which is the same thing Jack told Locke in "The Candidate."

Locke then says that maybe all this is happening for a reason, but Jack drops a season 2 line from Mr. Eko by saying "I think you're mistaking coincidence for fate." Locke says no matter what it's called, he thinks he's ready to get out of the wheelchair.

Jack, Kate & Sawyer meet Jacob

Hurley leads Jack, Kate and Sawyer to the campfire where Jacob is waiting for them. Jacob says hello to each of them and Hurley starts to tell everyone what Jacob said until Jack points out that he heard him. Sawyer and Kate confirm that they can see him too.

Kate gets angry and asks if Jacob's the one who wrote the names on the wall including Sayid, Sun and Jin. He confirms that he is and then Kate asks if that's why they're all dead. Jacob says "I'm sorry," and then Kate demands to know that they didn't die for nothing.

Jacob tells them to come sit down and he'll tell them what they died for and why he chose all of them. He then says that once the fire burns out, one of them will have to take over as protector of the island. Kate and Sawyer look skeptical, Hurley looks worried and Jack looks ready to go. We'll continue with their fireside chat a little later.