And Found:
Lost "What They Died For" (6.16)

When they were first introduced into the show, the flashes-sideways seemed more of a confusing distraction than anything else. Now, though, the characters’ alternate lives may prove to be more integral to the story than the story we’ve been following on the island for all these seasons. The reason the alternate realities seem perhaps more important—and definitely more intriguing—is because Lost may come down to being all about protecting a light. Of course this light is some kind of metaphor or serves a significant function (hopefully), but it’s a light nonetheless.

So, as the Oceanic 815 passengers piece together their memories of each other in alterna-world, we’re left wondering what/when/where that world exists. The pieces are starting to come together, with Kate, Sayid, Desmond and Hurley coming together at the end of “What They Died For,” but its’ still not clear why Desmond was so set on making that happen.

Back on the island, everyone (who’s still kicking) seemed to be falling back into their regular patterns of behavior. Ben, whose name was once synonymous with backstabber, ratted Charles Widmore and his assistant out to Flocke so he could finally have his revenge for Alex’s murder. Just when we thought Ben had turned the corner from two-timing manipulator, he goes and gets Zooey’s throat cut and then shoots Widmore in the midst of his whispered conversation with Flocke. And that’s just plain rude.

On the other side of the island, Jacob reveals the link between the candidates—the reason they were chosen to be candidates. He tells Kate, Hurley, Jack and Sawyer that he brought them to the island because they were “all flawed,” “alone” and “looking for something.” And Jack thinks he’s found what he’s been looking for when Jacob asks for a volunteer to replace him.

Jack, the modern-day Renaissance man, can’t resist the chance to be a leader. One minute, he’s sewing up Kate’s bullet wound and the next he’s taking over Jacob’s place as protector of the island. And Jacob seems happy to have him as his replacement golden cave light protector. When Jack drinks a cup of water given to him by Jacob, Jacob says, “now you’re like me.” Is Jack now immortal (or partially immortal, or whatever Jacob was before Smoky figured out a way to kill him)?

What seems most important now is that Smoky must die. Before everyone else does—which may very well happen if the current death rate on the island continues. Let’s hope somebody survives the upcoming two-and-a-half-hour finale, because if the past six years of Lost have all been about protecting a mysterious light, then somebody better protect the damned light.