LOST *contains spoilers*

[[Jay]]

Even so, Jack did not have a son before did he?
Dont see why he would have a soon in this timeline?

[Charles]

The island wouldn't be around to affect their lives as much as it has done in the normal timeline. Butterfly effect and all that.

[[Jay]]

YEh i suppose thats true, Jacob also would not have influenced thier choices.

[ecstasy]

As in it had no meaning. Because the island is underwater, ben etc never went there etc etc etc. Hence basically the island didnt exist.

There must still be some link though. What are the chances of Locke meeting Ben and Jack meeting Dogen.

Anyway, good episode

[crazed]

The island wouldn't be around to affect their lives as much as it has done in the normal timeline. Butterfly effect and all that.

Yeah but that doesn't mean that Jack didn't have a son before?

[Simmzay]

Read a nice little theory that the alternate timeline is really the original timeline and what's happened on the show is a result of Jacob's interfering in people's lives, even including the likes of Ben and Dogen. Although I can't seem to think of a way that Jacob's actions would in any way affect Jack having a son.

[Charles]

Yeah but that doesn't mean that Jack didn't have a son before?

I surely hope that they won't go 'oh right yeah, he had a son pre-crash' because that just wouldn't slide with me.

[crazed]

I surely hope that they won't go 'oh right yeah, he had a son pre-crash' because that just wouldn't slide with me.

He must have, we met him like, a few hours after the plane landed so:S

[LoveToStack]

Very interesting theories put forward from various Lostpedia users:
The lighthouse and The Cave are 'bases' for the Man In Black and Jacob respectively. Each have knowledge about the selection of 'candidates' and both locations have lists of candidates in different handwriting. Also worth noting the Cave's names are written in white, and the lighthouse in black. Also worth noting that a cave is dark and underground, whereas a lighthouse is aboveground and it's specific purpose has to do with light. Light/Dark etc etc.
Another big point to note about the lighthouse is that the sound the compass wheel makes when it clunks round with the pulling of the chain is very similar to the mechanical noises that the black smoke makes (this gives weight to the theory that the lighthouse is actually the Man in Black's base). Also giving weight to that theory is the fact that the images projected on the mirrors closely resemble the images of people's lives that flash up within the black smoke when he 'judges' people (See Eko). People are also speculating that Jacob intended for Jack to smash the mirrors, possibly because they belong to MIB or possibly because the lighthouse is the way off the island the Man in Black offered Sawyer in the cave.
Speculation is that when the fire in the lighthouse is lit, the user is transported to the location of the image projected on the mirrors. This makes sense as the places are all places where Jacob has visited when making contact with the candidates: Jin and Sun's wedding, Jack's home etc etc.
It's possible that Jacob used the lighthouse to compile a list of candidates, each degree on the compass (360) relating to an individual location where they can be found > Jacob goes to the location and finds out who the candidate is > writes their name on the degree on the wheel to which their name corresponds. Also, when a candidate dies, their image ceases to show on the mirrors, hence why only some images appaear. All only speculation of course but all possibilites imo.

[Seatherny]

Very interesting theories put forward from various Lostpedia users:
The lighthouse and The Cave are 'bases' for the Man In Black and Jacob respectively. Each have knowledge about the selection of 'candidates' and both locations have lists of candidates in different handwriting. Also worth noting the Cave's names are written in white, and the lighthouse in black. Also worth noting that a cave is dark and underground, whereas a lighthouse is aboveground and it's specific purpose has to do with light. Light/Dark etc etc.
Another big point to note about the lighthouse is that the sound the compass wheel makes when it clunks round with the pulling of the chain is very similar to the mechanical noises that the black smoke makes (this gives weight to the theory that the lighthouse is actually the Man in Black's base). Also giving weight to that theory is the fact that the images projected on the mirrors closely resemble the images of people's lives that flash up within the black smoke when he 'judges' people (See Eko). People are also speculating that Jacob intended for Jack to smash the mirrors, possibly because they belong to MIB or possibly because the lighthouse is the way off the island the Man in Black offered Sawyer in the cave.
Speculation is that when the fire in the lighthouse is lit, the user is transported to the location of the image projected on the mirrors. This makes sense as the places are all places where Jacob has visited when making contact with the candidates: Jin and Sun's wedding, Jack's home etc etc.
It's possible that Jacob used the lighthouse to compile a list of candidates, each degree on the compass (360) relating to an individual location where they can be found > Jacob goes to the location and finds out who the candidate is > writes their name on the degree on the wheel to which their name corresponds. Also, when a candidate dies, their image ceases to show on the mirrors, hence why only some images appaear. All only speculation of course but all possibilites imo.

That sounds like a good theory. I only disagree with this bit:

Speculation is that when the fire in the lighthouse is lit, the user is transported to the location of the image projected on the mirrors.

I think the mirror simply shows Jacob where he met the candidates.

Why is the current protector of the island? Richard?
Because who ever it is must be dieing or leaving or something soon if there is to be a new person.