In the Further Instructions Episode Locke was told to save Eko. He did in fact save him from the polar bear. But, he did not save Eko in the end from the smoke monster. Someone else pondered that the bear was actually the smoke monster in another thread and that is an interesting possibility. Even though John saved him, he did not recognize that the threat was ongoing. He thought the danger had passed, and moved away from protecting Eko to finding the other losties. Boone had told him there was nothing he could do for them at this time but that he needed to Save Eko. I noticed that when they were heading for the Pearl Hatch, Desmond asked Locke:
So are you going to SAVE Eko, or to try and find the computers?
Almost as though he were trying to remind Locke that he still needed to save Eko. If John had recognized the supernatural nature of Eko's attacker and that the danger was not past.....would he have been able to save Eko last night?

Well was he actually 'told'?...I just thought he smoked a big fatty, and thought to save Eko, oh...and then to get some Dharma-brand chili fries, nachos and some Pringles...

He must have been smoking something good...would you stare down a polar bear with a can of hairspray if you werent stoned?

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Sorry...I think my Kharma just ran over your Dogma...

Desmond was being cryptic and all clarvoiyant again. I think he knew that something was going to happen to Ecko because even though Locke had saved him once, he felt Ecko wasn't out of danger yet. I think he was trying to remind Locke, but going to the hatch was just as important and Locke had to make a decision.

But the hatch search could have waited , Echo's safety should have come first . As usual Locke wanted to be the one in control to find what they were looking for etc .... looking out for # 1 .

Oh man... i dont know if Locke COULD have saved Ecko from the smoke Monster fist that pounded him silly. SUX... we needed him. Interesting thing about the Desomond comment. Pretty much need to really think about anything he says at any time.

CHEERS to that! maybe he mixed in a hippie flip suprise in his hot tent. you know found some forrest fungus... Would explain the feeling of invincibility in the face of a polar bear with a tonka truck!


The hatch search ? ?? they were sitting on top of it . it was feet from the edge of the plane. Ecko just sat at the outside of the entrance. Maybe Locke should have stayed up there, but they had a powerful moment and he had given Ecko back his brother's cross. Locke beaing a good hearted person, knew he might need a minute...

Did locke see the smoke earlier on when he found Ecko near the water? it was kinda shot that way...

Could it have waited? Then they wouldn't have seen eyepatch man, right? Maybe that was desperately important. I guess we find out tomorrow.