I just had a thought...maybe Jack isn't as dumb as he has been acting, maybe he suspects Juliet of being a spy and he is playing her. That would explain why he is acting so out of character.... maybe it is just wishful thinking.

Makes me think Jack and Juliet might as well be working on their own version of off-the-island- plans, and not necessarily for only themselves, but for everyone. Maybe for some reason they wanted to keep it quiet, like until their plans or circumstances necessary for action, get mature enough, you know.. When Juliet suggested they tell Kate about "it" (?), Jack made it clear that timing was not right.

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"Bear...? Is that you?"-- Hurley S03E4

Good points guys! I'm too am beginning to suspect the Others are not one cohesive group : Juliet is out to get off the island - she could devise a plan with Jack, especially since they've learned there is a freighter off-shore; the things that Richard Alpert was disgustingly saying to Locke about Ben being off track with this fertility stuff. Maybe Alpert is wanting to take the group in a different direction than Ben has been.

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`Dear, dear! How queer everything is to-day! And yesterday things went on just as usual. I wonder if I've been changed in the night? Let me think: was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is, Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle!'

-- Alice, from “Alice’s Adventure’s in Wonderland”

i agree, there is definately a conflict between Richard and Ben, and Richard seems to have alot of power, but is just waiting for his time. I think Jack is pretending to go along with Juliette so he can get info from her. He is trying to protect Kate by keeping the real truth from her , whatever that "truth" is. in my opinion anyway,....

Well, I agree that there may be something between Ben and Alpert, but Ben is such a good actor, on the island that is, he is so convincing. When Locke asked why he was playing him, Ben said "and where would you get an idea like that?" So Ben knows he is at odds with some people, maybe Alpert, or, it was all part of an even longer con. Somehow, i think it's the latter, I mean Alpert seems to know everything, he seems to be a right hand, and he was integral in getting Juliette to the island, so why now would he be against the fertility. It's a long con for sure.... I bet Ben is setting Locke up to kill Jacob, so he can have all of the power.. who knows

I hope all of you are right. I <i>really</i> want <i>someone</i> to best Ben at his game! I like the idea of Jack and Juliette working on a little plan of their own. Let's see what happens.