Interesting thoughts.

Your focus on Jacob appearing as dead love ones probably has some holes, but could have some truth as a general statement. How do you explain that the visions also have included animals (e.g. Kate's horse), living people (e.g. Walt) and messengers (e.g. Charlie), would these be Jacob too?

You write that the "dear departed" appear to Locke but then seem to contradict yourself with the statement about Boone, sorry that confuses me. I don't think Locke loved Boone, why he barely knew him.

I particularly like the idea of Locke as a false prophet. I definitely agree that Richard's disappointment is meaningful just not sure yet why or how. I think that the idea that Jack is the true leader the island wants/needs has merit. The show starts with him and I think he is the considered the MAIN character by most interested in the show. He has such trouble, being a man of science and such reticence to the magic of the island he is primed to have a epiphany.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.