Jacob is the smoke monster
Im just taking a guess because I have no real evidence but I do feel stongly that after Ben kicks him in the fire. Jacob burns and hence becomes a big puff of black smoke.
Another thing I noticed is that in the beginning of the incident part one if you watch the beginning when Jacob is weaving the camera pans across the fire pit and if you look closely you will see the flame isnt licking upwards but looks like the shot was played in reverse.the flames are coming downward. Knind of a silly theory but who knows.
I wouldnt put it past the writers to use this as a big reveal, but I can’t say I think it will come out that way. The smoke monster shows you things youve done wrong and judges you. It seems like MIB is the more that type cause of how judgemental he is on mankind. Also the smoke monster tells Ben (using the visage of Alex) not to attempt to kill Locke. That just seems like a part of the plan to get Locke and Ben to get to see Jacob in attempt to kill Jacob. Both of the superdudes seem to be able to see the flow of time and try to tweak certain things so events turn out to their advantage. I just don’t see Jacob threatening Ben like that and allowing Locke to gain a devout follower to use againt him. I DO believe that Jacob knew MIB was coming to kill him.
Yes I agree, it is knind of a silly theory.
This is a novel approach. I like your theory simply because you’re thinking out of the box.
Just watched the intro to that episode again, the flames DO lick downwards at the end of the scene. Weird