I was waiting to see what you had to say about Locke! I very much hope he lives also. I didn't know that Jacob was JJ Abrams' middle name, and considering the importance of names in the Lostverse, it makes sense that Jacob is the one who is pulling all the strings.

I find it a bit off putting, to be honest, that you think the writers aren't giving the series enough thought. It is their job, after all, and from the interviews I've seen with the writers and creators, they seem to have mapped it all out... though that may not come across very well in the episodes themselves. I am admittedly easy to please when it comes to Lost (sometimes it seems like everyone only wants answers, and aren't satisfied when they get them!) so maybe that's why I don't agree with you.

Either way, they've set a cancellation date for Lost which should help them plan and map out plots and episodes better. So hopefully it won't feel like the writers are floundering in the next two seasons.