Episode 3.03 Further Instructions

Well, that was a pretty good ep. Locke flashbacks are always cool. We are definitely seeing a pattern with him trusting the wrong people again and again. First, the weed growing "family" then the under cover sheriff. I like how at the end of the flashback he himself realizes it is a big time pattern and is disgusted with himself for allowing it to happen. I can't believe the polar bear just dragged Eko away. The polar bear was absent all of season 2 and returns to take someone. Somebody needs to kill that bear, or at least point him in the direction of the Others. From the bones in the bear cave, he has apparently eaten quite a few islanders. Who were the people that got eaten? We learned where Locke got his experience with guns. Still waiting for the "what happened to put him in a wheelchair" flashback. Why couldn't Locke talk when he woke up? How did the hatch implode and the three of them make it out alive? I guess that will be the subject of a flashback later on. So, from the smoke house scene, I understood that John can get messages from the island whenever he wants. That could come in handy. He couldn't do anything for Kate, Sawyer, and Jack right then and Claire and Charlie were ok "for now". Very interesting. I thought Ian Somerhalder did a good job with his return performance. Another thing, even he referred to himself in John's terms as a "sacrifice the island demanded". On to Desmond. The hatch blew his clothes off and gave him the ability to see the future? Crazy. And only Hurley knows about it. Someone that can see the future will always come in handy. Take Heroes for example, that's the only way they are going to be able to beat the bad guys this season. Nikki and Paulo didn't come across as the most lovable new castaways in their first appearance, but maybe they never will be very loved. Will their appearance be good or bad news for our current set of castaways. I guess Desmond could always own them with his powers though, so they don't stand a chance of launching a coup and him not knowing.
As for my theories, I think the saying on Eko's Jesus stick may have been telling Locke where to look for Jack, Kate, and Sawyer. We shall see.
In the previews for next week, it appears Sawyer is going to be tortured until Kate confesses her undying love for him. It also seems that they will make Jack watch and in that way drive him to Juliet. I'm hoping when Locke comes to get them that Juliet escapes with them. I wonder when that escape will happen. Episode 6? Episode 7 and 8 are probably more likely alternatives so that we have to come back after the hiatus.