Smokezilla
The Smoke Monster is probably one of the final mysteries we’ll get a legitimate answer to on Lost, which is unfortunate. What’s also unfortunate is that it really can’t be too satisfying, given it’s clear that the writers didn’t have Smokey worked out when it appeared in the pilot.
So what is Smokey? An instrument of fate, killing those who interfere with destiny (i.e. the pilot, Eko)? Result of an electromagnetic event known as “The Incident?” Something else entirely?
Well, let’s see what we know: the sound it makes is the same sound that taxi cabs make when they’re printing out receipts. Weird choice for a Smokey sound effect, right? Maybe not. Smokey does several things that we know of: smashes people it doesn’t like, travels through a system of tunnels (ancient onces, judging by Ben’s secret ancient Smokey door in his house), has something electrical going on, doesn’t like sonic fences, makes some vaguely mechanical noises, has images of peoples pasts in it, Radzinksky called “Cerberus,” and it stares people down. Also, not even Juliet knows what Smokey is.
But why the receipt noise? Smokey is sort of a Craphole Island taxi cab itself, as well as a “security system.” Smokey is composed of many of the lost spirits of the original island inhabitants (the people Jacob and ChristianSpirit were a part of). Powerful spirits that merged to created a being that could protect the island, and deal out judgment on those undeserving of being on the island. Eko refused to repent for his sins, which angered Smokey. Ben “told” Smokey about the Keamy and his men invading the island, so Smokey attacked. What Ben did to “tell” Smokey is beyond speculation.
Is Smokey the third player in the upcoming battle between its brethren spirits Jacob and ChristianSpirit? Very possibly, but Smokey isn’t one to take sides. Smokey will play by its own rules: protect the island, kill the unworthy, eat pilots.
