What Eko actually said...

[Him]

As we all know, at the end of The Cost of Living Eko dies, giving his last words Locke.

Locke tells the group he said "We're next", but if you actually listen, closely, to what is said, you can hear that Eko actually whispers: "I saw the devil..."

I can't think of any good reason for Locke to have said this... can anyone else? Is he trying to protect the Monster? If so, "We're next" doesn't exactly improve people's opinions of the creature (which, if they're a bit dull, will assume to be have been some animal)...

I think it's quite strange, to be honest...

PS: I mentioned this just after the episode aired, but it was deleted because it may have been a spoiler... thus the rather random timing of this thread.

[Murgatroyd]

Originally Posted by Him,January 21, 2007 04:12 am

As we all know, at the end of The Cost of Living Eko dies, giving his last words Locke.

Locke tells the group he said "We're next", but if you actually listen, closely, to what is said, you can hear that Eko actually whispers: "I saw the devil..."

I can't think of any good reason for Locke to have said this... can anyone else? Is he trying to protect the Monster? If so, "We're next" doesn't exactly improve people's opinions of the creature (which, if they're a bit dull, will assume to be have been some animal)...

I think it's quite strange, to be honest...

PS: I mentioned this just after the episode aired, but it was deleted because it may have been a spoiler... thus the rather random timing of this thread.

I've seen this mentioned in a few episode reviews and the like. Possibly it's not supposed to be canonical. Maybe they rescripted after filming Eko's last words, though it's as poor a mistake as leaving in Ethan's obvious after-death breathing if that's the case. Thing is, it's one of those minute details that I can't see them re-addressing without its looking very contrived: only Locke and Eko know what was said. If Locke saw fit to lie about it - presumably to spur his group into acting or to protect the identify of the Black Smoke - it'd take something fairly drastic for him to admit the truth. And it'll be news to most viewers that Locke was lying about Eko's last words, so it'll be a slightly jarring revelation and not one of the mysteries they'd been looking forward to solving. Though I suppose Eko could ghost his way into Locke's conscience; or Locke could have a word to the island again and make his admission that way in search of praise. I actually wish they'd followed up Sayid's 'Why did you lie?' comment - I thought he was referring to Eko's last words there, so that would've been a good way into the question.

[Audio Pineapple]

It could be that because Locke sees the island as good and pure (to a certain extent) and holds it akin to his God, that to know that the 'Devil' aspect of the island would take someone as innocent-appearing as Eko, that he really does think everyone else will be next.

[Laura~J]

I'd go along those lines too AP, that by Locke saying "We're next" he was just interpreting what Eko said into what he believed it would lead to.

[Him]

Originally Posted by Murgatroyd,January 21, 2007 08:55 am

I've seen this mentioned in a few episode reviews and the like. Possibly it's not supposed to be canonical. Maybe they rescripted after filming Eko's last words, though it's as poor a mistake as leaving in Ethan's obvious after-death breathing if that's the case. Thing is, it's one of those minute details that I can't see them re-addressing without its looking very contrived: only Locke and Eko know what was said. If Locke saw fit to lie about it - presumably to spur his group into acting or to protect the identify of the Black Smoke - it'd take something fairly drastic for him to admit the truth. And it'll be news to most viewers that Locke was lying about Eko's last words, so it'll be a slightly jarring revelation and not one of the mysteries they'd been looking forward to solving. Though I suppose Eko could ghost his way into Locke's conscience; or Locke could have a word to the island again and make his admission that way in search of praise. I actually wish they'd followed up Sayid's 'Why did you lie?' comment - I thought he was referring to Eko's last words there, so that would've been a good way into the question.

All excellent points..

Another bizarre thing just after that, was Locke explaining to Sayid, an original cast member, what the Black Smoke was.... shouldn't that have been Desmond he was talking to?

I'd go along those lines too AP, that by Locke saying "We're next" he was just interpreting what Eko said into what he believed it would lead to.

He's doing an awful lot of reading between the lines then, especially considering he was asked directly "What did he say?"...

[D-Roc]

When you listen carefull to Eko's final whisper it does actually sound like he says "I.. saw..the..devil, John" (imo)

I think this is further evidence to suggest that Smokey is either different things to different people at different times.....or that there are 2 Smokeys