Who is the economist?

[Wolstie]

So come on who is the economist????

I have no idea, but if all else fails say Jacob lol

[Audio Pineapple]

Abaddon in my opinion.

[Murgatroyd]

Absolutely no idea, but Abaddon does sound plausible. He seems to be masterminding the operation that wants Ben and that Ben wants to run from at all costs, so it makes sense that he'd be trying to assassinate him and anyone associated with him.

[Him]

Locke. And I have reasons for thinking that too (which I will add later).

[esn]

Abbadon doesnt seem right to me. Ok there is much we dont know about him, but what we have to go on is that he was responsible for being the a-team to the island, and might be a lawyer but a shifty one of that. But the big clue for me is his name. Abbadon, which is another name for the devil, the anti christ. Which for me, hes gotta have too bigger role for him to be a mere unlyling for Sayid to eliminate. Ive writtern a little bit about it here if anyones interested in taking it further but thats the gist of what Im trying to say here. Although he might be higher up the chain.

[Him]

I feel that there's a lot of foreshadowing as to the Economist's identity.

At the moment it doesn't make a lot of sense plotline wise, but there are subtleties which have raised my eyebrows:

Read this bit of Locke's conversation with Hurley, over Charlotte:
Hurley:... why do we need to take prisoners?
Locke: We're keeping her because she is going to be valuable
Hurley: How is she going to be valuable?

I probably don't have to point out the link between Locke's (peculiar) talk of value, and that being what an economist deals with.

Worthy of note here is that John made a bet with Ben over whether Sayid would fall for his trap (and won a dollar). This feels, to me, like it links with what Elsa said on the phone, that 'he had no idea' [that he was being tricked himself].

Also, Sayid and Elsa's extremely interesting conversation:
Sayid: You should tell your employer that there is newer technology.
Elsa: Well I've tried; he's very old fashioned. You know how bosses can be.

Compare this snippet to Ben's conversation with Locke, outside Jacob's cabin:

BEN: You'll wanna turn off your flash-light, John.
LOCKE: Why?
BEN: Jacob feels the same way about technology as you do.

This definitely doesn't feel like a coincidence to me, given that immediately after, they parallel the same episode again in the very next sentence:
Elsa: Do you have a boss?
Sayid: Everyone has a boss, Elsa.

with

Ben: We all answer to someone, John.

The last two points may make it feel like the economist's identity is possibly Jacob too, but given that it appears this economist is a living, breathing and physical entity which Elsa meets twice a year, I don't think so - I think it's more likely to be Locke. Though, as I've always had a suspicion that Jacob looked rather like Locke with a wig, it could be a double hint.

Regarding that twice-a-year arrangement - my feeling is that if it is Locke, he only really leaves the Island now and again when needed, as it appears Ben has done previously. At this point, I should probably mention the fact that we're not sure Locke ever blew up the submarine.

Anyway, I'm sure I had another reason, but I've forgotten it I think - I'll edit this later if I remember. I might make this a theory thread actually.

Reasons going against this, is that it would appear, that going from what Ben says to Sayid at the end, is that he's keeping a set of Sayid's friends from harm - I don't see why Locke would have any intent to harm people, especially as it feels implied that they're still on the Island.

Not really a negative point, but if we are to go by what is implied, it would be an interesting turnaround of character - although Ben's still creepy and cold as ice, he appears to be on the side of the good, despite almost certainly being the 'baddest' person up until the current point (on the island). Conversely, it would mean that Locke, notable for being incapable of harming a fly in his flashbacks, and being almost completely sympathetic, would have done a U-Turn.

[MatchBox]

Does Locke speak German?!

Though, his namesake was somewhat of an economist too...wasn't he?

[Him]

Not that we know of, but there's no reason why he couldn't learn, or in fact learned German outwith the parts of his life documented in his flashbacks.

Certainly. Good spot. A quick scan of his wikipedia article throws up a lot of stuff regarding his philosophy on it... too much for me to start plopping in here.

[firebreathingfishies]

I think it was Abbadon because of the bracelet thing. Naomi had one and she was kind of like a special ops type person and whatsherface had one on her wrist when she died. Well, it sure looked like the same bracelet. Maybe it's some kind of code so they know who they work for

[The_abbott]

I think Him may have a point about it being Locke. Ben and Locke on opposing teams. It could be Abbadon.

It could be Vincent.

[firebreathingfishies]

Vincent with an eyepatch in a leather chair chewing on a white fluffy cat

I think you've just nailed it abbs

[lalaland]

yeah i think locke would be an excellent candidate for the role of the economist. afterall he isn't afraid to kill to protect his island, and if he thought the oceanic 6 would reveal everything then he wouldn't think twice about bumping them off imo.

some interesting points there HIM

[misspiggy]

Originally Posted by Him

Reasons going against this, is that it would appear, that going from what Ben says to Sayid at the end, is that he's keeping a set of Sayid's friends from harm - I don't see why Locke would have any intent to harm people, especially as it feels implied that they're still on the Island.

I took this to mean that the other oceanic 6 were in trouble, not the people on the island. I think Ben is blackmailing Sayid into killing the people on his list (an interesting parallel with the numerous lists Ben had going on the island) by telling him that he is protecting Jack, Kate, Hurley and whoever else made it off the plane.

[D-Roc]

Let's think about this - the Economist according to blond woman is "old fashioned". Ben told Locke that Jacob was like him, in that they both hated technology (3.20). It would suggest that in a technological world, an anti-techno would begrudgingly use old fashioned equipment.

All of which points to either Jacob or Locke.

Also, blond woman said that he only calls two or three times per year - is her boss on the island most of the time throught the year? Possibly. Again, Jacob or Locke.

Another theory I have is that it's actually Ben.

Remember - Ben is always 2 Steps ahead..

Although for now I think Jacob or Locke are slightly more likely.