One of my favorite scenes ever on this show was when Juliet was pretending to show Jack "To Kill a Mockingbird" in his cell in the hydra, but had the cue card message for Jack instead. I remember the line "some of us would like a change". Do we think Alpert is in the faction of the Others that may also be looking to usurp Ben's authority?

I found it fascinating that he wanted to help Locke. There could be many reasons why.

I think he's sick of Ben. I was wondering the same thing. Is it more mindgames, or is he for real? I think he's for real.

I remember some people thought Juliet's video was just another con, but now it looks like some people really do want a change.

I think it was just a case of good cop, bad cop. Ben's the bad cop, Richard the good. I don't know why they wanted Cooper dead so badly, but telling Locke what they did ensured it. . . but then again they would not have wanted Locke to communicate certain information to Sawyer.. . okay, so maybe its not good cop, bad cop, but why would Richard have an interest in Cooper dying?

I was torn watching between the good cop/bad cop and him really wanting change.

Maybe he did want Locke to be successful, so that they could all believe Locke is their savior - and Ben would be deposed?

Or ... Ben knew that Locke could not and would not kill his dad. So Ben set up Locke to be embarrassed in front of everyone so Ben could retain his status with the Others.

Or ... Alpert and Ben could be working together and Ben set up the meeting with Alpert to play Locke. This is a big "could be." It could be a way to "remove" Locke from the group.

I dunno why but I get this weird feeling that Alpert may be Jacob. In plain sight and all you know.

I dunno why but I get this weird feeling that Alpert may be Jacob. In plain sight and all you know.

Me too! There's something serene and unsettling about him.
Who better to check out new recruits, like Juliet?

And, he apparently can go back and forth easily to the mainland.

Yeah, I was thinking that too~and I think I'd be okay with it. Though he does seem younger than I thought Jacob would be.