The Others, often referred to as the Island's original inhabitants or natives, did not arrive in a single event like the crash of Oceanic Flight 815. Instead, their presence on the mysterious Island is largely attributed to the direct, long-term manipulation of Jacob, the enigmatic protector of the Island, who orchestrated events to bring specific individuals and groups there over many decades.
The Origins of the Island's Mysterious Inhabitants
Unlike the crash survivors, the Others were an established community with a deep connection to the Island and its supernatural properties. Their arrival was part of a grand design by Jacob, who carefully selected and guided people to the Island for his own purposes.
Jacob's Guiding Hand
Jacob, the immortal guardian of the Island, played a pivotal role in the arrival of the Others. He possessed the ability to subtly influence events, ensuring that various individuals and groups would find their way to the Island over time. This wasn't a one-time recruitment drive, but rather a continuous, strategic process designed to populate the Island with people he deemed suitable or necessary for his plans. His manipulations often led to shipwrecks, plane crashes, or other circumstances that marooned people on the Island, subsequently integrating them into the community of the Others. For more information on Jacob's influence, see his profile on Lostpedia.
A Legacy Spanning Decades
The history of the Others on the Island dates back significantly further than the events of the series. Their lineage and presence can be traced back to at least the 1950s, suggesting a long and complex history intertwined with the Island's mystical properties. This indicates that the Others were not a monolithic group that arrived together, but rather a collection of individuals and their descendants, brought to the Island across different eras and integrated into the established community under Jacob's guidance.
Their Role and Selection
As followers of Jacob, the Others functioned as his proxies and enforcers on the Island. They maintained its secrets, guarded its mysteries, and sometimes interacted with newly arrived inhabitants. The selection of their leaders, such as Benjamin Linus and earlier figures like Richard Alpert, was also a deliberate process orchestrated by Jacob. These leaders were chosen through a process of observation and testing, ensuring they possessed the qualities Jacob sought to fulfill their roles in managing the Island and its inhabitants. To learn more about this enigmatic group, explore The Others on Lostpedia.
Here's a summary of how the Others established their presence on the Island:
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Primary Mover | Jacob, the enigmatic Protector of the Island, who actively manipulated events. |
| Method of Arrival | Orchestrated circumstances (e.g., shipwrecks, crashes) that brought specific individuals and groups to the Island over many decades. |
| Timeline | Their presence and history on the Island date back at least to the 1950s, preceding the events involving Oceanic Flight 815. |
| Purpose | They served as Jacob's followers and proxies, tasked with protecting the Island. Leaders were chosen through observation and testing. |
