Great point, Chicky (about the fake out) -- but you have to wonder "what" blew up then???
They did broach the subject of him not wanting to leave cuz he'd be afraid of losing use of his legs again....and that would be a logical reason for Locke to not want to leave the island.....but I dunno, that's too pat. I like your alternate idea though - very cool.
Then again, we really don't want a sub on the island, cuz we don't want them all rescued, do we? (Well, at this point, maybe, lol)
I also agree about having watched from the beginning - that's why I continued with all of last season despite how awful it really was. At least this season is better -- although it can't compare with the first season. Nothing can.
I think one of the problems with this show is that they have SO many characters and they try to do SO much (what with background/flashbacks and junk) that we lose sight of people by the time they get back around to them again, you know?