Did you see Jacob? Does he Locke familiar?

Eagle eyed Lost viewers got their first glimpse of the mysterious Jacob in last Sunday's episode 'The Man Behind The Curtain.'

Don't worry if you missed it - most viewers did - but there was a brief glimpse of Jacob in the surreal cabin showdown between Benjamin Linus and John Locke.

The picture to the left of this is a screengrab of Jacob from this episode, he appeared for a split second in the cabin as Locke branded Ben a liar and a fantasist. Ben appeared to be talking to an empty chair during the sequence until we heard Jacob say 'Help Me' to John. At this point chaos ensued as objects were hurled around the cabin and amid this was the shot of Jacob.

What makes this photo even more intriguing is the character's similarity to John Locke. The forehead, nose and chin bears a remarkable resemblance to Terry O'Quinn (who plays Locke) and intriguingly Jacob has long hair, maybe even a pony tail which could be a wig.

This was the amazing episode where Locke apparently met his maker after being shot by Ben and left to die. Most Lost fans don't believe this is the last we will see of Locke. The character seems too important to the overall series to be shot down in Season 3, especially when a further 3 seasons have been confirmed. With the shows religious parallels I wouldn't be surprised to see Locke rising from the dead ala Jesus in what would be some kind of resurrection.

This all makes for interesting speculation and with sources claiming that Terry O'Quinn will be back for Season 4, it will leave viewers wondering whether he will return as John Locke or indeed in the guise of Jacob.

My personal theory is that this is the last we will see of Locke for Season 3, but that he will be somehow be resurrected in Season 4. He's too important a character to lose and seems central to the powers of the island.

There has been much talk of sacrifice in recent episode's (notably surrounding Desmond/Charlie), which makes me wonder if Locke has been 'sacrificed by Ben for a specific reason - possibly to free Jacob from the shackles that keep him in the cabin and mostly invisible.

Ultimately Lost is a show that is impossible to second guess, but it does appear there is a striking resemblance between John Locke and Jacob - this could be very clever casting from the producers though. Time will tell on our favourite Island......