Barefoot Maniacs

[pugsy]

I'm new to the forum and couldn't find any other references to these two theories, but just in case they've been discussed I'll try to keep them brief, but that won't be easy with such a complex show:

I noticed in One of Us the camera paid special attention to the fact that Juliette was barefoot when getting out of the submarine's bunk bed. That got me thinking...

1) The Inbred Cloven Feet (aka The Carpetbagger) Theory-What if the Others were not the original inhabitants of the island but the four toed people are, and the two groups are still there and do not get along. Hence, the Others normally walk around barefoot to show they're not one of the four toed people, and the Others had to check Juliette's feet when she was unconscious to make sure she wasn't a spy. That or Ethan has a foot fetish, in which case Juliette's probably glad she was knocked out for the ride.....

2) The Hallowed Ground Theory-There's a few Old Testament references to "hallowed ground" where the mortals are asked to remove their shoes when approaching a deity, like when Moses speaks to the burning bush. What if whenever the Others are running around barefoot, like they did a lot in the first couple of seasons, it was because they were speaking to Jacob and had to be barefoot when doing so? When they left and went back to the compound, they started wearing shoes again since they weren't chatting with the Big Cheese. It would make sense that when the survivors arrived, the Others would speak to Jacob in order to get advice and information. Then they went to the compound to take action on what he told them. Now they have to go back and re-consult with Him since things have changed and they're minus a hatch, a sub, and according to Patchy's surprise just before he got vibed, their idea of who Locke is at the time was all wrong.

This might also explain why Mr. Happy had a beard in the first couple of seasons and not later when he was back in the compound. In the Old Testament the men who would enter the alter during the time of the Exodus were instructed to grow their facial hair to a certain length, which is still practiced today in Hasidic Judaism. Mr. Happy had to have a beard and barefeet when chatting to Jacob, but not when back at the camp. Perhaps speaking to this power source also made him sterile and turned his hair white.

Personally, if I lived on an island and had a little box that will materialize anything I wish for, the first thing I'd request would be an excellent pair of waterproof hiking boots. And yet the Others go barefoot, and don't seem to be hurting for supplies where they could easily get some shoes. Hmmmmm..............

I like your ideas.