What if the flash sideways are not in fact what could have happened, but what if it is a deal? We see Jacob and Smokey attempting to make all these deals with people, the latest being with Sayid. “What do you want the most?” To which Sayid replies it is impossible to see Nadia again. We know Jacob made deals before as well for what seemed impossible… letting Dogen’s son live in exchange for his job on the island, letting Juliet’s sister live in exchange for her work on the Island (at least I believe Jacob was behind this.)

Now what if the flash sideways are simply a reality in which Smocke grants everyone’s most desired dreams? Those wishes, though granted, are granted with clauses, and those clauses are not thought through by our survivors.

Sayid – gets to be close to Nadia and Nadia survives but she is married to his brother and he can’t be with her. also still murders and tortures.

Kate – Gets to help Claire get to the hospital and initiates Claire keeping Aaron, but is still on the run

Jack – gets a son whom he ends up becoming close with and is a good father to (unlike his dad), but is divorced

Jin/Sun – get to be together but still seemingly unhappy/having trouble

Claire – with Aaron but with nobody to help her raise her child (no parental figure)

Chew on it…