First, in Season 1, the Others are jungle hobo people. In Season 2, we learn that this was all a ruse. They use fake beards and stuff, but really, they live in Dharmaville and have book clubs and burn their muffins. Now, we learn that they are both jungle hobo people and sinister suburbanite cult members.

First, the Others kill or attempt to kill or kidnap crash survivors. Then, they claim to be 'the good guys'. Then, they are forbidden from killing most people. Then, they attempt (yet fail) kill people again, but often this is done indirectly.

Sayid is considered 'a bad man' at first. Jacob 'touches' Sayid to somehow bring him back to the island. He includes a note in an ankh in a guitar case that suggests Sayid must be saved or all hell breaks loose. Then Sayid becomes Unlocke's angel of darkness. Hmmm...this is a lot like Ben. Ben hitches a ride back to the island, then becomes MIB's pawn and kills Jacob.

I agree that Locke's life is pretty pathetic, but perhaps his soul is inside UnLocke, trying to get out? Doubtful, I know, but maybe if the two universes merge, he'll get his second chance in life, although he may need to sacrifice working legs.

In Seasons 1-2, the smoke monster is assumed to be allied with the Others. In Season 3, we learn this is not so, and in fact, the suburban cultists use the sonic fence to keep it out (hey, did the Dharma folks use the sonic fence for that purpose, or did they use it to keep out the Hostiles, and the Hostiles realized it had other utilities?). Season 4, it seems that Ben has a modicum of control over the smoke monster, somehow releasing it to avenge his daughter's murder. Except that he gives the impression that once released, it is it's own man, er, monster. In Season 5, Ben claims he must seek out the monster in order to be judged, despite the fact that no other Other has been shown to be so judged (although it did judge Eko, and found him wanting in the repentance department, and yet UnLocke does not appear to be so inclined towards repentance). So now it seems the Ben knows what the monster's function is. Except that he doesn't. Richard immediately recognizes UnLocke as being UnLocke, but for some reason Ben doesn't. And then there are the ash circles. These seem to work around "Jacob's Hut", and momentarily around Bram (until Bram is knocked out of the circle). However, Dogen is somehow a living Ash Circle. Except that he had the group put an ash circle around the temple as soon as word of Jacob's demise arrived. So what's the deal with ash circles?

Who said "Help Me!" to Locke way back in Season 3? We assumed it was Jacob, but maybe it was to-be-UnLocke, trying desperately to leave the hut/island and finding his pawn? Oooh.

Anyway, I like your idea that both Jacob and MIB are guardians/wardens of something else trying to break free. Maybe that thing said "Help Me". Looking forward to finding out.