I agree with you FloPo that I think John Locke should be the ultimate protector of the island. Desmond is obviously trying to facilitate something with the flash sideways Locke and you've brought up some good theories. I personally like the one where he's trying to get Locke to force MIB out of his body!

Desmond is acting weird, just like Sayid is. We know that Sayid is infected with evil, but Desmond is "infected" (enlightened) with the truth of the two worlds. They both are unusually calm. Desmond didn't die when he was shoved down the well shaft so the island is not done with him yet. He tried to save Charlie's life, but couldn't because Charlie was destined to die. Maybe Desmond is destined to keep escaping death and live.

It never crossed my mind that Michael was lying to Hurley because he was so sincere about apologizing to Libby. Christian appeared to him right before he died but I don't know if that means Michael is on the good side or not! I think though that Michael is trying to help the Losties; he's been atoning for his mistakes for years now!

That nod the boy gave Desmond is reminiscent of the type of body language that Jacob uses.