Yeah, I was debating it too but if Esau does not transform into "Smokey" at will then he's definitely connected to it somehow.
Technically, it looks like he's going to be the "big bad" and I really like Jacob and will side with him in that event; however, I'm very interested in finding out what this character has up it's sleeve. Although, I suspect that Terry O'Quinn will be playing him from here on out?
Hope the show doesn't disappoint us and Darlton give us some answers.