Who can “change” the rules?
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By Tracker
- Who can “change” the rules?
- Created: Apr 26, 2008
- Last updated: Aug 23, 2008
- After episode: 4.9: The Shape of Things to Come
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
The wording of this bothered me and I think I just figured out why.
— Tracker
The statement that Ben made when Alex was executed was “he changed the rules”. The wording of this bothered me and I think I just figured out why.
Who can change the rules? Rules are made by people in charge. If you invent a game, you make the rules. You are the only one who can change the rules since it”s your game. If you are playing chess, you can’t change the rules. They have been established and to play the game properly, must be followed. You can’t change the rules at your office unless you’re the boss.
Why didn’t Ben say “he violated the rules” or “he cheated”.
I’m assuming the “he” is Widmore. If he changed the rules, then he is the one that dictated what the rules were. He is the boss.
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles | Charles Widmore | 409 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.9 | The Shape of Things to Come | 4-24-2008 | Ben | 259 |
That’s a pretty limited conception of rules. Did someone willfully create the rules of language?
I had a pretty indepth discussion with another poster abstractarzst last night on the same subject, here: http://lost-theories.com/theories/2008/apr/25/pawn-sacrifice/
Bottome line: objectively no you cant change objective rules of the game, you’re right, but what if you joined a midway through, just sat down at the table with the pieces already in play, wouldn’t your possibilities be further constrained by the pieces on the board? is this not what rules do, impose constraints on behavior?
Yeah I think the final scene established this as Ben said to Widmore that he had changed the rules. Also Widmore said to Ben everything you have you took from me. So to me Ben beat Widmore at his own game with the prize being the island. Widmore in his desperation to get the island back has changed his own rules.
Tracker, I agree, in as far as what we know right now! +1 for a well thought out theory. I do think there will be many twists and turns ahead, but for right now, I think the ‘he’ is Widmore and he started the game.
btw, love the picture of your dog. :)
Tracker, I interpreted Ben’s statement about changing the rules because Ben sees Widmore as the man in control, the person capable of changing the rules, which may not be the case.
I believe Widmore allowed Ben power at some stage of the game. I believe Ben took that power and built upon it, than utilized it to his own advantage against Widmore. In effect gaining equal power. To the point where Ben has made it difficult for Widmore to even locate “the island”.
Recall the statements made by Widmore to Ben regarding everything Ben has, he took from Widmore? I think this statement lends credence to those thoughts. Ben and Widmore are locked into a power struggle in the game, (the two kings).
Perhaps Ben needed an excuse to declare open war on Widmore. Is that what the sacrifice of Alex was truly all about? I doubt we as viewers have seen what the stakes are, so can only speculate upon them at this venture. Nice post! +1
Actually, given how cordial (firm, but cordial) Widmore and Ben were with each other, I wasn’t sure there was “a boss”. I think they are both sportingly competing, and both can probably change the rules, it’s just they had an ‘agreement’ that it would be bad form to do so. And yet Widmore appears to have done just that. Thus: he cheated.