Personally I have always thought that The Others have abided by a set of rules..I used to call them
"codes of conduct", or things that they are and are not "supposed" to do in this 'ultimate battle' of survival. So this confirmation that not only The Others, but that
Widmore also has a history of movements based around a
framework of rules, facinates me no-end.
But what could these "
rules" be?
Just some of my thoughts:
- An oath between Ben and Charles Widmore - perhaps dating back to pre-Dharma purge?
- An Island commandment dating back to the time of the 4 toed statue, or perhaps further?
- Rules of time-travel and paradox? Are they unable to kill one another (and each others family, albeit this no longer applies) due to the danger of creating a paradox which fate cannot remove? This could apply if both Ben and Widmore have time-travelled. Perhaps their time-travel links them much in the same way that faraday and Desmond are linked (suggested in another thread by Wolstie), so killing one another would result in the death of that person as well?
- Are they bound by an agreement..a promise to an ancient deity? (i know this is 'wacky', but you never know)?
The more I think about it, the more I think it's possible that somehow Charles went back in time and changed an agreement that was made between the two of them. How Widmore would be able to travel back in time without being in possession of the island, i'm not sure..but perhaps there are other 'special places' like the island? Perhaps one such place is in the artic, for example? Does Widmore own some of these places, whilst Ben owns the crown jewel (the island)? If so, then this would suggest that Widmore, at least, as some power..does he now wat the final piece in his jigsaw- the island which he and Ben over-threw together?
Of course the more logical suggestion is that Widmore simply broke a verbal agreement. Although i do like the idea of something fantastical being involved in this 'rule change'
"Everything changes" afterall...perhaps Ben should've known better.
I'm also wondering what the result of this rule change will be - obviously it's given Ben carte-blance to exact revenge and murder Widmore's child, but are there any other ramifications..