I have seen a theory posted that Ben is in a state of trying to be one step ahead of the universe. This theory shares that general theme in some ways. It’s my first theory.
Everyone knows that the fate vs. free will debate is a central issue in Lost. I think that this battle between Ben and Widmore will come to the forefront as one of, if not the most important story arc of the show. Ben and Widmore are engaged in battle, with each man representing a side: Ben represents Free Will, Widmore represents Fate. I’m sure the battle lines go much deeper than this, concerning the island, Dharma, etc., but this is the core of the war. There at least two rules that have to be followed in this battle that we can discern from the series so far.
One man cannot kill the other.
I feel that at the end of the series it will be clear that fate & free will are not necessarily two outlooks on life that are independent of each other. Fate and free will are intertwined; one needs the other or a universal paradox will be created. This is quantified through the split between, and what I predict to be the future reconciliation of Jack and Locke. We see that Jack, off-island, feels that they weren’t supposed to leave. He has learned that he has the freedom to make his own destiny, but at a great cost. I also think that Locke’s struggles and periods of doubt in his Faith will show him that you cannot merely accept your fate but you have to take it into your own hands to truly fulfill your destiny. Fate cannot survive without freewill to execute it, freewill means nothing if there is never a right and wrong decision. Fate needs Freewill and Freewill needs Fate. It is for this reason that Ben and Widmore “both know” that Ben can’t kill Widmore, or ! vice versa.
Each side must adhere to the nature of the side they represent.
Ben must never interfere with free will, and Widmore can never alter fate. This is why it is so important for Ben that his people “want to be here”. This is why he told Jack “I want you to want to do the surgery”. This is why Ben uses manipulation and conning to have others carry out his wishes instead of simply forcing his will on others.
I’ve seen people mention and agree that Widmore is something akin to Ms. Hawking in that he is able to see what is “supposed” to happen. He knows the path of the universe and must adhere to it. Oceanic 815 defied fate when it didn’t crash in the ocean, and was hidden from the rest of the world, the universe, and, subsequently, course correction. When the plane disappeared in the Pacific Ocean Widmore knew that it must have reached the island. Widmore faked the plane crash so no one would find the real survivors or the island. Widmore is trying to kill two birds with one stone; eliminate those who survived the crash and find the island to reclaim it from Ben. Widmore views the Losties the same way Hawking viewed the man in the red shoes: they were supposed to die.
“He changed the rules”
Somehow Ben knew that Alex wasn’t supposed to die yet, that is why he made such a bold bluff on Keamy. One of Widmore’s people killed someone who wasn’t supposed to die; they altered fate. They changed the rules.
I’m sure there are things that could build on or disprove this theory but it was fun to write and it’s going to be really interesting and exciting to what Lost has in store for the rest of the season and the series.
Theory by Etch A Sketchy
Everyone knows that the fate vs. free will debate is a central issue in Lost. I think that this battle between Ben and Widmore will come to the forefront as one of, if not the most important story arc of the show. Ben and Widmore are engaged in battle, with each man representing a side: Ben represents Free Will, Widmore represents Fate. I’m sure the battle lines go much deeper than this, concerning the island, Dharma, etc., but this is the core of the war. There at least two rules that have to be followed in this battle that we can discern from the series so far.
One man cannot kill the other.
I feel that at the end of the series it will be clear that fate & free will are not necessarily two outlooks on life that are independent of each other. Fate and free will are intertwined; one needs the other or a universal paradox will be created. This is quantified through the split between, and what I predict to be the future reconciliation of Jack and Locke. We see that Jack, off-island, feels that they weren’t supposed to leave. He has learned that he has the freedom to make his own destiny, but at a great cost. I also think that Locke’s struggles and periods of doubt in his Faith will show him that you cannot merely accept your fate but you have to take it into your own hands to truly fulfill your destiny. Fate cannot survive without freewill to execute it, freewill means nothing if there is never a right and wrong decision. Fate needs Freewill and Freewill needs Fate. It is for this reason that Ben and Widmore “both know” that Ben can’t kill Widmore, or ! vice versa.
Each side must adhere to the nature of the side they represent.
Ben must never interfere with free will, and Widmore can never alter fate. This is why it is so important for Ben that his people “want to be here”. This is why he told Jack “I want you to want to do the surgery”. This is why Ben uses manipulation and conning to have others carry out his wishes instead of simply forcing his will on others.
I’ve seen people mention and agree that Widmore is something akin to Ms. Hawking in that he is able to see what is “supposed” to happen. He knows the path of the universe and must adhere to it. Oceanic 815 defied fate when it didn’t crash in the ocean, and was hidden from the rest of the world, the universe, and, subsequently, course correction. When the plane disappeared in the Pacific Ocean Widmore knew that it must have reached the island. Widmore faked the plane crash so no one would find the real survivors or the island. Widmore is trying to kill two birds with one stone; eliminate those who survived the crash and find the island to reclaim it from Ben. Widmore views the Losties the same way Hawking viewed the man in the red shoes: they were supposed to die.
“He changed the rules”
Somehow Ben knew that Alex wasn’t supposed to die yet, that is why he made such a bold bluff on Keamy. One of Widmore’s people killed someone who wasn’t supposed to die; they altered fate. They changed the rules.
I’m sure there are things that could build on or disprove this theory but it was fun to write and it’s going to be really interesting and exciting to what Lost has in store for the rest of the season and the series.
Theory by Etch A Sketchy
