Lost"The Shape of Things to Come"?

What are the rules?Benjamin Linus and Charles Widmore had a relationship prior to the events in The Shape of Things to Come. This is evident in Ben's response to the execution of Alex:"He changed the rules."When Ben is later seen visiting Widmore in his penthouse, Ben again accuses Widmore of changing the rules. The conversation also contains hints of prior interactions between Ben and Widmore, suggesting the rules govern actions the two may take against one another.THEORYChanging the rules refers to a sort of"gentleman's agreement"agreement (spoken or unspoken) between Ben and Widmore to leave innocent family and friends out of their conflict.This is why Ben told'Kevin'(Michael) that he couldn't set off the bomb on the boat since there were innocent people there.

ok

Probably that family members were off limit. Do not harm or kill them.

Widmore also says to Ben,"You got everything you have from me"which leads me to believe that Widmore may have been either involved with, or even the sponsor for, the Dharma Group - after all, Ben did kill all them folks. It was interesting to me though when Ben told Widmore that he"couldn't find"the Island which means that there's been a drop in communication somewhere. After all the $$ that man has spent, he should at least understand where the Island is, or why he can't find it. Why is Jacob willing to connect to Hurley? Hurley has shown no special connection to the Island, other than knowing the numbers on the hatch? Oops! I think I just told myself something that I need to go think about.

I think the rules are set by Jacob or the island in general. Maybe they are set to follow these rules for fair game to the island. It's hard to judge whether or not setting loose the Smoke Monster out on Widmore's people broke a rule also. Ben's action suggests so, but maybe Jacob is all for it. It's interesting and we'll see if it has consequences for Ben.The rules could very well be set between the two. Maybe at one time they both had a conquest for the island, and obviously are still at it.Brings up an interesting quote Ben said to someone, I think maybe Locke"The only way you'll get control of this island is if you take it from me"Or something to that nature.

i think that family was probably off limits. ben seemed really sure that the guard wasnt going to kill alex, which made me think that the"rule"was that family was safe. which is why he's out to kill penny now.

yes but ben has killed alot of innocent people already so why DID he tell michael not to kill the innocent people. did you see ben grip that gun he was carrying he would have shot that"innocent"desk clerk if he had inquired further about his identity.