The Rules

[BearHug]

In some ways it's difficult to speculate about certain things because we don't know what they are, when they were instigated and to whom they apply.

Is there more than one set of rules in play?

'Darlton' have said in several interviews that they'll answer questions that are relevant to the characters. Surely 'the rules' fit into that category.

While MIB and Jacob's backstory in Episode 6.15 "Across The Sea" may shed some light, I do hope we get some info before then as well.

Since Smokey had no problem killing the crew of the BR, why didn't he just go on a rampage and wipe out all the other groups that arrived after that? Was there some new 'rule'?

Of the remaining mysteries, this is one I very much want to be addressed.

[Faradayallday]

I went back and watched the pilot again over this weekend. It was funny to think back to my first guess's as to what (which turned out to be the smoke monster) was in the forrest. I prob couldn't have been more wrong if i tried!

[MilesSmiles]

Maybe 'the rules' are just Widmore and Ben's understanding and knowledge of how the island works.

[Faradayallday]

it seems like Jacob and MiB also have some rules to follow as well though

[MilesSmiles]

it seems like Jacob and MiB also have some rules to follow as well though

And that would be their understanding of how the island works. Only Ben and Widmore call it 'the rules'. I don't know.

[Lor]

Only Ben and Widmore call it 'the rules'. I don't know.

Actually, the mysterious boy in the jungle told MiB "You know the rules. You can't kill him" when he was walking to his cave with Sawyer.

[MilesSmiles]

Actually, the mysterious boy in the jungle told MiB "You know the rules. You can't kill him" when he was walking to his cave with Sawyer.

So you are implying also then that Ben and Widmore know a lot more than they let on. But Ben has seemed as 'lost' as anyone since he got back to the island. I'd like to know why you think Ben knows these rules yet has no idea what's going on.

[chap]

I think if a rule is broken, MIB has to go a huge period of time without mangoes.

[ER_Bridge]

I think that the reason why MIB stopped killing people after BR is because he realized that his only way of killing Jacob was to get someone to go kill Jacob, but now this person had to also get around Richard Alpert, so it would have to be someone that Richard trusted (later on to become the leader of the others). Since this plan had to be more complex, his original strategy of just scaring someone into killing Jacob would probably not work, he had to make something up that would get Richard to allow it.

But as far as rules go, I'm curious about them too.

[Lor]

So you are implying also then that Ben and Widmore know a lot more than they let on. But Ben has seemed as 'lost' as anyone since he got back to the island. I'd like to know why you think Ben knows these rules yet has no idea what's going on.

No, I didn't imply that. I was just saying that there were references to rules other than between Ben and Widmore.
I think there are multiple sets of rules.

The Others have rules on how to live in peace with the island, how to protect it, etc. Those rules include that no one may enter the dark territory, no killing their own kind, not having a child with an outsider, the temple rituals, etc. Most likely these rules were passed down from Jacob to the Others. It is sort of their Tribe Law.

Then there are rules of physics and time travel, like "Whatever happened, happened". For some reason, they don't apply to Desmond.

Last, there are the rules between Jacob, Ben, the mysterious boy and the Island (if you want to consider it an own entity). These include not killing the candidates.