So this episode kind of said that there was an island leader before Ben. It wouldn't be that much of a stretch that that leader fell out of communion with the island much like what happened with Ben. Locke is now taking Ben's role, and it is clear that Ben isn't too happy about this.

This too me implied that Widmore was indeed the previous island leader. He did say that Ben took the island/everything from him. I think it also fits nicely into his motives about wanting the island back. Maybe he fell out of communion with the island by bringing the Dharma Initiative to the island?

We know there was a leader before Ben, there were already 'Others' on the island when he was still with Dharma, they killed the Dharma people.

If anyone we've seen looked like being leader before Ben I'd say it was Halpert, but we don't seem know much about any of the other Others before Ben's time, just Halpert.

Nice theory Bachikarn-
I certainly would explain Widmore's interest in the island, and he would have been a relativly young man in the early 70's when Dharma was there, to have been the chief financer.

I agree that Richard probably plays into the leadership of the island to some degree, since he is 'recruiting' for it off island. But I think Widmore must have something to do with it too... Didn't TPTB say in an interview that the reasons Ben gave for Widmore wanting to find the island - to exploit it - weren't the truth? Maybe he is trying to take back the island.

I think the writers have said the Alpert's role is to choose the next leader of the island. And then one of the roles of the leader is to chose the next "Alpert." So there is a sort of checks and balance between the two.

If Widmore wants to exploit the island that would suggest that while he knows something about its special properties he doesn't know anything about the spiritual aspect of the island, as a leader would.

I suppose it depends on what they mean by exploit (mine it, open a theme park...?) but Widmore doesn't seem to be empathetic with the island while Ben obviously is.

If Widmore wants to exploit the island that would suggest that while he knows something about its special properties he doesn't know anything about the spiritual aspect of the island, as a leader would.

I suppose it depends on what they mean by exploit (mine it, open a theme park...?) but Widmore doesn't seem to be empathetic with the island while Ben obviously is.

Yes, even though Ben has been deposed as a leader he has swallowed his pride and is now helping Locke despite Locke's cocky attitude. Widmore had too much pride to do that. Widmore knows the location of some key places (the poison gas factory because he used it and the Temple). I think there is a very good chance Widmore was the former leader of the Others. Maybe Ben's first task when he was chosen was to get rid of Widmore. Jacob set the rules. It would explain how Widmore and Ben know so much about each other.

But if Widmore was the former leader, he must realize the island has another chosen one by now. It seems very personal between the two men like more is involved. If Widmore was the leader he would known it was Jacob who deposed him not Ben.

I'm not sure what Widmore wants to do with the island other than possess it.

This thread should be merged with Widmore was a Chosen One (http://thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=95129) .

Widmore just doesn't seem very , , , jungle-y. He seems like someone who's always lived a very urban lifestyle--corridors of power and all that.

But then who WAS the previous headman?

Richard? (and why is he just an advisor/scout/#2 now?)

Jacob? (did Ben imprison him in the cabin?)

And what are we even talking about? The Hostiles leader? The Dharma leader?

Widmore just doesn't seem very , , , jungle-y. He seems like someone who's always lived a very urban lifestyle--corridors of power and all that.

But then who WAS the previous headman?

Richard? (and why is he just an advisor/scout/#2 now?)

Jacob? (did Ben imprison him in the cabin?)

And what are we even talking about? The Hostiles leader? The Dharma leader?


Check out my thread, Widmore was a Chosen One (http://thefuselage.com/Threaded/showthread.php?t=95129). There is an explanation for all of these questions