Locke’s Winning Chess Game—Another Benipulation?
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By jazprof
- Locke’s Winning Chess Game—Another Benipulation?
- Created: Sep 23, 2007
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 3.22: Through The Looking Glass
- Status: Current
- Flag this theory:
it is Ben who is actually controlling the release of the codes
— jazprof
I was thinking about comparing Locke and Ben as two different styles of chess player and went back to look at the chess game in Enter 77. Several sources point out that Locke had not actually achieved a checkmate when the computer said he did. The computer had two more moves. (The game is an actual game between Karpov and Kasparov—karpov resigned.) Locke seems so thrilled—did he not notice that he hadn’t actually won at that point? And why did the computer then grant him access to the codes?
My only thought was that it is Ben who is actually controlling the release of the codes. He knows that the way to engage Locke is through a game, and he (Ben) wants the Flame blown up, just as he wanted the sub blown up. Why does he want it blown? I guess my main thought would be that he doesn’t want any communication taking place that isn’t under his direct control. He manipulates the phone call that Jack makes to the ship to happen when it does. What about Charlie’s signalling to Penny—is this also under his control or is this a random communication caused by Des the wildcard and his storyline with Charlie?
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben | Benjamin Linus | 3.20, 4.9, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1733 |
| John | John Locke | 3.3, 2.17, 1.4, 1.19, 3.13, 3.19, 4.11, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1248 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.11 | Enter 77 | 3-7-2007 | Sayid | 83 |
Yeah I would tend to agree, I think Ben is manipulating Locke all the way. But I don’t think he wanted the Looking Glass Stuff to happen, it would be counter-productive if he was trying to restrict communication with the outside world, and I don’t think he wanted the phone-call to happen either.
This is good Jazzie. And yet as I read, I thought of another guiding hand in the shadows…Richard Alpert. I need to watch the episode again to comment more fully on other details, but I’m still trying to figure out who is [your name here]ipulating who.
Nah, I personally think it was just a screw up. The directors obviously don’t know how to play chess. If you look closely, When he wins the game it shows a position which (isn’t checkmate), Then he smiles, then it shows the game AGAIN, but this time in a completely different orientation. I think this detail about the chessboard really isn’t important
hmm actually, it was 1 move before where the position changes
“Benipulation”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!+1 just for that word alone.
Yeah, perhaps Mikhail knew that John wasn’t going to just be playing the computer. Interesting.
JP I think this is a very insightful find! Great job!! I hadn’t realized that the computer had not actually lost the game when it displayed the checkmate notice. I don’t think the producers would miss that - they have shown an amazing attention to detail throughout this show to make such a large mistake. I agree with you that it would fit in with staying 1 step ahead and the pattern of manipulation that Ben has shown to date. Excellent job!! +1
thanks for the feedback everybody—I like the idea of Mikhail’s “cheating” remark having something to do with this katinsky—Isn’t it in the very next episode that Locke accuses Ben of cheating through his use of technology?
I thought it odd that Mikhail warned John that it (the program?) cheats. How can a computer program cheat unless it is programmed to or someone else is playing on the other end of the line?
So we have grandmasters and good musicians giving their time to a cause that is supposed to be for the benefit of mankind however misguided it may be.
I see plans within plans…
The light grows dim…
Jazzie: This was just another manipulation by Ben. He wanted and needed Locke to destroy the communications as well as the submarine. Ben can’t afford to have his people think that he is the one responsible. Although, we don’t know Ben’s reasons at this point for wanting communications and travel off of “the island”, clearly those are his desires. Locke is just Ben’s “patsy”.
As we found out in TLG, it was also Ben’s idea to destroy “the station”. He is always, miles ahead of everyone!
As usual, +1.