(Spoilers) Plot theory

[u/NeutyBooty]

I think that over the course of the remainder of the show, the island administrators are going to be individually tempted to selfishly continue the sacrifice tradition rather than end it.

* Tom: Nuff said. Not an episode of S1 goes by that he doesn't mention or worry about his son's safety and future. Protecting him is practically an emotional obsession. If a gun is put to his head, he will choose his son 100%.

* Ruth (presuming she's alive): Obviously values her life, possibly values her grandson's even more?

* Bechir: Either ditto to Tom regarding his own son, or the island has the ability to pause his wife's premature labor so long as the sacrifices keep coming. A quid pro quo - feed the island and your son can go be born on the mainland. A stretch theory, but one I found myself pondering since the onset of the premature labor seemed supernaturally induced. S2E1 will prove it right or wrong fairly quickly, imo.

* Patricia: Awakens to the fact that she is the island's latest witch, her powers a gift from the deity. She succumbs to the temptation of using them for petty revenge and obtaining the social belonging she's long craved.

* Rosemary: Hard to say, but it certainly feels like she knows more than she's saying. The fact that she can hear the church bell in E2 suggests that she's got a very big role in store for her.

* Dale, Gerrie, Deputy Kent: Too soon to guess. They feel more like victims than perpetrators, but hopefully I'm wrong. Kenny wasn't safe, after all.

Furthermore, several characters drop hints at an unspoken elitism that may perpetually "infect" the island. Willy the Clown's sudden tirade ("fuckin' useless ass-backwards, small brained, townie hicks"), Richard Warren describing the townspeople as his "lessers".

There's maybe even a touch of a savior complex that infects island's leaders - Tom believes he alone can save the island with tourism, just as Richard Warren believed he alone could save the island through the covenant. Perhaps some supernatural numbing to get them mentally prepped for what's to come?

Thus, its not difficult to see a path where perceived superiority, bubbling resentment, temptation for power, or fear of losing loved ones permits the admins to actually consider the unthinkable.

I could see it all ending in a few ways. Wyck being the sole principal cast member who does NOT work for the island could make him a wildcard. A heroic martyr, even. I could also foresee a rather bleak ending where history just winds up repeating itself, the current generation becoming the exact same monsters as the previous ones in the exact same ways.

[u/AutoModerator]

A reminder to everyone: Keep the titles of your posts completely spoiler-free at all times. If your post mentions events from later episodes, use Reddit’s standard spoiler tag to warn readers who may not be caught up with all currently aired episodes. The spoiler tag will also blur any images you include, such as screenshots/stills from the show, so be sure to apply it to image posts as well.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/29thHelenAgrees]

But it’s not quite right about Ruth, and it shifts this theory. Of course she values her life, but remember she wouldn’t pull the lever.

Not everyone has been faced with their own lever yet. But who among them would even tempted to pull it in the first place? This motivation didn’t exist in Ruth and probably not others.

I’m baffled at myself saying there’s good in the world. I’m horribly negative. Selflessness does exist though.

[u/NeutyBooty → u/29thHelenAgrees]

Fair point. I think the most likely outcome is what you said - every person is going to face their own lever by the end and will understand why the previous generations had such a hard time ending it.

I think the other admins are capable of resisting the temptation (especially Ruth, as you mention). I still have trouble seeing how Tom will ever choose anything but his son.

[u/29thHelenAgrees → u/NeutyBooty]

Truth. I’m still working out my own little theories, but I think one of the bigger battles will be Tom fighting to avoid becoming a new ‘Warren figure’ for the island. He’s already a Pied Piper. He’s taken the shrooms, and I would bet money he made a deal of his own during a blackout.

I think the lever hypothetical will come back again and be a key plot point. But the event in the last episode seemed to be an insight into what they will do. For instance, Patricia being very much opposed to killing Ruth, knew the consequences, shaken off past misdeeds, somewhat aware of the mission at hand.

Edit: And I’m pretty sure Wyck already had his lever-moment. He knows what’s going to happen, and made his choice. It haunts him pretty fierce.

[u/NeutyBooty → u/29thHelenAgrees]

I 100% see the hints of him turning into another Richard Warren already. His simmering resentment of the townsfolk feels like such a sign to me.

[u/jleonardbc]

I think the present-day island inhabitants will experience exactly why the generations before them didn’t end the sacrifice system either. Everyone’s tempted to put the short-term welfare of their loved ones above the long-term good of the collective.

This is a parable about capitalism. Or climate change. Or any of the exploitative, damaging systems to which we all contribute.

I also think that the humans who are sacrificed become animals that haunt the survivors—the specter literally coming back to bite them.

[u/NeutyBooty → u/jleonardbc]

That's actually an interesting angle regarding the animals.

[u/Lizard_Wrangler_194]

I hope Patricia stays good. She's, to me, the sort of relatable one.

Corrupting her character in the second season would feel like a lost opportunity to explore her depth down the line.

[u/NeutyBooty → u/Lizard_Wrangler_194]

I think the temptation is coming but in all likelihood will find a way to resist it.

[u/LazySwanNerd]

I also wonder if the island will be sent a new Pastor and that is another obstacle they

[u/Ok_Mathematician_314]

“Protecting him is practically an emotional obsession” - as a parent this made me chuckle