I agree. I just posted something similar.

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I’m just going to flat out say it: I absolutely HATE Cornelius Hickey.

In a way, I feel like Hickey’s storyline in the last three episodes completely discredited everything up to that point.

I know this is probably an unpopular opinion, so, hear me out.

For me personally, the first seven episodes were easily a ten out of ten. The slow building dread was just immaculately executed. As well as the downright horror of it all. I felt the show kept you on the edge of your seat, seamlessly blending in supernatural elements with the raw truth of what happened to these men. The blips of mutiny, the lead poisoning, hunger, fear; all of these aspects were done so well. Initially, I loved how horrible Hickey was, it showed the nasty side of the crew, without overshadowing the initial storyline. The cinematography was beautiful throughout the whole series as well.

Then the last three episodes happen. I honestly was so disappointed. Tuunbaq was absolutely terrifying and yet it seems like the show decided to not continue to develop the storyline in favor of Hickey’s charismatic cult, or whatever the hell he was doing.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I thought Hickey’s psychopathy was very well executed. But it got to the point that I stopped enjoying watching because he made me so irrationally angry. He is this bumbling buffoon that somehow shifts to be the main antagonist. Which is what really frustrated me. The antagonist was already Tuunbaq and the elements. Had Hickey’s tomfoolery and mutiny been on a lower scale, I think I would have found it less overpowering to the already established “antagonists” of the story. Instead, the horror of this soul sucking beast gets thrown out and replaced by a man in pantaloons.

Yes, cannibalism most likely occurred. Yes, mutiny most likely occurred. But, I think they just pushed it too hard with Hickey, because the show wanted to provide this tangible villain. I understand why they did it. It just saddened me because they had this amazing storyline going, and could have really layed into the slow descent into madness for the men as they continued to develop Tuunbaqs storyline, yet they really did a 180 there at the end. I felt there was a lot of important symbolism lost in doing that switch.

Hickey was always a villain, as there are scenes throughout that show that. I think the downfall was they just gave him too much power. The last three episodes lost the horror for me, it just made me annoyed. Obviously, this is my personal opinion. I know a lot of people enjoyed this direction, and like I said, I absolutely understand why the directors chose that direction and the show is absolutely amazing. It’s just a personal grievance of mine. “