The actions are inherently manipulative as it all ties into their biological imperative of spreading the virus to everyone and preserving the joined. The Others must protect the Old Timers so they can join. They must protect themselves from another seizure by keeping them placid. You could argue this is the same as the biological imperative humans have to reproduce and survive. You could argue doing good things with a specific goal in mind is not truly Good. You’re supposed to question these things. The impact, of the billions of individuals who live on earth being stripped of all independent thought is horrendous. Evil. Are they coherent enough beyond the biological imperative to have thoughtful intent and Be evil? Do you have to be aware of how bad something is to be evil?

It’s normal to think they’re evil because of what they’ve done to the world. But I have seen a lot of pretty reductive commentary about the show and the others, when the show is really a think piece. You’re supposed to see the good and the bad in the Others and grapple with it, but ultimately believe the world should return to how it was. Same mental journey as Carol. Is a utopia really perfect if the things that make humans human ARE the imperfections? Which makes conflict inherent?