Sighed I

The show, if renewed, is intended to be an anthology series, with a new story and cast each season. That's a good point. I do think there's some fear, at least for some of them, but it could be as much about not having to be the one who makes the tough calls as it is being intimidated by Hickey. He's the only one who's willing to say, without hesitation, bon appetit to cannibalism. They're all starving, but Hickey making the call and doing the deed gives them a layer of deniability while still reaping the benefits, such as they are. He's also the only one in their group showing any confidence in decision making. Despite all their scheming, it shows just how completely out of their depth they are. I feel sorry for them in some ways, because fear and desperation led them to this place. In other ways I don't feel sorry for them at all, for being so easily manipulated by the likes of Hickey when they already had a leader who knows what he's doing and actually gave a shit about them.

The vitamin C in lemon juice degrades over time. They still had some left around the time they were planning to leave, but Dr. McDonald said it probably had few anti-scorbutic properties left, as they were already seeing cases of scurvy among the crew.

I agree. I know we see his relationship with Henri differently, but one thing on which we can agree is they cared very much for each other. When Henri died, so did Bridgens' hope.

Glad I'm not the only one to shed tears. :`( I knew it was coming sooner rather than later for Fitzjames after we saw his war wounds reopening last week, but it still didn't prepare me when the moment actually came. Even at the end he was thinking of the crew, telling Crozier to use his body to feed the men. Beautiful acting from Tobias and Jared. Then we lose Blanky, who ended up being one of my favorites. I really wanted him to be one of the last men standing, but I knew it was denial on my part. It wasn't that long between the amputation and when they abandoned ship, and the punishment his stump would be under walking so far on that terrain...he never really had a chance. :`( His farewell with Francis was the second time I teared up. Blanky's such a bad ass, and the first (European) to find the Northwest Passage! I love how fearless and pragmatic he is; he knew he was goner and chose to go out helping his mates instead of subjecting them, and himself, to a slow agonizing death. I was very sad about Tom Hartnell and Henri too. I'm glad Crozier was there to comfort Tom and tell him what he needed to know, that he acquitted himself well. And Bridgens holding it together for Henri, and reading to him. It was a beautiful bookend to the first time we see the two of them together, bonding over books. I wonder if Bridgens is giving up now, or "just" mourning? I think Goodsir's acerbity with Gibson was in no small part because of his involvement with Harry's kidnapping. I've never been a huge fan of Gibson, and I think he shoulders more than a little of the blame for things being what they are. He was the first one to openly suggest mutiny to increase their chances of survival. How'd that work out for you, Billy? Not that Hickey wouldn't have staged a mutiny on his own, but still, Gibson set it into motion right from the beginning. I knew Hickey would stab his former lover in the back, I just didn't realize how literal it would be. Why exactly are the mutineers letting Hickey call all the shots? About half a dozen of the men in their group outrank him; are they all afraid of him? I wish Goodsir told Hodgkins that he should go ahead and kill Hickey, because he was and is going to kill him. I'm done with the Hickey character. I like the actor, and the mustache twirling didn't bother me that much at first because it fit the character, but he's so reprehensible and the joy he's taking in being a monster--it's as if he's never felt so alive because he doesn't have to hide his true nature anymore--repulses me. I just want him to die, painfully, please. The chance they had of making it was razor thin as it is; Hickey's machinations ensured none of them will survive, himself included. Way to go, asshole. :p One thing I will say, I was surprised by how much compassion I had for the mutineers. Not as much as I do for Crozier's group (poor Jopson), but some of them, like the cook and Goodsir, aren't there by choice, and even some who are acted out of desperation. I was surprised to see Golding with Crozier as I thought he was in on the mutiny; turns out he still was. :p I have a feeling Tozer and Tuunbaq will meet again; I actually felt bad for him because of how spooked he was. Glad to see Lady Silence again, and the hunky dude from the first episode. I hope getting Tuunbaq under control includes chomping down on a certain caulker's mate. Great acting all around from the cast tonight. I know I say it every week, but I wouldn't have to if they stopped raising the bar. ;)

I like the outcome, but I'd rather Hickey meet said fate much earlier...like the beginning of the next episode. LOL ;) I heard about that! There's speculation Tuunbaq became positively incorrigible after devouring so many souls, forcing the couple into isolation for the safety of her people. That may be why the story of their love was never incorporated into the Inuit's oral history. ;) In that case, I'm sticking with my wormhole into an alternate reality fantasy; Goodsir isn't the only one on my survivor wish list. ;) By bragging rights I meant like a bunch of sailors swapping stories trying to one-up each other and one of them declares, "Well, I was there when we discovered the Northwest Passage!" But, yes, I agree it's particularly tragic for the crew, for all the reasons you state. I also feel sorry for the glory hounds, though, if for no other reason than how terribly they must have suffered. Really, the only ones I have difficulty arousing much sympathy for are Hickey, for obvious reasons, and Franklin, for his arrogance and recklessness (and, to a somewhat lesser extent, Dr. Stanley, for his general dickishness). After more than half of his crew died on a previous Arctic expedition, amid rumors of cannibalism no less, Franklin had zero excuse for having no rescue plan. He experienced first hand how bad it could get. He knew better, but he blazed forward half-cocked anyway. I don't care how personable he was; soaring rhetoric means nothing in light of his incompetence and utter negligence. I appreciate how straightforward and unapologetic this mindset is portrayed, without being exaggerated or over the top. So often in period pieces, there's at least one character with a decidedly modern point of view, inconsistent with the era. Here, even the most sympathetic characters are still men (and women) of their times. The narrative honesty increases my investment in the characters, because they seem like real people. It allows me to forgive (most of) them for their flaws and connect with their humanity. To paraphrase Lady Jane, in the waiting room of life, would any of us want to hang our defeats for all to see? I'm reminded of the quote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." If we are to evolve as human beings, we must learn from our mistakes. Shrugging it off as "That's the way it's always been" seems rather fatalistic and implies we're incapable of doing better. Maybe we are incapable and it's only a matter of time before we completely destroy ourselves and possibly everything else along with us. I believe we can move beyond our basest impulses; whether we choose to do so remains to be seen.

Speaking for myself, I don't think Lady Silence and Goodsir were having a romantic relationship so much as I wish they would have been so Harry could join her people and survive. It's one of the stages of grief, bargaining. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kübler-Ross_model It's virtually guaranteed he will die, and for those of us who love the character, grasping at straws like "I wish he and Lady Silence would run off together!" provides us (me) with an alternative fate. It's not unlike convincing oneself that despite the evidence, Hickey's not really a bad guy, just misunderstood. ;) (I'm just teasing you ;) ;) @AZChristian is correct; the murdered Inuit were Lady Silence's friends. I'm pretty sure LS and her father had sequestered themselves specifically because her father was preparing her to take the reins, as it were, with Tuunbaq. In such a harsh environment, I can't see one or two people surviving indefinitely without a community of some sort. We don't know why she stuck around for as long as she did alone, but I think it's safe to say it had to do with Tuunbaq being there since he was without a shaman (which is "not the way" as she told him in A Mercy) and was fixated on the ships. Regarding imperialism, yes, as you say, groups of humans have been overrunning and destroying other groups since time immemorial. That being so doesn't make it above criticism or analysis. Many advanced civilizations have been destroyed because of the arrogance of and selfishness of other civilizations. Might makes right, as the saying goes. Can you imagine where humanity could be, or could have been, if we'd rise(n) above our violent impulses, learned from and cooperated with each other instead of destroying what we don't understand? <cue Star Trek theme> We're certainly capable of both, but we humans are extraordinarily skilled at being shortsighted and shooting ourselves in the foot for momentary gain. Bringing it back to the show, recognizing the role of imperialism in the loss of so many lives doesn't make me, personally, care any less for these men (with a few notable exceptions). In a great many ways, they've demonstrated incredible courage, bravery and compassion for one another under incredible circumstances. And yet, they suffered in almost unimaginable ways, and died in isolation, thousands of miles from home. For what? Glory? Bragging rights? Money? When it comes down to it, even if they had been successful, only the tiniest handful among them would have truly benefited; the ones who would have benefited most of all weren't even there. Was it worth it? While these men were freezing to death, debilitated by malnutrition and disease, eating the flesh of their fallen companions to survive, were they thinking about how glad they were to sacrifice their lives for the Glory and Dominion of the Empire? Or were they dreaming about home, their families and friends, wishing they'd never signed up for this expedition? We'll never know for certain, but if I were in their position, I know into which camp I'd fall.

Very well said. The casual racism has been difficult to watch at times, but so critical to the story, IMO. In addition to the scenes you mention, one of the exchanges I found particularly disturbing was when Goodsir is getting permission from Dr. Stanley to accompany Lady Silence to Terror. Lt. Des Voeux says something like, "Might as well write a Newfie dictionary. Or capuchin." To him, Lady Silence isn't just uncivilized; she's not even human. It was shocking to hear those words coming out of his mouth, and at the same time not shocking at all. I agree with your assessment of Hickey's actions and choice of words (I am done with that psycho; die already! Grrr ;). Everything he says and does is calculated for a particular response, 100% self-serving. I'm convinced he would have let that tentful of men burn to their deaths if he'd thought it would've increased his chances of survival. With Goodsir his mindset is far more subtle, but he too is a product of his times. I loved what you said about his "need to to convince her that his culture is something to see and strive for", as if she hasn't already seen more than enough. It also brought to mind the first episode when Francis and Sir John were at the theater. It underscores how deeply ingrained racism is in their society, even amongst the most "civilized" of them. The scene when she nails Crozier is one of my favorites. I love the look on Francis' face; despite him being ahead of the curve compared to most of the men, I don't think it truly hits him until that moment the sheer absurdity--and pointlessness--of it all. I agree with your take on Goodsir. He's idealistic, caring and has such good intentions, but even he can't see that Lady Silence's people are doing perfectly fine on their own. In fact, their way of life in this place is superior to what he or his culture have to offer them. Even now, when the shit's hit the fan and everything he's relied on is crumbling all around him, he clings to this notion that it's circumstances alone which brought out this ugliness. It doesn't occur to him to look deeper, to question the role of imperialism which got them into this mess in the first place. Regarding Lady Silence and Goodsir's farewell, I stand by my interpretation (and am glad I'm not alone in my assessment), but I do think there's room to interpret it in more than one way. A poster on another forum said he read an interview with Soo Hugh, one of the show runners, who said they purposefully didn't subtitle Goodsir's lines in that scene because it was a private moment and they wanted to leave the interpretation up to the viewer. The poster didn't provide a link to the interview; if I can find it, I'll edit my post and add it here. Edited to add: Apparently it was a twitter exchange. It's near the bottom of the page. Be careful as there may be spoilers; I didn't see any myself, but since I was looking for a specific post, I skimmed over the bulk of the thread. https://theterroramc.tumblr.com/ I also found this interview: http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/exclusive-the-terror-show-runners-talk-tuunbaq-justice-in-terror-camp-clear Quote is from show runner David Kajganich: This may be why interpretations of this scene vary. I rewatched the episode tonight. Lamima is right; she did put her hand on the right side of Harry's chest, not his left. Nevertheless, I still read it as a gesture of friendship...and being assertive, kind of like, "You're a good man, Harry, and a friend, but enough. Your people have shown me exactly who they are." Choices like these are one of the reasons I love this show. I appreciate that the writers, actors and directors leave much open to interpretation. To me it demonstrates confidence in the storytelling and respect for the viewer's intelligence; it gives us room to find our own meaning of this very human story. Many of us have commented at one time or another about the difficulty of keeping the characters straight. I actually wonder if that too was deliberate (though I agree it might've been helpful to have a few more blonds or redheads to differentiate some of them). I've found my experience as a viewer often mirrors what the characters are going through. First, they, and we, are thrown into the deep end, out of our element. Some of the vocabulary they use and references they make were completely foreign to me when I first started watching. I was so drawn into the story, though, I was compelled to dig deeper--What's an ice master? How can you be a surgeon but not a doctor? What the heck is a "brown study"? I guess you could say as a viewer, I had to "learn as I went", not unlike the characters, most of whom had limited to no Polar experience. As the story unfolds and their situation grows more dire, we get to know the characters better. Those previously in the background rise to the forefront. Trust is earned and lost and earned again (and sometimes lost for good, or never earned at all). Some of them rise to the challenge, others uncover the darkness within. All are unmistakably human. In any case, watching this show has been an emotional and intellectual journey for me. I've said it before, but it's worth saying again: I can't remember the last time I've watched a TV show in which every episode challenges me to think, about the big questions, and the small ones as well. If the show comes back for another season, I hope we are lucky enough to have the same writers and another story and cast of similar caliber. In a market overrun by reality TV and the lowest common denominator, we need more programming which asks something of us beyond unplugging our brains and buying whatever they're (quite literally) selling.

Me too! It really says something that we care enough to hope for this even knowing they're never seen from again. Right now I'm in the "maybe a wormhole will open up and they'll end up in an alternate reality where the mission never happened though they retain the memories from this reality so their friendships remain intact" phase (excluding Hickey--he can't die soon, and painfully, enough to suit me); now that I think of it, I've been stuck at the bargaining stage for most of the show's run. ;) I interpreted the last exchange between Lady Silence and Goodsir a little differently than some here. I got the impression she does care about him and considers him a good man--she placed her hand on his heart as they were saying their goodbyes--but his insistence that Englishmen really are good people rings hollow after everything she's seen. Her people are just as susceptible to the harsh environment as anyone else, yet when it came down to it, they chose to help these strangers while his people killed hers. Of course we know there are many good men on these ships, but they're also a product of their culture's imperialistic attitude, Goodsir included. When he told her he wanted her to come see his country, I couldn't help but think, "Well, that would certainly make you notable, wouldn't it, Harry?" I'm not saying his offer wasn't sincere, more that even he's not fully aware of his own ambitions and motivations. After everything that happened, did he actually believe he could convince the others to accept her into their ranks? Or that she would even want to? I'm not sure he believed those things either, but still, it's incredibly naive and even selfish of him to consider putting her at that kind of risk. I guess it comes back to the fatal flaw of this entire mission--hubris. All that said, their farewell really made me sad. Edited to add: I also hope we find out why she came along as far as she did. If the incident with her people hadn't occurred, would she have considered making the full journey? Was she protecting (some of?) them from Tuunbaq, or willing to help them try to survive, as best she could? They did help her after she cut out her tongue; maybe she wanted to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Thanks for confirming. I watched the episode later than usual last night and didn't get to watch it twice as I typically do. Priceless! :D

Goodsir did get away, didn't he? I just read a recap which stated the mutineers took him, but it looked to me like he eluded capture. One thing I've noticed in a lot of the recaps I've been reading for this show is the writers misidentify one or more of the characters (understandable; it took me multiple viewings and a couple of visits to imdb to sort them all out). I suppose it could be one of those instances here. I will have to pay close attention to that scene on the rewatch tomorrow.

Boy, that got my heart thumping! We got so close to getting rid of that lying murderer only for Tuunbaq to throw a wrench in the works. :( If he was going to take out so many of the men, why couldn't he get some of the mutineers? I don't know if Lady Silence herself had anything to do with unleashing the creature, but I'm willing to bet murdering five Netsilik people would be enough to piss him off all on its own. I hope Crozier's group doesn't cross paths with Hickey's, but seeing as they're all heading south, I think another showdown is inevitable. I'm worried about Jopson. I think Hickey has him in his sights now. One of the things that really drives me nuts about Hickey is the way he uses half-truths. He quotes from Crozier's resignation letter (with a little mock accent thrown in, the bigoted prick) completely out of context. I hope the moment comes when the other mutineers realize Crozier was right about Hickey and they threw in their lot with the wrong man. Poor Collins. I hope he was high enough not to feel too much pain. I wonder if that thing we saw with his face was his spirit leaving his body or something along those lines; perhaps Tuunbaq is a "soul collector". I think Tozer saw it too; I wonder how that will play out with him later? Even if it was all for naught, I'm glad Crozier and the others figured out Hickey was lying and were able to prove it too. I knew he, Blanky and Fitzjames would be skeptical, but under the circumstances and considering the men's prejudices, they needed proof. At least now the rest of the men, the ones who didn't desert, know he can't be trusted. Poor Mr. Diggle the cook got kidnapped. I'm relieved Goodsir had the state of mind to realize he was a hot commodity and eluded his would-be captors; I wonder if they took Bridgens instead? James' confessional to Francis got me all choked up. In the first episode, he tells Sir John, "One look from (Francis) and I have to remind myself I'm not a fraud." Now we know the judgement he saw in Francis' eyes was actually a reflection of his own self-judgement. It's so heartbreaking to see these men drop the masks, to be so real and vulnerable with each other, knowing they won't find their way home. I think about the real men this story is based on and wonder what stories and secrets they shared; it makes me sad that we'll never know. I did love seeing James facing down the creature with the rockets, and Blanky hauling ass; I never would've imagined someone with a wooden leg could move so fast!

I've been thinking about why Tuunbaq focused his attacks on the Terror and wonder if it has anything to do with Hickey. Hickey is an unreliable narrator, but we do see a moment between Tuunbaq and him in "Punished, Like a Boy" after he finds the stacked halves of Strong and Evans. Up until this point, any sighting of the creature meant an attack was imminent or in progress, Lady Silence excepted, yet Hickey gives him the stink eye and remains unscathed. Why? After kidnapping Lady Silence, Hickey tells the Captains and Lt. Little that just before Tuunbaq retreated, the creature looked right at him but did not attack. If this is true, that's two encounters with Hickey in one night not resulting in his demise. That can't be a coincidence. I wonder if an untethered Tuunbaq is drawn to the "strongest" energy. We've since learned that our (least) favorite caulker's mate is completely ruthless...not unlike the creature. I assume Lady Silence returned to the camp for medical help after her gruesome self-surgery, but why has she stayed now that they're traveling south? Is she protecting someone? Did Tuunbaq reject her offering? If he is bound to her now and Hickey harms or kills her, will the creature exact revenge, or see this as a blood sacrifice he (apparently) requires to bind himself to a new "shaman"? It didn't work out that way for Sgt. Bryant when he shot Lady Silence's father, but the Marine wasn't a sociopath either.

I had that same question as well. I know the Inuit eat seal meat raw, but dog meat? Not that I like thinking about that at all. :`( It's not like they can sneak off somewhere to cook it without anyone noticing, and even if they tried to dry it in the sun, it would take too long and they'd run a big risk of someone stumbling upon it. I think Hickey's really interesting too, and I get why Goodsir may seem a little too good to be true. I see him as kind of an everyman, the proxy for the audience. The show is so grim, I need him to balance out some of the darkness. I'll be especially sad when we lose him. Aw, thanks. It just came to me out of nowhere, so I snagged it before anyone else had the same thought. I am looking forward to seeing how the Americans ends...after this one ends. I can't handle two intense shows right now. ;) I agree Tuunbaq is the weakest element of the show. I do like Lady Silence, so I don't mind him too much, although I think it was better before we got a good look at him. He was much scarier when we weren't sure what he looked like. I don't think you're going to get your wish though, considering the opening scene in the first episode.

Don't remind me! <sob> It's set the bar so high it's going to be a tough act to follow. Heck, I've even let the last season of The Americans sit in my DVR and I love that show too. I guess I'll have it to ease my pain. ;)

It's most definitely not just you. ;) I'm so obsessed I'm reading about the real life expedition and started listening to the audiobook of the novel, up until I realized the latter was a non-linear structure and I was at risk of being spoiled. This show really deserves a much bigger audience than it has. It's certainly one of the very best I've watched.

I'm not saying Hickey's wrong to be upset; I would be too. But there's no denying he's using the information for selfish purposes. He doesn't give a damn about the other men, short of what they can do to ensure his own survival. If he was eating untainted food and no one else was, you can bet he wouldn't say a word...kind of like how he's hording dog meat right now. I wonder how the men would feel about that? Given your soft spot for Hickey, I'm not surprised you find the good almost doctor (XOXO ;) a bit sugary sweet. ;) I love him, but I'm sure that comes as no surprise either. ;)

I think they're only on Terror. Since Erebus' propeller was damaged in the first episode, Crozier probably wants them to use the fastest ship; also, I don't believe enough men stayed behind to man both vessels.

Yes, that's what they did. When Crozier is speaking to the men who are staying behind with the ship, he tells them they left enough coal to get them through the winter. Speaking of the men on the ship, someone upthread asked why they stayed behind. They did so as a back-up plan, in the remote chance there is a thaw; if they can get out and the timing is right, they may be able to rescue the men on foot before the group gets inland. There's also I'm so glad they didn't show Neptune or Jacko's demise either. I hope the same for the ship's cat(s?), should we revisit the group who remained on Terror. I noticed something on rewatch I missed the first time. When John Morfin snaps, you hear Neptune barking in the background. Soon thereafter, Hickey slips away behind the tents, while everyone else is distracted. I believe that's when he killed the poor dog. :( Edited to add: There should be some non-canned food left, provided they didn't eat it all before they left the ship. In the previous episode, Lt. Irving goes down the list of their supplies, which includes flour, potatoes and salt meat. It's possible they could've eaten most of it, because at that point Fitzjames knows they're going to have to walk out. He says they should reserve as much portable food as possible for the journey, so the cooks should adjust their menus to focus on the salt meats. Surely they have some non-canned food left, though, if Goodsir is steering Lady Silence away from the chow line; they can't not eat at all. Of course, that only gives Hickey more ammunition to stir up the men; why does the "Eski" girl get untainted food while the rest of them are slowly being poisoned? She's not even one of them.

I don't want to get into this too much more in the episode thread, but I do understand what you're saying. It really is subjective in the end, isn't it? Some like the character and the actor, some hate the character and like the actor, some hate both and some like the character but not the actor. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, though, you probably feel it pretty strongly, if the discussions in this forum are any indication. ;) Not to toot my own horn, but that was me. ;) But yeah, that moment was a thing of beauty. Jared has impressed me from the very beginning, and he just keeps getting better. His portrayal of Crozier deserves every possible award for which he qualifies. I will be so disappointed if he, or this show, are overlooked come awards season. I love this whole post. You're right about it being a lot to chew on. It makes me think, how would I be in a situation like that? What does it mean to be human? At what point do you lose your humanity? There's no denying the violence inherent in our species. We're also social creatures and depend on each other for survival. I once read that humans almost went extinct, down to as few as 2,000 individuals. If they didn't learn to cooperate, none of us would be here having these spirited discussions. ;) We have the capacity both to create and destroy. When survival is on the line, what determines which camp we fall into? What does the answer say about us, as individuals and a species? Yeah, that's what's hard. It was a smart writing choice to invest so much in character development in the front end. I know some found it too slow, but I loved it. I really know these men now, making this back half that much more devastating. I don't like what the mutineers are doing and think they're making a terrible mistake, but I understand why they're doing it. Hickey's the only one I actually hate. I'm obsessed with this show too, and also love reading everyone's posts. Others see things I missed, and I love the myriad insights and interpretations of characters and events. Even when I don't agree on specific points, everyone's contributions have made me think. I can't remember the last time I've watched a show where each and every episode sticks with me for days. It's a beautiful, haunting work of art, and it really moves me.

I completely agree. He's only gathering this group of men because they will help keep him alive, and when they are no longer useful or become a threat, he will dispense with them. He would absolutely kill any and all of them. I also agree if more than one man made it to the end, "Hickey" would do whatever it takes to be the sole survivor. I agree. A character who causes this much uproar and discussion must be doing something right. ;) RE: the subtlety (or lack thereof) of Hickey's character and the actor's portrayal, I believe his brazenness at this time is a deliberate choice and agree this is part of the character's evolution. From the beginning, we see something's off about him, but it's ambiguous at first. As their situation grows more and more dire, the masks they wear in normal, everyday life slip away, exposing the core of who they really are. He's holding onto one mask tightly enough to gather his minions, but the easier it gets for him to kill, the harder it will be, I think, to conceal his true nature. I agree with slothgirl there's a bit of mustache twirling going on time and again, but I find it part of his charm (I mean that in a generic sense, because he damn sure isn't charming now!!). Adam does it so well, he can get away with it, and totally fits who Hickey is. I feel the same way. The first half of the story filled me with dread. Now that shit's getting real I get knots in my stomach. I love this show and its characters and I can't stand the thought of losing them all. This is exactly what I feared would happen if I watched this program, and why I hesitated to do so in the first place. But it's so good and I'm so invested I have to see it through. By "forcing" myself to watch it all, in a way it feels like I'm honoring these (fictional and real life) men's lives and sacrifices. The thought of going through all that suffering and pain, only to be forgotten, their stories and struggles lost to time and the wind...it's incredibly tragic. They deserve to be remembered, even if it's painful to see. RE: Jared Harris, me too. I'm going to make a point of checking out a lot more of his work. Hickey was trying to bribe Lt. Hodgson with the dog meat by saying, he, Hodgson and Tozer could divide the meat amongst themselves and eat "well" for days as opposed to dividing it among 100 men. There's also the matter of Crozier finding out Hickey the liar butchered his dog; this way, he keeps it concealed. Anyway, he was saying even if they successfully hunted game, it won't be enough to sustain them all. Better to thin out the human herd now so there's more for them later. I don't think he was referring to cannibalism here; it's about eliminating the competition, other mouths to feed. Yes, I believe Crozier sees the signs of mutiny thanks to prior experience. He's in a tough situation; whatever choices he makes will be scrutinized by the crew. He has to handle things strategically because he knows they're sitting on a powder keg and if it goes off, anything and everything will happen and he may not be able keep anyone alive. I missed that was "Hickey"'s locker. I wonder if Crozier knows it's his? I agree it could be a tell, the fact his was the only one left open. It's another hint of his lack of discipline, his non-militaristic thinking. I don't think it would have occurred to any of the other men not to close the lid to their lockers; they're Navy men, and stuff like that has to be second nature. It does seem a bit foolhardy of Hickey if EC are his real initials. I have to admit, though, I'd rather it be arrogant recklessness on his part than him being I suspect the former is more likely than the latter. At least I hope it is! I totally agree. In the state they're in, if Crozier told them everything all hell would break loose. He's holding back things for a reason, and I believe for the greater good. He already knows he will lose men on this journey from the elements alone. They need hope if any of them are to have any chance of survival. It's like Blanky said. Survival is all about what goes on upstairs. He may choose to be more candid later, but for now, telling the full truth, especially before they secure another food source, would be a disaster.

There were two different groups of men referenced this episode. Eight were in the rescue party that left the previous year. They only got 18 miles because Tuunbaq (in all likelihood) ambushed them. Of course Hickey and the other Mutineers will blame the Inuit, and then blame Crozier as an "Eski Lover" or some other BS. But I digress ;). You may be right there might not have been enough men in the rescue party; on the other hand, the more men they have, the more mouths to feed. Since they are in the Arctic, Crozier may have figured eight men might have had a better chance of feeding themselves sustainably when the provisions run out than twice that many. He knows the Inuit live in small groups for that very reason. In any case, given their fate, I guess it's a good thing he didn't send any more of them out. Lt. Little scouted ahead with 50 men, then Crozier's group met up with them, so that's where the 50 comes from.

If you have the time, I highly recommend a rewatch of the series from beginning to end. There are tons of clues, starting with the first episode.

As if I couldn't hate Hickey even more, I just saw a clip from next week's episode. I'm going to put a spoiler alert because it's a significant portion of a scene, which makes it slightly different than the usual previews at the end of each episode: I know it's awful to say, but I want Hickey to die an agonizing death, with as much pain as possible. Tuunbaq tearing him limb from limb and leaving him to bleed out would be a good start. Edited to add: Thanks to those who speculated about what the initials on the locker mean. I missed that was imposter Hickey's locker! I will reply to those points later when I'm not working. ;)

Every time something hopeful happens, something terrible swallows it up. :( Irving (and Farr, the guy waiting behind with Hickey) were so relieved to come across the Inuit group and Hickey murdered them before they could tell anyone. I also think he murdered them because they were loyal to the Captain and now there are two fewer "loyalists" to back him up. He deliberately sabotaged an opportunity for his shipmates to get fresh food for his own personal benefit. Obviously the Inuit wouldn't have enough for them all, but they might have shared information or knowledge which would help them find game on their own. The schemers weren't wrong, in the sense that with the kind of numbers they have, even if they find game it won't be enough to sustain them all. But they don't have the right to decide who lives or dies, and once again, Hickey is operating full steam ahead on partial information. He's not wrong in his observations; something's wrong with the food and command is lying about it. He's wrong in his interpretation of what it means, and using it to stir up discontent. What would anyone do in a situation like that? If you don't eat you'll starve, but if you do, you'll be slowly poisoned until you lose your mind. I don't envy Crozier that decision; he's pretty much in an impossible situation. Yay! Tom Hartnell's with the Captain. I've always liked him, so I'm glad I can continue to do so. ;) I'm bummed out about Tozer, because I liked him too, but I'm not entirely surprised. After his friend got his skull torn open, he was talking about how the Marines didn't volunteer for this mission, don't get bonus pay, have to be on the front lines when Tuunbaq attacks, where they're the first cut down. They were sitting in the mess hall. When I saw Hickey there at the next table, listening intently while pretending he wasn't, I knew this wouldn't be the last we'd hear of it. I have to admit I suspected he might join the mutiny, but I really was hoping I was mistaken. He did tip his hand, though, when he asked Crozier about arming some of the other men. Thank you Lt. Little for asking him for names of those he had in mind! Otherwise, Crozier might have gone along with it, because initially, he looked like he was agreeing with the Sgt. Crozier has a great poker face. Jared Harris is amazing. Every time I think he couldn't impress me more, he blows me away with another fantastic performance. I don't know how he did it, but I saw the moment he knew something was hinky with Tozer's request, even though his expression didn't change. He tells us, the audience, so we know he knows, without tipping off the Marine, and it's totally believable. I really do hope he's not completely taken by surprise. Something Crozier has to his advantage is experience. He's been in situations, multiple times, when he's had to deal with starving and desperate men. He knows the signs. I really hope he follows his instincts. Collins' confession to Goodsir was heartbreaking. The actor is soooo good, and I really like his character; I wish we could have seen more from him during the show's run. He made such an impression on me in the first episode (that diving scene remains one of the most haunting sequences of the entire show, and one of my favorites), I really wanted to know more about him, before he went mad and his mouth started watering for his dead friends' burnt flesh. :( Speaking of heartbreaking, Goodsir's breakdown slayed me. I loved the gentle comfort Lady Silence gave him. She really does care about him. Can't they go run off together and live happily ever after? :`( Honestly, the performances just keep getting better and better. I love how nuanced and understated they are. Just before Crozier leaves the ship, he closes a locker which had been left open. It had the initials "EC" on it. Anyone know who (or what) that might stand for? On this show, every detail matters, plus the camera stayed on those initials a beat longer than you'd expect if it were insignificant. I'm glad there were some supportive and affirming moments to lighten some of the darkness. I thoroughly approve of Jopson's promotion. The Captain needs people he can trust in his inner circle. If you can't trust the man who nursed you through a lengthy, painful withdrawal, who can you trust? It really was heartwarming to see the other officers welcome him into their ranks. I do feel badly for Lt. Hodgson, though. Has anyone noticed the people Hickey targets are usually vulnerable in some way? Manson doesn't seem like the sharpest tool in the shed, Gibson is dickmatized and, I don't know, but he's bugged me from the beginning. He's always come off as weak-willed, and easily manipulated. Tozer's bitter. Now we have him trying to turn a Junior Officer who didn't get the promotion and doesn't rank high enough to be completely in the know. It's funny though, Hodgson tells Hickey he's not up to the task of being a captain, which is probably why Crozier didn't choose him when he needed to fill a vacancy! Hickey's gone off the rails now, plus we find out he's not even really Cornelius Hickey! What happened to the real one?? He murdered Neptune (it was so heavily foreshadowed, I knew he was going to, but still) and even Lt. Hodgson didn't believe the "dog broke his leg" story. I'm becoming much firmer in my conviction that "Hickey" truly is a sociopath. I'm not sure if he murdered the real Cornelius, but even if he didn't, the extremities of their situation unleashed this monster he's always had inside of him, IMO. It's kind of like how on Walking Dead regular everyday guys turn into Heads in Fish Tanks governors and backbending, scenery chewing (and chewing...and chewing) despots who won't die when civilization ends. Thus ends the only reference I will make to that dried husk of what used to be my favorite show in my now favorite, vastly superior show's forum. No, I'm not the least bit bitter! Ahem. ;) Speaking of unleashing monsters, where's Tuunbaq? Or maybe, he's already there... I'm glad Blanky is with them. He is one tough bastard; I shouldn't have underestimated his strength and determination. He's one of my favorites. I want to give accolades to the entire cast. So many of the same actors get all the kudos, but all the performances are top notch. I could seriously go down the list of characters and gush about one after another, but given how much I've already written, I think that's enough squeeing for now. ;)

It was a mask. Of what, we don't yet know. And the man was Inuit, not Chinese; they're in the Arctic above North America, after all. ;)