* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation: Andre Linoge and his motives can be interpreted in a myriad of ways.
** Andre himself. A sadistic, psychopathic demonic entity who torments islands for fun? Or a dying man driven to desperation to [[spoiler: find a protégé]]?
** His threat to destroy the island. Genuine given his powers? Or a bluff to bully the townsfolk into his deal? It doesn't help that Linoge offers evidence that points in both directions. On the one hand, he implies that he was responsible for the infamous mass disappearance of Roanoke Island. But his line to Molly at the end, "Perhaps you tricked yourselves", implies that he was lying. Furthermore, his ability to control others is usually limited to one adult at a time (with one exception), though he can control multiple children. He also appears to have difficulty controlling one character to murder another when they aren't predisposed to the action ([[spoiler:Billy was dismissive of Kat because of what she did, while Kat was genuinely angry at him for his hypocrisy]]).
** Did Linoge truly play by the rules of his game or, as Molly claimed, did he fix the game just so he could have [[spoiler:Ralphie]], who he seemed to prefer?
** Is Linoge giving away all the town's secrets just ForTheEvulz to enjoy seeing lives destroyed? Or is he making it clear A) he's showing how a town like this can keep all that happens in the storm secret and B) that the townspeople can't judge him given their own dark sides.
* MagnificentBastard: The courteous yet menacing Andre Linoge is a demonic sorcerer in search of an apprentice to carry out his legacy after his death. Arriving at Little Tall Island, Linoge murders an old woman and allows himself to be arrested so he can demonstrate his power to the town by revealing knowledge of the citizen's dark secrets, as well as magically influencing others into committing murder and suicide. Breaking out of his holding cell, Linoge demands a child, and threatens to kill everyone on the island if they do not fulfill his wishes. Ultimately getting what he wants in the end, Linoge thanks the inhabitants of Little Tall Island and leaves them to live with their guilt.
* ParanoiaFuel:
** The latter half of [[spoiler: the whiteout scene. The idea that someone next to you can be kidnapped/killed if you're not looking directly at them is terrifying. The fact that the audience gets to see the victims get yanked off-screen makes it even worse.]]
** The entire plot of the series. You're trapped on an island in the middle of the worst storm in history and you're trapped with a murderous demonic entity who knows everything about you, even your darkest secrets and will use them against you to force you into a deal.
** Andre Linoge himself. A malevolent demonic entity who can take control of your body and make you kill yourself, is virtually unstoppable, and who knows everything about you, including your darkest secrets, and who is willing to destroy the entire island unless he gets what he wants.
* SpecialEffectFailure: Anything involving [[spoiler: Linoge's cane coming to life, or the destruction of the lighthouse]].
* TheWoobie: Mike at the end, [[spoiler: after losing Ralphie.]]
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