SC3 is crap, but not all of its characters are hatable. I do share in your hate for the Owa and Clairconctlar, though.
I hated what they did to the Spathi the most, turning them into stereotypical groveling cowards from cartoons.
That wasn't what they were they originally were. They were depressed, cynical and pessimistic accepting bad things as they happened because that is what they always expected but they also had a bit of arrogance to them always spinning themselves in a positive light and doing what they wanted at the slightest hint that no one was watching.
They also had a bit of bite and showed it through passive aggressive, snide comments. Like when you ask them if they'd ally with you and they sarcastically accept, throwing the offer it back in your face as a refusal, which you wouldn't see them do at all in 3 with their kowtowing demeanor.