From, Season 4, Episode 2 is the shot after the chaser of the first episode, feeling more like a set, yet incomplete, with a looming question that goes unanswered still.
From, Season 4, Episode 2 starts with viewers likely seething in frustration, and that feeling doesn’t dissipate as the episode progresses. That’s not a negative on the show. But based on a big reveal from the last episode, it ensures many scenes have you yelling at the screen. Plus, the discovery of Jim’s death happens. And in true series fashion, it cannot be someone happening upon his body in the forest. If you know the series and you know these monsters, they always strive for maximum pain—be it emotional or physical. From, Season 4, Episode 2 is the shot after the chaser of the first episode, feeling more like a set, yet incomplete, with a looming question that goes unanswered still.
Created by John Griffin (Crater), the second episode in the fourth season is at once frustrating, yet you cannot help admiring the monsters’ dedication to trauma. They and whatever else lurks in this place are the manifestation of the phrase “playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.” It’s also the episode where viewers get the message from the trailer, “Knowledge comes at a cost.” Boyd, played by Harold Perrineau (The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Romeo + Juliet), remains the glue keeping this town together. But with Sophia’s, played by Julia Doyle (Astrid and Lilly Save the World, Murdoch Mysteries), arrival, those days of community might be numbered.
From, Season 4, Episode 2, Shows the Evil’s Cleverness
After the reveal of Sophia’s identity at the end of the last episode, this one begins with this shady lady. But, despite some quick recovery after her supposed loss, the man in yellow’s acting as Sophia is believable. However, people are also less likely to distrust a small, white girl without cause. Poor Kenny, played by Ricky He (Rock Springs, Worth the Wait). Hopefully, he does not grow too attached to protecting Sophia. This place has already taken so much from him. But that’s not the only demonstration of their craftiness. There is the discovery of Jim’s, played by Eion Bailey (The Stand, Once Upon a Time), body.
When Boyd and others discover a bloody sack hoisted in the air outside the Matthews family’s home, there is a sense of dread. But From, Season 4, Episode 2, reminds us that these creatures are cunning as well as deadly. When Tabitha, played by Catalina Sandino Moreno (The Rip, Ballerina), sends her kids away, suggesting the barn to check on the animals, it’s understandable. Who would want to traumatize their children by making them see their father’s corpse? Unfortunately, although I did realize the evil game afoot, Tabitha and the others did not. The sack has ripped up livestock. And the barn where the kids went has, you guessed it, Jim’s dead body. The level of evil and pettiness in From, Season 4, Episode 2, leaves you wondering why anyone bothers using the barn anymore. Kudos to the cast who did amazing with this scene.
Surprises, But Questions Remain
Dani, played by Samantha Brown (Relative Danger, My Husband’s Baby), has an unnecessarily sanctimonious attitude for someone who accidentally shot and killed someone on their first night there. So, of course, she views everyone else as untrustworthy and bad people. Sure, Dani, the only way out is good vibes. Dani—aside from Elgin—has to be the second most annoying character from last season. It seems she’s looking to continue that trend this season by hijacking the ambulance and forcing Boyd and Kenny to drop spikes to blow the tires.
Now there is still the question surrounding the paranormal activity from the last episode. What was the poltergeist activity in the Matthews’ home? Was it Jim raising a fit because no one looked for him? From, Season 4, Episode 2 does not answer that. So, it’s unclear whether it is something the series plans to answer later or something put in for effect.
From, Season 4, Episode 2 is a perfect follow-up to the first episode, save for that poltergeist question. It continues with the mystery, and maintains that ever-present frustration and builds stakes thanks to that wolf in religious sheep clothing. There are still plenty of questions, but that has always been the way with this series. From, Season 4, Episode 2 continues the series’ tradition of maintaining mystery while cultivating minute answers mixed with greater questions.
