Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy – The episode opens with Edmund Gaines (Luke James) listening to an audiobook, “The Healthy Home” by Dr. Gaines (Robert Curtis Brown). At a book signing, Edmund greets Gaines. Shocked to see him, Gaines suggests they go for a walk. Edmund denies being upset that he was never mentioned in Gaines’ novel, even though, he is his son. Adelle (Rebecca Lines) approaches holding a young black boy. Pretending to be pleasantly surprised to see him, she tries to pull him inside but he refuses to budge. Edmund reminds them of how they abandoned him at a group home when he spots Lacey (Anna Lines). Gaines pulls Edmund to a secluded area and says when all their efforts failed to make him thrive, they put him in a foster home to protect their biological daughter, Lacey. Edmund tells him that he liked acting. Edmund asks why he was never given a solid foundation. Gaines tells him that some people are beyond help. Tears running down his cheeks, Edmund claims to not know who he is anymore. Gains urges him to get counseling before walking away.

At a local carwash, Wendy McKinney (Brooke Jaye Taylor) gives Madeline (Amelie Young) and Mackenzie (Penelope Young) coins for the gumball machine. A news press about LAPD Chief Daryl Gates’ insensitive comment that led to his termination plays in the background. Detective Dawn Reeve (Deborah Ayorinde) identifies herself as Angela Smith and claims to be a cop’s wife. Wendy complains about her husband, Detective Donald McKinney’s (Jeremy Bobb) hectic work schedule and claims he never came home last Tuesday night. Upon leaving, Wendy says her husband is a good father. A short time later, Reeve informs Detective Joaquin Diaz (Carlito Olivero) that McKinney didn’t come home Tuesday night. Lowering his voice, he says in 1982, McKinney was the first cop to arrive at the scene of Lamar Watkins’ murder. He adds that IA opened an investigation after another cop, James Stenson found McKinney’s version of the events questionable. He says IA dropped the investigation after just two days and a week later, Stenson retired.

Stenson tells Reeve that McKinney invited him to join a secret group. Laying photos of Watkins’ bloody body on the table, he claims Watkins’ wife said McKinney and several other responding officers killed him. He tells her about cutting the secret group’s insignia off of his right calf and warns her that McKinney is dangerous.

Edmund picks up a sex worker and drives to a secluded location. When she starts to undo his pants, he asks why she got into prostitution. Learning he was recently fired, she asks why he is patronizing her. She laughs when he tells her that he is an actor. Pulling out a wad of cash, he throws a few dollars at her. As she picks up the money, he says she is a traumatized child and locks the doors when she tries to leave. He continues to insult her. She believes he is the Southside Slayer when a police cruiser arrives. Edmund has a smile on his face. Detective Simms (Steven Sean Garland) and Detective Marsh (Darin Cooper) discover the Cheddar costume in the boot.

In the interrogation room, Edmund tells Simms and Marsh about his visit with his father at Hancock Park. Simms asks if he generally visits the Figueroa Corridor to think. Edmund claims it was his first visit but never intended to have sex with the prostitute. Simms tells him that they found VHS recordings of him frightening sex workers. Marsh says 16 girls working the Figueroa Corridor have been killed over the last two years. Transforming into the Southside Slayer, Edmund says, “It’s not the aftermath that’s special. It’s the process, the pain, the suffering, and the look in their eyes.” A video of Edmund rehearsing for a role plays in the background. Edmund continues to perform when Investigator Phillips (Shane Johnson) bursts into the room and says Edmund is auditioning like in the VHS tapes. Irate, Marsh goes for Edmund but Simms holds him back. Edmund has a breakdown.

Athena (Pam Grier) removes a box from the closet. Elsewhere, Reeve gradually makes her way toward a house. Gunfire can be heard in the distance. Reaching the house, she sees McKinney and several other men through a window. Turning to leave, she finds herself face-to-face with McKinney. She claims to have wanted to discuss him picking up Kelvin “Kel” Reeve (Joshua J. Williams) yesterday. When he questions her claim, she demands he stay away from her family. He agrees to let her go if she doesn’t tell anyone about their encounter. The men follow as she makes her way to her car and speeds away.

Edmund enters Donovan Wright’s (Brey Howard) house through a window. He rearranges the furniture, takes a poo in the toilet, and watches home videos of 6-year-old Donovan’s (Dominic Bell) birthday party.

Athena finds Reeve in the bathtub. Reeve asks if she ever worries about being a terrible mother. Athena assures her that she is a wonderful mother. Turning to look at her, Reeve accuses her of lying about the box when Kel approaches. Briefly turning to look at him, Athena turns back to the tub to find it empty.

Edmund attacks Donovan. During a physical struggle, Donovan recognizes Edmund before he can put a sack over his head. Once Donovan is restrained, Edmund puts him in the boot of his car.

Reeve arrives home to find Athena holding the box. Athena tells her that she was adopted and she does not have a heart condition like her adoptive father. Distraught, Reeve tells her to stop talking when Kel asks what is going on. She orders him to his room before rushing out the door.

Head covered, Donovan is restrained to a chair. “I Won’t Grow Up” by Mary Martin plays in the background. In disguise, Edmund jerks off the sack and tells him to make a wish and blow out the candles. Donovan complies and Edmund starts his birthday movie. With the camera running, Edmund asks a series of questions which Donovan answers as his six-year-old self. Describing his performance as “bad,” Edmund breaks his left hand. Still restrained to the chair, Donovan attacks him. During the struggle, Edmund breaks his leg. The episode ends.

 

 Them: The Scare Review

Simms and Marsh arrest Edmund for picking up a sex worker. Edmund pretends to be the Southside Killer but Phillips finds his rehearsal tapes. He later abducts and tortures Donovan.

Athena tells Reeve that she was adopted and she doesn’t have a heart condition, even though, she has a prescription.

Edmund confronts his parents, Dr. Gaines and Adelle, about being placed in a group home when he was young. Gaines says they exhausted their resources but he failed to thrive. He believes Edmund is beyond help.

Reeve and Diaz learn McKinney was investigated by IA for the murder of Watkins. Another responding cop, Stenson claims Watkins’ wife said McKinney and several other cops murdered Watkins. The investigation lasted two days before it was closed and Stenson was forced to retire a week later. McKinney and a dozen other police officers are members of a secret group.

 

The episode deserves a 5.5 out of 10. Get more of Them: The Scare recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss new and classic films and other topics.