Choosing Day – The episode opens with Matthew Clan trying to recover from the shocking horror of last night’s events. Tabitha Matthews (Catalina Sandino Moreno) struggles to sleep with the nightmare repeatedly playing repeatedly in her head. After tossing and turning fitfully, she wakes her husband, Jim Matthews (Eion Bailey). New arrival, Jade (David Alpay) wakes to find himself chained to the bed and Tobey (Colby Conrad) missing. Donna (Elizabeth Saunders) rushes into the room. He boasts his air of entitlement while Donna tries to explain his bizarre circumstances.

Town Police Station – Upon waking, Sheriff Boyd (Harold Perrineau) looks out the window to see a horse trailer which he isn’t enthused to see. He heads to the police station to check on inmate, Frank Pratt (Bob Mann). He offers him some breakfast before apologizing for what is about to happen. Frank tells Boyd about his wife’s admiration for him. He claims to be “tying up loose ends.” Boyd explains the big event scheduled for tonight.

The Colony House –  Donna explains the town to Jade. He believes his friend, Tobey who hasn’t reappeared is playing a ruse on him. Donna and Ellis (Corteon Moore) watch as he heads to town to search for answers. Ellis asks Donna if she would like him to watch Jade but she refuses. Jade is in the front lawn when Clara (Katerina Bakolias) catches his attention. He hops on her bike. She watches in awe as he peddles away.

The Boy in White (Vox Smith) stares at Ethan Matthews (Simon Webster) who isn’t started by his presence. When Tabitha enters to check on him, he tells her that he wants to go outside and play. She suggests he stay in bed. Changing the topic, he complains about his “too big and itchy” pajamas. Julie Matthews (Hannah Cheramy) expresses her displeasure in not being permitted to go with Jim to the RV. Tabitha offers them oatmeal which perks Ethan up while Julie desires some much-needed time alone.

Town Diner – Deputy Kenny (Ricky He) and his mother, Tian Chen Liu (Elizabeth Moy) have a disagreement about coping after the death of Bing-Qian Liu (Simon Sinn). Tian cuts her hand when she knocks over a glass. When Sara (Avery Konrad) arrives to work her shift, she immediately offers to clean up the broken glass.

In Town – After pulling something out of his lunchbox, Victor (Scott McCord) starts counting paces as if he is following directions to a buried treasure.

The Colony House – Fatima (Pegah Ghafoori) offers Julie some fresh fruit which she declines. Jim returns from the RV with some of their belongings. Ethan asks Jim to do the voice. Jim does his best character impression when Tabitha joins in on the fun. Donna informs them that Father Khatri will be arriving soon to discuss the “choosing ceremony.” Upon arrival, the priest explains how newcomers can choose from living at the Colony House or somewhere in town. He offers them a tour of available homes in town. Jim and Tabitha prohibit Julie from joining the tour.

Town Diner – Jade rudely snatches a plate from a long-time resident before moving to the head of the line. Tian whacks him in the head with a whisk while scolding his behavior. Sara leaves when she encounters her brother, Nathan (Paul Zinno).

In Town – Father Khatri escorts Jim and Tabitha through town while explaining how to stay safe. He says windows are nailed shut and a Talisman has done exceptionally well. He warns monsters utilize trickery to entice the children to let them in their homes. He tells them about “the box,” the town’s only form of punishment. When someone puts another person’s life in danger, they are forced to spend a night in the box with the protection of a talisman. “The box” will get its first use tonight.

Inside The New Home – Jim asks about the “lived-in” state of the home. Tabitha was the first to discover the area where the slaughter took place. The scene was not cleaned to stress the importance of following the rules.

The Diner –  Kenny asks if anyone has talked to him about the town. Jade admits to having difficulty understanding Donna earlier before leaving. After taking a seat at Kenny’s both, Kristi (Chloe Van Landschoot) asks about Jade. Kenny explains before suggesting they get some breakfast. She asks about his mother. He says she is okay but her denial is concerning.

Outside The Colony Home – Victor tries to rush Ethan on his crutch back inside to avoid Donna’s punishment of being cut off from the town’s supply of peaches. Ethan asks about the boy who lives out there. When upset Julie approaches, Victor tells them that he needs to determine if the tree line has moved.

In The Woods – Jade discovers access to a cellar. Upon entering the cellar, electrical wiring grabs his attention. When he opens a door, he experiences his first hallucination since being in town. A bloody corpse turns its head and screams at him before telling him it is a hallucination. Startled Jade covers him. Once the corpse disappears, he discovers a cryptic insignia.

Town Church – Upon returning from the Matthews’ tour, Father Khatri finds Boyd deeply conflicted over Frank and “the box.” Boyd admits his plan was only to utilize it as a scare tactic. Father Khatri warns if he doesn’t make Frank stay in the box, the others will lose respect for him.

Police Station – Opening the cell, Boyd tosses a talisman on Frank’s cot. He suggests placing the talisman at the front door of the shack and making a life for himself but never returning to town. Shocked, Frank asks what he will tell the others. Boyd leaves without giving a response.

In Town – Father Khatri kicks off the “Choosing Ceremony” by explaining how it will play out. The newcomers need to choose from a rock or a flower which signifies where they want to live. The flower represents the Colony Home and the rock, the town. Boyd rants about savagery, rules, and Frank when he approaches with the talisman in his hand. Frank gives a motivating and moving speech about his last Christmas with his family. Handing the talisman to Boyd, he admits to being ready to join his girls. Believing the speech is part of his “ultimate escape room experience,” Jade applauds, laughs, and pleads with Frank to stay. After wrenching his arm behind his back, Boyd forces him to choose a rock or flower. Jade threatens to sue him before picking a rock. Kenny pulls him away while Boyd prompts the newcomers to make their decisions. Tabitha and Ethan follow in a similar pursuit. Despite their protests, Julie chooses Colony House and Donna supports her decision.

Jade’s attitude changes as they head toward town. Kenny tells him that they are going to visit Tobey’s newly dug grave. Boyd escorts Frank to “the box.” He is locked in for the night.

Tabitha, Jim, and Ethan nestle into a bedtime story, an empathetic Kenny brings a stray Jade home for a few days, and up on the hill, overlooking the entire town, the welcoming festivities kick off in their traditional fashion, with adult beverages all around.

Frank solemnly lulls around “the box,” awaiting his impending doom. It doesn’t take long before the town’s menacing creatures have the trailer surrounded.

 

From Review

The writer does superbly well expanding on the town and its veteran residents. Although it felt a bit drawn out at times, it aptly covered a lot of important details. The story explains the creatures and how the residents were able to survive for so long. In the meantime, new mysteries emerged. Jade felt a bit overplayed and the dispute among the Matthew family was easily read. The episode deserves a 5. Get more From recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Our onsite advertising is scalable.