Ball Of Magic Fire – The episode opens with Reggie (Zach Faye) escorting Boyd Stevens (Harold Perrineau) and Kenny Liu (Ricky He) to Paula’s (Annika Borg) body. The house formerly belonged to Sara (Avery Knorad) and Nathan (Paul Zinno). Reggie claims to have been downstairs when she started screaming. He says she was having a nightmare when he entered the room. He tells them that she repeated, “They touch, they break, they steal. No one here is free.”  Kenny admits to hearing the same thing during a dream. Boyd emerges from the house to discover a gathering of people and buzzing cicadas. Ethan Matthews (Simon Webster) asks if everything is okay. After assuring him everything is fine, he asks him to go home while Julie Julie Matthews (Hannah Cheramy) remains to assist him. Seeing a bloody Reggie emerging from the house, Tian Chen Liu (Elizabeth Moy) pulls Ethan away with a promise of dinner.

Boyd examines the way to tell the residents the dangers of sleeping. Julie questions how people are being attacked in daylight. He explains the new threat. She informs him of Jim Matthews’ (Eion Bailey) plan to stay in the RV overnight.

Randall (AJ Simmons) has Donna (Elizabeth Saunders) restrained. She threatens to kill him when she gets free. He claims she was doing something with a creature at the clinic. He accuses her of using the creatures to scare the residents. She tells him about Boyd killing the Smiley Face Creature. When Jim expresses disbelief at what Randall is doing with Donna, Randall says it was his idea. Denying the allegation, Jim tries to free her but Randall intervenes. As Randall brandishes his knife, Boyd fires a shot into the air. Holding Randall at gunpoint, Boyd forces him to drop the knife which Jim retrieves to cut Donna free. With darkness fast approaching, they hop into the van to discover Randall disposed of the keys in the woods.

Liu Residence – Tabitha Matthews (Catalina Sandino Moreno) tries to convince Julie to come inside. Julie blames herself for Jim staying in the RV overnight when Jade (David Alpay) and Victor (Scott McCord) ask about the dangers of sleeping during the daylight hours. Tabitha has her hands full with Julie and Ethan stressed over Jim staying in the RV. She assures them that Boyd would intervene to keep Jim safe.

Police Station – Sara tells Kenny that she appreciates his staying with her. He assures her that his not wanting to be there has nothing to do with her. She says everything is different since she and Boyd trekked into the woods. She claims Boyd believes the town targets their pain. Kenny asks what she is talking about. She says during a camping trip, Nathan revealed his fear of cicadas. She explains her theory of the forest absorbing and manifesting dead people’s worst nightmares.

Colony House – Ellis (Corteon Moore) and Fatima (Pegah Ghafoori) listen as Reggie explains what led up to Paula’s death. Reggie tells everyone that “something broke her.” Danna’s absence is troubling for the residents. Kristi (Chloe Van Landschoot) makes things worse before Fatima intervenes to suggest partnering up. Kristi requests a private room for her and Mari (Kaelen Ohm).

RV – Randall complains about Boyd’s interruption when they were about to crack the conspiracy. Jim tells him it isn’t an appropriate time to discuss it. Irate, Randall tries to physically assault him before saying it’s no wonder his family is such a mess. Boyd intervenes by putting him in handcuffs. Randall continues his verbal assault until Boyd threatens to tie him to a tree. They consider hotwiring the van to get it started.

Colony House – While helping Kristi gather a few supplies, Ellis asks about Mari’s condition. She tells him that Mari’s withdrawal is worse than before. He voices concerns about Fatima not getting adequate sleep. She says seven weeks pregnant it’s too early to start worrying. He questions how the baby will turn out if it will be a monster. Smirking, she explains the “Magic Ball of Fire” theory from her medical school days.

Liu’s Residence – Jade and Tabitha study Eloise’s (Ellie Cluett) drawings. He questions how Victor seems to have forgotten his sister. Staring at a drawing of two Civil War Soldiers, he asks why she created it. She suggests Eloise adapted them from her mother’s stories before turning her attention to a tower drawing. Miranda (Sarah Booth) supposedly traveled there on the night everyone in town died. She claims Victor said Eloise told him that Miranda went to the tower to save the children.

Julie tries to convince Ethan to play a board game. He asks if Jim will die. She assures him that they will be all right. When she mentions “Cromenockle,” he describes it as a stupid story. He asks if her story ended the way she wanted before stomping out of the room.

RV – Boyd makes silver bullets like Elgin (Nathan D, Simmons) suggested. Donna says Randall should put it to the test. A group of creatures head in their direction. As he loads the chamber with silver bullets, she presses him to give it to Randall who readily agrees to accept the challenge. The creatures stop within a few feet from the RV when music emits from the CB radio.

Colony House – Tripping out, Mari screams, “Get away from me” as Kristi shows up to calm her down. Mari claims something was in the room with her. Kristi assures her that it is only hallucinations from withdrawal. Hysterically out of control, Mari physically attacks and blames her for everything. Kristi doesn’t stop until she gets her to calm down.

Police Station – Sara tries to get Kenny to talk by recalling how Tian once said she was grateful to be there with her family. She apologizes for what happened to his father. She says it must be difficult for them to see her. She claims to have asked to return to the woods. He tells her that she isn’t getting any pity from him. He warns her if it was up to him, she would have already been in “the box.” He demands she stop talking about his father. She reminds him of all the things the town took away for her. He suggests she end it with Boyd’s spare gun before leaving her alone.

Colony House – Reggie tries to keep everyone awake by ringing the communal bell. He warns that talisman is ineffective in providing full protection against all threats. When Ellis offers his assistance, Reggie shoves him down. Elgin intervenes by restraining Reggie. Fatima tries to calm him. Reggie assures them that everyone will die because the town is going to kill them. Elgin forces him upstairs.

RV – Boyd searches for the source of the music while Jim keeps his eyes on the stationary creatures. He warns that the music always leads to something bad happening. The music stops followed by a thumping noise underneath the RV. When the lights flicker, Randall grabs a hammer. Smashing a window, he climbs out. Boyd follows suit by busting out a window for Donna and Jim to escape. Randall flees with the monsters in tow. Jim and Donna head to the van. Boyd’s gunshots seem ineffective. A female voice calls his name. He turns to see Abby Stevens (Lisa Ryder). Donna screams his name. Abby disappears. Escaping the RV, he fires a shot into a monster with no effect. With the van started, Donna, Jim, and Boyd head to town, leaving Randall drowning in cicadas.

Police Station – Kenny discovers Sara with a revolver and ammo. He asks her to put it away. She asks if her being dead is what everyone wanted. She suggests utilizing the gun, instead of “the box.” She aims the loaded gun at him before putting the muzzle to her temple. The first shot turns out to be a blank. Cocking the gun, Kenny intervenes by grabbing it out of her hand. Unloading the chamber, he demands to know what is wrong with her.

Colony Home – Elgin shows Tillie (Deborah Grover) how to crochet. Fatima encourages everyone to stay away. Tillie compliments her before saying she will no doubt be a great mother. Fatima asks how she knew about her pregnancy. Tillie assures her that she has enough experience with four children and seven grandchildren to know when someone is pregnant. A vehicle pulls up outside. Armed, Matthias (Matthias Fenez) opens to door to see Boyd, Donna, and Jim.

While Kristi is away getting beverages, Mari believes she is surrounded by cicadas. The insects swarm her when Kristi returns with a glass of water. Hysterical Mari tells her about the cicadas which Kristi assures her is another hallucination.

While Boyd and Donna are busy calming the residents, Jim tries to escape but is immediately thwarted by an armed guard. Boyd warns every time the door opens, they invite threats. Kristi calls for help as Mari is near to choking her. He suggests Mari needs a doctor, not a fiancé. Donna takes over while Boyd speaks with Ellis. Elgin claims to have dreamed of a boy dressed in white on the bus. He says the boy repeatedly said, “Here they come, they come for three unless you stop the melody.” Bakta (Angela Moore) points out that it is a classic nursery rhyme. She adds, “They touch, they break, they steal. No one here is free. Here they come, they come for three unless you stop the melody.”

Liu Residence – Jade tells Tabitha what she is suggesting is crazy. She reminds him of what he said about everything being connected. Picking up the drawing with the tower, she questions if it is the connection. She says saving the children could secure they’re getting home. A screeching gets their attention. They discover Julie on the floor fighting off cicadas like Randall and Mari. The episode comes to an end.

 

From Review 

After the last several amazing episodes, I have to say this one felt a bit lackluster. I know they are probably building up to some huge reveal, being that the next episode is the finale. The nursery rhyme is kind of confusing and the cicadas I’m not sure I fully grasp.

They’re no doubt huge, creepy bugs, but what is their significance? Either way, I can still appreciate the series’ continuing to push the action. Although Randall is growing on me, I am glad to see they didn’t draw out the kidnapping. it was also good to get to see Kenny and Sara forced together alone, but their scenes just didn’t deliver for me. Overall I would have to give this episode a disappointing 5.

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