Phantom Threads – As the episode opens, Mickey Bolitar (Jaden Michael) stares at a photo of a Nazi officer, Butcher of Lodz. He recalls Brad Bolitar (Kristoffer Polaha) panicking when he saw the man.

While working out, Shira Bolitar (Constance Zimmer) remembers kissing Hannah Taylor (Missi Pyle). Mickey reminds her of the basketball pancake fundraiser. She promises to meet him there.

Mickey asks Rachel why she took Ashley’s things out of her locker. Rachel claims the locker is hers. He shows her the security footage. She urges him to let it go. He tells her that she knows what happened to Ashley. Looking up to see Troy Taylor (Brian Altemus) approaching, she suggests meeting at her house at 6pm. After Mickey walks away, she apologizes to Troy. He questions why she is talking to Mickey. She tries to smooth things over with a kiss. She has a flashback of shooting Octoface (Manuel Uriza).

Shira nearly chokes on her pancakes when she sees Hannah approaching. Humping Camels Team Mom, Hannah gives a shout-out to Shira before urging her to speak. Shira reluctantly takes the podium. In a flashback, teen Hannah (Kate Edmonds) and teen Shira (Sadie Veach) are on the bleachers when teen Babs (Sofia Sparta) greets them. A sick teen Ken (Zander Pacella) asks Shira if she would like to make out. Hannah comments on his foul odor. He mocks her before vomiting. She asks Shira why she is dating Ken. Shira says he is “hot.” Hannah invites Shira to join her for the last dance. Back to the present, Hannah and Shira discuss Babs Barrios (Nancy De Mayo). Hannah invites her for ice cream.

Mickey asks Martha Friedman (Didi Conn) if she knows anything about Butcher of Lodz. Pulling out a textbook, she shows places the photo next to a photo of Butcher of Lodz.

Spoon watches Buck (Antonio Cipriano) audition for a play. He complains to Ema about Marissa Zamboni switching from a musical to a color guard. She reminds him that he texted about someone dying. He says his career. Spoon is ready to abort his audition when Ema joins him on the stage. Friedman compliments their performance. Backstage, Whitney (Alexa Mareka) jokingly tells Ema to never stop stinging. Buck and Troy boast of nicknaming Emma “Ema.” Spoon says Buck should be “f**k.” Whitney claims their mother says Buck is easily intimidated. He tells her to find another way home before leaving.

Hoboken Waterfront – Hannah admits to being mad at Shira for a long time for leaving to get away from her. Shira claims to have left because she was confused about wanting to be with her.

Looking at a photo of Kitty Bolitar (Narci Regina), Ema asks if her surname is Hammer. Mickey claims her coach encouraged her to change her surname, Martillo. After apologizing for earlier, she admits to not being used to having friends. He hugs her. She tells him that the Butcher of Lodz photo is edited. She points out that the man or anyone who resembles him is listed in the accident report. He says the logos on the paramedic’s uniform and ambulance were different.

Chief Ken Taylor (Lee Aaron Rosen) tells Bat Lady/Elizabeth (Tovah Feldshuh) that an anonymous report alleged a body was buried on her property. She claims to have buried a dead deer on her property. He asks for permission to verify her claim. She refuses until he threatens her with a search warrant.

Listening to a police scanner, Spoon learns Charlotte Kent’s abandoned vehicle was discovered on North Maple and Glen. Utilizing the ambulance logo sketch, Ema is able to connect it to an ambulance service. Mickey calls the number to speak with a representative about a June 15 accident. The representative denies any of their EMTs worked the scene because someone stole their ambulance.

An armed Sunglasses Man (Hunter Emery) watches Ken dig up the deer. When he tries to cover the dead deer with dirt, she intervenes. He is stunned when she addresses him by his full name. She assures him that everyone in town knows his name.

Spoon suggests Charlotte’s disappearance is not coincidental. They check the cast list to discover she was picked to play the Phantom and he will play Raoul. Buck says Ema would be more believable as a “creepy freak.” She tells Spoon that she will not play the Phantom when Whitney rushes to congratulate her. Later, Spoon and Ema search Dr. Lawrence Kent’s office to discover a file for Dylan Shakes (Jack Casey). A report shows Dr. Kent examined Dylan after he supposedly fell downstairs. Dr. Kent noted Dylan had been asphyxiated which his father contributed to a sports. Spoon says everyone knew Dylan’s father abused him. Dr. Kent saw Dylan on September 8, 1995, the day he was reported missing.

Friedman is walking her dog when Bat Lady and the Sunglasses Man approach. Friedman demands she leave Mickey alone. Bat Lady admits to caring about Brad. Friedman asks why she put Luther’s face on the photo before accusing her of killing Mr. V (Geoffrey Cantor). Bat Lady claims Mr. V sold Ashley. Friedman says it is still murder. Bat Lady accuses her of not helping Dylan. Friedman demands she leave her alone. Bat Lady threatens to kill her if she messes with her again.

Rachel claims some of the cheerleaders taunted Ashley because her moves were “risqué.” When she went to apologize, she saw two men trying to abduct her. She intervenes to stop the abduction. Ashley refuses to go to the police. Rachel says Ashley is in the pool house when an intruder alert appears on her phone. There is no cellular signal to call 911. The electricity is shut off. Mickey looks outside to see Octoface staring at him. He darts toward the pool house when the episode ends.

 

Harlan Coben’s Shelter Review

Mickey shows Mrs. Friedman a photo of the Butcher of Lodz. Realizing the photo is edited with Luther’s face, she makes an anonymous call to the police about a dead body. Chief Taylor follows up on the tip to find a dead deer buried on the property. Bat Lady and Friedman were at one time friends. Friedman demands she leave Mickey alone to grieve. Bat Lady was extremely fond of Brad. She threatens to kill her if she messes with her again.

Rachel tells Mickey that Ashley is staying at her house. Octoface shows up to abduct Ashley. When they try to call 911, they don’t have a signal.

Bat Lady tells Friedman that Mr. V is a child trafficker. She had him killed for selling Ashley. Mickey and Ema find out that the ambulance at the accident scene was stolen. The paramedic did not work for the ambulance service.

The episode could have been better if it didn’t veer off the plot. Irrelevant scenes to ensure the series fits the narrative. The show isn’t always believable. I rate it a 5.8. Get more Harlan Coben’s Shelter recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, click the link to learn more.