Dance Macabre – As the fourth episode of Hysteria begins, Chief Dandridge (Bruce Campbell) speaks to another officer about Ryan’s death. The officer says the mark on the deer is used to summon demons. Faith (Nikki Hahn) calls the Chief to say Ryan was kidnapped by two men in a white van. One of them works at the body shop on Fourth and he has a mustache. Faith says the other man wore the mask the whole time. Chief Dandridge tries to find out who he’s talking to. Faith says she was taken by them before hanging up. One week later, Judith (Jessica Treska) makes out with Dylan (Emjay Anthony). She asks him what he knows about Aleister Crowley. Judith tells him what Crowley says about sex. Then, she asks him about homecoming. Judith was hoping Dylan would ask her to go with him.

They discuss the possibility of becoming a couple officially. Dylan joins Spud (Kezii Curtis) and Jordy (Chiara Aurelia) later. They talk about Judith. Jordy tells Dylan that he has to break up the cult. Dylan insists Jordy is wrong about her. Linda Campbell (Julie Bowen) reads about the occult in her bedroom. Gene checks on her because she’s acting like Dylan. Linda says she’s not the only person who has been seeing things. Gene admits he has the same book. He thinks they should do some research together. Abigail (Jennie Page) looks at a picture and remembers something from the past. Chief Dandridge interrupts to ask if she can look after Max. Dandridge speaks to Officer Olsen (Allison Scagliotti) about the evidence board. They don’t have probable cause. They haven’t found the girl either. There’s not a missing persons report in 100 miles that matches her profile.

The officers show Chief Dandridge the evidence against Dylan. Bob (Eric Tiede) enters the station because he heard the Chief was looking for him. Tracy (Anna Camp) tells Faith that they’re getting a visit from Perdita Shipley from the Gazette. Tracy wants to go to the dance instead. She asks if Tracy has heard any more from Officer Hartman. Tracy hasn’t heard from him. Moments later, Tracy gets a call from the mysterious man who calls her Firefly. The Reverend (Garret Dillahunt) says he sent Robert to the police station and gave him an alibi. He says Faith made an anonymous tip and left Tracy’s name out of it. The Reverend asks her to find out what Faith knows. Dylan tells Spud and Jordy that he made a demo of their music. At the school, Ingrid (Milly Shapiro) drops off chickens with Fred (Seydou Maiga) and Cliff. Faith decides to buy tickets to the dance. She needs to invite someone to get a cheaper price. Jordy gets upset when she learns that Dylan hasn’t talked with Judith yet.

Bob is questioned by Chief Dandridge who says they got a tip that he was with Ryan on the day of the disappearance. Bob claims he cleaned up his act when God found him. Dandridge points out that he didn’t pay a ticket previously so he has the right to arrest him. The Chief tries to use that to get more information about Ryan’s disappearance. Dylan asks Cliff if Judith talks about him. Cliff insists Judith really likes him. Dylan hopes it isn’t all about the cult. Cliff reveals his dad, Coach Mark Nelson (Ray Stoney), is ticked off that he quit the team. He found another dozen recruits from the football team and they’re ready to go. Dylan reminds him the cult is supposed to be secret. Cliff says they’re in the cult to raise from heck. Judith tries to talk to Jordy. Judith tries to find out why she hates her. Jordy claims she’s just a tourist. As for her, Spud, and Dylan, they actually live like this.

Judith says she deserves the chance to explore her cage side too. She claims the look Jordy is so proud of is just a cage. Chief Dandridge has a rash on his neck. Abigail tells him that the holding cell is ready. The Chief hopes they can prove Bob is their guy so they can get back to normal. He discusses the possibility of there being a cult and having to pursue every suspect. Faith tells Jordy she has something for her. She wants Jordy to come with her to the dance now that she doesn’t care what her mom thinks. Faith takes Jordy home with her and surprises her mom. Tracy wants her to leave until Faith mentions Firefly. Tracy asks what Faith knows. She insists she’s just confused. Tracy says there are dangerous people out there. Gilbert (Kevin Saunders) is outside in a van watching the house. Linda and Gene prepare to use an Ouija board.

Linda claims Dylan made a blood sacrifice to Satan and something attacked her. Now, she wants to know its name. They ask if the spirit is with them. The board says no. Linda asks them to identify themselves. The board spells out blanket. Linda complains that Gene isn’t taking this seriously. They decide to do it again. Linda asks why the spirit has chosen them. Dylan interrupts to ask what they’re doing. He invites them to meet his girlfriend. Tracy asks her daughter to let her make things right again. They agree to have a conversation when Faith gets home. Once Faith leaves, Abigail calls Tracy and mentions her daughter. Judith is introduced to Dylan’s parents. Dylan hangs out with Cliff and the others. Cassie (Jessica Luza) tells Gene and Linda that she’s Judith’s mother. She invites them to the bar later. Chief Dandridge arrives and finds out that Judith is with Dylan.

In private, the Chief asks him about the girl he injured his hand for. He warns him to tread lightly. Spud, Jordy, and Faith hang out together during the homecoming dance. Jordy and Spud start getting drunk when Dylan arrives with Judith. Judith tells Dylan not to worry about her grandpa. She mentions something that’s going to happen later. Faith thanks Jordy for coming with her. While dancing, Dylan asks Judith if she would’ve actually let him kill that cat. She says she would’ve. Spud convinces the DJ to play Dethkrunch. Abigail takes her daughter to the station where she tells the Chief there is no going back to normal. Tracy says she tried to warn him that they’re a cult and not a band. Gene and Linda tell Cassie about how difficult it was to have Dylan. Judith tells Dylan they’re ready for him. She covers his eyes and begins leading him somewhere. She says this is what they talked about. They’re going to transcend.

Dylan learns Judith wants to have sex in front of the cult members. She makes him drink something before they begin making out. Judith asks Dylan if he’ll give himself to them. Chief Dandridge ends up catching them. Gene asks Linda how she’s feeling about their son. Cassie returns and says there was a ritual incident at the dance. Dylan and Judith were in the middle of a pentagram in the bomb shelter naked. Linda goes to the bathroom to collect herself. She imagines the stall door opening behind her. When she looks in the mirror, she sees the devil. Her mirror breaks and she falls. Linda notices rashes all over her arms. Gene tries to get in to help. Linda says he’s inside her. Faith returns home and learns that Perdita visited but no one was home. Gilbert has a mask in his hand. He says hi to Faith before saying they need to talk.

 

Hysteria! Review

The fourth episode of Hysteria made the story even more complicated. In fact, the whole thing is more complicated than it needs to be and the cast is absurdly bloated. At this point, we’re halfway through the season and the enthusiasm level has dropped considerably.

Since the cast is so bloated and the performances are only passable, none of the characters are remotely sympathetic. Is there anyone to legitimately care about in this show? Not really. As a result, the core story is actually becoming less intriguing as the series progresses.

The fact that Ryan was killed seems like a nothing burger and no one cares. Besides a few little bits here and there, the murder and cult are barely the focus of the conversation. Instead, this is just a teeny soap opera with corny dialogue, unlikable characters, and an uninspiring story.

There’s a good chance that the finale will turn the whole thing into a nothing burger. This is obviously trying to take advantage of the Satanic panic of the past, but it doesn’t do enough to create an authentic environment of the past or characters that viewers can really invest in. This episode scores a 5 out of 10.

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