Séance Anything – As the episode opens, Simon Elroy (Kristian Flores) reminds Nicole Herrera (Kiara Pichardo) of her promise to give him a ride to school. He questions why she didn’t answer her texts all weekend. She claims to have worked on a college application video. He informs her of his interview with an alum from Northwestern during his free period. He says the rumors about Mr. South (Peter New) murdering Maddie for money is a major distraction. He admits to being Mr. South is innocent. Nicole says it was upsetting for Sandra Nears (Maria Dizzia). Looking concerned, he questions if Madeline “Maddie” Nears (Peyton List) knew she took all the photos. She admits to also taking a lot of him but he isn’t photogenic like Maddie. He describes her portfolio as “intense.”

Mr. Martin (Josh Zuckerman) explains what it’s like to be a juror. Charley (Nick Pugliese) asks Maddie if she ever made Mr. South irate. She says no. Wally Clark (Milo Manheim) tells Martin that none of them are interested in repeating last year’s boring mock trial. She says even though Mr. South is innocent, he may be charged with her murder. Martin assures her that the dead have no influence over the living. Wally tells Maddie about a library book that explains how to utilize sensory triggers to retrieve a memory.

Nicole disintegrates Maddie’s photos.

Sandra walks into Maddie’s bedroom to find the window and desk drawer open.

Wally gives Maddie a taco to see if it triggers her memory. When it doesn’t work, After asking what is the last song she remembers, Rhonda (Sarah Yarkin) says “He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons.

Simon says anyone could have taken the murder weapon, a crowbar, from the school. Xavier Baxter (Spencer Macpherson) suggests that is enough for Sheriff Baxter (Ian Tracey) to charge Mr. South. Claire Zahler (Rainbow Wedell) says it’s important for Sheriff Baxter to be the “hero who catches the villain.” Simon assures her that Mr. South is an easy target, not a villain. Xavier informs them of Mr. South being his alibi, he was in the boy’s restroom while he was trying to crack Maddie’s phone passcode. Claire asks if he is positive Mr. South spent the entire 8^th period there. He claims to have heard Mr. South whistling the “Titanic” theme song.” Simon asks if Sheriff Baxter knows. Xavier warns no one can stop his father from pushing Mr. South around. Claire says they need to find out who took the video of her and Mr. Anderson (Patrick Gilmore). Nicole accuses her of not caring about Maddie or Mr. South, only herself.

Simon suggests they try to get into the Evidence Room at the police department. Nicole his idea as “insane.” Xavier and Claire agree to join him while Nicole claims to have a deadline obligation.

Charley suggests hypnosis to jog Maddie’s memory. Dawn (RaeAnne Boon) warns hypnosis could open Maddie up to a spirit. She claims it happened to a friend during a Jethro Tull concern before recommending an anti-séance.

Nicole tries to rush a pencil-neck freshman (Lucas Noon) off a computer. Mr. Balkin (Mark Chavez) tells her to log her name and check back during lunch.

Northwestern University alum, Zeva (Sunita Prasad) interviews Simon. He says it was his and Maddie’s dream to go to Northwestern. She suggests it would be a relief to leave Split River High when Maddie enters the room. She asks about his proudest achievement. He questions if he has one. Maddie reminds him of his achievements. Rushing out of the room, he arrives at the parking lot as Claire busts out her car window. Xavier says she will file a police report alleging someone is harassing her at school while they are at the station. She adds that it can’t be Mr. South because he is banned from campus.

Red Pin County Sheriff’s Station – Simon and Xavier sneak into the police station while Sheriff Baxter takes Claire’s statement. He asks if she believes the threat is credible. She tells him that she may be the killer’s next target. A female officer says Sandra believes her home has been broken into. Claire suggests it’s the same person who vandalized her vehicle.

Simon suggests the boot print in the woods could be important. Xavier claims Nicole found it after they split up. Simon says the boot print doesn’t belong to Maddie.\

Nicole threatens the freshman away from the computer. She asks Balkin if there are backups of the files that have been scrubbed from the hard drive. He says the computer has a three-minute auto-save so the data is never truly erased. She mutters, “Oh, God.”

Simon informs Maddie the print belonged to a Doc Martens boot when hers were a knockoff. Upset over his incompetent interview, she says who cares. He suggests someone staged it to look like she fled into the woods. He reminds her of Northwestern being their plan before asking what is the point. She tells him that he needs to keep on living. He asks if they can discuss Nicole’s strange behavior. She says Nicole is grieving. He says it could be guilt.

In a flashback, Simon explains his plan to frighten people with his Jason Voorhees mask. He tells Nicole that she is under no obligation to go. She reminds him of what he said about “The Final Chapter” being the best sequel to “Friday the 13^th.” He says she isn’t a fan of horror movies. She admits to liking “Scream.” Maddie claims she closed her eyes when the movie began. Simon assures her that it isn’t necessary to mimic Maddie’s behavior. Maddie tells her to admit it. Nicole curses them before calling herself a “copycat loser.” Back to the present, Maddie assures him that Nicole let it go. He says she could be bottling it up. She warns if he is wrong, Nicole will never forgive him.

After paying for her items, Sandra turns to leave when she overhears the clerk saying everyone knows her. She looks out the door to see Mr. South pumping gas. He denies harming Maddie. She nearly runs over him when leaving the parking.

Martin asks Rhonda if her way of watching over Maddie is indulging her. She admits to relating to Maddie. He questions if she is ready to cross over. Dawn, leads the anti-séance.

Claire and Xavier find the janitor’s schedule when Simon approaches. She says the cheerleaders and AV crew, including Nicole when the video was shot.

Going back to May 17, 1972, Dawn explains what happened that led up to her death. In a flashback, she accidentally knocks over a cup of soda onto an electric outlet. Stepping on top of the wet outlet, she grabs a light bulb and is electrocuted. Back to the present, she says her friends should have died, not her.

Nicole skips class. Ms. Fields (Kalyn Miles) admits to Simon that she believes Mr. South is innocent. He agrees with her. He tells Maddie that Nicole probably took the blackmail video and sent it to Anderson. He suggests Nicole got his phone number from her phone. After professing to love her, he says Northwestern no longer matters. He questions if she will cross over after the murder is solved. She reminds him of his graduation in June.

Sheriff Baxter accuses Xavier of tampering with evidence at the police station. Claire listens from a short distance away. Xavier denies the allegations. Sheriff Baxter threatens to tell everyone that he is a loser if he tries to make him look like an incompetent parent. She confronts him about calling Xavier a loser which he isn’t.

Anxious, Nicole deletes the blackmail video when Simon approaches. He accuses her of staging the boot print to protect herself. She admits to blackmailing Anderson to get money to move to Chicago so they could still be together. She claims her portfolio was rejected for a scholarship. She denies harming Maddie. He suggests handing the blackmail over to the police so Mr. South can be released. Sandra stuffs what looks like a yellow envelope with money in a drawer. Simon asks if they need a shovel. Nicole says there is one in her trunk. Dawn apologizes to Maddie for not being able to help her.

Wally, Rhonda, and Charley look for Maddie. Charley questions why Dawn isn’t in her usual place when the lights flicker. They suggest she crossed over.

Nicole digs but finds the hole is empty. Simon asks her if someone followed her when she left the dance. She reminds him of her going to Sandra’s house. He questions if she followed her. In a flashback, Maddie and Sandra are having a verbal disagreement. Back to the present, Maddie tries to warn Nicole and Simon of someone behind them. When they hear a crackling noise, Simon grabs the shovel before running into the woods. Wally, Rhonda, and Charley join her by the fence. She tells them that Sandra probably killed her when the episode ends.

 

School Spirits Review

Simon becomes suspicious of Nicole when he sees her portfolio of Maddie’s photos. He partners with Xavier to search the evidence room at the police station while Claire creates a diversion. It turns out the boot print from the woods is a Doc Martens brand. Nicole later burns Maddie’s photos.

Sandra reports a potential break-in at her home.

Xavier and Claire are concerned that Sheriff Baxter will charge Mr. South with Maddie’s murder. Simon and Ms. Fields also believe he is innocent.

During an anti-séance, Dawn relives her death. She apologises to Maddie for not helping jog her memory before crossing over.

Maddie is disappointed when Simon falters during his Northwestern University interview. He feels there is no point since she won’t be going with him. After professing to love Maddie, he questions if she will cross over after her murder is solved.

Nicole’s portfolio is not good enough for a college scholarship. Maddie and Simon are going to Northwestern in Chicago. She blackmails Mr. Anderson to cover her relocation expenses. When Simon discovers her secret, she agrees to turn the money over to the police so Mr. South will walk free. They go to the woods but find the money is missing. Sandra appears to hide the money in a drawer. Believing someone is nearby, Simon runs deeper into the woods.

After a short flashback, Maddie begins to question if her killer is Sandra.

The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more School Spirits recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Learn more about our onsite advertising by reaching out to our customer support.