From S01E04 is the fourth instalment of the first season of an American science fiction-horror television series created and written by John Griffin and executive produced by the Russo brothers. The premise – a seemingly normal middle American town is actually a nightmarish trap which keeps unwilling residents captive. But worse than that, at night murderous monsters roam the town and are only kept at bay if residents stay indoors and are protected by strange artefacts. Staying alive and searching for a way out occupy the minds of these unfortunate victims.
S P O I L E R S
Mystery Box
Entitled “A Rock and a Farway”, From S01E04 – while giving us more information about the Matthews family – provides precious little with regards to the mystery behind this lost small town. In a series of flashbacks, we get the back story of Victor – the creepy gentleman who befriends Ethan – as we discover that Victor is the longest surviving resident and latches onto Ethan because they both can see the boy in white – a ghost that haunts the town. We are also introduced to a “Farway Tree”, which appears to be a portal, perhaps a means of escape?
Unhappy Family
As mentioned, the main exposition found in From S01E04 is about the Matthews family. The parents Jim and Tabitha are on the verge of divorce, precipitated by the death of their youngest child Thomas. This explains why daughter Julie was eager to move into the Colony House and away from her parents. As she admonishes her mother later about bringing up the subject of family – it’s clear that Julie does not value her familial ties and settles into the Colony House. An excellent vehicle to inject tension and drama while allowing the audience to identify with the plight of this family.
Sara’s Terrible Secret
The seemingly friendly waitress at the only diner in town was of course, responsible for the grisly deaths in the previous episodes. Apparently, Sara is in contact with an malevolent entity that forces her to do its bidding but this time, maybe what is required may be even too much for Sara. Hopefully, we get a better understanding of who or what is communicating with Sara sooner than later.
What’s Goin’ On?
From S01E04 does reveal a little more but surely not close enough. More exposition will be required in the next couple of episodes to ensure that perplexed viewers do not simply tune out.
READ OUR REVIEW OF FROM S01E01 – S01E03.
Now streaming on EPIX.
… still there’s more …