CASTLE ROCK “Past Perfect” (S1E8): Not A Whimper But A Bang

It isn’t easy to come back from your best episode to date (let alone one of TV’s best this year) and level expectations, but “Past Perfect” decides to shift gears once again. While feeling a bit like a preparatory hour designed to give us a push into the final climax, there’s still some good ol’ terror to be had.

Castle Rock might not be the best town for a fresh start. That doesn’t stop our newest set of characters Gordon (Mark Harelik) and Lilith (Lauren Bowles) from trying.

The Castle Rock Historic B&B Is Open For Business

We were introduced to the couple previously when Molly (Melanie Lynskey) showed off the Lacy house, and their intentions become known this week. In the beginning we learn about their past in a hasty but effective way: they’ve moved from Des Moines, Iowa after Gordon was fired from his job when he attacked a colleague who had slept with his wife. This tidbit is especially important because this wound is still quite raw, just the kind of thing a malevolent presence can work with. Infidelity? True Crime fan? Yes please.

Of course, nothing can stay buried for long, and we finally get a glimpse inside warden Lacy’s locked basement. Turns out he was an avid painter of, guess who? The Kid. Now his collection decorates the B&B. This episode does a great job of driving suspense, including using an excellent soundtrack, to keep viewers on their toes.

Meanwhile, Molly senses that Henry (André Holland) needs help and she heads to the woods to find him. After being locked in the camper he’s clearly disoriented, but for once, it seems like he might just be catching on to things. At least, the idea that something is significantly wrong here. Henry running towards danger instead of away is actually refreshing.

There’s a terrific few scenes with Henry when he arrives back at his house to see the aftermath of last week’s “The Queen”. Ruth (Sissy Spacek) quickly tries to make sense of what’s happened, which is harrowing to accommodate, and The Kid (Bill Skarsgård), rushes in to try to help protect Ruth. Wendell (Chosen Jacobs) returns, breaking up the lawyer-client powwow, and unfortunately, we don’t get to see how that conversation would have panned out.

When the police arrive, Henry is asked about Alan Pangborn (Scott Glenn) by his son Wendell. His honest answer shows that Alan meant something to him, even if they weren’t always on the same page. As Henry considers it, Holland gives us a calm and subtle portrayal that bellows with emotion. In a series that has been plentiful with character development, though not particularly this episode, this was one of the most meaningful sequences.

He’s been remarkably astute to the task this season, giving Henry a healthy dose of skepticism and discomfort as he attempts to meander his hometown that doesn’t feel like home. So often we’re stuck in this predicament, unable to leave but desiring something new, and it’s because our roots mean something, they aren’t easy to shake. For Henry, I think Castle Rock has its claws in him deeper than we know, and this week we get the first nod concurring this.

Henry encourages Wendell to leave, but his son isn’t letting the foggy effect that this town seems to have on others settle on him. He knows something is wrong, beyond what he’s seen or heard, from even Ruth herself. On the bus to leave, after another bird takes a torpedo dive into the windshield (always a good sign) he’s rendered by the same sound his father experiences. The Schism. Maybe Wendell is more crucial than we originally thought.

I love that Jerusalem’s Lot gets a brief cameo in this episode, but beware, it is definitely not the safest place to be walking by at night.

Still A lot Left To Say

There are some supporting characters, including the wonderful Jane Levy, who I’ve been hoping will get their due. This episode (and I don’t want to spoil it) gives Jackie Torrence some entertaining sequences, but with Jackie, as well as Wendell, perhaps the best is still yet to come.

One of the most unsettling and simultaneously exciting discoveries this week within “Past Perfect” is with The Kid. He claims to have rescued Henry 27 years ago, and says he’s been waiting for him. Not only that – but he “didn’t ask for anything of this.”

Are things about to be flipped on their head? Perhaps what we perceived about this tall foreboding boy was a misunderstanding. That instant of humanity, where – for the first time this season really – he seemed frightened, makes us question our own ability to gauge evil.

In the final moments, as we learn how much The Kid knows about Molly, we’re given a lingering chill with his last words. What will this mean? I still can’t help but consider the possibility of Ruth being able to change time in some way, and I don’t know if that will have any bearing. What do I know? Castle Rock works to keep you on your heels and encourages significant theorizing. As with everything with this show, more possibilities and impediments arrive this week than vindication.

Directed by Ana Lily Amirpour, the episode is a wonderfully shot horror segment, complete with well executed action and devastation, even if the more delicate character points slogged along. If this week’s mission was to impale, than it succeeded.

Castle Rock‘s “Past Perfect”

While “Past Perfect” doesn’t touch the quality of last week’s submission, there’s a shift in ambiance that suits the bloodbath that ensues. We get a little vacation from the general Castle Rock public with our new pair of characters, which gives us insight into how newcomers fair. An intriguing rift within the information that we’ve been given for our main leads makes things especially curious going forward.

In the end we know that Molly, Henry and The Kid (so amazing that no one still has a name for him) are all huge conduits to Castle Rock’s vestibule of wicked, but how, and in what way do they rank?

With two episodes left, will we get our answers? It has been renewed for a season two, so even if we get a large helping of satisfying morsels, I’ll bet there’s going to be a lot leftover for next year.

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below! I’d love to hear your theories and thoughts!

Castle Rock premieres a new episode every Wednesday on Hulu.