S1E2 — "The Way Things Are Now"

Air date: February 20, 2022 · Writer: John Griffin · Director: Jack Bender

Synopsis

The group barely reaches Colony House, where its leader, Donna Raines, lets them in just as the figures close in on the porch. Following the community's protocol for newcomers, Tabitha, Julie, and the unconscious Jade are separated from the others and confined for their own safety until the town can be sure of them. At the RV, Boyd, Kristi, and Jim keep watch through the night and manage to stabilize Ethan's leg while the creatures gather outside the vehicle, circling slowly and deliberately.

Boyd and Donna explain the town's situation to the newcomers: the town is sealed within forests inhabited by intelligent, monstrous creatures that emerge at night to hunt and kill, and every resident is a person who became stranded there — including Victor Kavanaugh, who has survived longer than anyone. Boyd reveals that talismans placed inside enclosed spaces protect those within, and that survival depends on strict rules: be inside by dark, never open a door once night falls, and trust the talismans to keep the creatures out.

At the clinic, Sara Myers, influenced by mysterious voices, kills Tobey and opens the clinic door. The creatures enter and kill Kenny's elderly father, Bing-Qian Liu, and his caretaker. By morning, Boyd and Kristi bring Jim and Ethan into town, where Kenny discovers the aftermath and mourns his father. At Colony House, Ethan looks out a window and sees a boy dressed in white standing just beyond the glass.

Key Events

• Donna admits the group to Colony House as the creatures close in.
• Tabitha, Julie, and the unconscious Jade are separated and confined under newcomer protocol.
• Boyd, Kristi, and Jim stabilize Ethan's leg inside the RV while creatures surround it.
• Boyd and Donna explain the creatures, the trapped town, and the talismans; Victor is introduced as the longest survivor.
• Sara, compelled by voices, kills Tobey at the clinic and opens the door.
• The creatures enter and kill Kenny's elderly father and his caretaker.
• In the morning Boyd and Kristi bring Jim and Ethan into town; Kenny finds his father dead.
• Ethan sees the Boy in White outside a window at Colony House.

Characters

• Donna Raines — leader of Colony House.
• Boyd Stevens, Kristi Miller, Jim Matthews, Ethan Matthews — at the RV.
• Tabitha Matthews, Julie Matthews, Jade Herrera, Kenny Liu, Father Khatri, Ellis Stevens — at Colony House.
• Victor Kavanaugh — the longest-surviving resident.
• Sara Myers — hears voices.
• Tobey, Bing-Qian Liu — killed this episode.
• The Boy in White — glimpsed by Ethan.

New Information / Reveals

• The town is sealed off by forests; the creatures are intelligent and hunt at night.
• All residents are stranded travelers; Victor has survived longer than anyone.
• Talismans, hung inside enclosed spaces, keep the creatures out.
• Newcomers are confined separately on their first night for safety.
• Sara hears voices instructing her to kill.

Locations

• Colony House.
• The Matthews' RV.
• The clinic.
• The town streets.

Deaths

• Tobey — killed by Sara at the clinic.
• Bing-Qian Liu and his caretaker — killed by the creatures after the clinic door was opened.

Lore & Mysteries

• The talismans — introduced as the town's only protection.
• The creatures — their behavior and the rules of survival.
• Colony House — its leader and newcomer protocols.
• The voices — Sara's unseen influence.
• The Boy in White — first seen by Ethan.