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S1E3 — "Choosing Day"

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

Synopsis

After Jade Herrera wakes up, Donna Raines explains the town's situation, but he dismisses it, convinced the entire town is an elaborate escape room staged by Tobey. Father Khatri later guides Jim Matthews and Tabitha Matthews through the town, showing them the church, the diner, and the houses where residents live, and telling them about "Choosing Day", when newcomers must decide between living in a private house or at Colony House. During the tour he shows them the Box, the town's only punishment: a structure where an offender is locked overnight, stripped of protection, and left exposed to the creatures. That fate is reserved for Frank Pratt, whose negligence led to the deaths of his wife and daughter on the newcomers' first night. Although Boyd Stevens tries to spare him, Frank refuses the mercy and insists on the punishment.

At Choosing Day, the town gathers to hear each newcomer state a choice: the Matthews family selects a private home, while Julie Matthews chooses to live at Colony House. Jade causes a disturbance and is taken to Tobey's grave, then brought by Kenny Liu to stay at his house. The Matthews settle into their new home — the house where the cold open's family was killed — while Julie remains apart from them. That night, Frank is placed in the Box and the creatures kill him.

Key Events

  • Jade wakes and insists the town is an escape room staged by Tobey.
  • Khatri tours Jim and Tabitha through town, explaining Choosing Day and showing them the Box.
  • Frank refuses Boyd's attempt to spare him from the Box.
  • The Matthews choose a private house; Julie chooses Colony House.
  • Jade causes a disturbance and is taken to Tobey's grave, then to Kenny's house.
  • That night, Frank is locked in the Box and killed by the creatures.

Characters

New Information / Reveals

  • Choosing Day: newcomers decide between a private house and communal Colony House life.
  • The Box is the town's only punishment; the condemned spend the night exposed to the creatures.
  • Frank's wife and daughter were the cold-open victims of S1E01; his negligence is blamed for their deaths.
  • Colony House operates communally, with everything shared.

Locations

  • The town (Khatri's tour).
  • The Box.
  • Colony House.
  • The Matthews' new home.
  • Kenny's house.
  • Tobey's grave.

Deaths

  • Frank Pratt — locked in the Box overnight and killed by the creatures.

Lore & Mysteries

  • The Box — the town's punishment mechanism.
  • Colony House — the communal alternative to private homes.
  • The creatures — their role in carrying out the town's only sentence.