Episode 10 of "Before" concludes its dramatic run with Eli and Noah setting off towards the farmhouse in their van. Jane's urgent voice crackles through the radio, imploring Eli to turn back, warning him that kidnapping a child paints a grim picture. But Eli, steadfast in his conviction, believes that "radical exposure therapy" is the sole answer to their woes, and proceeds with his plan regardless.
Arriving at the farmhouse, Noah appears fully recovered, no longer incapacitated. He reveals to Eli that something sinister transpired here in the past, "when he was still a little girl." The two cling to each other's hands and venture inside.
What, then, is the link to that little girl?
As they cross the threshold, Noah suddenly shrieks "no" repeatedly and hides in a shadowy corner. Eli turns around just in time to see Noah dart off. Despite the cabin's modest size, Eli eventually loses sight of him. A dripping faucet catches Eli's attention as he glances over and exits through the front door. To his astonishment, he finds himself outdoors, confronted by a little girl who seems to have taken possession of Noah.
Eli recognizes the surroundings and dashes towards a nearby lake. At the lakeside, visions of a youthful Lynn, a younger Eli, and the little girl flood his mind. Noah stumbles upon a bees' nest and, after prodding it with a stick, flees onto perilously thin ice. The ice cracks under him, and he plunges into the icy depths, resulting in the tragic death of the little girl.
How will Eli rescue Noah?
The only solution, Eli realizes, is to recreate the past scenario. Without hesitation, he plunges into the water with Noah. As they descend, flashbacks to Lynn's final moments unfold. She has surrendered to her fate and desires to let go. Ignoring her wishes, Eli rushes out to fetch her some soup. Upon his return, he discovers Lynn in the bathtub, refusing any assistance, including an ambulance. Eli is torn between despair and determination.
Lynn urges Eli to help her in the only way possible – by pressing down on her chest, allowing her to drown beneath the water's surface.
Returning to the present, Eli hauls Noah out of the water and performs CPR. Miraculously, Noah is revived and, even more astonishingly, the haunting presence has vanished. Why? Because it was all about Eli, never Noah. Eli expresses his pride in Noah just as the police arrive on the scene.
How does "Before" ultimately conclude? Denise is joyfully reunited with Noah, and the duo embarks on their journey back home, while Eli, who ought to have faced the consequences of his despicable act of kidnapping a child, is merely apprehended and set on a path of psychiatric rehabilitation. Yet, astonishingly, rather than serving time, he returns to his family home to undergo treatment. He reveals that the bond he shared with Sophie was an extremely intensified manifestation of his delusions.
Noah gradually improves, whereas Eli grapples with his own demons during therapy, uttering all the right phrases in sessions. However, a lingering unease persists; despite his progress, he is still not entirely himself. His perception is distorted, imagining worms crawling beneath his skin, compelling him to almost resorts to drastic measures, such as slicing open his forehead to rid himself of this imaginary infestation. Fortunately, his strong and burgeoning connection with Sophie acts as a restraint, preventing him from self-harm. In the end, despite the tumultuous events, everyone achieves a semblance of a happy conclusion.
