In the fifth installment of Apple TV+'s gripping psychological thriller "Before," entitled "Folie à Deux," the narrative takes a chilling pivot, blurring the boundaries between reality and illusion even further. The episodes unfold with an eerie prologue, where Noah, a The youthful lad shrouded in mystery, begins to perceive worms wriggling beneath his flesh—a harrowing hallucination that he inadvertently conveys to another child, inciting her to flee in absolute terror. This harrowing incident sets the stage for an episode that plunges into the depths of a collective psychosis that appears to be enveloping not merely Noah, but also those in his vicinity.
Eli, a child psychiatrist battling his own inner demons, persists in his quest to unravel the enigmas surrounding Noah's past. His investigation draws him to the hospital, where he encounters a cancer patient who seemingly recurs in his visions like a haunting figure. The surreal elevator scene, with its incongruent playback of "What a Wonderful World," casts an eerie glow over the sterile atmosphere of the hospital, hinting at the tumultuous chaos lurking beneath the surface.
As Eli engages in a profound conversation with Noah, he presents a photograph of a farmhouse, evoking a startling reaction from Noah upon glimpsing the initials "B.W." inscribed on the reverse. This revelation prompts a comparison of a series of sketches, with Noah asserting that one of the children depicted in the drawing is himself, and the other, Eli, suggesting an enigmatic connection between them that remains shrouded in mystery.
The episode takes a dramatic plunge when Noah's condition plummets, prompting a hasty transfer to the neuro ward. In a moment that sends shivers down one's spine, every child in Noah's proximity plummets into unconsciousness, hinting that Noah may wield a strange, ominous power to inflict harm upon others, or perhaps he is inducing mass psychosis through his seizures. This harrowing event compels Eli to confront the harrowing possibility that Noah's incessant repetition of the word "worms" serves as a psychological trigger for the children's symptoms, plunging them into a realm of terror and confusion.
Eli's relentless pursuit of answers draws him to embrace the notion of a "conversion disorder," a perplexing condition where psychological disturbances translate into tangible physical symptoms. With Doctor Jane's steadfast support, Eli is granted the opportunity to delve deeper into this hypothesis. However, the child psych ward's turmoil escalates, plunging Eli into the depths of uncertainty as he undergoes tests for a potential infectious disease, further amplifying the already tense atmosphere.
Back at home, Eli's quest for understanding remains unyielding as he meticulously examines Noah and Lynn's sketches, searching for hidden clues that might unravel the mystery. His weariness eventually takes over, leading him to a much-needed nap, only to be abruptly awakened by Cleo, his wife's sister. Together, they ponder over the possibility that Lynn's sketch might be the catalyst behind Noah's peculiar condition. Their quest for rough sketches ultimately leads them to the name Benjamin Walker, Lynn's ex, and a connection between him and the farmhouse begins to materialize.
The episode crescendos in a chilling climax as Eli, fueled by his obsession, phantom-like, extracts an imaginary worm from Noah's head, realizing in a heart-wrenching flash that it was all a figment of his imagination, and he has inadvertently harmed Noah for no valid reason. This moment of stark realization strikes Eli like a thunderbolt, causing him to faint from the overwhelming shock of his own actions.
"Folie à Deux" stands as a pivotal episode, delving into the abyss of collective delusions and showcasing the astonishing fragility of the human mind. It provokes poignant questions about the essence of reality and the immense power of suggestion. As the series unfolds, the audience is left in a state of suspended anticipation, pondering whether Eli and Noah are entangled in a psychic labyrinth that distorts their perception of the world, or if a darker, more sinister truth lies beneath the surface.
The episode concludes on a haunting note of ambiguity, with Eli's mental stability hanging in the balance and the truth behind Noah's condition remaining as elusive as ever. As we reach the midpoint of the season, the show's enigmatic narrative continues to unwind, gripping viewers to the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting answers that may very well be shrouded in the mist of illusion.
