In the latest episode of Castle Rock, the narrative threads of Salem's Lot and Misery finally collide in a thrilling episode that provides crucial insights into the events unfolding in Castle Rock. Although Annie plays a minimal role in this week's installment, the exploration of her past and its implications on her fate at Marsten House is intriguingly compelling, setting up a thrilling cliffhanger for next week's episode.
The story begins in New Jerusalem in 1619, as a woman named Amity rises in church and proclaims the place to be cursed. As she pleads with the others to testify, she suddenly collapses to the ground, seizing as if possessed. Tied up in a room alone, the villagers ponder their course of action before deciding to cast her and her lover out of the village, banishing them from its confines.
Alone in the woods, Amity seems to be called to the cliff's edge, where she turns to see a hooded figure standing before her during sunrise. This scene from the past brings us back to the present day as we see Ace gazing at a picture on the wall depicting that very same moment. However, it is revealed that the man from the past is the one possessing him now.
On the 400th anniversary of Castle Rock, the town prepares for a grand celebration while Annie confesses the truth to the police. They interrogate her about the pills before allowing her and Joy to spend time together, but this respite is short-lived as they are taken down to the station by the police. Meanwhile, Pop ventures into Shawshank and after a few teasing glimpses of a grim cellblock reminiscent of The Kid's cell from the first season, learns that Ace tried to bribe the guards to gain access.
Desperate for answers, Ace heads up to Marsten House but finds only a cold and unyielding Ace surrounded by possessed townsfolk who urge him to leave. Instead, he seeks Abdi and warns him about Ace's possession. These warnings are indeed justified as Pop enlightens Marsten House on "The Vessel" – and that vessel is none other than Annie, whose body seems destined to be used to bring Amity back from beyond.
As we journey back in time, we witness the gory ritual firsthand, as Amity says her final goodbyes to her lover, promising to return in 400 years. The town immediately erupts into celebrations as we return to the present, while Abdi ventures off alone to Marsten House. Emerging from the woods, he is met with a macabre sight – three upside-down burning crosses, their flaming remains creating ominous clouds of smoke that curl into the air. Staggering back in shock, we cut to the town's festivities as Ace unveils a gift to the town: the prophetic statue from the past. It entrances the town, while Pop has his back turned, and the townsfolk watch in silence, drawn to its sinister presence.
As the episode draws to a close, Ace addresses the crowd, telling them that this story begins and ends in Castle Rock. While not everyone will be thrilled with the direction the show is taking, personally, I've loved how Castle Rock has taken its time to build up to this moment. The revelation of what's truly happening at Marsten House spells serious trouble for Annie going forward and sheds light on why Ace has been so interested in her over the past few episodes. The future holds many uncertainties for her, and I imagine Pop and Joy will play a pivotal role in the upcoming finale, but Abdi's fate remains uncertain.
The outcome of this episode is anyone's guess, but for now, Castle Rock bows out with another strong episode that certainly leaves things wide open for the story ahead.
