With the veil lifted from the game and just one remaining Clara-centric mystery to unravel, Dispatches From Elsewhere returns for a character-driven episode that delves deeper into the impact on our four protagonists than ever before. While the drama itself is compelling enough to keep you engaged until the end, this week's episode feels like it's missing a key component without the elaborate clues and mystery to encapsulate it.
As the architect, Lee (played by a mysterious figure whose identity is finally revealed to be Janice's ally), turns up for the fifth time in the series, we follow her as she takes on a myriad of challenges as part of the project. Despite feeling overwhelmed, a single note in her pocket reads "redemption," foreshadowing the reason behind her involvement.
From a distance, Lee observes the different candidates as they watch the Octavio induction video. While most doubt the validity of the entire concept, Peter's emotional reaction causes her to sit up straight and pay closer attention.
As we journey through time, we see most of the big moments from behind the scenes, with the little girl at the apartment serving as a happy coincidence and an original audience plant replaced by Janice at the last minute.
With knowledge that the foursome is on their way to Lee's house after uncovering the truth about the game, Lee sabotages the apartment and makes it look like a break-in – bemoaning her luck that she can't savor this experiment.
As our four main characters follow the address given to Janice and piece together the final clues, Simone discovers paperwork confirming that Clara sold her company to Lee and then died six months later. The moment serves as a chilling reminder of the impact the game has had on all involved.
As they sit and converse, they come to a poignant realization that the entire game was crafted as a heartfelt tribute to Clara. Ironically, in their quest for the truth, they find themselves on the brink of undoing all the meticulous work that went into setting up the game. At the diner, the waitress's confirmation of this revelation is a mere breath of exposition, a simple delivery of the tale in plain English.
But as Janice answers a phone call and races off, Fredwynn follows suit. Meanwhile, Simone and Peter embark on a date, where they delve deeper into each other's lives. However, things take a turn when Peter reverts into his shell once again, his inability to make simple decisions causing Simone to walk away from him. She tells him that they're not on the same wavelength yet and he needs time to figure out who he truly is.
We then take a step back in time to see Janice heading to the hospital where Lev happens to be in dire straits. Fredwynn arrives and checks on Janice before sitting with Lev. Janice continues to be haunted by her younger self but makes a bold decision, realizing she needs to let Lev go as she has her own life to live and needs to do it without his ghost hanging over her.
It's a sad moment that leads us to the funeral, which the group attends. It's here that Fredwynn presents the game files and hands them over as a gesture of kindness. As the team heads back home, they attempt to return to normalcy but realize they need each other more than ever. Fredwynn in particular struggles to let go of his own lingering issues surrounding Clara and as he delves deeper into the Emerson address and the urn supposedly holding Clara's ashes, he opens the lid to find only sweets. This mystery is far from over.
What happened to Clara? Is she still alive? And are the guys still playing the game? This final mystery opens up a world of questions but without the clues being followed and the team working together this week, their return to normalcy is dramatic and emotional but lacks the punch needed to truly sell some of these big moments.
The beginning reveals with Lee are a welcome touch, and with a few more episodes to go, we should have a clearer picture of whether this journey has been worth taking over all these weeks. In the meantime, the stage is set for a dramatic penultimate episode filled with intrigue, mystery, and heart-wrenching emotions.
