Episode 3 of Fallen delves ever deeper into the labyrinthine world of Willow Creek Institute, peeling back yet another veil of mystery shrouding the enigmatic experiences of its inhabitants. The episode dawns with Luce and Daniel emerging from slumber, each burdened by haunting memories of the fateful night the photograph was captured.
Luce, the relentless sleuth, confronts Nurse Ryan with a steely resolve, probing for any alterations in her medication regimen. Concurrently, Arriane embarks on a therapeutic journey with Dr. Howson, grappling with her relapse and embarking on a butterfly exercise, a symbolic distraction from her tumultuous thoughts.
Over breakfast, Luce and Daniel exchange fragments of their nightmarish recollections, both convinced that Luce met her demise on that ill-fated evening. As Luce alludes to shifts in her memories of her encounter with Cam, Daniel's mind swiftly aligns these discrepancies with Cassie's whispered suspicions about Dr. Howson or the potentially nefarious effects of the medication.
Luce, fueled by a desperate hope to expose Dr. Howson's machinations, seeks the wisdom of Ms. Sophia Miriam. Sophia, a font of knowledge, divulges the pervasive phenomenon of distorted memories, a testament to the limitations of our senses amidst the boundless expanse of the human mind. Empowered by Sophia's profound insights, Luce resolves to confront Dr. Howson head-on, confronting her trust issues and the labyrinthine maze of her memory.
However, their impending confrontation is abruptly halted by the shattering news of Cassie's untimely demise. Seizing this unexpected opening, Luce embarks on a covert search of Dr. Howson's desk, uncovering a trove of photographs, their implications eerily entwined with Cassie's fate. Driven by a relentless quest for truth, Luce confides in Daniel, sharing her discoveries with a mix of urgency and vulnerability. Daniel, in turn, reveals the intricate arrangement he had with Cassie and his mounting concern over her mysterious disappearance, the two forming an unbreakable bond in their shared quest for answers.
The residents embark on an exhilarating trek towards the serene lake, where Luce and Daniel engage in a profound dialogue, their voices mingling with the gentle lapping of waves as he shares his passion for sketching. Empowered by Arriane's gentle nudge, Luce musters the courage to confront her fear of drowning, boldly accepting Daniel's steadying hand as she leaps from a swaying rope swing into the embrace of the water.
Yet, their exhilaration is swiftly shattered by an encounter so chilling it borders on the realm of nightmares: a half-human abomination that threatens to consume Luce in its depths. In a selfless act that defies reason, Daniel plunges into danger, risking his own life to rescue her from the clutches of the monstrosity.
Back at the institute, Luce and Daniel are ushered to the medical center for a thorough assessment, their minds reeling from the ordeal. Meanwhile, Gabbe, desperation etched on her face, divulges to Howson the troubling truth about Roland's clandestine sale of the phone to Luce. To Gabbe's surprise, Howson, seemingly unfazed by the laptop imbroglio, grants her a reprieve, reinstating her medical training.
Sophia, however, whispers a haunting prophecy that sends shivers down their spines: a horde of lake creatures, their numbers counted in the thousands, stalking the very grounds they tread upon. As they undergo examination, Daniel's intuition leads them to a potential clue—the photographs Luce discovered, possibly hidden behind one of the institute's enigmatic doors.
Luce, driven by an unwavering determination, delves into the mystery, only to uncover a devastating sight: Cassie's lifeless form, a grim reminder of the evil lurking within Willow Creek's walls.
The episode culminates in a terrifying vision that engulfs Luce, the specter of the beast that claimed Cassie's life now stalking her in her dreams. As the veil of secrecy continues to unravel, exposing darker truths with each passing moment, Luce and Daniel find themselves ensnared in a web of horror, grappling with the terrifying reality of Willow Creek Institute.
