Episode 7 of "Fallen" plumbs the depths of the labyrinthine tapestry of deceit woven around Willow Creek Institute, unraveling stunning revelations and breathtaking plot twists. The episode kicks off with Ms. Miriam disclosing to the inhabitants the existence of Sword & Cross, a creation of Dr. Howson and his brother, designed to safeguard them from harm. Despite the Veil's formidable defenses, an elusive Outcast manages to slip through the cracks, transmitting a beacon of hope—or danger—to its kin.
As the dawn breaks, Luce embarks on a jog, her morning routine disrupted by a desperate cry for aid. Amid the trees, she stumbles upon a wounded Penn, who whispers enigmatically about ravens lurking within the fortress's confines. Rushing to fetch help, Luce's return finds only empty air and silence, where Penn once lay. Security footage later betrays a chilling truth: Luce was never accompanied.
Cassie's world shatters as Dr. Howson delivers the ominous news of her impending demise. She lays the blame squarely on his shoulders, accusing him of sibling rivalry gone awry, driven by a relentless desire to triumph at any cost.
Haunted by their pasts, several residents grapple with the truth revealed in their intake files. Roland and Arriane find solace in each other's uncertainty, forging a bond over the mysteries of their origins. Penn, meanwhile, visits her father's grave, the memories of a fateful campfire night flooding her mind with anguish.
Luce receives word of Daniel's miraculous recovery and his heartbreaking decision to let Dr. Howson erase their love from his memory, convinced that their reunion spells doom for her. Yet, Luce stands firm in her conviction, determined to choose her own path.
Cam sheds light on his long-held secret of the Outcasts, justifying his silence with the knowledge that his revelations would have fallen on deaf ears, or worse, erased by Howson's manipulative hand. He also unveils the institute's clandestine training, preparing them for an inevitable confrontation with their shadowy foes.
Ms. Sophia approaches Howson with trepidation, voicing her concerns over Luce's harrowing encounter. Penn, fueled by a newfound determination, shares with Luce her discovery of Edward's glasses and the incriminating footage, but fear immobilizes her from pursuing justice alone. As they delve into Luce's prophetic vision, Penn confesses her avoidance of the keep since Edward's tragic passing, leaving both women weighed down by secrets and the specter of the unknown.
Luce confronts Howson head-on, their dialogue weaving through the tapestry of mortality, the intricate web of connections, and the relentless grip of traumatic memories that refuse to fade. Meanwhile, Penn embarks on a journey to the keep, where visions of Edward intertwine with the discovery of cherished family photographs and a poignant letter. Her solitude is briefly shattered by Tasha's intrusion, but Penn later entrusts Luce with her findings, unraveling the truth about her parentage and Edward's unflinching criticism of the institute's handling of its residents.
Despite Luce's urging, Penn hesitates to confront Tasha, weighed down by the necessity of repairs and the urgency of the horses' return to their stables. Daniel, granted a reprieve from labor due to his recent health scare, seeks solace with Cassie, broaching the delicate subject of her impending demise.
Penn's confrontation with Tasha is cut short by Penn's abrupt departure, frustration boiling over into anger at unanswered queries. Luce, seething with resentment towards Cam's deceit, acquiesces to a horseback ride, only to tumble off unscathed. Cam, undeterred, bares his soul, professing his belief in their predetermined fate.
Penn prepares to depart the confines of the facility, yet Luce's persuasive words convince her to stay, painting a portrait of possibility and answers lurking within the institute's walls. Luce offers to safekeep Edward's letter, and Penn, after a moment's contemplation, accepts, asking for a few days' grace before her departure.
Returning to her quarters, Luce is unexpectedly visited by Arriane, who offers a heartfelt apology for her thievery and expresses a yearning to be an integral part of Luce's life. Luce, embracing this newfound connection, shares the letter with Arriane. As they delve into its contents, Penn arrives at the keep, her path crossing with Ms. Sophia's. A tender embrace, meant to be a farewell, is shattered by Sophia's sudden strike, a dagger piercing Penn's heart as she apologizes, her actions fueled by a twisted desire to fulfill an ancient prophecy.
The episode draws to a harrowing close, with Luce and Arriane confined within their room, forced to bear witness to Penn's life slowly slipping away.
