Episode 10 of "Goosebumps" unfolds with an intense scene, placing Kandu squarely in the heart of a war-torn battlefield. A sudden bullet pierces his stomach, and he collapses, blood spilling onto the ground. Just as the situation seems hopeless, an explosion tears through the air, catapulting him into a mysterious underground cave temple. Inside, as his eyes scan the enigmatic inscriptions adorning the temple walls, a miraculous transformation occurs; his wounds begin to mend, healing at an unnatural speed.
Skipping ahead to the year 1885, Kandu steps into the vibrant atmosphere of a carnival, eventually finding his way to the tent of a puppeteer named Mahar. Mahar's eyes widen in recognition; he sees none other than Kandu, the renowned magician, standing before him. To demonstrate that his talents transcend mere illusion, Kandu animates a doll, convincing Mahar of his genuine powers.
Realizing the carnival's lackluster appeal, Kandu offers to rejuvenate it, provided Mahar constructs something special for him in return. Mahar, intrigued and desperate for a change, agrees to the deal. A year flies by, and as Mahar ventures into Kandu's tent, he is horrified to find the carnival-goers transformed into lifelike puppets.
Determined to rid himself of Kandu, Mahar sets his sights on the very doll Kandu had previously brought to life. He painstakingly works on the puppet, presenting it to Kandu as a gift on the eve of a critical ritual. Kandu, mesmerized by the puppet's craftsmanship, is unaware of Mahar's sinister intentions until the puppeteer begins to chant the incantation that would turn him into a puppet. Despite Kandu's desperate attempts to stab Mahar, fate is inescapable, and his soul is ensnared within the doll named Slappy.
The scene transitions seamlessly to the present day, where the children awaken from their slumber. Margot's heart races with concern as Lucas fails to return her calls, prompting her to attempt to reach him urgently. Yet, Lucas remains oblivious to her attempts, engrossed in his own world.
Upon arriving home, Lucas is astounded to discover his father standing there, unveiling the secret that he had been part of a witness protection program. Nora gently nudges Lucas to acknowledge and accept the truth, urging him to embrace his long-lost father. As Lucas opens his arms for a heartfelt hug, a sinister twist unfolds – Kandu intervenes, transforming Lucas into a lifelike puppet before their very eyes.
In search of Kandu, the children venture to Port Lawrence and make their way to their respective homes. James nudges Isaiah to confront Margot, and with trepidation, Isaiah approaches her, their fingers briefly intertwining. After a moment of hesitation, he pours out his feelings for her, while she gently encourages him to open up his heart.
Back at home, Isaiah receives an exhilarating offer from a scout at the University of Washington, a full scholarship awaiting his signature. Yet, as he scrutinizes the documents, a peculiar sensation strikes him, causing him to abruptly backtrack.
Elsewhere, James spots Sam with a tantalizing prom poster, inviting him to share a dance. Margot's joy knows no bounds when she catches sight of her parents reunited, but Isaiah's swift intervention halts her embrace, revealing the bitter truth of their deception. The children, driven by urgency, pile into their car and speed towards Lucas' house, only to witness him pedaling away on his bike.
A thrilling chase unfolds, culminating in Lucas' halt, where he reveals his puppeteered plight. The kids are abruptly pulled out of their vehicle by their parents and whisked away to a tent, where Mr. Bratt awaits. With a confession that shakes them to their core, Mr. Bratt admits to having unleashed Slappy and revived Kandu from the depths of oblivion.
What lies at the heart of Kandu's rituals? As he arrives, Kandu unveils the tapestry of his creative genesis, delving into the depths of his philosophy and the rationale behind the grim edifice of the human sacrifice tower, his ultimate aim being to ignite it with a thousand souls trapped within. The children, conscientiously opposed to his sinister doctrine, strike back in defiance. In retaliation, Kandu commands his忠诚之犬 to eliminate them, dismissing their demises as mere casualties, not sacred sacrifices. Just then, Fifi intervenes, but her bravery is cut short by Mr. Bratt's brutal dagger thrust.
The kids devise a daring plan to thwart Kandu's nefarious scheme by reviving Mahar. Alas, their hopes are dashed when Mahar, instead of aiding them, assists Kandu in igniting the towering inferno. However, this revelation is a mere ruse on Kandu's part, and he is soon revealed to be a mere puppet, ensnared by his own tricks. Yet, Kandu's puppetry is fleeting, as he exposes the spell's inefficacy against him. Isaiah, desperate, threatens to incinerate Kandu's tome, but the sorcerer reveals he has committed the entire journal to memory. With a flick of his wrist, fiery tendrils coil around the kids, entrapping them in a searing embrace.
Quick-thinking Isaiah wields the journal like a blade, severing the fiery vines and handing it to Margot to decipher the reversing spell. He engages Kandu in a fierce grapple, preventing him from igniting the tower anew. Margot, under intense pressure, locates the spell and casts it, undoing Mahar's resurrection and breaking Kandu's dark hold.
Suddenly, from the earth's depths, a contingent of soldiers emerges, dragging Kandu into their midst. In the tumultuous struggle, Kandu lunges for his gun, aiming to strike Margot, but Isaiah, selflessly, intercepts the fatal bullet.
Does Isaiah meet his demise? In the sterile confines of the hospital, the doctors grapple with uncertainty regarding Isaiah's fate. Margot, driven by deep-seated emotions, strides into his ICU, her heartfelt declarations of affection and an unwavering resolve to be by his side echoing through the clinical atmosphere. With determination, she casts the identical spell that once saved Kandu from the brink of death, hoping for a miracle for Isaiah. To everyone's relief, Isaiah begins to mend, slowly but surely, and eventually sits up, a beacon of hope amidst the despair.
As for Kandu, does he still breathe? Intriguingly, Mr. Bratt catches a fleeting glimpse of Kandu's reflection in a mirror at the conclusion of Episode 10 of Goosebumps, leaving a tantalizing hint at the enigmatic character's possible survival.
