Episode 7 of Grotesquerie kicks off with Merritt and Ed, locked in a love so intense it seems almost palpable. Merritt is poised to shine on a television show titled "Half-Ton Trauma," while Lois, deep in the throes of alcoholism, is a picture of discontent. She stirs up the past, reminiscing about her affair with "Fast Eddie" and brutally her daughter's weight, labeling her a hopeless case. Her wrath doesn't spare Marshall either, as she unleashes a torrent of vitriol upon him.
Eddie, who has had more than enough, decides it's high time Lois sought help at a rehabilitation center. Enraged, Lois storms out, accusing them of gaslighting her. In a fit of rage and under the influence, she gets behind the wheel, littering the road with documents as she speeds off. Her destination: the hospital, where she intends to withdraw life support from Marshall. Nurse Redd, upon discovering her intentions, is struck with disbelief.
Ironically, it's Redd who ultimately performs the grim task of pulling the plug. Lois coldly admits that Marshall's heart belonged to her, not to Lois. As the machines are switched off, Lois remains indifferent, merely toasting to Marshall's love for poetry, his deceit, and his infidelity.
The morning after, Lois awakens with a clarity she hasn't known in years, boasting of having had "the best sleep of her life." She heads to the church, where she delves into Father Charlie's belongings. The newspapers have sensationalized the story, branding Charlie as their killer—a revelation that has long been suspected. This is her chance to uncover the truth.
Lois uncovers a treasure trove of religious symbols scattered around the studio, but more importantly, she discovers compelling evidence. Notes written by Charlie, a scrapbook detailing the murders, sketches, and cut-outs—all pointing to his guilt. And then, a shocking document about someone on life support? The puzzle pieces begin to fit together, painting a picture of darkness and deceit.
Meanwhile, Sister Megan received exhilarating news from the convent. The readership had soared by a whopping 5000%, and she was exhorted to continue serving up "the nourishment that quenches the deepest hungers." As the public voraciously consumed stories laden with fear and shock, she was implicitly instructed to maintain the grotesque tone (their words, not hers) to sustain the newspaper's skyrocketing popularity. In return, Megan was granted full editorial reign over the publication.
Lois returned to the office, greeted with a resounding welcome. With the case solved, the office was abuzz with celebratory drinks and decadent cake. However, the governor's mood was anything but festive. She had no patience for levity and viewed Lois as a potential burden. Amidst a 65% reduction in the force, Lois found herself amongst the unfortunate few who were being dismissed. AI was taking center stage, and her job had vanished into thin air.
That night, Lois continued to drown her sorrows in alcohol, while Sister Megan arrived for dinner. Lois' suspicions turned against Megan, convincing her that she might be more deeply entwined in the dark events than initially perceived. Lois deduced that Megan had been his accomplice throughout, the so-called "twisted sister."
The tension culminated in a violent altercation between Lois and Megan. Despite drenching Megan with a scalding pot of water, Megan retaliated by brandishing a knife and stabbing Lois repeatedly.
Then, inexplicably, the scene reset to the opening moments, but with a twist. This time, Marshall was in Lois' stead, conversing with Ed and Merritt. Ed was no longer the successful individual from earlier; he was a broken, defeated soul working in a mall. Meanwhile, Merritt was literally a medical pioneer, curing cancer and possessing two doctorates. The only glue keeping their marriage intact was Ed's prowess in the bedroom.
However, the purpose of this meeting was far more sinister. It transpired that Ed had been cheating on Merritt with Lois, engaging in a clandestine affair for the past two years. When Marshall uncovered this revelation, he was left utterly stunned.
This time around, we witness Lois as the one trapped in a coma's depths. Marshall arrives to visit her, harshly pointing out that the love they once shared vanished instantly after she shared her bed with their son-in-law. He urges her to let go, his words laden with finality. Marshall then proceeds to consult with the doctor, deciding that the moment to end Lois's life support has arrived.
Marshall subsequently visits Redd, his long-time lover and confidant, who questions his motives behind orchestrating Lois's demise in such a manner. She also confronts him about his incessant lies about leaving Lois and committing to a life with her forever. Disgusted and disillusioned, Redd decides to abandon him, unable to stomach his presence any longer.
As for Sister Megan, in this reality, she holds the esteemed position of police chief, while Charlie is a highly esteemed critical care physician at the hospital. Merritt engages in a heartfelt conversation with her mother, apologizing for never being enough for her. Suddenly, Marshall bursts in, his impatience palpable as he demands an end to Lois's lingering on life support.
Megan and Eddie's arrival further enrages Marshall. Merritt, however, manages to calm her father down and allows them to wait outside the door. As they bid their final farewells, we are transported back to Lois's vision, where she and Megan engage in a fierce, imaginary battle. The scene shifts seamlessly between the two realities, creating a mesmerizing and emotional narrative that ultimately culminates in Lois's peaceful departure, her soul ascending above her hospital bed.
Yet, the echoed voices of panic claim that she is somehow returning. Amazingly, Lois has miraculously recovered from her coma, breathing independently once more. She unleashes a torrent of harsh words at Megan, words that are too graphic to utter, before her eyes flutter open in the hospital room.
