The fourth episode of "Small Town Big Story" kicks off with Seamus sending a fiery message to Wendy, accusing her of being heartless for allowing others to paint him as a madman. Wendy listens to his message, her lips curling into a knowing smirk. The townsfolk, with the exception of Joanne who stands firm in her belief that her father was telling the truth all along, proceed to tease Seamus mercilessly.
Meanwhile, Brad dials Wendy's number, voicing his apprehensions about casting an unknown in the lead role. Wendy dismisses his concerns with a casual shrug, abruptly ending the call when Shelly strolls by with her dog. Shelly mentions how Seamus never struck her as a liar, prompting Wendy to concede that Shelly should trust her instincts on this matter and admit that Seamus might actually be onto something.
Later in the episode, the reason behind Seamus' assertions becomes all too clear. Shelly's father turns out to be an avid UFO enthusiast, with his walls adorned with pictures, maps, and intricate diagrams detailing his fascination with extraterrestrial life.
Catherine, on the other hand, is mortified by her husband's public meltdown, especially now that her students have taken to drawing aliens and claiming that their homework has been abducted by space beings. To make matters worse, Seamus' business begins to suffer, with patrons showing up solely to ridicule him about his supposed abduction.
Amidst this turmoil, Seamus is unceremoniously removed from the committee, a development that surprisingly brings a smile to his face. Undeterred, Seamus decides to confront the situation head-on, opening up to every patient about his truthful experience, finding a sense of catharsis in doing so.
And oh, did I mention the uncanny similarities to "The Big Prize Door" on AppleTV+? Well, Chris O'Dowd makes an appearance as Jack, a star actor involved in the production. Moreover, the main script undergoes a drastic change, calling for Jimmy to engage in a sexual encounter with his on-screen mother. Incest in a TV production? That was certainly not on my bingo card, but here we are.
Upon returning home, Catherine confronts Seamus with a chill in her voice, labeling him as somewhat eccentric and accusing him of seeking attention. Seamus, however, counters by revealing that he has been physically ill over this ordeal and finds relief in unloading this burden from his chest. Catherine scoffs, branding him a joke, but the situation worsens as he discovers that the Medical Board now wishes to interview him.
Seamus explains that following his alleged abduction by aliens, he has inexplicably acquired the ability to play the trombone, despite never having done so before. While the family finds this strange, jesting about an "intergalactic band camp," it clarifies the reason behind his random trombone playing throughout the episodes.
That night, Seamus shows up at the set and digs his heels in, refusing to budge until he's had a private chat with Wendy. He showcases his newfound talent, but Wendy retorts by revealing a skill of her own – she can speak a foreign language that hasn't been uttered in a millennia! They retire to a secluded spot to discuss their experiences, pondering whether others might be involved. Wendy opens up, apologizing for his sense of isolation but reassuring him that her time away will be brief, and they'll soon resume their usual antics.
