A rugged individual, adorned with a flowing beard, engages in a telephone conversation amidst the serene setting of fly fishing. Isn't this supposed to be a time of tranquil reflection? Suddenly, he hooks and reels in an unexpected catch—a cumbersome toolbox, within which resides a stuffed elephant, its eyes ominously crossed out. Plunging to the ground, he seemingly rises anew, transformed into an individual who holds a profound appreciation for the wonders of nature. This metamorphosis, However, serves as a veiled revenge against Carl, who he now sets his sights on departure. With the stuffed toy in hand, he begins his, resolved in his purpose.
Meanwhile, Lomax speeds towards a location where Luke and Susan are entangled in a delicate situation at a haunted couple's abode. Haunting them is a vengeful spectral wife, eager to reunite with her deceased spouse. Rather than descending the stairs with dignity, she plummets through the fireplace, advancing towards the terrified duo with an eerie, twisted gait reminiscent of the horror from "The Ring".
Luke, crouching on all fours, confronts this ghostly apparition, demanding to know her identity and her desires. She reveals herself as the Cheevers' once-loyal housekeeper, who was subjected to harsh conditions by her employers. Susan chimes in, sharing the grotesque tale of how the Cheevers, upon discovering her pregnancy, cruelly imprisoned her alive within the chimney, where she met her fiery demise. Now, she seeks justice, desiring nothing less than for the Cheevers to suffer the same fate.
To her satisfaction, Luke informs her of a warehouse fire in 1931 that claimed the life of her husband. He burned once in the inferno, and then again during his cremation. The revelation seems to quench her thirst for vengeance, as she pours his ashes over herself, cackling maniacally before dissolving into nothingness, her vengeful spirit finally at peace.
Lomax remarks, "Fortunately, they refrained from laying the scoundrel to rest." The office is going through an exhaustive turnover of research interns and receptionists alike, who seem to be intent on providing misinformation. They've already cycled through 35 replacements for Zooey, struggling immensely to refill the gaps left by those who've departed. The bearded individual in question is Mr. MacNeill. How does one, inhabiting an alien corpus, manage to navigate their way back to the office? Remarkably, he's not merely content but also proficient with technology. The Carl he was vociferously berating upon his release from confinement? None other than Luke's late father. He displays rudeness towards employee Judy, summarily dismissing her from the room before seeking out Luke. Selling houses? How unsavory.
Elsewhere, another anxious mother inquires about her son, who, influenced by someone named Cowboy Rick exhorting him to ride swiftly, nearly carves grooves into the hardwood floor with his rocking horse in his fervent attempts. As Zooey reappears, her 26th replacement is grappling with a phone call. Zooey has been diligently training all her successors, but her patience is wearing thin.
Meanwhile, Auggie delivers a speech to an indifferent audience. His aspiration is to create things that enrich humanity, not to devise weapons that annihilate unnamed foes.
He ponders whether to unleash the whimsical sock puppets once more to elucidate the matter anew. If he finds their mission so repugnant, what keeps him tethered to this path? Ah, the allure of sharing quarters with the boss, never mind that.
Susan inquiries about the Marshalls with Luke. They've acquired an unassuming abode, yet it teems with peculiar enchantments, and their son has taken to visiting Cowboy Rick. Determined to unravel this mystery, Susan intends to pay them a visit. However, she encountered Megan recently, radiating radiance. A thriving urologist, Megan's success ensures she and Luke are no longer an item. Susan too has embarked on new romantic ventures, her phone diligently set with a 45-minute alert—a safety net should things turn sour.
Joey's mother is deeply concerned about Cowboy Rick, her worries heightened by a mysterious 'Y' brand suddenly appearing on their rocking horse. Photographs of Cowboy Rick evoke a sinister fusion of Mr. Bill and South Park's Ike, complete with menacing fangs and a firearm slung over his shoulder.
That very night, Cowboy Rick and his steed spring to life, demanding of Mrs. Marshall, "Where's my Buckaroo?" Though Susan reassuringly believes all will be well, the parents are anything but calm. A gun-toting figure loomed outside their son's chamber—what measures will she take to address this?
MacNeill returns to "his" Vonda, contemplation heavy on his mind. Change is overdue. First on his agenda: confronting the house. It no longer resonates with him. Built but a year ago, its grandeur, size, and openness are too much. He craves something more intimate, enclosed. Confusion cloaks Vonda's features. Oh, his alias is Tyler—a clever pretext to reach Luke.
Lomax pays a visit to the former owner of Cowboy Rick’s house, who claims ignorance with a hint of reluctance to assist. Despite his lack of enthusiasm, she manages to procure his business card nonetheless. Meanwhile, Zooey endeavors to impart her wisdom to Brandon, who is grappling with Cerebus and an array of other challenges.
Susan's date, a sports enthusiast, is encrossed in eating and discussing topics she finds unappealing. Suddenly, her alarm pierces through the conversation. Little does she know, Lomax is collaborating with her on renovating a house for resale. As they work, Susan reminisces about discovering this very house with her late mother.
Cowboy Bob is eager to brand Nick, Susan's husband, who bears an uncanny resemblance to MacNeil, minus the facial fuzz. Elsewhere, Luke and Auggie convene in their clandestine office, where Luke has been discreetly involving Auggie in their operations. With a child's safety at stake, they realize they might need more potent means for the Cowboy Rick case. Auggie, who has garnered extensive knowledge about dark weaponry over the past three years, has a plan in mind.
When Cowboy Rick inquiries about Luke's buckaroo, Luke is taken aback to learn that Joey is not his. (The revelation elicits a hearty laugh from the narrative.) While inspecting the brand, Lomax experiences a moment of clarity. The previous homeowner's logo matches that of his business, leading Lomax to deduce that his father must have been Cowboy Rick’s buckaroo. Not surprisingly, Lomax's father resembles the others, albeit with even less facial hair. Yurth’s father used to affectionately call him "buckaroo," hinting at a possible connection – perhaps Cowboy Rick is Yurth's father, explaining the striking similarity.
In a personal moment, Auggie and his wife share intimate conversations. Yurth recognizes his father instantly, reminiscing about his dad's lifelong dream of being a cowboy. During a summer break in 1967, Yurth's father spent his days working on a ranch, riding horses, herding cattle, and sleeping under the starlit sky. He even participated in rodeos, placing third. It was the most exhilarating summer of his life, one he wished would never end.
Had he been steeped in the euphoria of his triumphs, why did he not press onward relentlessly? The reason lay buried in his role as a son, who vowed not to squander his days atop a horse's back. Shouldering the responsibilities of his family and harboring dreams of distant shores, he eventually donned the garb of a cowboy yet found himself compelled to return to reality, imparting to his young son the wisdom that dreams, too, could be realized in the journey of life. Young Yurth harbored an infinite love for setting sail into the unknown. That weekend on Nantucket Island, shared with his kin, shone brightly as a beacon in his life, marking the zenith of his nautical adventures yet becoming their swan song. Hence, his father pronounced with conviction that he was destined to be a sailor born. He cautioned Kirby against allowing the golden hours to slip away in idle waiting. And now, Mr. Yurth has found peace at last.
Zooey was blunt in her assessment, branding Brandon not merely incompetent but a walking violation of HR protocols. She exhorted Luke to cease his futile quest for replacing lost pieces and instead embrace newcomers bearing unique talents with open arms. Simultaneously, she expressed gratitude to Luke for aiding her in completing her legal studies. Luke and Megan arranged a cozy drink, toasting to the enduring bonds of old friendship. She was involved with a physician named Hunter Manderly, a name that struck Luke as plucked straight from the pages of an ancient romance novel. Phil found himself traversing the globe with the Vatican, while his daughter navigated the tumultuous terrain of her tempestuous toddler years. I couldn't help but wonder, had they been absent for more than just three years? All around, individuals were evolving, pressing forward with vigor, except for Luke.
Vonda inquired after Tyler's wellbeing with concern, noting his altered demeanor and wondering if he truly desired to sell their home. She kissed him, pleading for him to remain true to himself, affirming that he was precisely as she desired him to be. "Revenge is a beast, little Luke, and it stalks thee near," Tyler said, his eyes gleaming with the X-shaped brilliance of a bear's.
