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Now, onto the juicy bit: what transpired in Season 3, Episode 3 of "SurrealEstate"? Glad you're asking. Death herself has made a graceful entrance, tasking Luke with new duties. Could this mark a pivotal shift for the series? The choice is yours to ponder. (A quick heads-up: our photographic coverage isn't comprehensive; the lens was trained solely on one narrative thread. Such are the whims of fate!)
As Luke jogged through the park, he exchanged a cordial nod with a passing woman, while the gentleman trailing him wasn't so fortunate. She seemed to perceive the man's heartbeat, and in an instant, he expired, only to rise and trail her steps. My initial thought? She might be a reaper.
Yet, when Luke ventured to the hospital, there she was, amidst the clinical ambiance.
On a brighter note, Auggie has returned to Roman Ireland, where Luke hopes he'll find a sense of belonging. Rochelle, despite her gritted teeth, shares the same sentiment—Auggie's happiness is her wish.
During his ASDRA stint, Auggie gleaned insights into boundless funds shackled by stringent oversight and accountability. Their only hope now? A papal decree that ousts Phil.
Auggie indulges in an online role-playing game called "Alpacalypse," where he crossed paths with Tag, a young man who freelanced for ASDRA. Tag is somewhat of a homebody, much like myself, rarely venturing beyond his apartment walls. This portrayal of a reclusive lifestyle is a refreshing novelty on television. Perhaps, he holds the key to Roman Ireland's future.
Luke has successfully transferred ownership of a house to Isabel, a woman yearning for a fresh slate. As the phrase "things are finally going her way" echoes, it paradoxically hints at a narrative where fortune has not yet smiled upon her. Meanwhile, Susan collaborates with Keith at a secluded countryside abode, where Keith voices his frustrations regarding the demolition assistants. Susan reassures him by highlighting Roman Ireland's expertise in such endeavors. As she departs, the camera slowly shifts upwards, revealing a pair of figures — a man and a woman — peering out from an upper window, casting an air of mystery.
Tag proves to be a nonstop conversationalist, inundating Luke with a monologue during an interview. Keeping pace with his rapid-fire torpedo tales is near impossible, and hardly aligns with Roman Ireland's needs. They seek a meticulous professional for title searches and delving into the metaphysical realms of a property's past and present. Tag's astonishment at the legitimacy of such a role is palpable, yet Luke harbors reservations. He recalls Phil's habit of wandering properties, engaging with those intrinsically linked to them, a practice Tag seems unconcerned about.
Lomax, engaged with Madison — whom I perceive as a harbinger of finality — expresses interest in a property listed by Luke. Lomax defers to Luke's judgment without inspecting the site personally, a decision that strikes an uneasy chord. Luke terminates his call with Tag without progressing further. Auggie defends Tag, suggesting harsh judgment, but they've already cycled through thirty-five individuals for Zooey's position. Filling Phil's formidable shoes in one fell swoop seems a tall order.
At the driving range, Tyler Macneil chats animatedly on the phone, referencing a mounting body count. A shadowy figure known only as Seven lurks behind him, addressing him by the moniker Malick, prompting a reconsideration of his true identity. Tyler Macneil is but a guise worn by this enigmatic individual, like a second skin. He revels in his fortunate usurpation of Tyler's body, relishing the obscurity that surrounds Elvis the Elephant — a forgotten nightmare that has effectively erased all traces of its former identity from collective memory.
Charasmalick? Without the aid of closed captioning, I remain clueless whether he utters names or mere mutterings as he recounts how the onlookers must have chortled at his expense. Seven acknowledges a ripple of laughter, which, honestly, who wouldn't indulge in? This Malick is an irritating thorn in everyone's side, a bundle of unresolved angst. Seven dangles the carrot of a promotion to a higher realm, yet does this individual truly merit such an advancement? It seems Malick yearns to piggyback on Luke's unique ability to traverse the veils. Could Madison play a pivotal role in safeguarding Luke from this scheming individual? Surely, they wouldn't contemplate granting such a character access to Luke's powers, especially since Malick emphasizes that wielding them renders death a mere inconvenience. Malick is desperate to uncover Luke's vulnerable spot, his Achilles' heel, to make his move. Seven reminds him of the eternal torment that awaits should he falter.
Upon Luke's arrival at the property showing accompanied by Madison, memories of their prior encounter flood back. She renews their acquaintance, introducing herself anew, revealing her true identity—Death herself. Meanwhile, Keith stumbles upon a precarious structure where individuals toil away at machines. An elderly man, busy honing his tools, summons an older woman to clobber Keith over the head with a frying pan. Down he collapses, overwhelmed.
Death herself seeks a boon from Luke.
She is acutely aware of his exceptional gifts and the countless troubled spirits he has guided beyond the veil. Leading him to a house that Luke had parted with years prior, she notices his struggle to let go. Madison acknowledges her inability to emulate Luke's unique talents. Meanwhile, Tag cleverly disguises her identity, claiming Auggie's instructions as his cue to contact Susan. In a proactive maneuver aimed at securing Luke's patronage, he hints to Susan that perhaps she could relay the message that the quest for constant change is grossly exaggerated. Though perhaps true, Susan's involvement was indispensable in locating Keith in desperate need within that desolate barn—today, it seems, everyone is grappling with the intricacies of the afterlife.
Luke discovers Raymond perched on his stairs, seemingly at ease yet visibly agitated. He's misplaced his cherished lucky pen, an heirloom from his grandfather, bestowed upon him upon graduating college—a milestone unprecedented in their family. This pen, with which he inscribed his marriage certificate and mortgage, holds immense sentimental value. Madison is astonished that, in a moment of cosmic confrontation, Raymond seeks solace in his real estate agent. Luke, a man of integrity who could easily have taken advantage of the situation, chooses empathy instead. He proposes either burying the pen with Raymond or entrusting it to a kindly woman at the nursing home, where it could become her cherished possession. Raymond finds this idea comforting.
Susan desperately seeks Tag, who possesses crucial information about a grim murder-suicide incident that occurred on the premises. Amidst their hurried conversation, she urged him to dial 9-1-1, only for their exchange to be abruptly interrupted. Though she may fret that her plea went unheard, I remain unperturbed. Susan cleverly positions a mirror in the vain woman's pathway, aiming to assist her escape. Alas, the woman, accompanied by her husband, follows Susan out of the building, transforming into a menacing duo bent on her demise.
Meanwhile, Isabel's situation at her new abode fares no better. Upon Luke's arrival, he is confronted with a chilling sight—a lifeless body lying in the dining room.
Susan now flees from the murderous couple amidst a vast field of corn, a harrowing pursuit exacerbated by their intimate familiarity with the terrain. Luke, on the other hand, races to the hospital, seeking information regarding Isabel's fate. Megan, not an emergency room physician but a figure of compassion nonetheless, offers her heartfelt condolences. Luke's gaze drifts down the hallway, catching sight of Madison.
Within the cornfield, a figure emerges—a scarecrow that turns out to be the real estate agent who issued an eviction notice years prior. She reaches into his pocket, miraculously retrieving the intact notice, and promptly revokes it. One wonders if they couldn't have chosen a more opportune moment for such a reunion.
Luke confronts Madison, expressing his disbelief at Isabel's untimely demise. He grapples with the injustice of it all, wondering aloud why someone like Isabel was taken. Couldn't fate spare her and instead reclaim a malevolent soul or an elderly person who had already lived a full life?
He senses an unspoken debt in return for all his selfless deeds towards her, yet life doesn't operate on such simple ledgers. When fate beckons, one must depart, regardless. "We're all bound for that journey eventually," she reassuringly tells him, even as she broaches the subject of another request.
Susan's blind date proves to be an excruciating ordeal. His greeting lacks warmth, followed swiftly by complaints about his ailing feline—a plight she can empathetically comprehend. He inquires about her feline companions, to which she replies, "Not yet, but I fear I might end up with a feline fleet one day." As she recounts her day, his laughter borders on hysteria, then dissolves into near tears. In a huff, Susan storms out of the restaurant, contemplating whether solitude in death could be any worse.
Luke is entrusted with the solemn duty of guiding Isabel towards her final journey. Drowning in debts, starting a fresh job on Monday, and leaving her son Gregory behind, she questions the timing. "Why now? Why can't I stay?" Luke gently helps her let go, reassuring her that Gregory will be enveloped in the love of his aunt's family, though he will forever cherish her memory. Yet, she hesitates, unwilling to abandon him. "Don't some souls linger behind?" she asks. Indeed, they do, but such stayings never unfold as envisioned, neither by the living nor the deceased. Loss, at times, forges strength within us. The wisest course for all is to embark with Madison now.
It's been an arduous week, yet they've achieved milestones, including the establishment of a scholarship fund for Gregory. Susan kept the development project on track amidst harrowing obstacles, while Tag Guinness joined their ranks as a research associate. For someone who resides at home, his abode appears astonishingly sparse; a peculiarity she finds hard to fathom.
Susan's quest for companionship stems from a promise to her late mother—to live a life full of experiences. Returning to the office, she finds Luke in deep conversation with "Tyler," a moment Luke deems pivotal for their firm. Dusted in drywall debris, she ponders when life's burdens became so weighty. She yearns for her mother's company, where laughter could erase any hardship, no matter how daunting.
