The grand finale of "The Changeling" unfolds with an extraordinary montage, meticulously curating the pivotal moments from the entire series, which ultimately circles back to the haunting prologue of episode 1. It subtly hints that the Norwegian vessel embarked on an impossibly arduous voyage, "aided by forces beyond comprehension." A menacing darkness, almost palpable, guides the ship through towering waves, steering it towards a serene sky—a foreshadowing, perhaps, of the same monstrous entity that terrorized the conclusion of episode 7.
The narrative abruptly shifts to the present, where Apollo engages in a poignant conversation with Kindergarten, alias William. Much of his discourse resonates with familiarity, save for a sinister, ever-escalating growl of a creature hot on Apollo's heels. KG speaks in enigmatic riddles, self-identifying as one among "an indistinguishable multitude of ten thousand bearing his name." Sensing the creature's ominous proximity, Apollo darts for refuge amidst the structures, but before he can secure his safety, the beast demolishes the community's edifices, the library included, in a ruthless spree.
As the creature momentarily pauses its onslaught, Apollo, eyes brimming with tears, ventures into the ruins of the library. Collapsing under the weight of despair, he is momentarily lost in grief—until the sound of approaching footsteps jars him back to reality.
Cal, still breathing amidst the ruins, grapples with the heart-wrenching loss of Gretta, who selflessly sacrificed her life to shield the children. A handful of survivors have managed to escape the devastation and now find themselves under Cal and Apollo's protective wing, as they navigate through the dense forest. However, the creature makes its sinister contact with William, suggesting a sinister alliance, albeit one where the balance of power is starkly tilted.
From above, the line of survivors resembles a vulnerable trail of ants. They inch their way out of the jungle's clutches, but instead of sanctuary, they confront a towering cliff, their path blocked by nature's cruel impediment.
As the menacing roar of the creature echoes closer, they commence their descent, aided by a sturdy rope. Unsurprisingly, Cal and Apollo find themselves at the rear of the retreat, with Apollo burdened by Gayl's weight. Suddenly, the creature launches an attack, and the rope, frazzled under pressure,松开 its hold. In a split-second decision, Apollo propels Gayl to safety, while both he and Cal plummet to the ground with a heavy thud. Fortunately, the terrain's gentle slope spares their lives.
Yet, peril still looms over their community. As the others scurry onto a mid-sized boat, Cal bars Apollo from joining them. She insists he accompany her on a much smaller trawler, a decoy meant to divert the creature's attention. During this fateful moment, Cal unveils the creature's aquatic prowess. With predictable resolve, Cal urges Apollo to flee, choosing to sacrifice herself. She confesses her yearning to reunite with her son, hoping to watch over him from beyond the stars.
A tree, hurled by the creature, narrowly misses the escaping boat. Cal, swift and decisive, shoots KG in the abdomen, who stands perilously close to the cliff's edge, urging the monster's ferocious antics. Scaling the cliff, Cal ultimately ends KG's life. As the creature confronts her, Cal leaps into the abyss, embracing her fate. It is revealed, albeit obscurely, that the creature is female, yet her true form remains concealed from our view.
The moment Cal's body hits the ground, Apollo catches movement among the stars, a celestial hint that she has joined her son. Meanwhile, the creature drags KG back into the forest, leaving his fate ambiguous – perhaps he lives, or perhaps the creature possesses healing powers. Intercut scenes reveal Apollo reaching solid ground, returning to the city to uncover baby Brian's coffin. Inside, he hears the haunting echoes of a baby's cry, confirming that Emma did not harm Brian, but rather, fairies substituted him with a changeling, as foretold in the book.
The recitation of the book serves as a backdrop as Emma ventures into the Norwegian Forest, ascending towards a glowing merry-go-round. The book's prophecy hints that Brian lies somewhere beyond it, and distant cries validate this claim. The series concludes with a cliffhanger, as a group of men watch a live feed from a cave online. A man, presumably Apollo, navigates the cave's pitch-black darkness with a torch. His terror peaks as the creature awakens from its slumber, and the credits roll, leaving viewers with yet another unsolved mystery.
