Episode 7 of The Crowded Room kicks off with an eclipse, a celestial spectacle that awes the citizens of New York. According to Jung's wisdom, eclipses are "omens of rebirth." As Rya prepares to unveil the seismic truth about Danny, one wonders: Will Danny be reborn in his own consciousness? Does he trust her enough to accept her revelation? How will he respond to the unveiling of the truth?
As Rya plays the tape that Matty entrusted her with in the previous episode, Danny's impending trial looms large. The CCTV footage from a jewelry store near Rockefeller Center reveals Danny as the sole shooter, pursuing Marlin with no sign of Ariana. Danny's disbelief is palpable as he watches the tape, convinced that it must be tampered with. His eyes blaze with incredulity, stirring a turmoil within him.
Suddenly, Yitzhak emerges from the shadows, urging Danny to "sleep." He takes control, admonishing Rya for her actions. As the credits roll, Danny stands in a field, gazing at the eclipse. He turns and catches sight of a barn-like structure. Inside, he discovers a labyrinth of rooms and descends the stairs, stumbling upon an unexpected sight.
Danny is rendered speechless as he beholds Yitzhak, Jack, Jonny, and Mike together in the same room. This surreal encounter is a profound moment for him, questioning the reality of their coexistence. This is Danny's "Crowded Room," where his alters converge. Yitzhak, the dominant presence, ignores Danny's presence, and the discussion continues.
Back in the real world, Yitzhak pushes aside furniture and warns Rya of the consequences of her actions. As tensions mount, Mike intervenes, calming the guards who escort Danny away. In his crowded room, Jack and Yitzhak discuss Danny's unexpected awakening, suspecting that "the system" is faltering. Jack labels Rya a liar and declares that they will no longer allow Danny to communicate with her. They have a plan in motion.
When Danny awakens in the real world, Jonny appears to be in control, jokingly asking an inmate for cocaine. This prank lands him in deep trouble, leading to a brutal beating. However, when Yitzhak takes over, Danny unleashes a devastating retaliation, drawing the guards' attention. Before Jack can intervene, he is tackled by the guards, almost as if the baton of control had been passed on.
Meanwhile, Stan and Rya attend a pre-trial hearing at the courthouse. Stan is skeptical about their chances of convincing the judge of Danny's mental illness. He alludes to Rya's own professional diagnosis and rationalizes that the judiciary and law enforcement will not let the Rockefeller shooter go unpunished.
They convened a formal meeting with Judge Whitman, a renowned psychologist, and District Attorney Patricia Richardson. Whitman promptly dismissed Rya's theory with contempt. Danny was then ushered in, and initially, it seemed Mike or Jonny were in charge. However, as he spoke, the unmistakable British accent revealed his true identity: Jack. He even flashed a mischievous smile at Rya. Convinced by Danny's coherence, the Judge dismissed Rya's assertions.
Stan attempted to negotiate a plea bargain with Patricia, but she cited the pressure from her superiors to go for the maximum penalty. She recounted the cases of "young black and brown inmates" who committed far less and yet remained incarcerated. Rya scolded Jack for his deception and warned him that a federal prison would destroy Danny. Mike and Yitzhak concurred with Rya's advice, believing Danny must stand on his own. Suddenly, Jack fired a shot, and Yitzhak vanished from the room.
Danny awoke in the room, finding Ariana by his side. "We're all you, Danny," she quipped. Jack and the others concurred, proclaiming they lived for him. Ariana guided him to a spotlight, where they took over whenever Danny faced challenges. She took control when he felt alone or needed human connection. Leading Danny to a familiar room from the end of episode 2, she revealed that Danny created them all. The deceased were "undesirables" with no purpose. Jack explained their origin, stemming from Marlin's sexual assault on Danny in the barn, as Rya had previously suggested.
They implored Danny to distance himself from Rya and avoid pleading insanity. Their manipulative tactics threatened to push Danny into a decision that would haunt him forever.
Rya confronted Danny at Rikers, furious with Jack for duping her. Her anger was tempered when she realized Danny was in control. He trembled as he begged for "help," confessing, "There are voices in my head." Rya's reassuring words, "I'm here," might just be what they needed in this tumultuous moment.
