Episode 5 of The Spiderwick Chronicles kicks off with news of a mysterious sleeping sickness sweeping through the town of Henson. Jared's suspicions about Simon's disappearance are soon confirmed when Dr. Brauer arrives at the Spiderwick house to deliver the shocking news that Calliope is also missing.
Meanwhile, Simon and Calliope are on a journey to visit Simon's father, Richard, in the bustling city of New York. But before they can board the bus, Calliope surprises everyone by transforming into the bus driver. The skies darken as a storm gathers, and Helen frantically searches for clues about Simon's whereabouts. Finally, she discovers that he is on his way to reunite with his father.
As punishment for Jared's behavior towards Simon, Dr. Brauer suggests to Helen that she confiscate Jared's phone. Little does Jared know that he has also fallen into the doctor's trap, as Dr. Brauer seizes the Field guide pages. It transpires that while Calliope and Simon made the decision to embark on their adventure independently, Dr. Brauer is scheming to use the situation to his advantage and unearth the elusive page about the dragons hidden deep within the house.
Within the claustrophobic confines of the bus, Simon stumbles upon a startling revelation: the enigmatic creatures inhabiting this realm are incapable of deceit. Among them, Calliope stands out as a fearsome fetch, her ability to transform into any person for a fleeting moment carrying a dire consequence - the inevitable demise of her victim. This macabre gift has earned her the loathing of all creatures.
Elsewhere, Mallory confronts Bree and Valentina, delving into their closely guarded secrets and Valentina's mysterious connection to Lucinda. Valentina, eager to diffuse the tense situation, offers Mallory a Faustian bargain - forget her troubles, and she will grant all her wishes.
Back at the house, Helen prepares to depart, but Dr. Brauer insists she stay, using her presence as a lever to threaten Jared. Jared's quest finally intersects with Thimbletack, who sheds light on the dragons' pivotal role in Dr. Brauer's sinister scheme - to feast on the unsuspecting populace.
Far away in the bustling metropolis of New York, Simon's world is shaken to its core when he discovers his father's lie about participating in the famous play, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Desperate for answers, Calliope suggests seeking out a fae who might hold the key to tracking his elusive father.
Meanwhile, Jared stumbles upon a mysterious door adorned with the nazar, aided by Thimbletack's cryptic guidance. But something is amiss - the door remains stubbornly unresponsive. In a moment of emotional candor, Jared confesses his fears to his mother, only to witness Thimbletack lunging for her. In a split second, Jared pushes her out of harm's way, realizing too late that Thimbletack considers Helen a foe due to her unwitting entanglement with Mulgarath.
As the drama unfolds, Mallory steadfastly refuses to relinquish her memories, challenging Valentina to a spar. If Mallory prevails, Valentina promises to reveal the truth. But the odds are stacked against her, and she falls, defeated.
Simultaneously, Calliope and Jared embark on a perilous journey to a shadowy Chinese restaurant, seeking the owner's assistance. However, their mission takes an unexpected turn when it becomes apparent that Calliope's true intention is not to find Simon's father but to plead for help in escaping the clutches of the relentless Mulgarath.
Despite harboring alternative motives that encompassed the consumption of fairies and human flesh, the owner's cunning plans were thwarted at every turn. Simon managed to elude capture with a deftness born of desperation, barricading himself within the confines of the bathroom for safety.
Concurrently, Valentina ushered Mallory into the sanctuary with urgency, urging her to inhale the healing essence of medicinal herbs that hung in the air like a balm for the soul. Through the mist, she spied Simon on the opposite side, his features etched in determination. Discreetly, she relayed him escape strategies, whispered words that could mean the difference between life and death.
Armed with these insights, Simon made a daring escape, accompanied by Calliope. Briefly, he caught a fleeting glimpse of Calliope's transformation into Jared, a revelation that jarred him to the core. Jared's fate hung by a thread, and Simon's anger and distress boiled over. In his haste to reunite with his father, he abandoned Calliope, leaving her in the wake of his desperation.
Back at the abode, Helen revealed the existence of a concealed chamber to Dr. Brauer and Jared, her voice filled with urgency. She instructed them that the key must be twisted until the dragon wings underwent a shape-shifting transformation, a ritual that held the key to unlocking the chamber's secrets. However, their endeavors were interrupted by a call from Richard, whose mocking tone rang out like a dagger through the silence.
As Richard belittled Simon's soft nature, Simon eavesdropped on their conversation, his heart heavy with the realization that was looming. Richard ultimately unveiled the truth, confessing that he was unfit to be a father. Hurt and disappointed, Simon severed their ties, a decision that echoed through the halls of the abode like a funeral dirge.
Meanwhile, Mallory's anxiety over Simon's well-being gnawed at her, prompting her to plead with Valentina for assistance. Valentina, recognizing the purity of her emotions, acquiesced with a nod. She stripped off her gloves, revealing not a hand but smoke that seemed to coil and writhe like a living thing. Reassuring Mallory, she assured her that Simon was safe and unharmed, her voice a balm for Mallory's frayed nerves.
Elsewhere, on a bustling bus, Simon sprang to the rescue of the beleaguered driver, his actions bold and decisive. Emboldened by the belief that he could save Jared's life as well, he faced the unknown with courage and determination.
Meanwhile, Jared persevered with another attempt at the enigmatic dragon door. His fingers traced the intricate carvings, seeking the secret that would unlock its mysteries. And with a final push, he succeeded in unearthing the elusive dragon page, a discovery that held the potential to change everything.
Dr. Brauer and Helen, drawn closer by their shared experiences, shared a tender kiss that spoke volumes of their growing bond. Jared, witnessing this intimate moment, felt a pang of jealousy and longing. Thimbletack's warning echoed in his mind, "The people you love will leave you," a prophecy that hung heavily over his heart, casting a shadow over his joy.
