Episode 9 of Them opens with Hiram Epps, a dignified man, paying his respects at a serene gravesite, his heart heavy with memories. As he makes his way back to the town, his eyes fall upon Miles, a forlorn child hiding beneath the shadows of a tree. Guided by the wisdom of the Bible, Epps takes the boy under his wing, nurturing him back to health with tender care.
Time passes, and suddenly Miles rushes in, breathless with news. A traveler is approaching, a weary black couple named Grafton and his wife Martha. Determined to live by the Christian ideal of "love thy neighbor," Epps welcomes them with open arms, offering them shelter despite their wagon's broken-down state. He vows to help them get back on the road, his faith in God's word unwavering.
But not everyone in the town shares his compassion. The other residents are skeptical and distrustful, convinced that these black strangers are the ones tearing the country apart. Their suspicions and prejudices cloud their judgment, making it difficult for them to see the humanity in Grafton and Martha.
The next day, a heated debate erupts among the townsfolk over the location of their precious well. Grafton arrives on the scene, offering to contribute to their cause and providing sage advice on how to address their water woes. Lo and behold, his wisdom prevails, and he manages to lead them to a source of water, allowing them to finally draw buckets of fresh water from the well.
Epps stands by, grinning with pride, even though it is Grafton who deserves the credit. Despite the town's prejudices and doubts, Epps remains steadfast in his belief that everyone, regardless of color or creed, deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.
Unfortunately, the situation took a dark turn when the residents wrongly attributed the well incident to black magic instead of God's divine intervention. Quick-thinking Miles came to the rescue, aiding Epps in finding a relevant excerpt from the Bible. However, despite reading the passage aloud, it was evident that Epps was losing his grip on reality, as he began to question his own sanity. Horrifying visions clouded his mind, causing him to seize Martha's wrist. This unexpected jolt triggered her water to break, prompting a panicked Epps to shove them both into the stables.
Fortunately, they managed to break free, grabbing their horse and preparing to flee the chaos. But their escape was cut short when the townspeople caught them and began to condemn them. Martha, obviously in the throes of labor, struggled to stand, her condition only adding to the tension.
With a red-hot poker in hand, the townsfolk blinded the pair on Epps' command, using the guise of the Lord's word to justify their cruel act. Epps then decreed that they should be banished from the community. But Martha's furious curse caused Epps' bible to suddenly burst into flames in his hands, a startling omen of the doom that awaited.
As the fire consumed the pair, the townsfolk watched with glee, stringing them up by the rafters and leaving them to burn alive. It was a harrowing sight, and as the flames spread rapidly, they engulfed the entire town, incinerating everyone and everything in their path. In the end, only Miles and Epps remained, standing amidst the ruins of their former community.
Together, they descended into the basement, where Miles delivered a damning ultimatum to Epps. It was a horrific deal, one that seemed to come from the depths of hell itself. Miles, who appeared to be the devil incarnate, demanded that Epps project the fear and suffering he had caused onto others. In essence, he wanted Epps to "break souls," a twisted and diabolical task.
As the camera panned out, it revealed the devastating aftermath of the fire, the once-bustling town now a charred and lifeless shell. As the view shifted smoothly up and back down again, it was apparent that the ruins of this community had paved the way for the present-day East Compton, a stark contrast to the horrors that had once unfolded there.
