Boyd Stevens assumes the role of both Sheriff and de-facto Mayor of the Town. A veteran of the Iraq War, Boyd's military background has forged him into a leader, capable of ensuring the Town remains organized and safe despite the escalating horrors and turmoil befalling its residents.
Biography[]
Background[]
Boyd served in the United States Armed Forces, and was in charge of handling logistics during his deployment in Iraq. During this time, Boyd witnessed his friend, Corporal Brian Kelly, become fatally wounded by an exploding IED, subsequently dying in Boyd's arms. Being the first death Boyd had ever witnessed, Brian's passing would leave a long-lasting impression in Boyd's memory.[1]
Upon his release from the military, Boyd went on a roadtrip with his wife, Abby (also a veteran) and son, Ellis on November 15, 2019. As they listen to “If I Had a Boat” by Lyle Lovett, Boyd muses about how peaceful the song sounds and how nice it would be to have a boat. Abby tells him that they still cannot afford a boat, but Boyd believes they can manage it. Abby and Ellis tease Boyd, but Boyd recalls his nickname from the army, “Mr. Fish and Loaves,” and his logistical expertise. Ellis points out that his mother’s nickname was “Iron Abby,” which she tells him not to forget. As Boyd continues to talk about the boat, Abby looks through her bag and asks Boyd to hold something. Boyd takes the object and realizes that it’s a boat key, and realizes they bought him a boat, delighting him. However, Ellis interrupts their celebration to stop Boyd from hitting the Fallen Tree on the road. Boyd exits the car, and hears the sound of crows.
The Stevens family drives through Town, grimly noting the “SAVE US” sign painted on the Barn. Boyd asks where all the people are when Father Khatri runs in front of the car, shocking them. Khatri begins to explain their predicament, but tells them that there isn’t a lot of time and they need to get to safety. Abby tells Boyd to drive away but before he can they hear an inhuman screech. This convinces them to follow Khatri, who leads them to an underground location where Donna and Dale are also sheltering for the night. Donna tells Abby she can put the gun away, as the only things that will hurt her are outside, and the gun will be useless against them. Khatri says he understands they have questions, but they can talk in the morning. They hear footsteps and screams up above as the Creatures find and kill one of the people.
Boyd emerges from the hiding place the next morning, and finds maimed corpses in the street. Khatri sympathizes with them, and promises to explain more at the Diner. Abby asks Ellis if he's ok, and he answers that he is not. In the Diner, Khatri finishes his explanation of their predicament, and Boyd is shocked that their solution is to hide and pray every night. Abby asks if they know anything about the Town, and Khatri says that they know what they see, and that everyone is just trying to live through the night. Boyd says that they need to start working together and taking care of each other. Khatri and Donna are interested, and ask where they can start. Boyd organizes their supplies to be rationed, and puts Donna in charge of doling them out. Abby draws up a system for where they hide during the night, and Boyd says that they will be constantly rotating to avoid being caught by the Creatures.
Boyd asks Father Khatri if the Creatures walk around the forest during the day. Khatri says they don’t think so, and Boyd decides to scavenge the forest for resources. Khatri asks Boyd how long he was in the military, and Boyd answers 30 years, explaining he set up operations in some of the worst places on the planet, while his wife was a marine.
Boyd explores the forest, and returns to Town with a goat, shocking Father Khatri. Boyd explains he found it in the forest, as well as some chickens. Ellis arrives and asks to talk to Boyd. Boyd hands the goat off to Khatri, and begins musing about what else he might find in the woods. Ellis tells him that he needs to stop going out into the forest and tend to Abby, who is not doing well. Ellis says he believes that things are starting to get to her, which Boyd is not seeing because he is so busy. Boyd says he understands that he is scared but points out that what they are doing is working, and the second they stop looking for answers, they lose. Ellis tells him to find someone else to do it because they need him present. Ellis tries to explain but Boyd tries to assure his son that his mother is as tough as can be, reminding him of her nickname: Iron Abby. He says that he knows that this is hard but it is what they have to do. Ellis gets angry, and says that Boyd is not really listening to him. Boyd says that there are 4 hours of daylight left, and promises that they will talk that night. Ellis begs him to stay, but Boyd promises that they will talk during the night.
Boyd goes out into the forest, marking trees so he can remember his path. While he does, he finds a dog. When the dog runs off, Boyd goes to follow it, but gets lost in the woods, with darkness quickly approaching. After nightfall, Boyd wanders through the forest, trying to avoid the Creatures. He stumbles into a cave, and is spotted by the Creatures, who ignore him. Boyd looks around in surprise, and notices the talismans in the cave, and realizes it must be what repelled the Creatures.
Boyd emerges from the forest the next morning carrying a large number of Talismans with him when he hears gunshots. Boyd runs towards Town, where Abby is shooting randomly into the crowd. Boyd asks her what is happening as she continues shooting people. She aims at Donna, who asks her why she is doing this, and Abby answers that it isn’t real and they are in a nightmare, and the only way to escape is to wake up. Abby says it will be okay, because it is impossible to die in dreams. Boyd draws on his wife, who turns to him and says that it is impossible that he survived out in the forest after dark if their situation was real. Abby insists that they have to wake everyone up, and she begins singing “If I Had a Boat.” Ellis then come running up, and Abby begins to aim at him, prompting Boyd to shoot her to save their son. Abby was then buried on the outskirts of Town instead of in the Church graveyard.[2]
Sometime after their arrival in the Township, Bing-Qian Liu, the elderly husband and father of Tian-Chen and Kenny who suffered from dementia, tried opening the door to their house, and had to be restrained by his wife and son. After that, he is moved to the Clinic, which is more secure. Kenny explains to Boyd that the Creatures were knocking on the door and his father was convinced that his brothers were outside, and pushed Tian-Chen when she tried to stop him. Boyd sympathizes, knowing how hard it is seeing one’s parents struggle. Boyd admits that there is not a lot holding the place together, with all the fear and confusion, but something he learned in the army is that it helps to look to, who seem like they know what they are doing. Kenny says it looks like they’re doing a good job, and Boyd offers him the job of deputy, and Kenny happily accepts.[3]
Season 1[]
As daylight fades, Sheriff Boyd Stevens walks through the Town ringing a bell, signaling for people to return to their homes. As he passes the Pratts' house, he overhears Meagan Pratt ask her mother for five more minutes on the swings, and tells the little girl to listen to her mother. After watching the residents of a nearby mansion get inside, Boyd retires to his office, but not before checking the sign outside that reads “NIGHTS WITHOUT INCIDENT: 96.” That night, Meagan and Lauren Pratt are killed by the Creatures after Meagan was convinced by one of them to open the window and let it inside. The next morning, Boyd berates Frank Pratt, who was passed out drunk on the other side of town when the murders happened, for not nailing the windows shut when he had a small child in the house. Frank, realizing what happened, breaks down in tears while Boyd drags him upstairs to look upon the eviscerated bodies of his wife and daughter, causing him to break down even further. As Frank sobs on the floor, Boyd orders Kenny to lock him up for breaking the laws and customs of the township that were established to protect public safety. On his way out, he passes Father Khatri, who goes upstairs to presumably administer last rites. Boyd then goes to Colony House, where he asks Donna if he can see his son, Ellis. Boyd goes upstairs where he is enthusiastically greeted by Fatima, but receives a cold reception from his son. Ellis sullenly asks his father why he’s come and Boyd explains the deaths of the Pratt women. An irritated Boyd tells Ellis that he should come to the funeral service before leaving.
Boyd attends the funeral service for the Pratts. However, in the middle of it, everyone notices an RV pulling into Town. Boyd and Kenny go to talk to Jim, the driver, who asks for help getting back to the highway. Boyd tells him to follow the road up the hill and he’ll see it. After driving in the loop that leads back to the center of Town, Boyd has Kenny lay down the spike strip. However, on their way back down the road, they encounter another car speeding in their direction. Both vehicles swerve to avoid each other, with the RV going down a hill and flipping over on its side, and the car crashing into a nearby tree. The driver of the car finds Boyd and Kenny on the road and informs them of the accident. Boyd rushes to the accident and orders Kenny to get Kristi and help. Kristi hands the driver, Tobey, off to Gina, while Boyd finds Jade, the second passenger in the car, who is clearly out of it, and cuffs him to his car. Boyd finds the RV and begins helping the Matthews out of the RV, but Tabitha is knocked out and Ethan’s leg has been impaled by a table leg. Kenny, Kristi, Khatri and Ellis arrive to help the crash victims. Boyd successfully retrieves a panicked but otherwise unharmed Julie, while the others work on helping Jade and the trapped family members.
Tabitha is successfully retrieved from the RV, but Kristi says that it will take at least an hour to safely remove the table leg from Ethan’s leg, while Kenny informs them that they have 40 minutes until dark. Boyd and Kristi decide to stay in the RV overnight with a talisman. Jim, Tabitha and Julie try to stay, but Boyd tells them that the woods are not safe after dark and pleads with them to head to town, but permits Jim to stay. In the RV, Jim and Kristi work on preparing to remove the table leg from Ethan while Boyd prepares the RV for the night by blocking all the windows and exits and hanging the talisman. Ethan begins seizing, and Kristi has Jim hold him down. After night falls completely, and Boyd peeks outside the window and sees dozens of figures surrounding them.[4]
Ethan stops seizing but they hear movement outside and someone asks if they are ok in the RV. Jim thinks that the townspeople have returned for them, but Boyd refuses and restrains him. Jim asks Boyd and Kristi what the Creatures are. Boyd answers that he doesn’t know, only that the talismans prevent their entry into enclosed spaces. Ethan then wakes up, but Kristi quickly sedates him to keep him calm. a voice outside says that they should have let them help. A scared Jim asks what happens if they get in but neither Boyd nor Kristi answer. Boyd calms him by reminding him that with the talisman up, they can’t get in. Kristi also begins to get rattled, but Boyd reminds her that the Creatures are just playing their usual tricks. They then hear footsteps on the roof, but Boyd tells them to focus on Ethan. Kristi then leads Boyd and Jim in successfully pulling the table-leg out of Ethan’s leg.
The next morning, Kenny, Khatri and the Matthews women arrive at the RV with the van. As the van pulls up to the Clinic on their way back, Kenny sees the open door and rushes inside, and finds Gina’s corpse in the basement. Khatri tries to tell him he doesn’t have to see this, but Kenny walks further inside and finds his father’s torn-apart body, which he cradles and sobs over. Kenny then goes out into the woods and begins furiously chopping a tree. Boyd finds him and asks what he’s doing, and Kenny explains he needs wood for the new chess set, which he and his dad made together, but is now ruined by the blood. Kenny recalls how every game he played with his father always ended with him down to his final piece desperately avoiding his father’s. Kenny then points out that the Creatures always walk and never run, as if they know there are only so many places the people can go. Kenny then hands him the bloody chess piece and concludes that they are running out of space on the board. Boyd then returns to his office, and erases the sign that had said “NIGHTS WITHOUT INCIDENT: 96.”[5]
Boyd wakes up in the morning with something clearly on his mind as he stares out his window at the Box outside his office. Boyd visits Frank in his cell and asks him if he’s hungry or if there is anything he needs. Boyd then tells him that it is important to understand that what is going to happen that night is not personal. Frank says he knows, and adds that Lauren liked Boyd because he was hard on people because he had to be, made the difficult decisions, and was going to be the person to get them all back home. Frank then says that he wasn’t always an alcoholic, and Boyd understands, and asks if there is anyone Frank wants to see or to tie up loose ends, and Frank says there is one thing.
Frank and Boyd go to Meagan’s favorite place, a swing Frank made for her in the woods. Frank reminisces about how Meagan always asked him to push her higher and higher, but Lauren was afraid that it was not safe. Frank then asks if he will be buried next to them, and Boyd promises that he will. Boyd then leaves him alone by the swing for a few minutes.
Boyd then pays a rare visit to the Church, and says that God isn’t answering. Khatri counters that he isn’t listening closely enough. Boyd then says that he can’t put Frank in the box, revealing that it was supposed to be a deterrent, not an actual punishment. Khatri says that if Frank is absolved of his crimes, after he had several public warnings, the rules that hold the town together will carry no weight. Boyd points out that Khatri should be talking to him about the virtues of mercy. Khatri asks if that’s what he would prefer, and Boyd angrily shouts that he would prefer not to put Frank in the Box to be torn apart by the Creatures after sundown. Khatri refuses to pretend that this is an easy decision, but asks what happens when people realize that Boyd is too weak to use the guillotine he built in the town square. Boyd calls Khatri a terrible priest and leaves. On his way back to his office, he stops by the Box and goes inside, trying to imagine what it must be like. Boyd then walks into Frank’s cell and tosses a talisman on the bed, and tells him that there’s a small shack a hundred yards beyond the tree line, and orders him to take the talisman and make whatever life he can there. Frank asks what Boyd will tell everyone, but the Sheriff walks away.
Khatri then holds the Choosing Ceremony, and explains that if the Matthews want to live in Town by their rules, working for the communal good until they can return home, they will choose a rock. If they prefer Colony House, where they will live for the present because the future is not guaranteed, they will choose the flower. Boyd then interrupts and begins to say that while he has them all gathered, he thought he would address the issue of Frank and the Box. As Boyd begins his speech, Frank asks to speak, and is given the floor. Frank expresses regret that he let this place get to him, and how he used to be a good father. He instructs his fellow townspeople to have hope. Frank thanks Boyd for attempting to intervene, but accepts his fate, pointing out that the only two things that he loved in the world are gone, and he just wants to see them again.
Jade, still believing that this is a performance, begins clapping and laughing. Boyd then restrains Jade and orders him to choose one and he picks a rock. As he begins threatening retribution at Boyd and the rest of them, Kenny offers to show him something and takes him away. One person tries to dissuade Frank from his choice but he insists on it. Boyd then hastily concludes the ceremony, asking each member of the Matthews family what they’re picking. All pick Town except Julie, prompting an argument. However, according to the rules, the choice is final. Boyd assuages the Matthews parents, pointing out that his son will be up there and that she will be looked after. Khatri then reminds everyone that sundown is approaching, and tells them to get home.
As the sun sets, Boyd and Khatri take Frank to the Box. Before entering, Frank makes Boyd promise to get everyone home. After nightfall, as the Creatures approach the Box, Boyd struggles to watch from his window, while Frank at first tries to prepare to go down fighting. However, he breaks down and sits on the floor. The Creatures then break in and attack him.[6]
The next morning, Boyd heads to the Box with a cart of wood to repair it, and finds Frank's dismembered body. Boyd puts the corpse in the cart and wheels it back to the Church for burial. On the way, he passes Jim and Ethan Matthews outside the Diner, and Ethan asks what is in the cart, offering to help. Boyd covers the body with a tarp and says he's just getting supplies for Father Khatri, declining the boy's offer for help. Boyd arrives at the Church with the body, and Khatri grimly remarks that the Creatures don’t leave much before asking if Boyd will return for the service. Boyd laughs, reminding Khatri that he was the one who wanted Frank dead. Khatri asks him if that made him feel better, but Boyd just walks away and says to return the cart when he’s done.
As Boyd repairs the Box, Khatri returns the cart and tells Boyd that if he needs to say shitty things to him to feel better, he fine with that. Boyd refuses to engage, prompting Khatri to launch into a sermon, citing Psalm 23 from the “Book of Cut the Self-Pitying Bullshit and be a Leader.” Khatri tells Boyd that what happened to the Pratts was not Boyd’s fault, but none of this is about what happened to them. Boyd warns him to be careful about what he says, and Khatri tells him that he needs to stop punishing himself because “she” wouldn’t want that. Boyd gets angry, but Khatri tells him that prior to Boyd’s arrival, he was burying more people every week than he had in the past two years. Khatri credits Boyd with creating order out of chaos and finding the talismans, but paid an immense price. Khatri admits he can still see her face when he closes his eyes and that he can’t imagine what it must be like for Boyd but he doesn’t have the luxury of grief. They went three months without a death but had six in the past three days, and things are now falling apart. Khatri forcefully tells Boyd that he needs to tell the people that it will be okay. Khatri volunteers himself to be Boyd’s punching bag, but Boyd needs to lead them and lead them home, or else she died for nothing, concluding the sermon. Boyd doesn’t respond, and goes back to repairing the Box when his hand starts shaking.
Later that day, Jim approaches Boyd and says he has a problem with Victor. Jim explains that Victor is taking Ethan out in the woods, and Boyd promises to talk to Donna. Jim adds that Victor has a gun in his lunchbox. Before he leaves, Boyd admits that things have been crazy since the Matthews arrived so they haven’t gotten to know each other, and invites them to dinner.
Before dinner, Boyd trims his beard and neatens his hair. He then screams at the mirror for a few seconds. At the Diner, Boyd sits with the Matthews and talks with them about Julie. Tabitha thanks him for what he did, and Boyd says that they take care of each other in Town, and compliments them on how they’re coping. Sara brings over another plate of food and asks Ethan if he wants to help her. The tabletop jukebox then turns on, confusing the Matthews parents, and Boyd explains that they do that sometimes. Boyd then excuses himself to go talk with Kenny for a moment. Jim apologizes to Tabitha, and admits that he doesn’t know what he is doing, and never meant to make her feel bad, explaining that he feels broken. Tabitha holds his hand and promises that they will figure it out together. Ethan then comes over with a plate of sweet potatoes. As Sara observes them, she becomes agitated, and notices the words “KILL THE BOY” painfully appearing on her arm before vanishing, disturbing her. Sara then collapses and has a seizure, and Boyd rushes to help.[7]
Sara is brought to the Clinic, where Kristi Miller checks over her. Kristi informs Boyd that she’s doing fine, but without an MRI there’s no way to know what’s going on but she’ll be kept overnight. Boyd asks if she’s ready for that, and Kristi promises she will not let the door to be opened again. Boyd then asks if Sara’s and Ethan’s seizures are physical reactions to the Town. Kristi says she would have thought almost everything that happens in town is impossible. Noticing the tremors that Boyd is trying to conceal in his hand, Kristi tells him to come by tomorrow. She then spots Nathan heading their way from the window, and tells Boyd that Sara wants to be left alone. Boyd meets him outside the Clinic and tells him that she’s fine but asleep and he can come by tomorrow, assuring him that Kristi will watch her overnight. Nathan frantically tries to get in, and Boyd asks if something else is going on. Nathan says he’s just worried about his little sister. Boyd reassures Nathan that Sara is in good hands and tells him that he can see her in the morning.
Later that day, Kenny updates Boyd, who is studying the map, that Sara is okay, and brings him some food. Boyd asks him to hold down the fort while he stops by his wife’s grave. Boyd visits his wife’s grave, which is located on the outskirts of Town. After putting flowers by the grave marker, he apologizes for his absence, explaining that recently the Creatures killed a family and several others at the Clinic. He adds that they were doing well for a while and things almost began to feel normal. He then reveals that he began getting tremors in his hand, just like his father did meaning that the clock is ticking for him. However, he has a crazy idea that might get everyone home, but if he fails it will leave everyone even worse off. He remembers how she always made all the hard calls, laughing as he does. Although he doesn’t believe in signs, he says he could really use one and needs a little help.
After Sara accidentally kills Nathan while trying to kill Ethan, she runs away. Boyd checks on the Matthews, Khatri explains to him and Jim that he was too late and she ran off into the woods. Boyd promises that if she returns before dark, they will handle it, and if she doesn’t, it will have been handled for him. An angry Jim then excoriates the two, reminding them that they described the Town as one big family. At the Diner, Boyd finds Kristi struggling to Cope with the situation. She explains that Sara had asked questions such as what she would do to go home. Boyd assures Kristi that this is not her fault. Kristi explains that it was so nice spending the night with her, but Sara took the scalpel from the Clinic, asking if it’s not her fault, whose is it. Boyd tells her that she did not bring them to Town, did not put any thoughts in Sara’s head, and reminds her that she saved Ethan’s life, and tells her to cut herself some slack. As the tabletop jukebox begins playing, Boyd declares that he just received his sign.[8]
While Kenny and Boyd bury Nathan, Father Khatri gives a sermon about how chaos and faith are the duality of their existence, both in Town and in the larger world. As they finish digging the grave, Boyd asks Kenny if he is alright, and Kenny admits that he is having a hard time wrapping his mind around the kind and nice Sara doing this. He adds that his mother is taking it hard, having viewed Sara as a daughter. Boyd tells him that he has been thinking about what Kenny said about running out of room on the board. Kenny dismisses it as him having been upset, but Boyd says it does not mean he was wrong. Boyd explains that he feels that things are changing, and points out that the talismans can work in the RV. Now, he is determined to go out into the forest but Kenny begins to walk away. Boyd scolds Kenny, who asks if he is going alone and how far he is going. Boyd says he is trying to find a way out, but Kenny says there is no point and he is simply going to his death.
At the Clinic, Boyd visits Kristi, and asks her how Kenny is doing. Kristi admits that he has been having a hard time since his father’s death, and is trying hard to be a person that he thinks people need him to be because he is Boyd’s deputy and doesn’t want to fail him. Boyd admits he hasn’t been trying to push him too hard but Kenny needs to be ready to lead. Kristi bluntly tells Boyd that she understands Boyd wants to prepare him for the worst and to be his successor, but at the moment Kenny is in pain and needs a father, not a sheriff. Boyd realizes that she is right, and thanks her as he leaves. Kristi eyes the room where Bing-Qian died, and shuts the door.
Boyd looks through his drawers before finding his baseball mitt. Boyd goes to the Liu home, where he finds Kenny carving chess pieces. Boyd asks his protege to play catch with him, but Kenny is not interested. Boyd explains that he played first base in college, and had a chance of going pro. Kenny asks what happened, and Boyd replies that life, as always, had other plans. Boyd admits to Kenny that he has Parkinson’s disease. He explains that it has already begun chipping away at him, and eventually he will not be able to protect the townspeople. Thus, he has to find a way out while he still can, but he can only do this knowing that it will be in good hands. Boyd praises Kenny, telling that there are many in Town who are alive because of him, and while his father is not around to say it, he, like Boyd, is proud of him. Boyd adds that if he is not ready and needs more time, he will stay. Kenny then rises, and asks him if they are playing catch or not, and Boyd follows him out. As they play, Kenny offers to carve them a bat, so they can play proper baseball when he returns.[9]
Boyd walks through the streets ringing the bell telling people to get inside. In her home, Tabitha reads to Ethan from the Cromenockle, and after noticing that Ethan has fallen asleep, begins closing the curtains. In the Liu home, Kenny finds Jade squirreled away in his room repeatedly drawing the mysterious symbol he saw in his hallucination. Kenny admonishes Jade for drawing in his book. Jade angrily shouts that he was out of paper and asks Kenny if he wants him to draw on the walls like a psychopath. Meanwhile Father Khatri waits on the porch of the Sheriff’s Office for Boyd. When he returns, Khatri tells Boyd they need to talk in private urgently. Inside, Khatri notices that Boyd is preparing to leave, and remarks that they have even more to talk about.
At the Sheriff’s Office, Boyd concludes explaining to Khatri his plan to go out into the forest in search of a way out. Khatri then reveals the bag that he buried the day he arrived in Town and has Boyd look through the contents. Boyd gets frustrated and asks what is going on. Khatri says they have never discussed who they were before they arrived in Town. Khatri explains how he gave the candy bar to a boy in his congregation with very strict parents, who had asked to stay with Khatri. When he went to check on the boy later that day, he found that the boy's father had beaten him to death in a drunken rage, prompting Khatri to beat him bloody, blaming himself for failing to help the boy. Afterwards, he contemplated suicide after drinking the bottle of alcohol in the bag, but heard the voice of God, who told him to return to the car, for there was another path to follow. That path led him to the Town. Boyd asks the priest why he is telling him all of this, and Khatri says it’s because he has Sara tied up in the basement of the Church. Khatri tries to explain that he knows there is a reason they are all trapped in Town but Boyd aims his gun at him. Boyd tells a shocked Khatri to tell him that he is joking. Boyd angrily recalls how Khatri insisted that Frank Pratt go in the Box, but Khatri tells him that Sara may be the way they go home, and Boyd demands that he explain.
Boyd finds Khatri’s explanation of the voices Sara hears difficult to believe, but Khatri pulls out the drawing she made of the chocolate bar logo. Boyd tries to rationalize it, but Khatri insists that there is no way she could have known that story. Boyd asks if he thinks whatever is talking to Sara is trying to help them, pointing out that it ordered her to kill Bing-Qian and Ethan Matthews. Khatri says that it is part of the fabric of this place, and Sara’s connection makes her valuable in ways they do not yet understand. Khatri tells Boyd that it is not a coincidence that Boyd is about to go on his journey at the same time as this connection is revealed. Khatri suggests that he and Sara accompany Boyd on his journey and use her connection to their advantage. Boyd and Khatri make plans for their journey. Khatri is excited, and believes that this is why he was told to get back in the car, so he and Boyd could help find a way home for those trapped in the Town. Boyd calls him a madman, but their conversation is interrupted by honks from the van. Boyd asks where his son is as he and Khatri begin helping the passengers inside. Before Khatri can make it inside, his throat is slashed by a Creature. Boyd shoots the creature to no effect and helps Khatri inside. Boyd tries to stop the bleeding while Khatri gasps for breath and says that his path doesn’t end like this. Khatri asks Boyd to pray with him, and the two begin to recite the Lord’s Prayer as Khatri dies.[10]
The morning after the Colony House Attack, Kenny informs a bloodstained Boyd that he’s gotten most of the Colony House residents set up in Town. Kenny warns that things are getting tense, and suggests gathering everyone to say something. Boyd agrees and says Kenny should do that, but Kenny says it will mean more coming from him. Kenny asks Boyd if he is ok, and Boyd explains that Father Khatri risked his life to save his family. Boyd then remembers something and tells Kenny to give everyone his regards and prepares to leave. Kenny tells Boyd that people need his guidance. Boyd tells Kenny that he needs to learn how to do this himself and leaves. He goes to the Church basement where he finds Sara.
Boyd and Sara walk through the woods. Sara nervously asks where they are going and where Father Khatri is. Boyd tells her that the Creatures used to shriek all night until they found the Talismans, and then they began to whisper. Boyd asks if the voices told her that, and she says no. Sara refuses to go any further until Boyd talks to her, and Boyd is aghast that she thinks she can make demands after what she’s done. Sara repeats her request for Khatri’s whereabouts and Boyd reveals that he died, along with many others from Colony House. Sara asks if Ellis is ok, and Boyd tells her that he is fine, albeit scraped up. Sara begins to cry, and Boyd asks her if she cried for Bing-Qian. Sara asks if he thinks she is a monster and Boyd replies that he does not care, stating that the only reason she is alive is because Father Khatri thought she could help them get home. Boyd tells her that the second she proves Khatri wrong, he will kill her himself.
Boyd and Sara continue their trek through the woods and find an old wooden shack. Boyd tells Sara to stay in the shack while he wraps things up in Town before they leave to find a way home. Sara promises not to run, and that she wants to help. Boyd returns to town and finds Tom and Eli at the head of a crowd arguing with Tian-Chen, who is barring them from entering the Diner. Tom explains that the Colony House people are using up their supplies, and if he has to choose between himself or the Colony House people raiding the Diner, he’s choosing himself. Boyd says that no one is raiding anything, but Eli points out that the Creatures weren’t supposed to get into Colony House either. Boyd chastises them for acting like animals, and promises that they will figure it all out, telling them to go home in the meantime. The crowd disperses, grumbling as they do. Tian-Chen tells Boyd that they are scared before going inside.
Boyd tells Kenny that he can’t leave now given that they nearly had a riot at the Diner. A surprised Kenny reminds Boyd that this is why he said he had to leave, because things are starting to fall apart. Boyd points out that they lost over a dozen people the previous night, and Kenny argues that they’ll lose more if they start to panic. Boyd tells Kenny that he is going to stay until things settle down. Kenny retorts, asking what if they don’t when Donna walks in, asking if she is interrupting. Boyd tries to end the argument, but Kenny refuses, and reminds Boyd of his words, asking what’s changed. Kenny argues that the Talismans made them complacent, but are only a temporary reprieve, that things will never be ok in the Town, and they need to find a way home, or they will all die. Kenny says that there are answers and Boyd will find them before turning to Donna, telling her to pull herself together and be the leader she is, because that is what the people need. Kenny concludes that if they aren’t willing to fight like hell to get home, they might as well kill themselves now, before leaving. An amused Donna remarks that she didn’t know Kenny had that in him, and demands that Boyd explain what he was talking about. Boyd asks her to take a walk with him, and offers to explain on the way.
Boyd approaches Ellis and Fatima in the Clinic, and informs them that he is going to be leaving to try and find a way out. Ellis grimly remarks that he is going off into the forest with no idea what he is looking for, which worked well the last time. Boyd asks Fatima to excuse them and when she does, Boyd tells Ellis that he can be angry with or hate him, but he will listen to what he has to say. Boyd says that if he does not make it back, he does not want Ellis to regret what he did not say. Boyd says that Ellis is his son, that he loves him and is proud of the man he has become, adding that there is not a single day where that is not true. Ellis responds “ok” and Boyd leaves. Outside, Donna asks him how it went, and Boyd answers as well as expected. She assures him that Ellis will come around, and asks if he is really leaving. Boyd says it appears so, and notes that while they have had their differences, he thanks her for looking out for him. Donna tells him that he has done more than anyone should ever have to. Donna tells him to come back, asking who else she’ll argue with, and hugs him before telling him to leave before people begin thinking that they are friends.
Boyd arrives at the shack in the forest when Ellis catches up to him. Ellis admits that he has been following him trying to find the courage to say something. Ellis explains that during the Colony House attack, they would have died if not for the Talisman on the door. Ellis confesses that he has been angry for such a long time, and didn’t know how to deal with it, but had Boyd not brought the Talismans back, and struggles to finish the thought. Ellis tells Boyd that Abby’s actions were not his fault and apologizes, and the two begin crying and hug each other. Ellis says that he did not want to let Boyd leave without saying goodbye. Boyd tells him that this is not good bye, and Ellis notices Sara watching them. Ellis asks what she is doing and Boyd tries to explain that he needs her for his journey, offering to explain everything when he returns, asking Ellis to trust him and not reveal that Sara is with him. Ellis agrees, and tells Boyd to come back. The two say they love each other before Ellis leaves. Boyd and Sara prepare to head out. Before they do, Boyd handcuffs Sara, explaining that he can’t take any chances. The two then begin trekking deeper into the woods.[2]
As Boyd and Sara continue their trek through the woods, Sara asks him how he knows where to go, and he admits that he is simply following his best guess. They arrive at the Talisman Cave, and Boyd explains to Sara that it is where he found the Talismans. Boyd decides to set up camp for the night, but Sara points out that it isn’t dark yet. Boyd explains that the cave is the farthest he has ever gone into the forest, and does not want to go into uncharted territory with two hours before dark. Sara asks for the cuffs to be removed, saying she has to go to the bathroom, but Boyd refuses, and says that is why he cuffed her hands in the front.
Boyd and Sara continue their journey, with Boyd marking trees so they can find their way back. Sara asks Boyd how he knows the forest won’t be like the Fallen Tree Road, and just loop back to Town. Boyd admits that he has no idea, but they will find out. Boyd asks Sara about the voices that told her to kill all those people so they could get home, and asks if she thinks they were lying. Sara says she doesn’t want to talk about it, making Boyd angry, and he says if they’re second-guessing each other, it seems fair to ask what they told her that convinced her to try and kill Ethan. Sara answers that they told her that two cars were coming and if she did not follow their orders before trailing off. Boyd, now furious, shouts at her to answer the question and Sara shouts back that they told her Nathan and everyone else would die. Sara tearfully asks him why he didn’t put her in the Box, and Boyd says he doesn’t know before releasing her from the handcuffs. Boyd says he has seen the Town make good people do bad things, and they continue on their way.
Boyd and Sara progress deeper into the forest. Sara remarks that it was nice that Ellis saw them off before they left. Sara begins to talk about Abby, but Boyd refuses. Sara continues to say that Boyd reminds her of Nathan because he always puts others needs before his own. Sara adds that she does not think he would like what they are doing because if they tried to leave or pushed too hard, then something would push back. They then hear clinking, and follow the noise to the Bottle Tree. Sara is surprised to see it, remembering that Boyd said that no one had made it out that far into the forest. As Boyd tries to knock a bottle down so he can see what’s inside, Sara becomes pained and begins screaming before beginning to seize as Boyd helplessly tries to tend to her.
In the Forest, Boyd has set up camp for the night, hanging a Talisman in their tent. Sara wakes up, gasping for breath. She asks where they are, and Boyd assures her that they are safe. Boyd reveals that he was able to knock one of the bottles down, and the piece of paper simply said “1864.” Sara says they should go back, explaining that the voice she heard this time was a woman, who said that she was wrong, that there are worse things out there than the Creatures, and kept repeating “tell Mr. Fish and Loaves that I was wrong.” This frightens Boyd, and the two are further disturbed by rustling noises outside their tent. The tent then begins violently shaking. The tent continues shaking, but eventually stops. Boyd searches for the Talisman in a panic and rehangs it. Sara says they should not have come here. Boyd tells her they are ok, but she says she does not believe they are. They then hear a loud horn, and flashes of light begin illuminating the outside of the tent.[11]
Sara plays with a worm while Boyd gazes longingly at his boat key. Sara asks him if the animals know about the horrible things they are surrounded by, or do they just think they are where they are. Sara asks what he thinks dragged the tent and where he thinks they are, and Boyd does not have answers, but wants to find out. He exits the tent, and finds that they are surrounded by massive spiderwebs.
Boyd and Sara wander through the web-covered forest in the direction of the light from the previous night. Sara asks if he thinks it’s a good idea, but Boyd brushes her off. Sara continues to question him, and Boyd says that their tent got dragged through the forest so they can’t go back, but the light from the previous night was powerful, and maybe help lies in its direction. Sara is more cautious, and says the voice that spoke to her was different, and asks who Mr. Fish and Loaves is. Boyd answers it was his nickname in the Army, and the only people in Town who knew it were his wife and Ellis. Boyd finds the idea that his deceased wife sent Sara a message preposterous. Sara counters that she was brought along to help and the voice told her that they should go back. Boyd then hears a woman’s voice calling for help, which Sara cannot hear. Boyd continues deeper into the forest, and finds Abby, trapped in a web, but the apparition grabs him and begins screaming. Boyd then gets covered by spiders, several of which bite him before Sara helps remove them. Sara asks what he saw, but Boyd does not answer.
Boyd continues to press on, but Sara urges him to rest and talk to her. Boyd begins to panic about not being able to find their way out. Boyd begins to deteriorate, believing that there is no way out, that the place is feeding on their pain and collapses. Sara urges him to continue, reminding him that Ellis is waiting for him and offering to help Boyd. Sara helps him back onto his feet, and they notice an approaching storm. The two press on as the storm rages, Sara tells Boyd that they need to find shelter. Boyd wants to continue, but is physically unable to. Sara urges him to keep moving and they hear the horn again. Taking his bag, Sara tells him that they are heading in the right direction and are almost there as the rain begins to pour. They struggle to the top of the hill, and find that the source of the light and the noise is a large lighthouse. As they continue, Boyd collapses from the pain and tells Sara to leave him, saying one of them has to make it back. Sara refuses to abandon Boyd. Sara sees a vision and directs them to a Farway Tree. Boyd gets in first, and is transported to the bottom of a dry well.[12]
Season 2[]
Boyd has a dream where he walks through Town ringing the bell warning people to get inside before dark. Boyd looks around and he is the only one outside as storm clouds brew over Town. Boyd’s hand then begins shaking and he drops the bell as rain begins to fall before waking up at the bottom of the dry well. Boyd calls out, hoping to get a response. After hearing none, he begins to try and climb out, but slips and falls back down, prompting him to yell in frustration. Boyd calls for Sara from the bottom of the dry well, and laughs bitterly about how she said they would be safe inside the tree, adding that this does not feel safe to him. A voice from the top calls out, and asks Boyd if he is real. Boyd answers that he is, and the voice offers to help Boyd if Boyd helps him. Boyd promises to if he helps him out. The voice says that Boyd has to climb up, and sends a rope down, warning him to hurry because “they” will be back soon. Boyd climbs the dry well, and sees a vision of Ellis at the bottom, talking about the boat. Boyd almost slips, but catches himself. The voice asks if he is ok, and Boyd says he is fine. Boyd reaches the top of the shaft and collapses on the ground in relief. He is startled by the voice, which is impressed that he made it given the length of the climb. Boyd finds the voice belongs to an elderly, emaciated man that is shackled to the wall. The man asks if Boyd has a gun, and when Boyd answers yes, requests that Boyd kill him.[13]
Boyd is shocked by the man’s request, and asks where he is. The shackled man reminds him of their deal, and asks for Boyd to kill him. As Boyd looks around, noticing skeletons shackled to the walls, the man asks if he is from the Town. Boyd answers yes, and the man says he always thought the Town was the worst part, but then he went through the tree. The man muses about how the Farway Trees always take them different places, or sometimes leave them stuck or trapped, and that is when “they” get you. Boyd asks who “they” are, but the man says that Boyd has a kind face, and asks for his name. Boyd introduces himself, and the man says his name is Martin. Boyd asks Martin how long he has been imprisoned, but he long ago lost count. Martin says it has been so long since he saw kindness, which is why he urges Boyd to leave. Boyd tries to see if he can free him from his shackles, and notices Martin’s United States Marine Corps tattoo. Boyd reminds him of the “no man left behind” motto, and refuses to leave him behind, but Martin repeats his request for death.
Boyd continues searching for a way to free Martin, who says even if he could be freed, he does not think he could make into Town. Boyd offers to carry him, and shows him the Talisman, which can keep the Creatures away. Martin asks him if he thinks the Creatures imprisoned him and says they are simply the tip of the spear. Boyd tries to change the subject and asks Martin where he is from as he tries to free him. Martin says he is wasting time before the two hear a music box. Martin warns him that they are coming, that there are nightmares in the forest and that Boyd has to escape before the music stops. Boyd finds the music box nearby.
Boyd is able to break one of Martin’s chains as the music box keeps playing. Martin then asks Boyd if he ever thinks Abby was right about it all being a dream. A shocked Boyd asks how he knows about that but Martin collapses to the ground. Boyd then notices the worms crawling beneath his skin. The music stops, and Martin says they are out of time. Martin cuts Boyd’s arm and holds his arm to the wound, saying that his blood is now Boyd’s and dies. The dungeon then disappears, with only ruins and the torch in Boyd’s hand left behind. A dog runs up to Boyd before running away, and Boyd begins to follow it.
Boyd struggles to keep up with the dog, and overhears the howl of the creatures. He quickly puts out his torch, and hides behind a tree. Boyd follows the dog to the Clairy's Canned Goods Truck, and is shocked to be let inside by Tabitha Matthews and Victor. Elgin then approaches the truck, and begs to be let inside. After seeing that the Creatures are stalking him, they let him inside, shut the door and hang the Talisman. Boyd points his gun at Elgin and asks who he is. Elgin introduces himself and says he was on the bus, but none of them know about the bus’s arrival.
Boyd treats his wound while Elgin sleeps in the back. Victor says he does not trust Elgin. Boyd says they are all still alive, but Victor grimly replies “for now.” Boyd asks Tabitha how she is doing, and she answers fine. Boyd tells Victor that he has passed the truck dozens of times and never thought to look in it, asking if Victor furnished it. Victor says that Boyd was supposed to be on a journey and asks if he found what he was looking for. Boyd asks him what he is drawing, and Victor answers things he has seen. Victor explains that it is good to draw them when you see them, so even if you forget, the pictures remember. Victor says he thought many of the things were dreams, but the pictures remembered. Victor notices that the sun has come up. As the four exit the truck, Boyd asks Elgin how many people were on the bus. Elgin answers at least 20-25, and that Donna tried to get them all into the Diner, but it became chaos after the house collapsed. Tabitha asks which house, and Elgin says the one next to the Diner. Realizing it was her house, Tabitha runs off to Town. As Boyd tries to get her to stay with the group, he notices worms crawling beneath his arm. He then turns to Victor, who is staring at him, and tells him to close the truck, and the three go after Tabitha.[14]
Boyd looks in the mirror at his arm, trying to detect the worms. He then tells Ellis about going into the Farway Tree. Ellis asks him where Sara is, and whether she is alive. Boyd says he does not know, and Ellis continues to struggle with the idea of teleportation via tree. An increasingly irate Ellis asks if he is hiding something, reminding him that he went out to find answers but instead came back and they are right where they started. Boyd asks him what is going on, and Ellis calms down and explains that things were bad the previous night and it affected Fatima. Ellis worries that he is seeing Fatima slip away. Boyd tells him that Ellis has to be there for her so she has something to lean on, and that they will not let this place win. The two hug, and Ellis goes to help Kenny with the animal traps. Boyd tells him to get someone else to do it and go help Fatima, but Ellis says he was going to use it as an opportunity to gather some wildflowers that he knows she likes. Before he leaves, Boyd teases him about the ring, telling him to get a better one, and Ellis tells his father that he is glad that he’s back.
Outside the Bus, Tillie, Elgin, Bakta and the rest of the passengers unpack their belongings. Donna tries to confiscate Randall’s rifle, but he refuses to give it up. Boyd arrives, and explains that the rule is that residents don’t carry guns. Randall rudely refuses again, and Boyd, losing patience, tells him he can either follow the rules, or try making it on his own in the woods. Randall, cowed, hands over the rifle. Boyd tells the bus passengers that they will have their questions answered, but they are all in this together, and need to work through it together. Donna then leads the bus passengers to Colony House.
Donna asks Boyd if he heard about Kristi’s fiancee. Boyd asks how they are on supplies, and Donna says that between the storm wiping out half their crops and the bus arriving, they will need to get serious about rationing. Donna adds that Bakta said there were 25 people aboard, and between the Diner survivors and the bodies they found, they have accounted for 22. Donna blames herself for scaring people off by firing the shotgun, but Boyd tells her to focus on the people she saved. Donna then asks if he will tell her what happened. Boyd visits his wife’s grave, telling her that he is back sooner than expected, but he has news, informing her that Ellis is engaged. Boyd ponders whether any of this is real, or if he is in a coma dreaming about everything. He asks how Martin knew about her. As he walks through the forest, he happens across Kristi Miller, Kenny Liu and Ellis trying to figure out how to put Kelly, whose head is pinned to a tree with a metal rod, out of her misery. Boyd tells them that it’s his job to do it. While Kristi holds her hands, Boyd pulls the rod out, killing her.
Boyd finds Donna working in a greenhouse, and the two commiserate about their bad days. Boyd explains what happened to Kelly and Brian. Donna is shocked, and Boyd says it reminds him of something from his first tour in Iraq, when a comrade of his died in his arms, the first person he ever saw die. Boyd tells her that his name was Brian Kelly, and expresses shock that he just killed a girl and his first thought is to wonder if any of it is real. Donna asks him what happened in the forest, and scolds him for dumping his stuff on her. Donna tells him that she needs to know that he is back, because she tried to step into his shoes and got a bunch of people killed, and because the people are at their wit’s end, as is she.[1]
Kenny runs and finds Boyd and says he needs to urgently show him something. Kenny takes Boyd to the Church basement, showing him that he has found Sara, surprising the Sheriff. Boyd tells Kenny to give them a minute to speak in private. After Kenny reluctantly leaves, Sara says she is glad Boyd is ok. Boyd asks Sara where she went, and she explains that she was transported by the tree back to the Church basement, and asks Boyd where he went. Boyd asks her how she knew what the tree was, and Sara tells him about the Boy in White, who told her both about the tree and that Nathan was right and that the place was now angry. Sara says the Boy is different than the other voices, that he wants to help but is unsure how. Boyd tells her that he is glad that she is back, but her being back will cause problems and they need to figure out how to handle it. Sara tells him he knows what he needs to do, and that he always knew it would end this way. Boyd says he will talk to Kenny, and as he leaves, she asks if he told Kenny about what happened at the Clinic. He answers no, and goes upstairs to Kenny.
Boyd tries to explain how Sara is uniquely connected to this place, and how Father Khatri figured it out and tried to use it to understand where they are. Kenny asks if she has been in the basement since Khatri’s death, and Boyd admits she accompanied him into the forest, but adds that she is the only reason he is still alive. Boyd tries to defend her actions, but slips up and mentions that she killed multiple people, but is able to cover it up. Kenny insists that she go in the Box, but Boyd angrily refuses. Boyd’s ears begin to ring, and he goes outside for some air, sees the worms crawling beneath his skin and collapses on the ground, prompting Kenny to call out for help.
Kristi checks on Boyd, who insists that he is simply tired. Boyd asks about spider bites, which Kristi examines. Kristi notices the gash on his arm, and he says it was a scratch from a tree branch. Kristi instructs him to keep it clean, and asks if his tremors have worsened. Boyd answers that they come and go, but he is dealing with it. Kristi asks if he has experienced any other symptoms, such as visual impairment, muscle stiffness or depression. Boyd quips that everyone in Town is depressed, but suffers from none of the other symptoms. Boyd recalls that his father’s mind started to be affected towards the end. Kristi says that cognitive impairment doesn’t happen until far further down the line, but gets worried and asks why he is bringing it up. Boyd insists that he is fine, but Kristi tells him that he needs to rest, and cannot afford any extra stress. Boyd laughs bitterly about how anyone in Town could avoid extra stress. Boyd tries to rise, but falls back down on the bed, and Kristi tells him to stay put.
Boyd washes his face and exits the bathroom only to find a vision of Father Khatri, telling him that it is his move but his options are limited. Boyd says this isn’t real, and the vision of Khatri asks if he really wants to focus on what can and cannot be real. Boyd says that between the mystery boy sending people through magic trees, the cessation of the tremors and the worms beneath his skin, they have a lot more to talk about. Khatri suggests they talk about what is really on his mind: how Boyd will tell Kenny that Sara killed his father. Khatri asks what benefit there is in Kenny knowing that Boyd betrayed him. Boyd reminds him that it was his idea to hide Sara and keep her alive, and Khatri says this is why he needs to stay quiet, asking whether Boyd thinks this will help Kenny or just relieve his own guilt. Khatri tells him that leaders need to make tough decisions and cannot be everyone’s friend, therefore he needs to make the decision to lie to Kenny. Boyd insists that he will not lie, but Khatri reminds him of what Ellis said about everyone needing something to hold on to, and that Boyd is now Kenny’s father figure. Khatri concludes by telling Boyd that broken people do not survive this place.
As Boyd walks to the Church, Tillie introduces herself, remarking that the Town was not her preferred destination, and that she heard that he had quite an adventure. Boyd says that he has to talk with his deputy, and Tillie informs him that she saw Kenny heading for the Clinic. There, Boyd finds Kenny staring at the spot where he found his father’s body. Kenny tells Boyd that before their arrival, he had never seen his mom cry, but now he hears her sobbing every night because she is convinced that it is her fault that Bing-Qian died because he opened the Clinic doors. Kenny reveals that Sara told him that she opened the doors, and Boyd admits that he found out the night before he left. Boyd tries to say he was going to tell him, but a furious Kenny asks when he planned to do that, and insists that she go in the Box. Boyd refuses, Kenny, heartbroken over this betrayal by his father figure, removes his badge and tells Boyd to watch his own back.[3]
The next morning, Boyd is awoken by knocking on the Church doors. Sara is also woken up, but Boyd tells her to stay out of sight. Boyd opens the door and Jim and Tabitha enter, demanding to know where Sara is. Boyd tries to tell them that there is much they don’t understand, but Tabitha says that Kenny told them what he would say and reminds Boyd that she is a murderer. Boyd insists that she is not going to hurt anyone, but Tabitha ignores him and reminds Boyd that she tried to kill Ethan. Jim asks if they are supposed to pretend like nothing happened and why Boyd is not enforcing his own rules. Boyd insists that things have changed, prompting Jim to defiantly ask how. Boyd, exasperated, answers that Jim got everyone's hopes up with the radio tower and now they are all looking at him wondering why he did not return with all the answers, they have a busload of people who they don’t have the resources for, and the Matthews’ home collapsed for no reason. Thus, if Sara can help them figure out what is going on, then she stays out of the Box. Sara then emerges, and Tabitha forcefully tells her to stay away from her family. Boyd tries to reason with them but they both depart, leaving Boyd frustrated. Boyd leaves to tell Donna, wanting her to hear from him. Sara tells him that she should not be here and is not strong enough for this. Boyd tells her that he can’t help her with that and she needs to figure it out.
In Colony House, Donna expresses shock at the news Boyd has told her, reminding him of the rules he made that dictate that Sara should be put in the Box. Boyd tries to remind her about what Khatri said but she brushes this aside and scolds him for failing to return with answers and making exemptions for Sara, who killed four people. Boyd points out that Sara knows things, but Donna does not care and says that Sara betrayed the one thing the Town had going for it, faith in Boyd. Donna bluntly remarks that she thinks that this obsessions for Boyd is not about going home, but about how he regrets not paying more attention to Abby before he had to kill her, but his wife is dead and Sara is a killer. Boyd asks Donna if she will support him, but Donna refuses to give it, asking what Tian-Chen thinks about Sara’s return. Boyd says he hasn’t talked to her and Donna says that he should, and he leaves.
Boyd observes Randall trying to hoist some seats from the bus onto the roof of it. Jim then approaches him, promising that he does not want to argue. He admits that he disagrees with Boyd’s actions, but after looking at Sara, he realized that he didn’t see a psychopath, but a broken kid. He adds that he sees a lot of people in Town who are pushed to their edge, and wonders if that is the point of this place. He reveals that he and Donna heard a voice on the radio that knew his name, and what Tabitha was doing in the basement of their house. Jim believes they are being watched, and that there have been experiments like this dating back to World War II. Jim says they don’t have to trust or like each other, but they have to start working together. Jim says he has no idea what the observers want from them, but he would love to hear a more rational explanation. Boyd then leaves for the Diner. Inside, Boyd asks for Tian-Chen, but the worms reappear under his arm as the tabletop jukeboxes begin playing Roy Orbison’s “In Dreams”. Meanwhile, Kristi gets ready for bed, donning the shirt Mari gave her earlier. Meanwhile, Mari discreetly goes into the medicine cabinet and takes a drop of the liquid morphine. In the Bar, Jade throws darts at drawings of the symbol. Ethan plays with his blocks on the porch of the Lius’, and observes Sara walking past. The two lock eyes, before Sara continues on her way. On top of the bus, Randall has set up a chair and whittles a block of wood as he waits for nightfall. Back in the Diner, Boyd tells a clearly angry Tian-Chen that he was hoping they could talk.[15]
Boyd haltingly tries to explain how while he believes his decision to keep Sara alive is for the good of the Town, he understands if she hates him for it due to Sara’s actions. He sympathizes with the difficulty of losing a loved one in this place. He struggles to explain how he is doing everything he can to get them all home when Kenny arrives, and he angrily confronts Boyd. Tian-Chen tries to diffuse the situation but Boyd thanks her for her time and leaves. Boyd goes to the Church and finds the main room empty. He then hears a music box, and turns around and sees a Ballerina dancing in front of him. The Ballerina has Boyd twirl her, smiles at him, but then opens her mouth in a blood-curdling shriek as worms fall out of her mouth. Back in the Diner, Boyd falls on the floor of the Diner, hitting his head. Boyd apologizes and is helped up by the Lius. Tian-Chen tells Kenny to take Boyd to Kristi, but Boyd insists he is ok and tries to walk out, but struggles to stay upright, and is helped out by Kenny.
As Kenny and Boyd walk, the latter remarks how he’s never seen the leaves change here before. Kenny, seeing that Boyd is walking ok now, decides to leave him, but returns when he hears Boyd cry out in pain and clutch his arm. Boyd tries to explain how there are worms crawling underneath his skin. Boyd then hears the music box again and sees it on a nearby rock. The Ballerina then emerges from the Root Cellar, and smiles at Boyd as she begins dancing. Kenny snaps him out of the vision, but Kenny is disturbed by Boyd’s state of mind.
In the Clinic, Boyd tries to explain what happened with Martin in the dungeon and the worms. Boyd continues to say the worms had been feeding on Martin for years but they would not let him die. Kristi is disturbed, and Boyd asks her that if she can’t believe him, for her to promise to end his misery if things get too bad for him, leaving her shocked. Kristi exits and talks with Kenny about Boyd’s condition. Kenny worries that Boyd’s mental state is declining, much like his father’s did. Kristi tells Kenny that dementia usually only happens later, but Kenny points out that it does happen.
Boyd has another vision of the music box and the Ballerina. The Ballerina comes up behind him, pushes him onto the bed and begins strangling him. This causes Boyd to panic, and when Mari walks in to check on him, he draws his gun on her. Boyd apologizes and puts the gun down. Mari asks if he is ok, and he promises he is.
In the Clinic basement, Boyd looks at the remaining bloodstains in the spot where Bing-Qian was killed. The vision of the Father Khatri remarks that there are some stains that can’t be washed clean. Boyd asks if this is how they will all end up, like him and Bing-Qian. Khatri replies that they all end up the same, no matter where they are, but Boyd specifies that he is talking about being mauled to death by the Creatures. He then says that whatever is inside of him is getting worse. Khatri agrees, but says he is proud of Boyd for asking for help and admitting weakness. Khatri adds that the people upstairs probably think he has gone crazy, and Boyd asks if he has. Khatri points out that he is talking to a figment of his imagination, but that sometimes crazy is the most rational response. Khatri concludes that Boyd did what he could but not every story gets a happy ending, much like his own, Bing-Qian’s and Abby’s. Boyd remarks that Khatri is still the worst priest he’s ever met. Khatri tells him to imagine a better version next time, causing Boyd to chuckle. Kenny then walks in, and asks Boyd who he was talking to. Boyd tries to say he was just thinking out loud, but Kenny sees through the lie and repeats his question. Kenny then bars the doors and says Boyd is not leaving until he is assured that it is safe, having heard what happened with Marielle. Boyd admits he was talking to Father Khatri and knows it looks bad, but insists that something happened to him out in the forest and it terrifies him.
Fatima Hassan arrives at the Clinic with a badly wounded Ellis Stevens. Kristi calls Boyd and Kenny upstairs as she begins tending to him. Marielle tries to help, and Kristi is resistant but tells her where the saline is. Kristi figures out that there is blood in his chest cavity and makes an incision in his side to drain the blood. Meanwhile, Fatima, Boyd and Elgin nervously wait in the next room. Boyd calms a panicking Fatima and asks Elgin if he is ok, and Elgin explains that he isn’t good around blood. Kristi arrives and says she was able to relieve the pressure in his chest, but due to the blood loss he needs a transfusion. Boyd says Ellis’ blood type is O negative, and Kristi says they will use Boyd for a transfusion, but Boyd, fearing that whatever is inside of him will then transfer to his son. Boyd insists he is not crazy, but Fatima tries to tell him it can’t be worse than dying, but Boyd is adamantly against it. Kenny then points a gun at Boyd and tries to force him to provide his blood. Boyd then begins writhing in pain, and Marielle sees the worms and alerts the others to their presence. Fatima begs them to do something. Kenny retrieves a knife and tells Boyd to transfer the worms to him so he can do the transfusion, and they can figure out the rest later. Boyd refuses, explaining that there is a nightmare happening under his skin which is getting stronger and is not willing to risk passing it onto Kenny.
Boyd then has an idea and leaves the Clinic, saying the worms have to go somewhere. Boyd calls out to the Creatures, and the Smiley Creature comes. Boyd invites him to come get him as more Creatures arrive. Boyd then cuts his palm and walks over to Smiley and cuts his throat. Smiley continues grinning, and Boyd then presses his wound to Smiley’s, repeating what Martin told him in the Dungeon. Boyd painfully feels the worms leave his body, while a unfazed Smiley says he likes this game. He and the other Creatures advance on Boyd, but Smiley begins to writhe and howl in pain as his human appearance disappears, revealing his true monstrous face. The other Creatures inspect what is happening to Smiley and leave Boyd alone, allowing him to run back to the Clinic. The Creatures then disperse.
Inside, Boyd assures them that he is ok now, and they begin the transfusion. After the successful transfusion, Kristi tells Boyd to lie down, but he promises that he is ok. Fatima watches over a recuperating Ellis, and Kristi asks how he’s breathing is. Ellis replies that he is fine, and Kristi promises to fetch new sheets. Ellis jokingly asks Fatima if she is still mad at him, and the two kiss. Fatima then leaves, promising to return. She steps out into the hallway and begins crying. Kristi tries to comfort her as Fatima says she almost lost Ellis and is frightened by the worms under Boyd’s skin. Fatima says she needs to ask Kristi something she cannot tell anyone else, and asks for a pregnancy test. Kenny approaches Boyd and admits that they should have listened to and trusted him as they stare at Smiley’s body. Kenny asks if it is dead, and Boyd replies that they will find out soon enough.[16]
The next morning, everyone gathers and Boyd and Kenny lead them in inspecting the dead body of Smiley. Kristi marvels at the fact that Boyd actually killed one of them, and Fatima asks what they should do with the body. Kenny says they should burn it, but Boyd and Kristi want to bring it inside and perform an autopsy to learn more about the Creatures. Kenny points out that they do not even know if it is safe to touch the Creature, and Boyd says that it’s Kristi’s call. Kristi decides to study it, and Mari offers to get a sheet so they can drag it inside. Boyd then tells Ellis to get back to Colony House to avoid having a crowd descend on the Clinic to check on him while they’re doing the autopsy. Kristi gives Ellis and Fatima the go ahead, telling them to return if he has any trouble breathing. Boyd then notices Elgin looking downcast and asks if he is ok, and Elgin says he is fine. Ellis tells his father to be careful as he leaves, while Boyd, Kristi and Mari prepare to bring the Creature into the Clinic. Kenny repeats his objections, but Kristi says that they may never get another chance to do this.
After moving Smiley’s body into the Clinic, they prepare to perform an autopsy. Kenny worries that cutting open the Creatures will release the worms from Boyd’s arm. Mari runs outside the room and vomits, and Kristi explains that she is going through withdrawal. Boyd asks if they can do anything to help, but Kristi just wants to get the autopsy over with, and Kenny leaves to get her gloves and a saw. Kristi puts Mari to bed as her withdrawal gets worse, and then helps Boyd bandage his palm. Boyd assures her that Mari will be ok because she has Kristi. Kristi explains that Mari had been sober for a year when they met, but relapsed when she disappeared. Boyd tells her that this is not her fault, but Kristi continues to blame herself for not noticing the withdrawal symptoms. Kristi then worries about what Kenny said about Smiley’s body, and both admit that they are scared.
Kristi, Boyd and Kenny begin the autopsy on Smiley. As she makes the first incision across the chest, the body twitches, startling all of them. Kenny begins to freak out and repeats his opposition. Kristi returns and continues the autopsy with Boyd’s help. Kenny returns to help and helps them remove the sternum. Kristi is shocked to see that the Creature has the same anatomy as a human, but shriveled and desiccated, with no fluids to speak of. Kristi is dismayed by the absence of blood, recalling Boyd’s description of the worms. She digs in the body looking for some fluid but begins to break down and begins stabbing at the body randomly. Kenny notices an orange liquid, and Kristi says it’s bile leaking out of the gallbladder. Boyd and Kenny are encouraged by this, and they work to gather it. After the autopsy, Kenny asks Boyd if he thinks Smiley’s bile will kill other Creatures. Boyd admits he has no idea, and Kenny asks how they will test it. Boyd says they will leave that problem for tomorrow. Kenny begins to leave and tells Boyd to talk to Kristi for him. As he leaves, Boyd offers Kenny his badge back, but Kenny simply says that he’ll see him around.[17]
Sara approaches Boyd in his office and says she wants to go back into the woods and continue to search for answers. Boyd does not think it's wise, and Sara understands that he is needed in Town but she wants to help. At Boyd’s pressing, Sara reveals that she feels like an outcast in Town but going out into the forest is something helpful that she can do. Boyd says there is a difference between searching for answers and running away. Sara says she can’t sit and do nothing in the Church anymore, and Boyd offers to find a solution.
Boyd checks on his son to make sure he is recovering from his stab wound. Ellis assures him that he is healing well, Dale is locked in his room and all is well. Boyd notices Ellis is smiling, and Ellis explains that he has some news. Donna arrives asking for Boyd, and Ellis promises to tell him later. Boyd asks Donna if she can give Sara something to do at the house, and Donna is initially resistant, but relents. However, Donna says they have bigger problems. The people in Colony House are on their last nerve, Dale is still imprisoned and Elgin almost drowned in his sleep. Boyd goes to check on Elgin, who he finds crocheting. Elgin explains that in his dream, he was in the bathtub but something pushed him underwater. When someone shook him awake, he started spitting up water. Elgin asks how that is possible, and Boyd asks if Elgin told anyone about what happened at the Clinic. Elgin answers he hasn’t, and Boyd says that they pulled something out of Smiley that they think they can be used as a poison. Elgin suggests dipping his bullets in the bile.
Boyd goes to check on Kenny and asks about the burn on his arm, and Kenny says it happened in his sleep. Boyd tells Kenny about Elgin’s idea to dip the bullets in the bile to see if they kill the Creatures. Boyd and Kenny head to the Clinic, where they find Kristi tending to a worsening Mari. They tell Boyd and Kenny that sounds were coming from the boiler room where Smiley’s body is being kept. Boyd and Kenny go down to investigate, telling Kristi and Mari to run if things go bad. They carefully advance on the door and find hundreds of cicadas crawling all over Smiley’s corpse. Kenny explains that in his dream, he heard the exact same buzzing and saw a pot full of them. Kristi then recalls that Elgin dreamt about drowning and awoke spitting up water. Kenny adds that when the music box started playing, one jumped out and burned his arm. Marielle is frightened by the idea that their dreams can harm them now. Donna arrives asking for Kristi, and noticing their expressions, asks what is going on.
Boyd tells Donna about what happened with Smiley, and Donna is irate that he failed to tell her about this earlier. Boyd apologizes and Donna asks about the bile, and Boyd says they are not certain but it is worth trying. When he shows her the body, the cicadas are gone. Donna is shocked by the body, while Boyd is worried about the disappearance of the cicadas. Donna says they probably scattered, and that they need to burn the body. Boyd and Kenny cart the body away, and Donna tells them to burn the body far away so people don’t get curious. As for the dreams, Boyd suggests they have people sleep in shifts. He says he’ll have Sara put up in the Sheriff’s Office, and tells Kristi and Mari to join her, warning Kristi that he has seen withdrawal before and it is going to get worse. Kristi refuses to be under the same roof as Sara but agrees to go to Colony House. Boyd and Kenny go into the forest and burn Smiley’s body. Kenny remarks that he had gotten so used to being scared that it felt normal, but now that their dreams can harm them, he is even more frightened. When they return to Town, Kenny hears the sound of cicadas. Reggie then comes running outside of his house covered in blood and crying out for help as the cicadas continue humming.[18]
Boyd and Kenny follow Reggie inside, and he shows them Paula’s horrifically broken body. Reggie explains that she was resting while he was downstairs and heard her screaming. He tried to wake her, but she was talking in her sleep before it was if her entire body cracked. As Reggie begins to sob, Boyd asks what Paula was saying in her sleep. Boyd tells him that he needs to tell him what Paula says, and Reggie says she kept on repeating “they touch, they break, they steal, no one here is free” before dying. Boyd asks if she was still asleep, and Reggie angrily answers yes as he continues to break down. Boyd leaves to think outside, and sees a number of concerned people. Ethan asks if everything is alright, and Boyd tells him yes, and asks if he can go home while he talks to Julie. Tian-Chen leads Ethan home, while he and Kenny tell Julie that they have 30 minutes before dark and need go door to door and tell everyone that they can’t be alone. Julie asks what is going on, and Boyd says that something killed Paula in her sleep, so everyone has to stay awake. Julie then remembers that her father is at the RV.
Boyd finds Randall and Jim holding Donna hostage in the forest, and fires his gun in the air ordering Randall to drop the knife. Jim apologizes for what’s happened and cuts Donna loose, while Boyd says they have five minutes to get to safety before dark. However, Randall throws the keys away, and says they will have to stay the night and see what happens.
In the RV, Donna and Boyd set up the Talisman, but Randall criticizes Jim for turning against him just as they were about to get answers, and tells him that he is the reason his family is a mess. Jim and Randall begin to physically fight, but Boyd breaks it up and hand cuffs Randall, telling him to keep his stupid ideas to himself so as not to get any of them killed. Boyd then turns to Jim and admonishes him for treating their situation like a game after all they have been through. Jim apologizes for how things happened, but Donna tells him he shouldn’t be surprised. Jim says he has to return to his family, and thinks he can probably hot wire the van, but Boyd refuses to take the risk. Randall stands up, refusing to obey Boyd because he thinks Boyd is either part of the conspiracy or simply an idiot. Boyd restrains Randall, and tells him that he lost his wife and best friend as a result of this place, and threatens to tie Randall to a tree outside so Randall can find out the truth for himself.
Boyd explains what happened with Smiley at the Clinic as he coats his bullets in the Creature’s bile. Donna suggests letting Randall go outside and test it. As several Creatures advance on the RV, Boyd offers the gun to Randall, who agrees. As Boyd uncuffs him, Donna notices that the Creatures have stopped moving, as does Jim. Donna is worried because this is abnormal for the Creatures. All four of them hear the music box, and realize the noise is coming from the RV’s radio.
Boyd prepares to leave to test the bullets. Donna tries to restrain him, but Boyd says he has heard this music and every time he does, bad things happen, so they have to leave. As he prepares to exit, something thumps the bottom of the RV, scaring them all. Jim says this is impossible because there is no space underneath them. The lights then begin flickering, and Randall breaks a window and runs away on his own. Donna and Jim head for the van, while Boyd fires his gun at the Creatures. A vision of Abby then says his name, telling him to come back to her. However, she disappears, and Boyd continues to fire at the Creatures, but the bullets have no effect. Boyd then runs to the van, which Jim successfully starts and they drive off.
When they arrive at Colony House, Boyd and Donna are swarmed by people with questions. Bakta and Meredith ask how long they have to stay awake and why it’s happening. Donna tells everyone to calm down and that they know they are scared but are trying to figure it out. In the meantime, they should listen to Boyd’s instructions. Jim tries to sneak past the distracted door guard and leave to get back to his family. Boyd tells him that opening the door puts everyone at risk but Jim says they are always at risk. Jim continues to struggle with the guard until both he and Boyd draw their guns on Jim. Kristi then calls for help, and Boyd leaves to help her while Donna pushes the crowd back.
Upstairs, Mari goes catatonic while her eyes glaze over. Kristi begins to break down but Boyd calms her and tells her that Mari needs a doctor, not a fiancee. Kristi points out that there is nothing medically that she can do, but Boyd tells her to help by holding on. Donna chases away onlookers while Ellis tries to tell Boyd something. Donna tells him to go, and Ellis brings his father to Elgin. Elgin explains that Fatima saying she was pregnant made him remember the missing portion of his dream. Boyd is shocked by the news, but tells him to continue. Elgin says there was a Boy in White who kept repeating the same phrase: here they come, they come for three, unless you stop the melody. Bakta says it’s an old nursery rhyme that she remembers from her grandmother, and recites in its entirety: "They touch, they break, they steal, no one here is free. Here they come, they come for three, unless you stop the melody." Boyd then realizes that he has heard portions of the rhyme before.[19]
The next morning, Boyd directs Kristi and Kenny upstairs when they arrive at the Lius'. He then goes out onto the porch, where Jade remarks that Julie should be putting on a prom dress, not dealing with this. Jade says their problem is that they don’t know enough, and need to find out more. Kenny exits as Boyd leaves to talk to Sara.
Boyd leads Sara and Kenny into the forest, and explains how the Boy in White who led Sara to the Farway Tree that transported him to the Dungeon also appeared in Elgin’s dream, who told him the nursery rhyme that Paula kept repeating before she died. Boyd asks for more information about the Boy in White, and all Sara can say is that he wanted to help. Boyd tells Sara that this is her chance to help the people of the Town escape. They then arrive at the ruins of the Dungeon, and Sara stops and says she can hear the music box, but Boyd and Kenny cannot see it. Sara promises that she can hear it and becomes disturbed, telling Boyd that she can hear Julie, Mari and Randall screaming in pain. Sara’s nose begins to bleed as she begins screaming too, repeating the nursery rhyme and telling them that “it” needs them to stay. Sara tells them that it is laughing at Boyd for bringing it to Town and seeing it free, it wants to hurt them and was so excited when it touched Kenny’s arm. Boyd asks how they can stop it, and Sara tells him that Julie and the others are dying, and when they do it will be too late. Sara tells him he needs to make the music stop, but does not know how as the pain overwhelms her.
While Sara recovers at the Dungeon ruins, Kenny asks Boyd what their plan is. Boyd says they should go back to Town, explaining that there is nothing they can do at the moment. Kenny asks what they tell people, and Boyd says they need to assure them that they are working on it and try to make them feel safe. At the Sheriffs Office, Sara asks if they have buried Paula and when Boyd realizes he forgot, she offers to take care of it, and tells him that he is doing the best he can.
Boyd goes to the empty Church and asks if God is there, adding that if God exists, he is an asshole. Boyd muses how if Khatri were present, he would say that God moves in mysterious ways. Boyd points out that Khatri had a plan and thought God had a plan for him right until he was killed by the Creatures. Boyd recalls how his last act was to pray in order to show God that he never lost faith. Boyd tells God that he is not here to pray, and that if God is anything other than a bedtime story he will tell them why he made Boyd think he could help people when all he is is an idiot who gets people killed. Boyd asks God if he finds this funny and shouts at him to answer when Donna arrives. He tells her that Sara says Julie, Marielle and Randall are all dying and once they do, it will be impossible to stop the monster, which will kill them all in their sleep. Boyd tells her that Sara saw the music box in the clearing, but it was not visible to any of them, and adds that he saw his wife the previous night. Boyd blames himself for bringing this thing to Town, but Donna points out that he saved a lot of people, and that his son is getting married. Donna tells him to make the most of the time they have and return to Colony House with her. Boyd refuses to give up, and Donna says she isn’t saying to do that, but to take some time to see his son get married.
Donna leads Fatima with hands over her eyes to her and Ellis’ room, where Ellis has made an altar out of flowers by the window. Boyd then arrives, saying that wild horses could not have stopped him. Fatima asks Boyd walk her down the “aisle”, which he happily agrees to. The two recite their vows, express their love for each other and kiss. Something they say reminds Boyd of something, and he tells them that he loves them before leaving.
Boyd goes to the Clairy’s Canned Goods Truck where he fetches the torch he took from the Dungeon. However, he is confronted by a shotgun-wielding Reggie, who blames him for causing all of this after going into the Forest. Boyd tries to tell him that he thinks he can fix this but Reggie shoots him in the shoulder. Reggie apologizes and says he always liked Boyd, who draws his pistol and shoots him dead. A wounded Boyd then heads to the Dungeon ruin and lights the torch, which restores the Dungeon to its full form. Boyd notices the music box in one corner, while Julie, Marielle and Randall are chained to the wall. Boyd tries to rouse them, but they are unconscious and he promises to free them. Boyd prepares to destroy the music box, but a vision of Abby tells him that destroying it will only prolong all of their suffering. The three victims of the monster then begin screaming. Abby tells him that he believes he needs to be a hero, but none of it really matters and he no longer needs to suffer and he can join her. Boyd recoils from the vision of his wife and asks why this monster is letting her talk to him. Vision Abby responds that hope is what feeds their suffering and pain, made him abandon her when she needed him most, and is what feeds the forest, not fear. Abby tells him to leave the three prisoners, saying they will just die tomorrow if not today. Boyd then smashes the music box with the torch, and all three wake up. The Dungeon then disappears, and Boyd declares victory. A familiar dog then appears, and runs off into the forest.[20]
Season 3[]
Three days after defeating the Music Box Monster, Boyd re-bandages the gunshot wound in his shoulder in his office. A vision of Father Khatri notes Kristi should be doing that, but Boyd responds that she is busy tending to Marielle. Khatri asks about Marielle, Randall and Julie. Boyd says they are doing fine, noting they’re all still alive. Khatri argues that one of his own people tried to kill him, half the Town is still afriad to try and sleep, there’s a food shortage, and the weather is getting colder. Boyd says he does not want a panic. He recalls how the Music Box Monster tried to taunt him with visions of Abby telling him to give up hope, but it was not really her. Boyd then asks what the vision of Khatri really is. However the vision says it cannot answer.
Outside, a commotion ensues as Tian-Chen Liu returns with Ethan Matthews, who ran away to look for his mother, who has been missing for three days. Boyd approaches Jim, and tries to talk him out of searching for Tabitha, saying it is too dangerous to be in the Forest overnight. Jim notes that his family is falling apart and his children need their mother. Boyd argues that he and Sara tried to venture into the woods, and their tent got dragged by some unknown force, and barely made it back alive. Boyd indicates that she may already be dead, angering Jim. Boyd relents, but says he may have a safer solution.
In the Lius’ Home, Boyd tells Jim and Kenny about his and Sara’s journey from the Talisman Hut to the Lighthouse. Boyd suggests using the Talisman Hut as a starting point for his searches and a place to shelter at night. After hearing that Sara had also been there, Kenny volunteers to join Jim. Kenny reasons that they cannot let Jim go out on his own. Kenny acknowledges that Boyd has many reasons to be afraid, but having lost a parent himself, he refuses to allow Julie and Ethan to lose both of theirs. They are interrupted when a large object is thrown through the window of the Bar from the inside. They go to investigate and find Jade on the floor muttering, with the place covered in strings. Kenny says he was obsessed with the drawing but this is a new level, and they take Jade to the Sheriff’s Office to recover.
After Jim says goodbye to his children, Boyd reminds Kenny about the Farway Trees and the spiderwebs, and to be back in the Talisman Hut before nightfall. Ellis comes running up and brings Boyd to the fields outside Colony House, where Meredith tells Donna that all their crops are rotten. Donna informs Boyd that everything that survived the storm is rotten, and they are officially out of food. A worried Boyd then asks how many people know.
A mob breaks into the Lius' Home and steals the food in the basement. At the Barn, Randall Kirkland tries to take Alma the goat for himself, but Victor Kavanaugh draws a gun on him. Boyd arrives and calms Victor down, convincing him to hand him the gun. Boyd acknowledges to the gathered crowd that they have experienced a setback, but the animals are their remaining source of food. While they are scared and hungry, they still have to work together and make things last. Boyd tells them that the Township will not break them, and asks for time to figure things out. Randall reluctantly gives the goat back to Boyd who leads it with Ethan back to its pen.
While Victor sweeps in the Lius’ Home, Boyd and Donna discuss their dire food situation with Tian-Chen. Boyd asks if the animals can tide them over until they can plant a new crop, but Donna says that the soil is poisoned. Boyd refuses to give up, and says they need to carefully plan how to utilize their one remaining resource. Tian-Chen says they should plant crops in different locations to see if the soil is better. Boyd hypothesizes that they have to make it through three months of winter, and Donna says slaughtering the cows one by one might by them a month. Boyd asks about the goats just as Ethan walks in, and he walks back out, despondent. Boyd follows and tries to comfort him, telling him that the animals will be heroes for saving them. Ethan asks that Alma be slaughtered first, so she does not have to watch her friends die.
That night, Boyd's hand shakes as he pours himself a drink. Jade wakes up, and accepts a drink from Boyd, who says it was Khatri’s. Boyd asks if Jade is ready to explain what is happening with him, and Jade says not yet grimly noting that they are not doing well. Boyd then notices the cattle wandering the streets. He and Boyd try to gather the livestock that is now roaming the Town, and are joined by Tian-Chen and Victor.
As they try to herd animals into the Bar, the Milkman Creature kills one of the cows. Tian-Chen and Boyd lead the last cow into the Barn, locking the door behind them. However, they are greeted by the Nurse, Mechanic and Cowboy Creatures, the latter noting that Boyd said the Township could not break him, quoting his exact words after he defeated the Music Box Monster. The Creatures cuff Boyd to a post as the Cowboy Creature says they will see if the place can’t break him. As they begin torturing Tian-Chen in front of him, he tries to support her and urges her to stay strong.[21]
The next morning, Boyd, semiconscious and muttering in Cantonese, is awoken by Jade, who frees Boyd with the handcuff key that the Creatures left in his pocket. Boyd then crawls to Tian-Chen's eviscerated body, beginning to sob and apologize for failing to save her.
Boyd and Jade bring Tian-Chen’s body to the Church as onlookers mournfully watch, Victor among them. At the Church, they place her on a cot. Boyd says they should bury her with Bing-Qian. Jade asks Boyd how he survived the encounter with the Creatures and Boyd answers they wanted him to watch before leaving. Outside, Boyd walks to his office, flashing back to Tian-Chen’s torturous death, while Donna asks if the news is true. Boyd explains what happened the previous night to Donna, who asks how many animals were saved, scolding him for risking peoples lives to save livestock. Boyd defends his decision, and the two begin arguing about their situation. As Boyd begins breaking down, Donna sympathizes, and says he tried and lost because the game is rigged. Donna expresses anger at herself for believing Boyd’s promise that they would go home. Donna leaves to dress the cow that was killed before the meat spoils.
Kristi approaches Boyd, who is staring at the overturned truck in the motel pool and explains he no longer remembers to who it belonged. Kristi reminds him it belonged to Danny and Shay, who Boyd recalls as good kids. Kristi tries to reassure Boyd that the previous night’s events are not his fault. Kenny then arrives, ecstatically announcing that they found a new food supply. He and Jim notice everyone’s grim expressions. Jim asks about his children but Boyd says they are fine. Kenny then notices the blood on Boyd's shirt and asks about his mother, calling for her in Cantonese. As Boyd tries to tell him, Kenny refuses to listen and goes inside the diner.
In the Bar, Boyd finds Kenny filling jugs of moonshine. Kenny explains that he cannot be dissuaded from going to the Tunnels, where he plans on burning the Creatures to death. Boyd is wary, but agrees. At the mouth of the caves, Boyd remarks that Jade was disturbed by what he saw, and he did not find the Creatures. He further explains that the Creatures want them angry and stumbling around in the dark, but promises to go with Kenny to try and take out as many as possible. Kenny admits he cannot stop thinking about how alone his mother was in her final moments. Boyd said she was not alone, as they made him watch helplessly, but assures Kenny that she was strong and brave, and kept repeating something in Cantonese to him. Boyd repeats it, and Kenny tells him it means “take care of him, he’ll be alone now.” As Kenny cries, Boyd pulls Kenny into a hug and takes him back into Town.
They go to the Church, where Tian-Chen's body has been readied for her funeral. Boyd leaves Kenny to grieve privately. Later, a funeral is held for Tian-Chen in the Church. After the funeral, Ellis approaches his father, who admits he is not doing well. Ellis tries to be supportive, but Boyd says they can’t keep waiting for more information, and asks Ellis for help catching one of the Creatures.[22]
While Boyd rings the bell warning everyone to get inside, he notices Jim sternly ordering his children to return home from the Barn. Boyd asks Jim if he is alright. Jim grimly notes that things are getting worse before leaving. The next morning, Boyd explains that he plans on using the Talismans to trap a Creature. Ellis is wary, but Boyd thinks that they need to stop playing it safe. Ellis reminds him that he spent one night in the Forest and it almost got him and everyone else killed. Boyd argues that Jim and Kenny found food, and that they need to take chances, regardless of how it may work out. Donna arrives, and informs them that they drew straws and Dale was chosen before asking what is going on. Ellis threatens to tell Donna if Boyd does not, and Boyd admits that he plans on capturing a Creature to learn about them. Donna finds the plan ridiculous, reminding him that they merely smile after receiving a point-blank shotgun blast. Donna sympathizes, admitting she too desires revenge for Tian-Chen, but she does not want Boyd to get killed because of a poorly thought-out plan and orders Ellis not to encourage him, reminding him that he has more to worry about than himself with a baby on the way.
As Boyd makes a wooden board, the vision of Father Khatri praises him for keeping many of them alive, but asks why he is risking that now. Khatri then asks if he has an actual plan. As Boyd tries ignoring him, Khatri says he is not realizing that the Creatures are trying to change him and are succeeding, as the old Boyd would never do something this stupid. Khatri tells him that he and Tian-Chen died trying to help people, and Boyd is diminishing their sacrifice by making it all about him. He then insults Boyd’s woodworking and Boyd reveals that is a memory board, to mark down where everyone is buried, including Father Khatri.
Boyd goes to the Diner, where he finds Ethan washing dishes with Bakta. Ethan explains that they are doing so because Tian-Chen would want the Diner to be put together. Bakta tells Boyd that she feels bad for Ethan. Boyd asks how she is doing, and she says that she is still processing everything, and does not really know before asking Boyd how he is. Boyd admits that it’s been a rough stretch, but they will win and go home. Ethan asks if there is a way home, and says Boyd simply hopes there is one, reminding him of Tian-Chen and his mother. Boyd says they are not giving up on Tabitha, but Ethan says that maybe they should.
Boyd visits Randall in the bus and thanks him for helping the night the animals got loose. Boyd offers to have Randall stay in the Sheriff’s Office so he can stay overnight in the bus and watch the Creatures. When Randall asks why, Boyd says it is time to change things up.[23]
That night in the bus, Boyd watches out for the Creatures with Randall, who is skeptical of Boyd’s plan to catch a Creature. Boyd asks why Randall declined his offer to sleep in the Sheriff’s Office. As the two argue, Randall explains that if there is a plan, even a foolish one, to try and get more answers or even escape, he wants to help. Randall admits he was profoundly changed by his experience with the Music Box Monster, and no longer believes death to be the worst fate.
Randall grows nervous, noting that the Creatures should be walking around. He explains that they have a pattern which they repeat every night. Meanwhile, the ambulance draws closer as Tabitha urges them to get to Town, while Acosta and the EMTs continue to disbelieve her. Boyd and Randall notice their arrival, as do the Matthews from their house. Boyd and Randall exit the bus to help as Ethan comes running out of his house. Boyd grabs him and they run to the house. Ethan explains that the voice on the phone told him that his mother was on the ambulance.
Soon, they hear gunshots ring out. Jim leaves to help Tabitha, Boyd orders Ethan to stay inside and leaves with Randall in tow. Jim finds Tabitha in the ambulance, followed by Boyd and Randall, who leaves to fetch a toolkit to break the handcuffs. Randall's return is blocked by the Creatures, who he fails to repel with the Talisman. Randall throws Boyd the toolkit and tries to rush back to the bus, but is overpowered by a hallucination of the cicadas. As Boyd searches for the ambulance keys, he is offered them by the Waitress Creature, who says that they get to keep Randall. As the Creatures surround a struggling Randall, the Waitress tells Boyd that he cannot save them all, and he reluctantly takes the keys, leaving Randall with the Creatures.
Boyd drives them to Colony House. Distressed, he explains to Donna that he left Randall behind. Nicky, who was wounded by a stray bullet fired by Acosta, cries out in pain before succumbing to her wound. Boyd then spots Acosta nearby and excoriates her for firing wildly in a panic. As Boyd begins to grab her, Donna escorts him upstairs. Boyd expects a lecture, but instead Donna begins sobbing, and Boyd tries to comfort her. Afterwards, they toast to better days when they notice the ambulance’s lights flashing. They peer through the window and see a mutilated Randall propped up on the hood.[24]
Boyd and Ellis bring Randall, who has been mutilated by the Creatures, into Colony House. Marielle begins tending to him as everyone stares in horror. Randall begins struggling, and as Boyd tries to restrain him, accuses him of abandoning him to the Creatures. The next morning, Jade and Kenny bring the injured Kristi to the Clinic, where she is taken by Marielle. Jade and Kenny ask about the ambulance, and Boyd reveals that Tabitha has returned, much to their shock. Boyd explains her story, and Jade runs off.
Inside, Kenny explains that they will have to return to the Log Cabins for the remaining food, but warns that both times he has been there he has observed something walking around outside at night. Boyd says they have bigger things to worry about. Kenny asks why the Creatures didn’t kill Randall, and Boyd answers that they want the Townspeople to be constantly afraid, and no longer be able to pretend that they are safe. They are interrupted by Randall, who wakes up, writhing in pain. Mari tells Boyd that he will only makes things worse here, but he can be of more use in Town now that Tabitha has returned.
At the Diner, the residents of Town and Colony House gather. Boyd begins by telling them that they have no easy explanations, and to be mindful of the fact that Tabitha has been through a lot. Dale leads the others in demanding that Tabitha speak, but Donna calms them down. Bakta asks Henry why he was in the ambulance, and as he begins to explain, Tabitha arrives, with Jim. Dale immediately asks if she went through a tree. Tabitha begins explaining her story.
Tabitha concludes her story for the people in the Diner. Fatima asks if she tried reaching out to the police, and Tabitha says she wanted to, prompting anger. Tabitha justifies herself, saying they would not have believed her, and Henry tries to back her up, pointing out that he didn’t believe her at first, and that his circumstances are different than the average person’s. Acosta agrees, noting that she and the EMTs thought Tabitha hysterical, but this only angers people further, who point out that she killed Nicky. Clara admonishes Tabitha for wasting her opportunity in the outside world to get help. Jim asks the crowd what they would have done. Fatima also criticizes Tabitha, who apologizes for not finding answers and leaves.
Boyd reminds the crowd that Tabitha escaped, and they should have hope now that it is possible. Dale then demands to go to the Bottle Tree, riling up the crowd. Boyd begs them to think, but Bakta agrees that the equation seems simple: Tabitha went through the tree and escaped. Boyd warns that they cannot just run into the Forest, but Fatima says that they should head to the tree, and Ellis agrees. Boyd warns them that the trees are not simply a magic door, reminding them that he almost died after going through one. Kenny agrees with Boyd, reminding the crowd that it was the Lighthouse that allowed her to escape. Dale says he is going to the Lighthouse, declaring himself done with Boyd and his rules before leaving.
As the crowd disperses, Ellis runs after Boyd, who scolds his son for stirring up the crowd with Fatima, describing the situation as a powder keg. Ellis insists that they need to take action rather than sit around worrying about the possibilities. Boyd asks whose life Ellis is willing to gamble on. Boyd warns that what happened at the meeting was dangerous.
Acosta approaches Boyd in his office, thanking him for sticking up for her in the Diner. Admitting that she cannot take back what she did, she offers to help. She advises him to give the Townspeople something to focus on besides the tree, explaining that after a large storm had flooded the town, her precinct captain had people sandbag the marina, even though the worst had passed, to make them feel in control. Boyd reacts with anger, reminding her that her actions cost people their lives and could have killed more.
Boyd goes to the bus and looks at Randall’s belongings, and Bakta asks what he is doing. Boyd admits that he is trying to assuage his guilt. Bakta tells him it was not his fault, and apologizes for not being more supportive at the meeting. Boyd acknowledges they have a right to ask questions, and he is tired of not having answers. Bakta is amused, noting that he reminds her of his sister, who always tried to make things right, but ended up feeling like she was in the wrong. Bakta notes that Boyd is just trying to keep them from doing something stupid, and promises to have his back next time.
As they leave the bus, Boyd and Bakta notice screaming coming from the pool as a crowd gathers. They find Dale, who has been teleported into the concrete wall of the pool, and is slowly being crushed and suffocated to death. Boyd apologizes to Dale, preparing to shoot him to end his misery. However, Dale dies before he can shoot. Boyd turns on the crowd and asks them if they still want to go through the tree. Boyd reminds them that he is trying to keep them all alive, but cannot help them if they do not let him. Donna arrives, and is shocked by the site of Dale’s body.[25]
The next day, Boyd and Jade discuss the Bottle Trees. Jade explains that the Lighthouse somehow led Tabitha to Camden. Jade tries to explain that the Bottle Tree was important to Miranda, and it has to mean something. Boyd asks if he has seen the bottles from the other tree that he and Sara found in the forest. One of the bottles he pulled down had a note that read 1864. Jade finds a slip of paper from the Farway Tree-Bottle Tree with the same number, and asks to be taken to Boyd’s.
Boyd arrives at the Clinic as Kenny is leaving. Boyd checks on him, and Kenny promises that he is fine. Inside, Boyd finds Randall convalescing. Kristi, now on crutches, finds him and informs him that Randall is doing better, and the ambulance had an ultrasound aboard, telling him to inform Fatima. Boyd goes to bring the good news to Ellis and Fatima but finds them looking grim. They explain that Fatima has been experiencing strange cravings and symptoms. Boyd, shaken by the news reveals that they have an ultrasound. Fatima reluctantly agrees.
At the Clinic, Kristi prepares Fatima for the ultrasound. As she examines her, she and Mari are confused by the ultrasound and apologetically explain that she is not pregnant as there is nothing in her uterus. Fatima does not believe them and demands they keep looking. Kristi turns the screen towards them and shows that there is nothing. Fatima says that there is something inside her that she needs them to find, and Ellis says that they need to tell them.[26]
Fatima explains her cravings to Kristi and asks what is happening to her. Kristi says were they anywhere else, she would guess that Fatima is exhibiting symptoms of a psychosomatic pregnancy. Marielle assures her that they do not think she is hysterical and they are not ruling anything out, while Kristi acknowledges that Fatima may have been pregnant. Fatima lashes out and insists that she is still pregnant and can feel something inside of her. Kristi offers to have her and Ellis stay the night but she angrily refuses and storms out. Mari goes with them to set up an IV. Kristi tells Boyd that he should have told her about Fatima’s symptoms. Boyd asks her to help, but Kristi says she does not know how, much to Boyd’s chagrin, and he angrily tells her to do her job.
As Boyd and Donna stroll, the two discuss Fatima’s pregnancy. Boyd says the two possibilities are that there is something there like the worms beneath his skin, or the Township finally got to her, and Donna notes the similarity to Abby. Donna tells him that if the cause is supernatural, they will have to deal with it. If the issue is psychological, they will have to figure out a way to help Fatima. Boyd asks to keep this between them, and says he hopes by then Kristi will have figured something out. Donna repeatedly asks what his plan is, and Boyd says he is telling her because they promised to not keep secrets and because Fatima is living under her roof. Donna then remarks that she does not think it wise for Fatima to be in Colony House, noting the dangers associated with both possibilities. Boyd is shocked at first but agrees, and plans on making room for them at the Sheriff’s Office.
In the Sheriff’s Office, Boyd returns to find the place ransacked. He finds Acosta, searching for her gun. She demands he return her gun, and he simply orders her to leave. Boyd reminds her that she shot someone in a panic, but she defends her actions. Boyd says that until she proves herself able to handle things, he will not give her a loaded gun. Acosta reminds him that she is an actual cop. Boyd asks when she graduated the academy, and when she says it is not his business, he tells her that everything about her and the Township are his business because he keeps people safe and alive. Acosta retorts that he has been doing a poor job it lately, and repeats his order to leave. Acosta repeats her request for her gun, and Boyd returns it, but only after unloading the bullets, telling her that she will receive those when he believes she deserves it. As she leaves, he says that they will have a problem if she returns without his permission.
At the Clinic, Boyd arrives and finds Kristi and Ellis arguing over Ellis trying to take powerful antipsychotics to give to Fatima. Kristi warns that the pills can make things worse, and Boyd agrees with her. Ellis storms out, followed by his father. Ellis, exasperated, asks what he is supposed to do, recalling Boyd’s worms and his mother’s fate, asking which nightmare he should fear. Ellis admits that he is helpless as he watches her fall apart. As Boyd pulls him into a hug, he begs his father not to let anything happen to her.[27]
In the aftermath of Tillie’s accidental murder, Boyd leads Fatima to the shack at the edge of the forest. Once inside, Fatima tearfully recalls what happened, explaining that a wave of rage overcame her when she killed Tillie. Boyd tells her to stay in the Shack while he and Ellis figure out how to move forward. Fatima says there is no way, but Boyd reassures her that she is family, and they will find a way. Boyd leaves her food, and tells her that they will need to let someone find Tillie’s body, horrifying Fatima. Boyd tells her that Ellis needs her to be strong, and leaves her with a Talisman.
As Boyd and Ellis approach Colony House, Boyd reminds Ellis to say that he and Fatima were with him the previous night. Ellis suggests telling the truth and explaining that Tillie’s death was an accident. Boyd tells him that they cannot explain this away. As Ellis panics about Fatima being put in the Box, Boyd orders him to pull himself together and get some supplies for Fatima without arousing suspicion. Boyd goes with Kenny to the greenhouse, where Acosta is examining the body. Kenny and Acosta report that there were no witnesses, and time of death is unclear. Acosta suggests interrogating the residents of Colony House. Boyd says he and Ellis will scout out the road to see if there are any new arrivals that arrived unnoticed.
Donna arrives, and says that they will have to talk to Sara, who Boyd rules out as a suspect. Donna says he does not know that for certain, and that she is not the only person who will ask about her. Donna further explains that hiding from the Creatures is one thing, but Tillie’s death is something people need to blame someone for, and if they cannot find the true culprit Sara will be blamed regardless. The two agree to talk to Sara together.
In the Sheriff's Office, Boyd and Ellis argue over telling the townspeople the truth about Tillie's death. Boyd dismisses Ellis' idea of him and Fatima living in a tent while everyone else takes time to accept what happened. Ellis says they will be safe, but Boyd says Ellis will not be safe from Fatima. As they argue, Donna arrives, warning that a mob is preparing to go after Sara. Boyd then reveals to Donna that Fatima killed Tillie.
Boyd finishes explaining what happened with Fatima. Donna says she has to come back. Boyd says he will, but not yet. Donna explains that she loves Fatima as one of her own, but Boyd cannot hide this. Boyd says he will explain and people will understand, as they did with Sara. Donna warns that people accepted what Sara did because Boyd told them to, but it will not work again because they no longer believe in him. Ellis volunteers to take the fall, but Donna says that will not work, as it does not address the fact that this happened in the first place. Either Fatima's mind has been broken or something evil is growing inside her, and both lead to the possibility of this happening again. Boyd offers to have her kept in the Sheriff's Office, but Donna says that they cannot fix the problem. Donna threatens to reveal to everyone that Fatima killed Tillie if Boyd will not before walking out.
Meanwhile, Boyd prepares for Ellis and Fatima to run away, instructing Ellis to stay off the path that leads to the Settlement. He promises to bring supplies to the shack twice a week. Ellis asks Boyd what he would have done had he the chance to run away with Abby after she killed several people. Boyd does not answer, and the two arrive at the shack and find it empty. Ellis desperately calls out for her.[28]
Trivia[]
- Missing since: 11/15/2019, Last seen: Traveling south from Petersburg, Va towards Wilmington, NC.
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
- Long Day's Journey Into Night
- The Way Things Are Now
- Choosing Day
- A Rock and a Farway
- Silhouettes
- Book 74
- All Good Things...
- Broken Windows, Open Doors
- Into The Woods
- Oh, the Places We'll Go
Season 2[]
- Strangers in a Strange Land
- The Kindness of Strangers
- Tether
- This Way Gone
- Lullaby
- Pas de Deux
- Belly of the Beast
- Forest for the Trees
- Ball of Magic Fire
- Once Upon a Time…
Season 3[]
- Shatter
- When We Go
- Mouse Trap
- There and Back Again
- The Light of Day
- Scar Tissue
- These Fragile Lives
- Thresholds
- Revelations: Chapter One
- Revelations: Chapter Two
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tether
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Broken Windows, Open Doors
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 This Way Gone
- ↑ Long Day's Journey Into Night
- ↑ The Way Things Are Now
- ↑ Choosing Day
- ↑ A Rock and a Farway
- ↑ Silhouettes
- ↑ Book 74
- ↑ All Good Things...
- ↑ Into The Woods
- ↑ Oh, the Places We'll Go
- ↑ Strangers in a Strange Land
- ↑ The Kindness of Strangers
- ↑ Lullaby
- ↑ Pas de Deux
- ↑ Belly of the Beast
- ↑ Forest for the Trees
- ↑ Ball of Magic Fire
- ↑ Once Upon a Time…
- ↑ Shatter
- ↑ When We Go
- ↑ Mouse Trap
- ↑ There and Back Again
- ↑ The Light of Day
- ↑ Scar Tissue
- ↑ These Fragile Lives
- ↑ Thresholds