Donna Raines

Donna Raines
Personal Information
Full Name:	Donna Raines
Profession:	Leader of Colony House
Gender:	Female
Status:	Alive
Nationality:	American
Relationship Status:	Single
Family:	Unnamed mother Unnamed sister †
Behind the Scenes
Portrayed by:	Elizabeth Saunders
First Appearance:	Long Day's Journey Into Night

Donna Raines is the tough, no-nonsense leader of Colony House. However, beneath her gruff exterior, she cares deeply for the residents of Colony House and the Town, and is determined to keep them all safe.

Biography

Background

On August 3, 2018, Donna and her sister were on a hunting trip somewhere near Bozeman, Montana, and were heading north to Choteau. However, they entered the Fallen Tree Road shortly before sunset. Not wanting the meat in the truck to spoil, Donna's sister decided that they should press on instead of doubling back. The first time they drove through Town, they saw people by the road. The second time, The second time, a smiling Creature stood in front of the car. Donna’s sister exited the car with a  shotgun and threatened the Creature, who proceeded to rip her sister’s face off. Donna recalls running until she found a hiding place in the forest, and listened to the screams of her sister as the Creatures tortured her.

In November 2019, the Stevens family arrived in Town shortly before nightfall. 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 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 begins foraging in the Forest for supplies and answers. One day, emerges from the forest after spending the night there 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.

Season 1

The morning after the death of Lauren and Meagan Pratt, Boyd Stevens goes to Colony House where he finds Donna working the fields outside. She scolds him for going against their agreement by coming there. Boyd asks to see his son, and is invited inside.

Later that night, Ellis Stevens and Kenny Liu lead a group of several newcomers to Colony House after nightfall. However, the people inside don't believe it's them. As the Creatures draw closer, Ellis pounds on the door until Donna arrives and lets them in just as the Creatures are about to surround the group. However, once they are safe, Donna demands that Tabitha, Julie and Jade be tied up. Later, Donna approaches Tabitha in the room she is being kept in and apologizes for their treatment of her, cutting her ropes loose. Tabitha immediately makes a run for it, but is stopped by an armed guard. Donna sits down with her, and explains that though none of it makes sense to Tabitha, these are precautions they must take, and promises that no one wants to hurt her or her daughter, and they have all been in her shoes before. Donna then begins to explain the situation and some of the laws and customs of the township.

Tabitha calls Donna crazy after getting the full debriefing. Donna laughs before questioning Tabitha on the number of times she drove along the loop and notes that she saw the Creatures. Tabitha replies that she doesn’t know what she saw, and Donna laughs and says her sister said the same thing. As she pours them drinks, Donna explains that she and her sister were on a hunting trip when they saw the tree and the crows just a bit before sunset. Instead of doubling back, they pressed on and arrived in Town after dark. The first time they drove through, they saw some people on the road. The second time, a smiling Creature stood in front of the car. Donna’s sister exited the car with a  shotgun and threatened the Creature, who proceeded to rip her sister’s face off. Donna recalls running until she found a hiding place in the forest, and listened to the screams of her sister as the Creatures tortured her. Donna tells Tabitha that she was lucky the sun was still out when she arrived. Donna finishes by saying that she has been trapped in Town for 3 years, 6 months and 17 days, and she can still hear her sister screaming.

The next morning, Jade wakes up tied to a bed and begins shouting for his friend, Tobey. Donna angrily tells him to shut up. Jade continues to demand to be released, asking Donna if she knows who he is, prompting Donna to bitterly remark that he’s “one of those”. Donna then begins to explain his situation. After hearing everything, Jade digests what Donna and Ellis have just told him, but believes that it is all an elaborate escape room-like ruse that Tobey is putting on for him and that Donna and Ellis are paid actors, leaving Donna and Ellis stunned, but Donna lets him wander. After Jim brings his family's things from their RV, the Matthews family enjoys a moment together before Donna interrupts their reverie by informing them that Father Rudra Khatri has arrived to tell them about the Choosing Ceremony.

Later that day, Father Khatri holds the Choosing Ceremony, which Donna attends. He 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 explains that he has been reminiscing about his family's last Christmas prior to getting trapped in the Town, and how he had been a good, if not perfect father. He admits that he let the Town and the Creatures in the forest get to his head, and he forgot what really mattered. He lamented that had he been a little stronger, he could have had another Christmas with them all at their home. Frank instructs his fellow townspeople not to let that be taken away from them, and to take care of each other. He then turns to Boyd, and expresses gratitude for his attempted intervention, but points 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, Donna reminds them that 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. That night, Donna and the other residents of Colony House raise a glass to Julie.

The next day, Donna finds everyone on the porch staring at Victor, who is digging what appears to be a mass grave in the yard. Donna rushes over to stop him, telling him that he's freaking people out. Victor replies that he is just trying to get a head start this time.

Donna arrives in the Colony House kitchen as they are preparing for the anniversary party of Fatima Hassan's arrival in the Township. Ellis offers her a shot before leaving. Victor informs Donna that there aren’t any peaches in the pantry. Donna tells him that they are completely out. Victor says that this is the first time they’ve ever run out of peaches, and Donna apologizes. That night at the party, Donna gives a heartfelt speech praising Fatima and gifts her a dreamcatcher. Everyone then raises a glass to Fatima before resuming the party. Later that night, a drunk Ellis begins to pick a fight with Dale but Fatima defuses it. However, Dale tells her to get Ellis upstairs before he starts shooting up the place. Fatima and Donna restrain him before he can hit Dale. Fatima asks Ellis if he is ok, and he apologizes and goes to lie down in his room, telling her to stay and celebrate her night. After he leaves, Dale calls Ellis an animal, adding “like mother like son”, and Donna punches him in the face.

After getting inside the building, the Creatures attack the Colony House residents. Someone rings the alarm to alert everyone while chaos ensues. Donna leads people into the van trying to keep order when Fatima finds her. Realizing that Ellis and Julie are missing, Donna prepares to look for them but Fatima tells her to follow protocol and get everyone to Town. Donna agrees and gets inside the van while Fatima stays behind. Donna drives the van to the Sheriff's Office, honking as she arrives. Boyd and Father Khatri rush out to help them, and Boyd asks what happened and if Ellis is safe. Donna says the Creatures got in and apologizes for not knowing about Ellis as she rushes to get the van passengers inside. Khatri's throat is slashed by a Creature as he returns inside. Donna and Boyd hold him 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.

The next morning, Jim and Jade arrive at Colony House and find Donna outside, loading the body parts of those killed the previous night in a wheelbarrow. Jim asks her if they can build a radio tower on the roof of the house, explaining that they think if they can get it high enough, they can broadcast a signal and ask for help. Donna is hesitant, but agrees. Jim asks if she is sure, and Donna replies that 14 of her people died the previous night, and the others are not likely to come back soon, so they might as well use the house for something.

Donna finds Boyd and Kenny arguing in the Diner and asks 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. After Boyd visits Ellis in the Clinic, 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.

Later that day, Kenny gives a speech to the assembled people in Town. He admits that they are in a tight spot, but Boyd is risking his life to find a way out for them, so the least they can do is keep things together while he does. Kenny says that going forward, there will be no more division between the Town and Colony House. Donna then steps up, and tells the Colony House people to be good houseguests, and says that Jim has an idea on how to get a signal out to people in the normal world, giving the floor to him. Jim explains that they will need batteries and people to build the radio tower, which they agree to.

As the sun sets, many Colony House residents head to the Sheriff’s Office, where they are temporarily staying. As Donna welcomes them in, she notices Eric looks glum, and tells him to get good sleep. Dale complains about living in a jail cell, and Donna reminds him that it is temporary. Dale expresses pessimism about the chances of the radio tower working, and Donna tells him to cut it out because the other people need something to feel good about. Dale declares himself happy to play make-believe and enters. Before Donna shuts the door, she draws a 1 on the NIGHTS WITHOUT INCIDENT sign. The next morning, a scream wakes up Donna, who comes rushing to the scene and finds that Eric had killed himself during the night. One of the Colony House people tearfully says that he had been saying he was fine and making jokes about the radio tower. Donna goes to Colony House, where Jim Matthews and Kenny Liu are working on the Radio Tower. They ask her how she is doing, and she hoarsely answers that she has had a rough morning. Kenny asks her if Eric is with her, because he needs him for a supply run. Donna answers that Eric isn’t coming, and walks inside. Kenny later finds Donna upstairs and asks if she is ok. Donna deflects and asks why he isn’t working on the radio tower. Kenny tries to comfort her but Donna rebuffs him. Kenny then mentions that he is going to get some wood from the Barn to build the radio tower. This prompts Donna to fly into a rage and she takes an axe to the floorboards. Kenny and Jim tell her to stop, and Kenny says they need Colony House standing. Donna replies that they don’t need it anymore because the radio tower will get them home, adding that it is no longer a home but a tomb. Donna then storms out onto the porch and tries to regain her composure.

At the Bar, Tom asks a drinking Donna how progress on the radio tower is going. Tom remarks that this is the first time Donna has set foot in the Bar, and Donna tells him that it’s because he is bad at distilling, but she needs to be alone. Kenny then arrives, and asks Tom to leave them alone. After he leaves, Kenny tries to comfort Donna over Eric’s death, but Donna reveals that that is not the reason she is upset, and asks Kenny to leave, wryly telling him to go back to work on the tower. Kenny asks if she believes that it won’t work and she in turn asks him if he believes that it will. Kenny says he thinks it might and is therefore worth trying. Donna then asks him what happens when they fail, and Kenny answers that they will try again. Donna tells him that won’t work, because he is getting peoples’ hopes up, and when it gets taken away they will give up. Kenny scoffs at Donna but she tells him that he doesn’t understand what it used to be like because he wasn’t there. Donna tells him that she is grieving the loss of what they almost made the Town, that they almost made it work, and that they are so busy trying to get out that they cannot see what it the Town will become when they fail. Kenny asks her if they are just supposed to simply stay in Town where the Creatures come out and hunt them every night. Donna says she knows the people in Town look down on Colony House as just a giant party, but Donna explains that it was more than that. It was special by virtue of all the different people living together and despite the fear and the monsters, there was joy in the house. Kenny apologizes, and Donna promises to pull herself together for the next day, but warns him that they have to be prepared for the fallout if the radio tower does not work. Before she leaves, she tells him that if it does work, she thinks he will find that there is more he misses than he thinks.

In the Sheriff’s Office, Kenny finds Donna examining the map of where they all came from. Donna muses about how they all came from different places and roads, but they all ended up in Town. She asks if he really thinks the radio will make a difference, and Kenny optimistically answers that radio waves and travel in ways that people can’t. Donna leaves to get to work on the tower, and Kenny thanks her. Later at Colony House, Donna informs Jim and Ethan that they are ready, and Jade and Tian-Chen arrive with snacks. Jim and Ethan operate the radio, and Jim tries to broadcast a mayday as the storm draws closer. Donna warns that they have ten minutes before the wind blows the tower off the roof. Jim sends Ethan inside and Donna takes his place changing the frequency. Jim is able to get a response, and the voice on the other end addresses him by name, shocking him. The voice tells him that his wife should not be digging the hole, and Jim runs off. Donna goes inside, and Julie asks why he is leaving. Before she can answer, the lightbulbs of the lamps powering the radio tower explode, sending shards of glass everywhere.

Season 2

At Colony House, the chaos reigns. Jade leads people in moving the radio equipment inside and out of the rain. Indoors, the lightbulbs continue exploding, one of them hitting Clara in the eye, and Kristi tends to her. Jade then notices that the bus has arrived in Town, shocking him. Julie asks Donna why her father ran off, but Donna cannot orders the kids to go upstairs. Fatima leads Ethan upstairs, but the wind blows the winch through one of the windows, and Julie takes the opportunity to run after her father, with Ellis running after her. Jade then informs Donna about the bus outside the Diner. Donna tells Matthias to grab the shotguns. Kenny says they don’t need them, but Donna reminds him that there is a bus full of people with no idea about what they’ve rolled into. She tells him that they have a long night ahead, and that if things go sideways he needs to be ready to step up now that he’s sheriff. Donna and Kenny pull up in front of the Diner in the van, and they remind each other and the people with them that they have to keep everyone calm. Kenny apologizes for their inconvenience and offers to get some tea for all of them and allows them into the Diner. Donna finds the bus driver, Bakta, and tries to explain the situation to her, but she is in disbelief. Donna says she understands why Bakta does not believe her but the bus driver refuses to listen. Marielle helps a dizzy Elgin to the Diner, but he collapses and begins seizing. Kenny and Julie rush to his aid. Meanwhile, the Matthews’ house begins rapidly collapsing. Julie and the others watch as the house completely implodes, and she runs to the scene. Inside, Jim and Tom are alive, but pinned, along with Brick, who they cannot tell if he is alive. Jim tells Julie to stay with Donna and do whatever she says. Randall emerges unscathed from the rubble and is examined by Kristi.

At the collapsed Matthews’ house, Bakta tries to get the passengers back on the bus, promising to send emergency services when they reach the next town. Donna tasks Matthias with watching her while they move debris, but Jim tells them to stop. He explains that everything is resting on something else, so they need to be slow and deliberate if they want to get everyone out alive. Julie warns that the sun is about to go down, and Jim says to leave them overnight. Donna agrees that it’s the best course of action, assuring her that she survived for a year without the Talismans, and if her father and the others stay quiet, they can too. Donna then notices Bakta starting up the bus, and warns Kenny. Bakta tries to get everyone back on the bus, while Donna tells her to stop. Donna tells everyone that if they are outside when the sun goes down, they will all die. Donna warns that they will die if they are outside when night falls, and she is happy to explain further if they get in the Diner. As Ellis, Fatima and Kenny try to explain to the disbelieving bus passengers, Donna gets a shotgun from the van and shoots out one of the bus’s tires. Several passengers run away, and Fatima tries to run after them. Kenny fires his pistol into the air, and herds many of the passengers into the Diner. Julie covers the rubble with some tarps as her father, Tom and Brick are left to fend for themselves for the night before heading inside.

Donna cocks her shotgun to try and get the crowd under control. Bakta tries to get her to let them go, but Donna tells her that she has no idea what is waiting for them outside, and orders them to sit down. Donna says she understands they are scared, but promises that they are not the enemy, which is outside. Randall scoffs, and Tillie says that is an odd thing to say. Donna begins to explain their situation, beginning with the Fallen Tree. As the night goes on, Tillie offers Donna a cup of tea, remarking that she thought life was out of surprises for her. Donna then notices Randall is planning something with two other men. Later, Randall makes a run for the door but Kenny stops him, pointing out the screams and howls they are hearing. Randall says they cannot leave the people outside to their deaths and points out that they have guns, which Donna says are useless. As they are distracted by a scream, Randall gets ahold of Kenny’s gun and aims at Kenny, leading to a standoff between him, Donna and Matthias. Randall demands they open the door, but Donna refuses, saying doing so would put everyone in danger. Randall tries to rally the other passengers, reminding them that Donna shot out one of their tires. Donna says that they are all scared, but Randall refuses to listen, threatening to shoot Kenny, but Donna says he will have to shoot Kenny, and she will have to shoot him. Randall then gets distracted by a knock at the door, and Kenny regains control of his weapon while Donna whacks Randall in the face with the butt of her gun.

Later that night, one of the people trapped in the rubble is caught by a Creature, and the people in the Diner hear his screams as he is mauled to death. Julie tries to run out and help him but is held back by Donna, who holds her as she sobs. Tillie joins them and tries to comfort her. That morning, the tabletop jukeboxes begin playing Leonard Cohen’s “Who by Fire” as the sun comes up. Julie notices the light from the window and rushes outside to check on her father. They find Tom’s corpse that got dragged outside the rubble. Julie calls out to her father, who responds, and Donna rallies everyone to help remove rubble.

The passengers unload their possessions from the bus. 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 later 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 out in the woods.

Donna works in the greenhouse outside Colony House. Boyd finds her, 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.

At Colony House, Jim tries to talk to a busy Donna about the voice they heard on the radio. Donna pulls him aside and says she heard the spooky voice. Jim reminds her that this means that there are people watching them. Donna asks how this is a good thing, reminding him that after he ran off, the lights exploded and Clara was almost blinded. Donna tells him that if there are people watching them, they definitely aren’t helping, asking what will happen when they find out they know about them. Donna further asks how he knows it was a person, reminding him that the Creatures look and talk exactly like normal people. Donna tells him that she is not saying to ignore the voice, but he already got peoples hopes up with the tower. Jim tries to say this means they should pursue it, but Donna tells him they should keep quiet until they know more. Jim asks where the radio tower is, and Donna tells him that it’s in the back, but got damaged in the storm. Donna then overhears a commotion in the other room, and tells Jim not to do anything until she says so before going to investigate. In the other room, Randall argues with someone who is going through his belongings. Randall gets angry and beats the man. Donna arrives, and when Randall explains, she tries to remind him of the rules, but Randall angrily cuts her off and insists that people stay out of his stuff. Donna tries to say they have a way of doing things in Colony House, but he says that his way is to beat anyone who touches his belongings, and leaves a furious Donna.

Fatima approaches Donna in the Colony House kitchen, and asks if she is alright, having heard about the fight. Fatima says he’ll come around, but Donna says that she knows his type and that he will view everything as a personal attack. Fatima suggests they tweak the rules and Donna retorts that they should give him a whole wing of the house. Donna then gets an axe, and leaves to find Randall, followed by a concerned Fatima. Donna confronts Randall, ordering him to leave if he does not like the rules. Randall refuses, and Donna swings the axe into the wall above his head. Donna then escorts him to the bus, which is being parked by the side of the road. They find Bakta, who explains that she didn’t want people to have to stare at it while they are eating, and leaves. Donna tells Randall that this will be his new home, and explains how to use the Talisman to ward away the Creatures. Randall says she’s made her point, but Donna tells him that not wanting people to go through his stuff is one thing, but attacking her people is another. Donna says that even after all he has seen, he can’t process that it’s all real, so he will live in the bus, with no shades on the window, so he’ll realize that there is no way out.

After Sara Myers is found by Kenny in the Church, Boyd goes to Donna to tell her himself. She 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 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.

Donna leads Ellis and the other residents to sort the supplies. As Dale brings the last of the potatoes, he remarks that he hopes Donna plans on bringing some of it back. Fatima asks if the boxes are ready to go, and rebuffs Ellis’ offer of help, and Dale asks them if there is trouble in paradise. Donna assures Fatima that they will be fine, so long as they keep their heads and stick to the rations. Donna leaves Ellis and Fatima in charge while she helps store the supplies at the Liu House, reminding them to keep cans on all the doors. Fatima asks what they should tell people about the food, and Donna says for now, they should just say they are working out a new system, so as to avoid a panic. Noticing that things are troubled between Ellis and Fatima, she asks if they will be alright, and Ellis promises they can do it. That night, Donna leads Tian-Chen and the Matthews in preserving their food supplies. She instructs Ethan to use only two tablespoons of salt per jar, as they have a limited supply. Julie asks how long their supply will last, and Donna answers a year if they ration properly. Jim asks if this is all their food, pointing out that they have a month’s worth of food at most. Jim says they need to warn people but Donna says it will make them panic. Jim scolds her for not telling him sooner, and Donna asks if she was supposed to tell him when he was stuck under the house. Donna says they are simply trying to do their best. Jim then says that whoever is watching would want to increase the stress level. Ethan worriedly asks what he meant when he said they don’t have enough food. Jim tells him it’s ok and to get back to jarring, but Tabitha and Julie are concerned.

Donna and Ethan store the preserved food in the basement. Noticing Ethan is staring at the ceiling, Donna asks him what he is looking at, and he asks what if this house falls down too. Donna says she does not think this will happen, and Ethan asks how she knows. Donna answers that she does not think his parents will dig another hole in the floor. Ethan asks to tell her a secret, and says he told his parents that he is not scared, but he is, and wants to leave the quest and goes home. Donna admits that she is also scared, but it’s a good thing. She tells him that her mother told her that fear lives in everyone, much like hope or joy, but fear might be the most important because without it, you wouldn’t know how to be brave, thus making them heroes. A grateful Ethan hugs Donna.

After accidentally stabbing Ellis Stevens, Dale is sequestered in a bedroom, and he asks Donna if Ellis will be ok. She curtly replies that she has no idea because she spent the whole night putting food in saltwater. Dale asks if he is going to be put in the Box like they do in Town, and apologizes for hurting Ellis, calling him a good kid. However, he repeats his fear that with the bus passengers, they do not have enough food. Dale says there are hard choices coming, and no one seems willing to make them. Donna exits, locking the door behind her and telling the armed guard at the door that no one gets in or out. Bakta then confronts Donna and asks what happens next. Donna answers that they will see how Ellis is doing, but Bakta wants to know how they expect her and the bus passengers to live in the house with someone who just tried to kill all of them. Bakta explains that he wanted to kick them all out in the middle of the night. Matthias then informs them that Ellis and Fatima have returned. Donna promises Bakta that she and her people are safe in Colony House and they take care of their own. Donna then rushes downstairs and helps a recuperating Ellis up the stairs with Fatima.

Donna brings a recuperating Ellis a tray of food, almost running into Julie Matthews in the process. Donna asks if she is leaving already, and Julie jokes that she has to make sure Ethan isn’t building a spaceship with Victor. After she leaves, Ellis says he thought they were in the midst of a food shortage, which Donna says is temporary and he needs to regain his strength. Donna apologizes for not being present when the incident happened, but Ellis tells her that Dale’s actions are not her fault. Donna praises Fatima for getting Ellis to the Clinic in time and leaves them. As Julie leaves, she runs into Elgin on the porch, and she awkwardly jokes about how they always meet on the porch. Elgin asks if she can walk with him so they can talk.

In the greenhouse outside Colony House, Fatima finds Donna inspecting the plants, which keep dying as if being grown in poisoned soil. Fatima reveals that she is pregnant, and Donna is delighted, hugging her and saying she wishes she could have seen Ellis’ face when he found out he will be a father. Fatima confesses that she hasn’t told him because she was told that she cannot have kids, making her think that this place is trying to torture and mock her like the Creatures at night. Donna begins laughing, and explains that they have seen so many unexplainable, horrible things, so they assume everything impossible that happens is bad. However, Fatima met the love of her life in this nightmare and is now having a baby with him which she was told she couldn’t have. Fatima is still hesitant, but Donna asks her if after all she has seen she can’t believe in a miracle, which is the flip side of a nightmare. Fatima asks what if Donna is wrong, but Donna simply asks what if she is right.

Donna finds Boyd as he's checking up on his son. 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. Donna later arrives at the Church as Randall and Jim are interrogating Sara. Randall declares her arrival convenient, and Donna asks Sara if she can stitch up some clothes from Colony House. Randall asks Donna if she thinks she’s a bigshot and calls her a tollbooth operator. Jim drags Randall out, and Donna asks Sara if she is ok. Sara asks why they asked about Nathan and think he is alive. Later, Donna confronts Jim and asks what is wrong with him, having talked to Sara. Donna realizes that this is about the voice on the radio. Donna worries that he’s put ideas in Randall’s head, whom she calls a powder keg. Jim says he didn’t tell Randall about the voice and acknowledges that talking to Sara was stupid, but they all just want to go home. They are observed talking by Randall from his perch atop the bus.

Donna goes to the Clinic asking for Kristi Miller, but finds her, Marielle, Boyd and Kenny all looking worried, and asks what is wrong. Boyd tells Donna that he successfully killed the Smiley Creature, performed an autopsy and extracted its bile. 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. Randall approaches Donna, telling her that he wants to apologize for his behavior and hoped to talk to her. Donna is suspicious, but agrees. Randall ties her to a tree at knifepoint. Jim soon finds the van parked near the RV and calls out for Randall. Donna answers, and Jim runs down the hill and finds that Randall has tied Donna to a tree at knifepoint. Randall tells Jim that he has a new plan.

Jim is shocked while Randall insists that Donna is in on the conspiracy and he saw her burn Smiley’s body, asking if it was a faulty animatronic. Donna says Boyd managed to kill it, and Randall says she is changing the rules. Randall tells Jim this was his idea, and Jim calls him crazy. Randall insists Donna is part of the reason they are trapped. Jim moves to free Donna, but Randall grabs him and voices the possibility that Jim put all these ideas in his head to see what he would do, and asks how he knows Jim isn’t a part of it too. Jim angrily points out that his house collapsed on top of him and asks what is wrong with Randall. Jim tries to untie Donna but Randall throws him down and draws his knife. Boyd then arrives and fires his gun in the air and orders him 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 finishes explaining 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. Boyd eventually follows them, and the three drive off.

After they arrive at Colony House, people crowd around Boyd and Donna, with Bakta and Meredith asking 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.

The next morning, Donna leads Dale and Elgin in searching for Randall. Dale says that they should gather their supplies and venture out as a group. Donna points out that Boyd tried that already as Dale continues to complain about “corpse collecting duty”. As they search for the body, Donna thanks Elgin for joining them, and he says he just wanted to feel useful. Donna tells him that his dream might be the key to solving their predicament. Dale quickly finds Randall’s body, which is comatose like Mari and Julie, and notices that there are no dead monsters. When the three move to pick up the body, Randall begins screaming. Donna returns and finds Tillie leading a prayer circle, reciting the 23rd Psalm. Donna tells Matthias to take the guns and lock them in the shed, saying they made it through the night but have to see about today.

Donna goes to the Church and finds Boyd Stevens shouting at God. Boyd tells Donna 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 brining 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 telling him to do that, but to take some time to see his son get married. At Colony House, 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 to 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 is eventually able to save everyone and defeat The Musicbox Monster.

Season 3

Three days after the defeat of the Music Box Monster, Donna grabs Ellis to help with the harvest, which he believes is too early. However, after losing half their crops to the storm, Donna does not want to risk the ground freezing. Noticing Elgin walking by in a daze, Donna asks if he has tried to sleep yet before telling Ellis to grab people to help harvest. However, all of the crops are rotten, and she solemnly informs Boyd. A worried Boyd then asks how many people know. Later that day, they meet with Tian-Chen Liu in her home to discuss their dire food situation. 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 Ethan to try and comfort him.

The next morning, Boyd explains how the Creatures set up a trap for him and Tian-Chen, whose death they forced him to watch. Donna 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. Later that day, Ethan finds Donna butchering a cow while looking for Victor. Ethan, having never seen what the inside of a body looks like, asks if that is what Tian-Chen looked like after the Creatures got to her. He then observes how different everything is with the snow, musing that she would have liked it. Before he leaves, Donna assures Ethan that Tian-Chen loved him very much. She attends the funeral for Tian-Chen in the Church.

Donna arrives at the Sheriff's Station to inform Boyd that the expedition to gather the food at the Settlement has been put together, but finds him arguing with Ellis. After she asks 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.

After a crow flies through one of the windows in Colony House before flying into a wall and killing itself, Donna supervises the cleanup and breaks up the argument between Bakta and Tillie. She checks on Elgin, who insists that he is fine. That night, a police officer arrives in the Township. As she runs from the Creatures towards Colony House, she fires her gun in vain against the impervious Creatures, and a stray bullet hits Nicky, who was watching from the window. Marielle Sinclair and several others tend to her while Clara brings Officer Acosta inside. As Acosta begins panicking when she realizes what she has done, Donna asks if there are others with her, and Acosta explains what happened.

Boyd arrives in an ambulance with Jim and Tabitha Matthews in tow. Everyone is shocked to see Tabitha again, and she admonishes Acosta for not listening. Donna takes them to a room upstairs at their request. As a distressed Boyd explains to her how he had to leave Randall Kirkland behind, they are interrupted by Nicky crying out in pain. She begins coughing up blood before dying, and Mari administers CPR to no avail. 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. After things settle, Boyd and Donna 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 as he regains consciousness.

The next morning, Donna finds Henry looking for clothes, and tells him that she has people looking for Victor. Henry nervously says he would have dressed better for the occasion, and Donna takes him upstairs to where they keep the nicer clothes. When Victor arrives later that morning, she pulls him aside and tells him that Tabitha returned along with his father. Victor refuses to believe it and runs out, followed by Sara who asks what happened. Victor says his father is back, and she should go home. Donna brings Henry to Victor’s room. Henry explains that he held on to hope that Miranda, Eloise and Victor would return, alive and happy. Eventually, he lost hope, but now Henry marvels at the fact that he was alive all this time, and blames himself for giving up on him. Donna comforts him, telling him to give Victor time. Tillie interrupts, and tells them that the meeting will begin soon.

The inhabitants of the Township gather in the Diner to hear Tabitha's story. 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. Later that day, Donna follows the sound of screams to the Star Magic Motel Pool where she finds Dale, teleported into the concrete wall of the pool and crushed to death.

The next day, Donna uses tones to erect a cairn over Dale’s body, which is still trapped in the concrete. Tabitha approaches and offers her condolences. Donna asks if Tabitha is alright after the meeting, and she says that she feels like she let everyone down by not getting answers. Donna reminds her that her children thought she was dead, and that they didn’t need answers, they needed her back. Tabitha wonders if the others were right and she wasted her opportunity, but Donna points out she could have ended up like Dale, and advises that she not be a hero, but spend time with her children and not take it for granted. Tabitha pulls Donna into a hug and comforts her. Kenny finds Donna as she completes the cairn for Dale. He asks if she has extra space at Colony House for him. He explains that his mother was the only thing that made his house feel like a home, and she would want a family to have it. Donna tells him that they will always have room for him.

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.

Later that day, Henry Kavanaugh looks through the kitchen in search of a drink. Donna admits she could also use one, and invites him to follow her. At the Bar, Donna asks Henry if things are alright with Victor. Henry answers he does not think they are, and admits part of him thought he wishes Tabitha never found him as it was easier when he thought he was dead. Henry is shamed by the thought.

After Tillie is found to have been murdered in the greenhouse, Donna tells Boyd 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.

Later that day, Donna finds Boyd and Ellis arguing in the Sheriff's Station, warning them 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.

As night falls, Donna walks through Colony House, sadly remembering the anniversary party they held for Fatima’s arrival that ended in disaster. The next morning, as Donna stares mournfully at a picture of her and her sister, Boyd arrives but before he can begin speaking, Donna promises not to reveal what Fatima did because of what she means to people in the Township. She says that she doesn’t think people will be able to take it, adding that she doesn’t think she can take it. Boyd reveals that Fatima is gone, and that the voices told Sara that she was taken. Donna tells him to ring the bell and call a meeting.  

Outside the Diner, Boyd and Donna assemble everyone. Donna acknowledges that everyone is scared and wants answers about what happened to Tillie. Boyd then reveals that Fatima is missing, and they ask everyone to help with the search. One person asks if the same thing that took her is what killed Tillie. Boyd admits he does not know, and only knows that she is close. When asked how he knows this, Boyd says it is because something wants them to know she is close, is alone, afraid, and it believes they do not have what it takes to find her. Boyd says he cannot order them to do anything, but reminds them that they did not always have the Talismans and used to live day to day. The Talismans allowed them to prove that the Township would not break them. The Township is trying to break them again, and Boyd says they have the choice of laying down and dying, or fighting back. They have proven themselves able before, and he asks for their help again, although there is no shame in refusing. Batka asks how they will do this, and Boyd says they will pair up in groups of two and cover every inch.

Donna and Acosta search in the woods. Acosta asks about the voice that told Boyd that Fatima was close. Donna explains that Sara told him, as she is connected to the Township in ways that are hard to understand. Acosta is skeptical, and theorizes that Sara may have killed Tillie and Fatima, and hid Fatima’s body. Acosta continues to ask why the voices aren’t revealing more information, and Donna says that it does not work that way. Acosta says that Donna is hiding something from her, and that she is a good cop and can be an asset to the Town. Donna retorts that she does not have time for a tutorial, and they need to find Fatima because she means a lot to her and the rest of the Townspeople. Donna tells Acosta she needs her help, and when Acosta agrees, Donna promises to talk to her.

Donna returns to Colony House and finds Boyd and Sara as they arrive, asking what is happening as Kenny and Ellis are preventing Elgin from leaving. Boyd asks Donna to clear the house. As Elgin prepares to leave Colony House, he finds his way blocked by Boyd, Donna and Sara. Boyd asks if they can talk for a bit, and Elgin agrees. Donna leads him to her room. While Kenny stands watch outside, Boyd begins interrogating Elgin, noting the supplies in his bag. Boyd bluntly asks Elgin if he knows where Fatima is. Elgin explains that she told him not to say anything, but  he is not trying to hurt anyone, and  what is happening is a good thing. Donna asks who is communicating with him. Elgin answers that he believes it is an angel, and something is happening that is beyond their understanding, comparing it to the Bible, and the need to have faith even in the face of adversity. Boyd tells him that there is no baby, as Kristi and Mari performed an ultrasound and found nothing, and whatever is growing inside her is not good. Elgin replies that the angel explained it to him. Sara reminds Elgin that she previously told him that she killed her brother. She explains that she did this trying to kill Ethan at the behest of mysterious voices who told her it would allow them to go home. Sara tries to make him realize that the Township does not help them, but Elgin says that this is different. Ellis grows angry, and points out that Elgin does not know anything for a certainty. Donna reminds Elgin that even if the baby allows them to go home, its birth is months away, and Elgin reveals that the fetus has grown. Ellis attacks Elgin, but is restrained by Boyd and Kenny. They all go outside, trying to calm him. Sara warns them that if Elgin truly believes this will allow them to go home, he will not tell them anything, as she knows what it is like to be manipulated by the Township. Boyd decides to get Donna’s tools, and instructs them not to let anyone in the room.

Trivia

• Missing since: 8/3/2018, Last seen: traveling north from Bozeman, MT towards Choteau, MT.
• In real life, Donna's actor, Elizabeth Saunders, is married to Cliff Saunders, who portrays Dale on the show.

Appearances

Season 1

• Long Day's Journey Into Night
• The Way Things Are Now
• Choosing Day
• A Rock and a Farway
• All Good Things...
• 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