Ethan Matthews

Ethan Matthews is the young son of Jim and Tabitha Matthews and the younger brother of Julie. Like the rest of his family, he gets trapped in the mysterious Township. Ethan is able to adapt easier than most, viewing the experience as a quest like those in his favorite books. Ethan is uniquely connected to the Township, and frequently experiences visions connected to its mysteries.

Biography[]

Background[]

Ethan is the second child of Jim and Tabitha Matthews, and had an older sister, Julie, and an infant younger brother, Thomas. However, Thomas tragically died when he was a baby, causing immense strain in the family, so much so that Jim and Tabitha planned on getting a divorce. However, before they told their two other children, they planned a roadtrip to Yellowstone National Park as one last hurrah.^[1]

Season 1[]

The Matthews family is embarks on a roadtrip in an RV. Inside, the elder daughter, Julie, plays with her younger brother, Ethan's, toys, enacting a scene for him where one of them, Norman, succumbs to his wounds from a monster. Norman’s death agitates Ethan, who asks him to be brought back to life by the fairies at the Lake of Tears, but Julie refuses, prompting Ethan to complain to their mother. Tabitha chides her daughter and asks what happened. Ethan says that the monsters killed him, and Tabitha tells him that monsters aren’t real, which means that Norman is still alive, cheering her son. As they drive, they come across a lone Fallen Tree blocking the road. They inspect the tree, finding it odd that there is only one fallen tree. Soon, the family is frightened by the appearance of a flock of crows, who loudly squawk overhead. With no way of moving or getting around it, they get back in the RV and try to circle around.

The Matthews struggle to find the highway, and have no cell reception. Eventually, they make it into Town, as the funeral for the Pratts is concluding. Sheriff Boyd and Deputy Kenny go to talk to Jim, who asks for help getting back to the highway. Boyd tells him to follow the road up the hill and he’ll see it. As they drive, Julie tries to scare her brother by telling him that groups of crows are called murders, and that they’re going to peck at him in his sleep. Jim angrily tells her to stop, while Tabitha says that she thinks the birds were ravens, groups of which are called “an unkindness,” and pointedly looks at her daughter. However, the road leads them back into the center of town, freaking them out. The Matthews try to rationalize what’s happening to them, but return to the center of Town yet again.

Jim then makes a U-turn and heads in the opposite direction on the road. However, on the way back the Matthews encounter a speeding car heading their way and swerve to avoid it, going down a hill and the RV turns over on its side, while the other car crashes into a tree. Jim and Julie are uninjured, but Tabitha is knocked unconscious, as is Ethan, whose leg is impaled. Boyd arrives, followed by Deputy Kenny, Kristi the paramedic, Father Khatri and Boyd's son 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.

Ethan remains unconscious while the other members of his family are safely retrieved from the RV. However, 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. Jim says goodbye to Tabitha and Julie and enters the RV, where he helps Kristi prepare to remove the table leg from Ethan while Boyd prepares the RV by blocking all the windows and exits and hanging the talisman. Ethan begins seizing, and Kristi has Jim hold him down. Night falls completely, and Boyd peeks outside the window and sees dozens of Creatures surrounding them.^[2]

Ethan stops seizing when he hears 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. Ethan later briefly wakes up, but Kristi quickly sedates him to keep him calm. Kristi leads Boyd and Jim in successfully pulling the table-leg out of Ethan's leg. That morning, Ethan wakes up, and says he saw drawings on the wall. Ethan and the rest of his family are brought to Colony House for temporary lodging. Julie tells another story with Ethan's toys, telling him that everything will be ok. However Ethan is distracted by a vision of a Boy in White outside the window, who shushes him.^[3]

Ethan stares at the Boy in White apparition outside his window. Tabitha and Julie arrive with the news that Jim went to the RV to fetch their belongings. Ethan asks how long they will be there, and Tabitha replies that they are figuring it out. Jim brings their stuff from the RV. Tabitha and Jim imitate creatures from the Cromenockle, one of the Ethan’s books, when Julie walks in. However, Donna cuts their reverie short to inform that Father Khatri has arrived to explain the Choosing Ceremony. Khatri explains that all newcomers have to decide whether they want to live up in Colony House or down in the town, and offers to give them a tour of both, including the house that they would stay in in Town. Julie wants to go with her parents, but they order her to remain in the House to look after Ethan, annoying her.

Later, Ellis makes a crutch for Ethan to help him get around while he recovers. While walking around, Ethan comes across Victor outside the House and asks if he is looking for something and if he needs help. Victor replies that he is checking something, and when asked what he’s checking for, complains that Ethan asks a lot of questions. Ethan offers to help him check, but Victor calls him trouble, and tells him to go away. Ethan then asks about the Boy in White, and Victor becomes interested. Victor then tells Ethan that he’s checking to see if the trees moved, but says he isn’t done checking. Julie then sees Ethan and yells at him to get back inside. Julie tells him not to hang out with Victor anymore, believing him to be creepy.

Father 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 says he used to be a good father, but let the horrors of the Township get to him, making him forget what really mattered and getting his family killed. He instructs his fellow townspeople not to let that be taken away from them, and to take care of each other. He expresses gratitude for Boyd's 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. 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. Ethan and his parents move into the Pratts' former home, and Jim and Tabitha read to Ethan as they put him to bed.^[4]

The next morning, Ethan comes downstairs and asks if his mother is crying, but she answers that she just has a headache. Ethan says that he misses Julie, but Jim says they should go to the Diner for the big community breakfast. Tabitha says they should go without her while she unpacks and reorganizes their things. On their way to the Diner, they pass Boyd pushing a cart. Ethan asks what’s in the cart, and Boyd answers its supplies for Father Khatri, declining the boy’s offer of help.

In the Diner, Tian Chen brings a plate stacked with pancakes to an excited Ethan, telling him to enjoy. Ethan asks his father if they live here now, and Jim says he should think of it like a vacation. Ethan responds that it’s like a hero’s quest, like when his toy, Norman, went to the Lake of Tears. Jim acknowledges that he might be onto something before Ethan says he pretends Thomas went on quest to save the kingdom. Jim is stunned, and says he is going to the bathroom, where he cries by himself. Victor then arrives in the Diner and says the trees have moved four inches closer, which is bad. Ethan asks if they should tell someone, but Victor says they wouldn’t understand. Victor then asks something important: if the picture he drew of the Boy in White is the one Ethan saw. Ethan says it’s him, and seeing Victor’s face fall asks what’s wrong. Victor answers that it means the Boy was real when Jim returns, and seeing Victor’s drawing, marches Victor away and orders him to stay away from Ethan, shoving him out the door. Ethan scolds his father, who declares it’s time to leave.

Jim and Ethan return to their house, and Ethan tells Jim that he shouldn’t have treated his friend Victor that way. Jim begins to apologize but Ethan asks to be left alone. Later, Ethan overhears his parents fighting from the kitchen when he sees Victor out back. Victor tells him that they need to find the Boy in White, because they need to ask him why he’s back. Ethan says he can’t leave but Victor says he has to because the Boy chose him like he once chose Victor. Ethan asks if this is like a quest, and Victor agrees, giving him a walking stick more befitting of a “quest” than the crutch.

As they trek through the forest, Victor explains that it had been so long he thought the Boy in White was a dream, who first appeared right before two cars arrived on the same day, just like with Ethan, although a long ago. As they talk, Victor reveals that he has been in the Township longer than anyone, but he gets angry and defensive when Ethan asks what happened to his parents. Ethan then reveals that his baby brother, Thomas, died recently. Victor is shocked by this revelation, and Ethan explains that he is telling him because Victor is his friend. Victor then spots the Boy in White and points him out to Ethan, and has them follow. Victor and Ethan come across a large tree with a hollow near the base of its trunk, which Victor dubs a “Faraway Tree”. He then demonstrates its properties by throwing a rock down into the hollow. The rock then falls near them as if it dropped from the sky. Ethan is amazed, and Victor reveals that it works for people too, but the problem is that you never know where you’ll end up. Victor adds that there are many more, but this one is new. Victor then says they have to go. They then find Ethan's parents surrounded by barking dogs, whom Victor scares off with a gunshot. Ethan is happy to see his parents, who are frightened by Victor. Jim angrily steps towards Victor, reminding him that he warned him about going near Ethan. Victor points the gun at Jim and promises that he is not a bad person and would never hurt Ethan.

Sheriff Boyd invites the Matthews to dinner at the Diner. 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. However, Sara has a seizure, and everyone rushes to her aid.^[1]

After they return to their house, Ethan asks if Sara will be alright, and Jim and Tabitha assure him that she’s being taken care of by Kristi. In the meantime, Jim proposes that they try and figure out the mysteries of the Town by writing all the questions they have on the wall, beginning with “where are we?”. Later, Tabitha redresses Ethan’s wound, and points out that it’s healing very quickly. Ethan wonders if this place also helps people, and says maybe they should ask that question. Sara then arrives asking for Ethan. After assuring his parents that she is okay, she takes Ethan up on his offer to see the playground outside his house with him, and joins him on the merry go round.

Ethan asks Sara how long she has been in the Town, and she answers just a few months. Ethan tells her that his parents are trying to figure out where they are so they can all go home, which is what the Cromenockle would do. As they talk, Tabitha comes outside and tells Ethan not to make Sara sit on the dirty merry go round. Sara offers to show Ethan the goats and chickens at the Barn, explaining her brother cares for the livestock, and Tabitha joins them. At the Barn, Sara introduces Tabitha and Ethan to Alma the goat. Sara then offers to show Tabitha something inside the Barn. Sara returns outdoors and approaches Ethan. She tells him that she really likes him, and that what is about to happen will save everyone, just like in one of his stories, and that he will be the hero. Noticing something is off, Ethan says he wants his mother as Sara grabs him. Nathan arrives and tells Sara to let Ethan go, but she tells him that this is how they go home. Ethan is able to wriggle out of her grasp, and Nathan runs behind his sister and restrains her. As she tries to escape his hold on her, she accidentally slashes Nathan’s throat with the scalpel, causing her to begin weeping just as Khatri arrives. Ethan runs away and finds Julie, while his mother is freed from locked room inside the Barn by Jim. Julie returns to the scene with Ethan, to find their parents. They return to their house, where Jim and Tabitha compliment Julie on her handling of the situation. Tabitha has Julie take Ethan upstairs, with Julie promising they can read the “Cromwhatsit”.^[5]

Tabitha and Ethan go to the Diner drop off the Pratts' things, and Tian Chen lead them to the storage area. Tabitha notices that Ethan is nervous, and promises that Sara is not here or able to hurt him. In the storage room, Ethan is amazed by how much there is, and starts touching things, but Tabitha says not to, because it belonged to people who used to live in Town. Ethan compares it to the cavern of the lonely dragon, explaining that when the Cromenockle was lost in the rainbow sky, she found the cavern home of the lonely dragon, to whom the things no one else wanted were treasure. In one of those piles was the map of the rainbow sky, which the dragon gave the Cromenockle allowing her to find her way. Ethan then says that they could find the map in the storage room. Tabitha then notices a bracelet which she takes. Later at their home, Ethan comes across his mother staring at the bracelet. Noticing the flickering lamp nearby, Ethan asks her what is causing it to do so, and Tabitha says she does not know, but says they should have an adventure, where they try to figure out where the light comes from. After unplugging the lamp and moving the furniture, Tabitha begins hammering into the wall, shocking her son. Jim returns home only to find the hole in the wall. Ethan then emerges from the basement with a bucket of dirt, explaining that his mother told him to bring it outside.^[6]

As night falls, Tabitha reads to Ethan from the Cromenockle, and after noticing that Ethan has fallen asleep, begins closing the curtains. Ethan quickly falls asleep for the night.^[7] The next morning, after the Colony House attack, Julie explains to her family how she escaped with Victor’s help and how he said “it’s starting”. Tabitha asks how it is possible that the tree transported her and Ethan explains that it was a Farway Tree, which can transport people to different places. Julie begins crying and asks what is happening to them, and Ethan innocently answers that they are digging a hole in the basement to find the source of the electricity. As she continues breaking down, Tabitha comforts her daughter and tells her that things will be ok. Jade barges in and asks where Victor is. Jim furiously pushes him outside and tells him to stay away from his daughter. Ethan later looks through Victor’s drawings that Julie had in the lunchbox, and finds one of Boyd with a goat.^[8]

Tabitha and her children sort through Victor’s drawings. Tabitha does not understand them, and Julie says that Ethan thinks it’s a puzzle. Ethan corrects her and says that they’re a story, and they can figure out what to do next once they understand the story. After finding a drawing of massacred townspeople, Tabitha says they should stop. Ethan says they have to figure out the story and keep looking. Julie asks her mother if she thinks the radio tower will work, and Tabitha answers that they have to wait and see. Ethan then asks where they think a drawing of a mauled torso goes, prompting Tabitha to say they should stop. Tabitha offers to play a different game with Ethan, where they talk about what they look forward to when they get home. Tabitha says that when she gets home, she is going to order everything on the menu from Giovelli’s. Julie says that she will call her friends. Ethan says he wants to be happy the way they are in Town, because they never play games at the table at home. Later, the family continues to dig deeper in the basement, while Ethan repeats his belief that they are on a quest. They stop when Tabitha says she thinks they hit the bottom.^[9]

Julie wakes up in the morning, and finds Ethan playing with his toys. Julie asks if he wants her to tell him a story, but he says he can tell his own now, and begins to tell a story about the toys trying to return home. However, they hear knocking downstairs and go down to investigate. They find Jade, who declares that he has figured out their electricity problem. He demonstrates how they can harness electricity through the lamps, which produce electricity despite having no discernible power source, thus solving their problem of how to power the radio tower.

Jim and Ethan go to Colony House and watch as the finishing touches are made upon the radio tower. Jim asks Julie if she is ok, and she answers that she is, and heads inside to help. Jim tells his daughter that he is there for her. Ethan wishes Victor was with them, believing that he would enjoy this. Jim assures his son that Victor is ok, and Ethan says he knows, and that Victor has to do his part of the quest now, while the radio is their part. Jim explains how the radio works to Ethan, who is fascinated. Donna informs him that they are ready, and it is hoisted onto the roof. Jim turns it on, and informs them that they have a signal, and hugs his family in joy. Tabitha then returns to digging in her basement, which she calls their plan b. However, their joy is cut short when Clara points out the approaching storm clouds. 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. As the storm rages, Jim runs off in the direction of Town, while inside the house the lightbulbs powering the radio begin exploding, sending shards of glass everywhere.^[10]

Season 2[]

Chaos reigns at Colony House as the lightbulbs keep exploding, with Clara getting hit by a shard of glass. Julie asks Donna why her father ran off, but Donna cannot answer 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. After things settle down, Ethan gives a dustpan he found to Tian-Chen, who is helping to clean up the broken glass. Tian-Chen tells him to be careful, and Ethan asks how she thinks they broke, describing it as scary. Tian-Chen agrees, and Ethan asks if the others will return soon. Tian-Chen tells him not to be afraid, promising to protect him. Ethan says that he isn’t afraid, although after Tian-Chen gives him a look he admits the he is a bit scared. He says that quests can get scary, especially close to the end. Jade passes by, and Ethan follows him onto the porch, where he finds him smoking a joint. Ethan tells him that cigarettes are bad for him, and Jade tells him that it isn’t that kind of cigarette. Ethan asks Jade what is wrong with him, and Jade says it’s because he spent the last week thinking they might actually be able to escape only to have it literally come crashing down around them. Ethan says they will try again, and begins to talk about the Cromenockle, but Jade interrupts him and asks if he knows which room is Victor’s.

Jade rifles through Victor’s belongings, which Ethan says he shouldn’t do. Jade tells him that Victor is probably dead, and apologizes. Ethan says that he is wrong, and that Victor is doing his part of the quest, in which they all have a role to play. Ethan asks Jade why he is looking for Victor, and Jade answers that he has been having visions which include the symbols in the journal Tian-Chen gave him, where he found the photo, which he shows Ethan. Ethan realizes that the man in the photo has the journal, and in the background is a young Victor, therefore he might know the meaning of the symbol. Ethan agrees that symbols are important to a quest, but tells him he needs to figure out if they are good symbols or bad symbols, explaining that some symbols make people do bad things. Jade calls him creepy, and continues looking through Victor’s things.^[11]

After Jim is rescued from the rubble of their collapsed house, the Matthews watch as Kristi Miller finishes patching him up. Jim tries to rise to leave, but the pain prevents him, and Kristi tells him that he has cracked ribs and likely a bruised lung, and needs to rest. Kristi asks Tabitha how she is doing, and she says she is fine. Noticing Marielle has entered, Kristi leaves to go talk to her. Jim then asks Julie and Ethan for privacy, and Julie leads him away. Tabitha later gets breakfast with her children. Ethan asks if they can see Victor, but Tabitha says he has had a rough few days. Ethan says he hopes Victor is not mad at him because he and Jade were in his room looking for clues, even though he told Jade that Victor would not like it. Ethan then asks if they will be able to get their belongings out of the rubble. Tabitha says she doesn't know and asks Tian-Chen for some supplies, and she invites the Matthews to move into her house. Tian-Chen later takes Ethan to pick out new toys from the storage room. Ethan then plays with a wooden block puzzle he got from Tian-Chen, stacking them in a tower. Tabitha tells him that she knows he likes to view everything like a quest, but Ethan cuts her short and says he knows that things are dangerous and promises to be careful. Ethan completes the tower puzzle, but Tabitha gets disturbed by something and ushers him inside.^[12]

The next morning, Ethan comes downstairs and asks where Tabitha is going. Before Julie can answer, Jade enters and rudely asks if the Matthews are living with the Lius now. Ethan points out that their house collapsed, but Jade rudely complains about how they finally got rid of the Colony House people but now have to deal with them. Julie rolls her eyes at Jade and takes Ethan to see Victor. When they arrive, Ethan goes upstairs to see Victor, knocks on Victor’s door repeatedly until he is let in. Victor sullenly asks him what he wants, and Ethan says he was worried and wanted to check on him. Victor asks if he will steal anything else, and Ethan explains that he tried to stop Jade. Victor tells him he should have done a better job. Ethan mentions that Victor saved his mother, and Victor replies that she is nice and Ethan is lucky to have a mother like her. Ethan then asks what he is drawing, and Victor says he is drawings things he and Tabitha saw. Ethan asks him what they saw, but Victor tells him to leave him alone. Ethan gives Victor some markers he found in the storage closet, and apologizes again for angering Victor. Victor merely says “ok”, leaving Ethan dejected. Ethan goes downstairs and tells Julie he wants to go home.^[13]

After learning that Sara Myers has returned, Ethan locks himself in his room and huddles in the corner. While Julie knocks on the door, Jim and Tabitha arrive and ask what is happening, and Julie explains that he overheard them talking about Sara and now will not leave his room. Tabitha tries to assure him that they will not let anything happen to him, while Jim adds that it’s like the Cromenockle, when she is afraid to go into the cave. Ethan then exits, and declares that he wants to see Sara. Later, while Jim and Tabitha argue over allowing Ethan to confront her, he arrives and recalls what Tabitha said about how scary this place is. Ethan says that on a quest, it is necessary to face the scary things in order to take away their power. Jim and Ethan confront Sara in the street. Ethan goes up to Sara and tells her that he thought they were friends but she is a monster, and that he is not afraid of her before leaving. They return to the Lius’ house, and he happily tells Tabitha that he isn’t afraid anymore. Julie fist bumps him and asks him to help peel potatoes for dinner, which he grudgingly does. Tabitha asks Jim how Ethan did, and he says Ethan did great. Later, Ethan plays on the porch and briefly locks eyes with Sara as she walks past.^[14]

At 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.

Later, 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 go 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.^[15]

The next morning, the Matthews and Mrs. Liu prepare breakfast. Ethan says he wants to see Victor, and Julie offers to take him, but Jim does not think it’s a good idea. Tabitha replies that she thinks it will be ok, and Jim asks to talk outside. Later, Ethan approaches Victor as he examines the trees, and Victor tells him to go away. Ethan asks why he is being mean when they are supposed to be friends. Victor replies that they are friends, but Ethan says it doesn’t feel like it. Victor explains that he is trying to protect Ethan and it is safer for Ethan to stay away because bad things happen to Victor’s friends. Ethan asks what is the point of being friends if they can’t be friends. As he walks away, Victor sullenly says that the orange marker he gave him was dry and a bad gift. Victor says that he has a lot of measuring to do, and Ethan can help if he wants, delighting him. They continue inspecting the trees, and Victor says they have to be thorough. Victor notices that the trees are losing their leaves, but Ethan points out that happens every year. Victor explains that this has never happened before, and Ethan asks if that is bad. Victor remarks that change in the Township is usually bad, but Ethan says that if it’s never happened before, it might be good.^[16]

Victor arrives at the Liu home asking for Ethan. When Ethan comes down, Victor reveals that he has a gift for Ethan. Victor gives Ethan his coat from when he was a child because it’s getting cold. Ethan gifts him a drawing, but Victor refuses it because “pictures are for things that are gone”. Ethan asks what if something happens to him, and Victor scolds him for talking like that. Ethan says if Victor does not take the drawing, he will refuse the coat, and Victor relents. Julie then returns, and Ethan invites Victor to join them in helping Mrs. Liu at the Diner. In the Diner, Ethan and Julie try to convince Victor of the Internet’s existence. Julie points out to Ethan that his new jacket smells musty. Ethan then finds a toy in the pocket and gives it to Victor, shocking him. After they finish up work, Tian-Chen locks up the Diner and compliments Julie and Ethan on their work. Boyd and Kenny arrive and greet them, but 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.^[17]

Boyd and Kenny go inside to investigate. When they exit, 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. Julie helps spread the word that no one can go to sleep out of fear of being killed in their sleep like Paula. As the sun sets, Julie stands on the porch looking for her father as the sound of cicadas continues to permeate. Tabitha tells her to come inside as Jade and Victor arrive. Ethan says they can’t leave their father out there, but Julie assures him that he will be fine. Tabitha adds that Boyd will keep him safe, and the best thing they can do is be safe. Later that night, Tian-Chen brings board games to Julie, Ethan and Victor in order to make them feel better. Julie agrees, but Ethan glumly asks if Jim is going to die, shocking everyone. Julie says he will be fine, but Ethan then asks if they will die. Julie says they will be fine, but Ethan points out that everyone died when Victor was little. Victor tries to assure him that it won’t happen like that again, but Ethan is skeptical. Julie tries to comfort him by referencing the Cromenockle, but Ethan dismisses it as a stupid story. Victor says that his mother used to say everything is a story, and they’re the ones who get to decide how it ends. Ethan asks if her story ended the way she wanted, prompting Julie and Tian-Chen to scold him. Ethan then storms off with Julie following him. That night, Julie is possessed and starts screaming in pain as her eyes glaze over, horrifying everyone.^[18]

The next morning, Julie, like Marielle and Randall, is comatose. Tian-Chen, Ethan and Victor return, and Ethan says Julie will be hungry when she wakes up. Tian-Chen promises that they will make her favorite food. As they watch over Julie, Ethan asks his father if they will get to see Thomas again. Jim tells him that they will, as well as his grandfather. Ethan says that it might not be so bad then. He then gives his sister another pillow, remembering that she prefers it. Boyd is later able to defeat The Musicbox Monster, freeing Julie from her possession and she wakes up. As she gets settled, Ethan draws while Jim brings Julie something to drink. Ethan notices that the buzzing of the cicadas is gone, and asks if that means it is over. Julie then asks where her mother is.^[19]

Season 3[]

Three days after his mother's disappearance, Ethan goes running off again to look for her. After Victor informs the adults, Ethan is found and returned to the house by Tian-Chen, and he scolds Victor for telling them. After getting Ethan to agree to stop running off, Jim departs to try and find answers about Tabitha's whereabouts.

After word spreads that the last harvest of crops is rotten, chaos ensues. At the Barn, Randall tries to take Alma the goat, despite Ethan’s protests. As Ellis arrives, Victor draws his gun on Randall. Boyd calms Victor down and convinces 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.

Ethan walks into the kitchen while Boyd, Donna and Tian-Chen are discussing slaughtering the livestock for food. 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, the Creatures unlock the gates of the pens and the Barn, setting the livestock loose. Tian-Chen and Victor tell him and Julie to stay inside while they help round up the animals. However, Ethan sees Alma running by and opens the door, only to find the Old Lady Creature. Julie grabs Ethan and runs outside, where they are found by Sara, who helps them hide before they run to the safety of the bus, where Randall lets them inside.^[20]

After Tian-Chen is killed, Ethan struggles to process her death, insisting that he is just injured and that they need to help her. Victor, trying to leave, breaks down and bluntly tells him that she is dead, reminding Ethan that the bad things that happen in the Township are real before leaving. 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. During Tian-Chen's funeral, Ethan places her favorite blanket over her body. Afterwards, he follows Julie to the Barn to feed the animals.^[21]

While they feed the animals, Jim orders them to return to the house. The next day, Jim serves Ethan lunch, and tries to encourage him by telling him that Kenny will soon return with more food as Julie arrives. Ethan asks who will bury Tabitha, and Jim sternly tells him not to speak like that. As he continues to ask about what would happen to her body, Jim grows angry and snaps at him. Ethan leaves the table, followed by Julie.

Ethan goes to the Diner to wash the dishes and put them away as Tian-Chen would have wanted. He is found by Bakta, who joins him, and Boyd soon arrives as well. As Boyd talks with Bakta, he promises her that they will 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.^[22]

In the Lius’ kitchen, Ethan examines several of Victor’s drawings when the phone rings. The voice on the other side claims to be Thomas and warns that Tabitha is in trouble and will arrive in an ambulance, urging Ethan to help her and to not be afraid. Jim arrives, and Ethan explains that the voice on the other end is claiming to be Thomas. Jim orders the voice to leave his children alone, but the voice claims that they are not his children anymore. Jim then hangs up and rips the phone off the wall in frustration. Julie witnesses this, and is worried by her father’s state. Jim frantically asks Ethan what the voice said, and Ethan tells him that Tabitha is in trouble.

That night, an ambulance arrives and Ethan runs outside, believing that it contains his mother. 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. After they hear gunshots, Jim leaves to help Tabitha, Boyd orders Ethan to stay inside and leaves with Randall in tow. While he and Julie wait, Ethan asks Julie what will happen if their parents don’t return. Julie urges him not to think like that, but he then asks what happened to her, observing that she has been different since her ordeal with the Music Box Monster. Julie insists that she is fine, but Ethan does not believe her, and requests the truth. Julie admits that she is frightened, having seen things she does not understand, and remembers feeling more scared than ever before. Ethan offers to help, and warns that they will have to take care of each other if their parents don’t return.^[23]

After his mother returns, Ethan asks Jade why he didn’t go to the meeting, and he answers that any meeting with more than three people is useless. Tabitha and Jim return, and they admit the meeting went poorly. Tabitha says they should go to the tree, admitting that the crowd was right. Jim is reluctant, pulling Tabitha aside and warning her to think, reminding her that they all thought her dead. Tabitha says that all she will do is show them the location of the tree. Jim insists that Ethan remain, telling her that he would run off when she was gone. Tabitha agrees, ordering Ethan to remain in the house while she and Jade head to the tree.

Later, Ethan exits his house and finds Henry looking at the motel sign. The two introduce each other, and Ethan thanks him for bringing her back, inviting him to join him in feeding the animals. Ethan asks if he has seen Victor yet, and Henry says he thinks Victor is unhappy with his arrival, having run off when he heard. Ethan acknowledges that Victor does that sometimes, and explains that Victor is his best friend. Ethan believes that Victor gets grumpy when he gets scared, and that Victor is afraid that everyone he loves will die. As they walk, he sees Victor in the distance and points him out to Henry, and the father and son reunite.^[24]

Ethan reads one of Tian-Chen’s books when Tabitha arrives. Ethan asks if Tian-Chen is with Bing-Qian now and if their marriage was happy. Tabitha apologizes for the fight, and says that they are trying their best. Ethan remarks that he liked it more when they first arrived and were too scared to be angry. Ethan asks if they were fighting over what Jade is doing, and Tabitha explains that Jade is trying to solve the puzzle. Tabitha hears noises upstairs, and after Ethan says no one elsie is home, she goes to investigate, however she is overwhelmed by visions. Ethan arrives as they disappear, hearing her cries. After explaining that it was the children, Ethan takes her outside. In the Bar, Tabitha and Ethan find Jade writing notes and offer to help Jade solve his puzzle. Jade tells Tabitha that there is another Bottle Tree with the same numbers, albeit written out in cursive. Furthermore, some numbers repeat. Jade admits that he has no idea what it means, but believes that it points them closer to answers. Jade and Ethan go over the numbers as Jade explains that there has to be a pattern. They observe that some of the numbers are backwards sometimes. Jade goes over to Tabitha and says that the Children will not hurt her, as they want her help. Tabitha reminds him that this is based on something a dead woman saw 40 years ago. She then finds Jade’s drawings of the Totems, and he explains that he found them scattered around the Log Cabins. Tabitha explains that as a child, she would have the same nightmare repeatedly, and that she also saw the Township in her dreams but did not know it.^[25]

Ethan, Tabitha and Jade go to the Settlement, where they find Jim gathering the rest of the food. They explain that Tabitha had visions of the Settlement as a child. Ethan remarks that the place is creepy, and asks who lived out there. Jade admits he does not know, and warns him to look out for bear traps. Jim theorizes that Tabitha might be trying to make connections that aren’t there, but she reiterates that she had this dream for months, and it had the exact same Totems as the Settlement. Jim warns that previous attempts at trying to figure things out have ended in failure or death. Tabitha says those were different because they happened once they became trapped in the Township, but she had her dreams as a child before she ever arrived in the Township. Tabitha says she needs to find out what it means, and Jim agrees. The Matthews and Jade arrive at the three red rocks. Ethan asks if they are the same as her dream, and Tabitha says everything is identical, including the feeling of fear. Tabitha retraces her steps in her dreams, but cannot remember what it was that was frightening her. Jim asks how this helps, while Jade remarks that maybe Tabitha was chosen and destined to arrive, like Miranda.^[26]

Julie arrives home, and is greeted by her father, who asks her to look after Ethan while he takes care of something. Julie finds Ethan curled up, and offers to take him somewhere cool. At the Dungeon ruins, Julie explains to Ethan that since her ordeal, she hears people screaming endlessly. However, when she visited with Randall, the voices quieted for the first time since she woke up. Ethan asks if that's good, and Julie admits she does not know but feels like the ruins want her to enter. Julie says she is scared, and asks Ethan what he would do, given that she sounds like a character in one of his stories. Ethan says she is at a threshold, and while it is scary, the hero needs to be brave, and Ethan offers to go with her. After she crosses the threshold, she begins having a seizure as Ethan calls out for help. He finds Kenny Liu and Dani Acosta, and brings them to Julie as she wakes up.^[27]

Julie is brought to the Clinic, where she is examined by Kristi Miller and Marielle Sinclair in Ethan and Jim's presence. Kristi and Marielle ask for her to explain what happened, and Julie answers that she walked to the ruins, stepped inside and blacked out. Mari asks if she remembers anything else, and Julie says she had a weird dream. Kristi asks to keep her in the Clinic overnight before she and Mari leave the Matthews alone. Jim asks Julie what she was doing at the ruins. She begins to explain that she went there with Randall the previous day, Jim grows angry, but they are interrupted by Tabitha’s arrival.

Ethan and Jim arrive late to the assembly outside the Diner, where Boyd and Donna announce that Fatima is missing and they need everyone to participate in the search for her. Julie and Ethan both want to help, and Jim agrees to take Ethan while Tabitha takes Julie. Ethan and Jim find the RV. The two go inside, and Jim says he wants to talk to Ethan. Jim reminds Ethan that he was injured in the crash when they arrived, and Jim blamed himself for the situation. Ethan says it was not his fault because he was scared and doing the best he could. Jim says that Ethan did the same when he told Julie to go into the ruins. Jim tells his son that there are things in the Township that want them to feel scared and blame themselves for things outside of their control. He reminds Ethan to remember that they are all doing their best, and what matters is that they take care of each other. The two express their love, but before they leave the voice on the radio claiming to be Thomas tries taunting them. Ethan tells his father that he was right about it not being his brother, and leads Jim out of the RV.^[28]

Jim and Ethan return to Town. As they return to the Lius’ Home, they are greeted by Victor, who says that Tabitha fell. Jim rushes inside and finds her in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Victor tells Ethan that he saw the Boy in White, but he wasn’t very helpful. Julie comes outside and takes Ethan to the Diner. In the Diner, Ethan tells Julie that he does not want to forget Tian-Chen. Julie asks why he would think that, and Ethan confesses that he is beginning to forget what Thomas was like. Julie then reveals that she did not just have a dream at the ruins, but believes that she went somewhere, having been transported to the Dungeon where she saw herself, Randall and Mari chained to the wall. She then left the Dungeon for the Tunnels and heard Tabitha and Victor, but it felt like she was there. Ethan calls her a story walker, someone who can visit chapters of the story that already happened. Julie asks if she could do this again and use the ability to try and change things, like saving Thomas or Tian-Chen. Ethan informs her that she can visit the chapters, but not change them.^[29]

Trivia[]

Missing since: 2/20/2022, Last seen: traveling from Glendale, AZ toward Yellowstone National Park.
Ethan is nine years old.

Appearances[]

Season 1[]

Season 2[]

Season 3[]

References[]

[:0-1] 1.0 ^1.1 A Rock and a Farway

[2] Long Day's Journey Into Night

[3] The Way Things Are Now

[4] Choosing Day

[5] Silhouettes

[6] Book 74

[7] All Good Things...

[8] Broken Windows, Open Doors

[9] Into The Woods

[10] Oh, the Places We'll Go

[11] Strangers in a Strange Land

[12] Tether

[13] This Way Gone

[14] Lullaby

[15] Pas de Deux

[16] Belly of the Beast

[17] Forest for the Trees

[18] Ball of Magic Fire

[19] Once Upon a Time?

[20] Shatter

[21] When We Go

[22] Mouse Trap

[23] There and Back Again

[24] The Light of Day

[25] Scar Tissue

[26] These Fragile Lives

[27] Thresholds

[28] Revelations: Chapter One

[29] Revelations: Chapter Two

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