Henry Kavanaugh is the husband of Miranda and father to Eloise and Victor. His wife and children became trapped in the mysterious Township, where Victor remains to this day.
Biography[]
Background[]
The Kavanaugh family lived in Camden, Maine. However, Henry's wife and children all became trapped in the Township. Miranda and Eloise were killed, while Victor survived and has spent over 40 years trapped, while Henry still lives in Camden.[1]
Season 3[]
After Tabitha Matthews is expelled from the Township, she lands in Camden, and finds Victor's old address in his lunchbox. She travels to the house, and arrives just as Henry is returning. Henry orders her to leave, but recognizes the lunchbox and demands to know where she got it. Tabitha then realizes that Henry is Victor's father.[1]
Tabitha wakes up on Henry’s couch, and finds Henry asleep in a nearby chair with a gun in his hand. Tabitha asks what happened, but grows alarmed at the sight of the gun. Henry tells her she passed out, and orders her to sit. Henry demands she explain how she found the lunchbox. Tabitha explains what happened to her family and how they became trapped in the Town. As she explains, Henry cuts her off, and agitatedly asks where she got the lunchbox. Tabitha says Victor gave it to her. Henry does not believe her, and threatens to call the police. Tabitha begs him not to, but Henry says he called them 20 minutes ago.
Tabitha shows Henry missing persons reports of people trapped in the Township. Henry refuses to believe her, asking how she was the one person who escaped. Tabitha says she does not understand but Victor helped her, and is friends with her son and saved her daughter. As she talks about saving the children in the tower, Henry grows interested. Tabitha explains that she saw visions of Ghoulish Children, and maybe saving them would allow them to escape. The police then arrive. Henry covers for her, saying it was false alarm.
As Henry and Tabitha eat, Henry explains that Miranda began hearing voices of children calling out to her, asking to be saved from the tower. The only person he told was a detective who died 20 years prior. He shows her Victor and Eloise’s room, and explains his life fell apart after their disappearance, even being suspected of playing a part in it. Henry explains that he has concluded that Tabitha is telling the truth, and he wants to show her the basement.
Downstairs, he explains that after an acid trip, Miranda started having visions. In the basement, Tabitha finds visions of the Ghoulish Children. Henry continues to explain that Miranda had visions of the Township, the Creatures, and that she had to find and free the children. Miranda believed she was chosen, like others before her who had all failed. Henry says Tabitha has been chosen, and asks how she escaped as Tabitha finds a painting of the Boy in White.[2]
Tabitha emerges from the basement after spending all night looking at the paintings. She explains again how she was pushed out of the Lighthouse and accidentally reveals that Miranda was killed. Henry admits he had accepted long ago that she was dead. Hearing clinking, Henry confirms the sound is real and made by bottles tied to a tree in the backyard.
In his backyard, Henry shows her the Bottle Tree, explaining that Miranda was an artist with many installations around town. Tabitha explains that the tree in the Township has an opening that can teleport people. Henry reveals that this tree is a copy, and the original installation is a few towns over. He then remembers that that tree is where they took acid together, where she first received visions of the Township. Tabitha demands he take her, despite his instructions to rest.
As they get in the car, Joni Mitchell’s “Blue” begins playing. Henry explains that the song was Miranda’s favorite, and the car plays it because the tape is stuck. A shocked Tabitha says it is also her and her husband’s song. As they drive, Tabitha finds a bracelet in Henry’s glove compartment and asks where he got that, as it is similar to the one she made Jim. After Henry answers that Miranda made it for him, Tabitha starts to believe that she is not really in Camden and is still stuck in the Township. As Tabitha continues to spiral and tries to leave, Henry tells her that she does not get to arrive and say that his son is alive and then leave. As she tries to get out of the car, Henry holds the door shut and begins driving, but they are hit by an oncoming vehicle. Tabitha wakes up in an ambulance, where she is told that Henry is having trouble but is largely stable. Acosta, the police officer, tells her that they have been looking for her since she ran out of the hospital. As Tabitha tries to convince them to let her go, the ambulance stops, as their path is blocked by a Fallen Tree.[3]
The EMTs try to find a detour around the tree. As they drive through Town, they notice a body on the road. Tabitha frantically tries to prevent them leaving, but Acosta cuffs her to a bar and orders her to calm down. The EMTs begin examining the Creature as Acosta approaches. The Creature then turns into her monstrous form and kills both of the EMTs. Acosta tries shooting the Creature, to no effect. As more Creatures approach, Acosta runs away. Inside the ambulance, Tabitha wakes Henry up. Jim finds Tabitha in the ambulance, followed by Boyd and Randall, who leaves to fetch a toolkit to break the handcuffs.
Randall's return is blocked by the Creatures. He throws Boyd the toolkit, but is overcome by hallucinations before he can return to the bus. The Waitress Creature offers Boyd the choice of taking the ambulance keys if he leaves Randall. Boyd, agonized, takes the keys and drives the ambulance to Colony House, where Henry is helped inside by Boyd and the others.[4]
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. 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.
At the Diner, the residents of Town and Colony House gather. Boyd begins by telling them that they have no easy explanations, and to be mindful of the fact that Tabitha has been through a lot. Dale leads the others in demanding that Tabitha speak, but Donna calms them down. Bakta asks Henry why he was in the ambulance, and as he begins to explain, Tabitha arrives, with Jim. Dale immediately asks if she went through a tree. Tabitha begins explaining her story.
Tabitha concludes her story for the people in the Diner. Fatima asks if she tried reaching out to the police, and Tabitha says she wanted to, prompting anger. Tabitha justifies herself, saying they would not have believed her, and Henry tries to back her up, pointing out that he didn’t believe her at first, and that his circumstances are different than the average person’s. Acosta agrees, noting that she and the EMTs thought Tabitha hysterical, but this only angers people further, who point out that she killed Nicky. Clara admonishes Tabitha for wasting her opportunity in the outside world to get help. Jim asks the crowd what they would have done. Fatima also criticizes Tabitha, who apologizes for not finding answers and leaves.
Boyd reminds the crowd that Tabitha escaped, and they should have hope now that it is possible. Dale then demands to go to the Bottle Tree, riling up the crowd. Boyd begs them to think, but Bakta agrees that the equation seems simple: Tabitha went through the tree and escaped. Boyd warns that they cannot just run into the Forest, but Fatima says that they should head to the tree, and Ellis agrees. Boyd warns them that the trees are not simply a magic door, reminding them that he almost died after going through one. Kenny agrees with Boyd, reminding the crowd that it was the Lighthouse that allowed her to escape. Dale says he is going to the Lighthouse, declaring himself done with Boyd and his rules before leaving.
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, Ethan notices Victor and Sara in the distance. Ethan points him out in the distance. As Sara reassures Victor, he and Henry approach each other. Henry pulls Victor into a hug as he begins sobbing. Victor says he didn’t know how to get home as Henry comforts him.[5]
Victor finds his father in his room. As Victor gathers supplies, Henry asks if Victor could show him around. Victor explains that he has something important that he has to do, and does not think it’s a good idea if Henry joins. He explains that the task is dangerous and he does not want Henry to get hurt, but offers for Henry to walk with him, which he gladly accepts. As Victor and Henry traipse through the Forest, Henry tries to wrap his head around Victor’s plan. As they reach the entrance of the Tunnels, Victor says Henry should return but he refuses to leave and risk losing Victor again. As they enter, Victor prepares to use toy soldiers as markers so they do not get lost, and instructs Henry to be quiet and stay close.
Victor and Henry make their way through the Tunnels. They reach the large, empty chamber, with no sign of the Creatures. Victor and Henry advance further inside. They find a chamber where Jasper is seated at a table with chairs and a child’s tea set, as well as sleeping Creatures. Victor grabs Jasper, but Henry is distracted by a scarf that belonged to Miranda. The noise wakes up the Creatures, and the Swing Coat Creature tells him that if he keeps coming to the Tunnels, one day they will make him stay. Terrified, the Kavanaughs run out. The two go to the Clairy’s Canned Goods Truck, where Henry asks why the Creatures had Miranda’s scarf. Victor explains that the Creatures like to take people’s belongings and he does not know why. Henry asks about the truck, and Victor explains that he used to hide in the truck at night before other people arrived. Henry realizes that it was because he was alone, but Victor comforts him, telling him that Jasper will allow them to escape. Victor says that he heard Jasper tell Christopher a story about the Township once, and they need to make him tell it again.[6]
In Colony House, Victor demands that Jasper speak to him. He is interrupted by the arrival of his father. Henry warns that he needs to stop, as Jasper is just a doll. Victor tells Henry that he doesn’t understand, grabbing the doll and leaving. Later, Henry goes to the kitchen to find a drink and finds Donna Raines washing dishes. She admits she could use a drink too, 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.[7]
Jade returns to the Bar, where he is startled by a noise and finds Henry Kavanaugh. After introducing themselves, Henry asks if they have made any progress. When Jade answers no, he grabs a drink. Henry explains to Jade that Miranda had visions of the Township, and he wishes he had listened to her. He asks Jade why he thinks he will figure it out, when many smart people have tried, and Jade answers that he is smarter. Jim arrives, and orders Jade to stop encouraging Tabitha. Jim excoriates Jade for his narcissism, and tells him that he will not let Jade endanger his family. In turn, Jade tells Jim that he is the only one trying to solve the mysteries and it helps people. Jade walks out of the Bar, telling Jim that if he has a problem with what Tabitha is doing, he should talk to her.
Afterwards, Henry offers Jim some unsolicited advice, bluntly telling him to shut up and listen when he is with Tabitha. Jim is insulted, and Henry explains that he looks at Jim and sees himself 40 years prior, certain that he could fix his wife, never thinking that there was nothing actually wrong with her. Henry further tells him that while he may tell himself that he is doing everything for his family, but he is doing it for himself because he is scared. Henry says he is the only person in the Township who can tell him this and say with certainty that it is true. Jim grabs a seat and is offered a drink, but declines, explaining that he does not drink because his father was a drunk, and Henry admits his was too. Jim recalls that the night Julie was born, after Tabitha fell asleep he went to a nearby bar and asked for the tallest glass of whiskey the bartender could pour. He then stared at the drink for hours, promising to be a better father and husband. Henry then pours Jim a drink, and says he is giving Jim a chance to renew his vows.[8]
After Jade nearly falls off a ladder, Henry comes outside and asks who he was talking to. Observing the tree, he tells Jade that Miranda made one in his yard. Jade impatiently asks if there is something he can help with, and Henry informs him that everyone is out looking for Fatima. Henry asks if Jade can help him search, as he was hoping they could talk about Victor.
As they walk, Henry explains that he feels like he is starting over with completely different person now that he is reunited with Victor. Jade answers that it is because he is before asking why Henry is not asking Tabitha. Henry replies that Tabitha has her own children, and Jade reminds him of Victor, explaining that Victor is trying to make a puppet tell a story while Jade screams at things that are not there. Henry asks Jade what he would want his father to say if he arrived. Jade tells Henry that he is trying to fix Victor when he is not broken. Jade says that he has been shaped by his childhood and existence in the Township, comparing him to Tarzan being raised in the jungle, with Henry being the person who tells him he does not know how to use a fork.[9]
At the playground, Henry approaches Victor and asks if he has succeeded in getting Jasper to speak. Victor answers that Henry was right, and it was just a doll. Henry apologizes for not being more helpful, explaining that his recent experiences have been a lot. Victor interrupts him and says that he must show his father something that will make him angry. Victor leads Henry to Miranda and Eloise’s graves. As Henry is overcome by emotion, Victor tearfully reveals that it is his fault that they died, as he told Miranda about the Children. Victor says had he not said anything, they would still be alive. Victor adds that he should have died that night, and Henry should pretend that he did and stop being his father. Henry stops him, telling Victor that he will never stop being Victor’s father, and that Miranda did what she did because she loved Victor. Henry tells Victor that it is now his job to protect Victor, pulling him into a hug.[10]
Appearances[]
- 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