Julie Matthews is the teenaged daughter of Jim and Tabitha Matthews and the older sister of Ethan. Like the rest of her family, she becomes trapped in the mysterious Township, and has difficulty adjusting from being a relatively carefree teenager. However, she befriends Ellis Stevens and Fatima Hassan, and adapts to her new reality.
Biography[]
Background[]
Julie is the eldest child of Jim and Tabitha Matthews, and had two younger brothers, Ethan and 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. Unbeknownst to them, Julie realized that they planned on divorcing.[1]
Season 1[]
As the Matthews embark on their road trip, 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, 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 continue driving, they come across a lone Fallen Tree blocking the road. Soon, the family is frightened by the appearance of a flock of crows, who loudly squawk overhead. With no way of moving the tree 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, the townspeople notice the RV arriving and Boyd and 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 as they try to rationalize what is happening.
Jim then makes a u-turn and tries to drive in the opposite direction. However, they 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. Boyd and Kenny rush to the scene, and help a panicked but otherwise unharmed Julie out of the RV. Julie's parents are also retrieved, but Ethan's leg is impaled by a metal table leg. Medic Kristi Miller informs them that it would take at least an hour to safely remove it, but Kenny points out that they only have 40 minutes until dark. Julie and her parents insist on staying with Ethan, 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. Kenny, Ellis Stevens and Father Rudra Khatri drive Julie, Tabitha and the unconscious driver of the other car back to Town on the truck, but the tires are popped by the spike strip. With darkness quickly approaching, they decide to make a run for Colony House.[2]
Kenny leads the group to Colony House, and they struggle to make it through the rain. Father Khatri, who is carrying an unconscious Jade, falls, and Kenny helps him up. However, the people inside sound the alarm. Fatima tries to let them inside, but the guard doesn’t believe that it’s really them. As the Creatures approach, Donna arrives and grants them entry. However, she orders that Tabitha and Julie be tied up, as per protocol, much to their distress. Victor retrieves a can of peaches from the pantry near where Julie is tied up. Victor remarks that two cars haven’t been seen together in a long time, and asks her what she thinks it means. As Julie begins to cry, Fatima arrives and shoos Victor away, apologizing for him and explaining that he has simply been trapped there for a very long time. She further apologizes for the restraints, but explains that it’s only because they don’t want anyone to get hurt. Fatima then unties Julie, and shows her Ellis’ room, which is covered in his artwork, remarking that he’d love to draw Julie because she’s beautiful. Fatima then shows her the view from the window, in order to show that if you climb high enough, even a nightmare can resemble a dream. Ellis returns to his room and takes off his shirt before noticing Julie sitting on the couch. Ellis awkwardly redresses as the two introduce themselves. The next morning, the Matthews are happily reunited in Colony House. While Ethan recovers, Julie tells another story with Ethan’s toys, telling him that everything will be ok.[3]
Tabitha and Julie inform Ethan 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. Fatima finds Julie on the porch and offers her some berries. Julie declines, but notices that they grow their own food. Fatima jokes that the local supermarkets are terrible. Noticing that Julie is feeling down, Fatima tries to comfort her. Inside, Jim brings their stuff from the RV. Tabitha and Jim imitate creatures from the Cromenockle, one of the Ethan’s favorite 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. Ellis makes a crutch for Ethan to help him get around while he recovers. A sullen Julie asks Fatima why they are helping her family, and Fatima answers that it is just what they do. Later, Julie sees Ethan with Victor and yells at him to get back inside. Julie tells him not to hang out with Victor anymore, believing him to be creepy.
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. One person tries to dissuade Frank from his choice but he insists on it. Boyd then hastily concludes the ceremony, asking each member of the Matthews family what they’re picking. All pick Town except Julie, prompting an argument. However, according to the rules, the choice is final. Boyd assuages the Matthews parents, pointing out that his son will be up there and that she will be looked after. Khatri then reminds everyone that sundown is approaching, and tells them to get home. Julie is welcomed to Colony House that night with a toast in her honor.[4]
The next morning, Julie wakes up and finds Victor drawing her. Victor asks her if she knows the feeling of forgetting a dream but then remembering it later and realizing that it may have actually happened. Victor continues to say that he is starting to remember things he thought were dreams while she looks around uncomfortably. He then hands her the drawing which he made for her, leaving her confused. Trudy then greets her and asks for her pillow back, explaining that it’s like a security blanket for her, which she calls Meredith, explaining that the things that matter should always have names. As Trudy leaves, Julie says she has a shirt just like hers, and Trudy says she got it out of her suitcase, explaining that they share everything at Colony House, bothering Julie. Later, Fatima finds a crying Julie, who explains that she thinks she made a mistake. Fatima admits it was hard for her at first too, but it helped once she figured out how to get her clothes back from Trudy.
Fatima and Julie take down laundry from the clothesline, and Fatima explains that Trudy has a habit of hoarding clothes she likes. Tabitha then arrives with a sweater of Julie’s. Tabitha says that they miss her, and Julie admits she misses them. Tabitha entreats her daughter to return with her, pointing out that she can leave whenever she wants. She says they can tell Donna she made a mistake, and Julie grows angry and says she feels like they always treat her as if she’s making mistakes and has to admit she was wrong. As she begins to walk away, Tabitha stops her and says that they need to stick together in this place. Julie scoffs, and admits that she knew her parents were planning on getting a divorce and the roadtrip was a final hurrah before they broke the news, and tells her mother to stop treating her like a child. Tabitha admits her daughter is right, and explains that she and Jim love Julie and Ethan very much before Julie stops her and says that Thomas is dead, but they have two other kids and asks why they aren’t enough for her. Tabitha says it is not that simple but Julie walks away. As she wipes away her tears, Fatima promises to give the sweater to Julie. That night, Fatima and Ellis surprise Julie with a new bed, telling her that there are no mistakes, only choices, delighting her. Fatima then gives her the sweater her mother had brought earlier.[1]
Fatima finds Julie making a list of everyone who will be wondering where she and her family are, thinking about how it’s worse for them not knowing. Fatima admits she did the same thing when she arrived, and asks who is on the list. Julie lists her grandparents and friends, and Fatima teases her and asks if she has a boyfriend or girlfriend. Julie says she doesn’t have anyone like that, but grimly remarks that it’s probably a good thing, because it means one less person losing their mind over where she is. Fatima decides that Julie needs some fun, and tells her to meet her downstairs in five minutes.
In the woods near Colony House, Ellis and Fatima lead Julie to the Brundles, a small lake where the residents have built a dock and added toys. Julie is shocked to see the happy, normal atmosphere the place has. Fatima remarks that it’s like being anywhere else in the world, prompting Julie to ask how Fatima remains positive. Fatima then explains that she grew up in Iran until she was 11, with an outspoken cleric for a father. On one of her birthdays, men came for her father and her mother instructed her to hide. Her father was dragged outside the house and shot. Fatima concludes that there will always be monsters in the world wherever you are, and that she promised herself that she would not allow them to scare the life out of her. Ellis then returns from the water, and says that Fatima looks too dry, picking her up and carrying her to the water. As Julie, Fatima and Ellis return from the Brundles, Ethan comes running up crying for his sister. At the Barn, Jim gets Tabitha out and she tells him to go find Ethan, and Julie arrives with him. Meanwhile a crowd has gathered around the Barn. Kristi checks on Nathan, but he is dead. After Boyd checks on the Matthews, Khatri explains to him and Jim that he was too late and she ran off into the woods. Boyd promises that if she returns before dark, they will handle it, and if she doesn’t, it will have been handled for him. An angry Jim then excoriates the two, reminding them that they described the Town as one big family. In their house, 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]
The next day, Julie looks at the graves Victor dug outside Colony House, and finds a bouquet of flowers on the porch. Julie puts the bouquet she found in a pot. Fatima compliments her on her eye, but Julie explains that she found them arranged. Fatima tells her it is laundry day, and takes her with her.[6]
As they prepare for the party in honor of Fatima's arrival in the Township, Julie finds it odd that they are celebrating the day Fatima got stuck in the Town. Fatima, who is looking for something under her bed, says that she is looking at it the wrong way, and that they are actually celebrating survival, cheekily adding that it’s nice to have a party once in a while. Fatima then finds a sweater, which she keeps from Trudy, who loves it. An admirative Julie tells Fatima that she makes the Town seem almost normal, and that she is special. Fatima is touched, but says that they are all special, even Trudy. Ellis arrives and asks if they want to pregame, both decline, and Fatima tells him to go easy. Ellis teases them both and leaves calling for Victor. Julie asks Fatima if Ellis is alright, and she explains that nights like this are difficult for him, because it makes him remember the people who didn’t make it. Fatima then gives Julie a dress for the party.
As the party gets into full swing that night, Donna Raines gives a heartfelt speech praising Fatima and gifts her a dreamcatcher. Everyone then raises a glass to Fatima. Afterwards, Stacey kisses Fatima, and Julie awkwardly stares. Julie finds Fatima and compliments her for giving Trudy the sweater. Julie then awkwardly asked what the deal is with Fatima kissing Stacey but being with Ellis. Fatima explains that Ellis is her boyfriend, but was just fooling around with Stacey. A nervous Julie asks if she could kiss Fatima, surprising her. Julie then runs away before Fatima can answer. Julie goes to Victor's room, and is reluctantly let in after she says that she needs to be alone and is having a bad night. Julie asks if he is going somewhere because it looks like he is packing up, and he says it’s hard to explain. She then asks about the graves, which he does not want to talk about. Julie then begins asking him questions about the Town. After the Creatures get inside Colony House, Victor leads Julie to safety. They climb out the window and Victor leads her into the forest. Victor leads Julie to a Farway Tree and tells her to get inside and warn Ethan that “it” is starting. Julie says she doesn’t understand but Victor says that Ethan will and promises to be right behind her. Julie climbs inside and emerges in the Root Cellar.[7]
The next morning, Julie explains 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.
Tabitha finds a despondent Julie sitting by the hole in the basement, and asks if she is hungry. Tabitha, concerned, offers to make Julie some food. Julie asks if her parents are still going through with their divorce, and Tabitha honestly says she does not have an answer. Julie replies that it’s a simple question, which Tabitha disagrees with. Julie reminds her mother that she said they love each other and begins crying, asking if it is her fault. Tabitha hugs her daughter and assures her that she did nothing wrong. Tabitha says that there are things she will only understand when she becomes a parent, one of those things being that you live for your children, and your one job becomes loving and protecting them. Tabitha confesses that when Thomas died, something inside her broke, and she has no idea how to fix it. She keeps reliving that day, remembering how normal it was, and in one split second while she and Jim were momentarily distracted, Thomas rolled off the table. Tabitha tells Julie that Jim is the love of her life, but sometimes when she sees him it reminds her of Thomas’s death. Julie asks her mother why she didn’t tell her that, and Tabitha responds that it is because Julie is still her little girl, so they pretended that everything was fine, making it worse. Tabitha apologizes to Julie, and the two hug.[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.
Jim returns home, and Julie asks him how progress on the tower is going. He says well, and she responds that he is a bad liar, but believes that it will work. Jim asks her why she is so optimistic, and she answers that it was something Ethan said about how they were supposed to come here. She explains how at home they had stopped talking, but they are really together again, which further reminds her of what Fatima told her on her first night: if you climb up high enough, even a nightmare can look like a dream”. Julie then invites him to help dig in the basement, and he follows her down, not noticing that their lights are starting to flicker.[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. In the Diner, Jade and Jim demonstrate how they have figured out how to power the radio tower, and ask everyone to gather conducting wire. As he leaves, Julie scolds Jade for calling her father “Tea Cup”. Jade promises to stop calling him “Tea Cup”, but vows to begin calling her “Spark Plug”, before leaving. Outside Colony House, Jim and Ethan 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. At Colony House, the radio tower is successfully hoisted onto the roof, however a storm is approaching. As the storm draws closer, Julie and most of the others go inside. 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. Julie then watches her father run off, and she asks Donna why he is leaving. Before she can answer, the lightbulbs of the lamps powering the radio tower explode, sending shards of glass everywhere.[10]
Season 2[]
Chaos reigns in Colony House as the lightbulbs continue exploding. Julie asks Donna why her father ran off, but Donna cannot answer and 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. Julie and Ellis arrive in Town, with Tom meeting them as they notice the bus outside the Diner. Julie rushes down to the basement of her house and finds her father standing over the filled-in hole and asks what happened. Julie then asks where her mother is and begins to panic, and Jim tells her to get as many people as possible to help. As she stares at the hole, Jim hugs his daughter and tells her she needs to be strong, and that her mother needs her. Julie leaves and tells Ellis that her mother is trapped in the basement. With Ellis’s arm broken, Tom asks for volunteers to help get Tabitha out. Brick and Randall volunteer, but Bakta says that they need to stay with the bus and that emergency services will handle it, prompting Randall to sarcastically call her a peach. Ellis stops Julie from following Tom into the her house, explaining that they can’t focus on her mother if they’re worried about her.
After Donna and Kenny Liu arrive to help deal with the bus passengers, the Matthews' house completely collapses, with only Randall making it out in time. Julie rushes over and learns that her father and Tom are alive, but pinned underneath the rubble. Donna, Julie and the others try to remove the debris, but Jim warns them to be careful and deliberate. Julie points out 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, the bus driver, trying to load the passengers back on the bus. Struggling to get the situation under control, Donna fires her gun in the air, followed by Kenny, and they corral most of the passengers inside the Diner, although several run away in fear. Julie covers some of the rubble with tarps, and Jim tells her that there is a cavern underneath the debris, and that her mother will be ok if she made it down there. Julie promises to get her father out, and Kenny arrives to get her inside. The two say they love each other before finishing to cover the rubble and heading inside.[11]
After Donna explains the situation to the bus passengers, they all settle in for the night in the Diner. Julie peers outside the window, but Kenny tells her not to draw attention to the house. Kenny sits her down and tells her that Jim’s best chance is to stay exactly where he is until morning. Kenny explains that people used to hide at night before the Talismans, and that all they can do is wait. He offers her tea, and asks her what her favorite book is. Julie says he is trying to distract her, and Kenny says he is, but she still has to answer the question. Julie and the others overhear Tom screaming as he is attacked by a Creature. 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. The next 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.[12]
Kristi finishes patching up Jim as his family watches. 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. At their father's request, Julie and Ethan give their parents some privacy. Later that day, Julie and Tabitha sort through old clothes in the Barn. Julie complains about having to look through clothes while Ethan gets to pick out new toys with Mrs. Liu. Tabitha tells her that this is what being an adult looks like. Tabitha finds a cardigan for Julie, who finds the fact that all the clothes belong to dead people creepy, but her mother says it’s the same as a thrift store. As they leave, Julie asks if they are living with the Lius and Jade now. Tabitha says at least until Jim is back on his feet, but stops short as she sees a vision of two ghostly children standing in front of them. Julie notices her mother’s reaction and becomes concerned, asking what is wrong. Tabitha tells her she’s fine, and briskly walks home.
At the Lius', Julie asks her mother what happened at the Barn. Tabitha tries to brush off the question but Julie demands that she talk to her. Julie says that she spent the entire night in the Diner thinking that she was going to have to take care of Ethan by herself because she thought Tabitha was dead and Jim was going to get killed by the Creatures, and asks her mother to be truthful. Tabitha admits she had a vision, and it isn’t the first time, explaining that after Thomas’s death, she used to hear the sound of his crying. Julie asks if she saw Thomas, but Tabitha says this was something different, it was two children staring at her.[13]
Julie finds her mother in the kitchen, and noticing the disturbed expression on Tabitha’s face, asks if she is ok, realizing that she had another vision. Tabitha asks Julie to watch Ethan while she talks to her father, but Julie tells her mother that she can confide in her. Tabitha confesses that it happened again, but insists that she is fine, but simply needs to talk to Jim, and hugs her daughter. 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.
Julie arrives with Ethan at Colony House. While Ethan goes upstairs, Julie finds Fatima, and congratulates her on her engagement. Fatima asks her to be a bridesmaid, explaining that Ellis does not want to wait, so they are getting married in Town. Julie happily accepts, and Fatima thanks her. Julie then mentions how she saw Elgin outside, and Fatima tells her that he is having a rough time. Julie offers to talk to him, remembering how nice it was when she had that. Julie and Elgin introduce themselves, and Elgin asks about Jim. Julie admits that he is in rough shape and resting. Elgin asks if she has been here long, and she admits that she has only been in Town a relatively short time. Julie tells him that she is there if he needs anyone to talk to, which he appreciates. Ethan then comes outside, and says he wants to go home, and Julie escorts him.[14]
Julie knocks on the door while Ethan huddles in the corner inside his room. 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 that day, Jim and Ethan return after Ethan confronted Sara. Julie fist bumps him and asks him to help peel potatoes for dinner, which he grudgingly does.[15]
In the Liu home, 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.[16]
Meanwhile, 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. Julie brings Ethan to Colony House, where she is shocked to hear from a recuperating Ellis that Dale stabbed him. Ellis explains that things have been tense in Colony House, but both he and Fatima assure her that they are fine. Julie prepares to leave to let them rest, and is given a goodbye hug by Fatima. Julie says she misses them, Fatima returns the sentiment and Ellis says she is welcome any time, while Julie says they are welcome at the Liu house. As she exits, she almost runs into Donna, who is carrying a tray of food. Donna asks if she is leaving already, and Julie jokes that she has to make sure Ethan isn’t building a spaceship with Victor.
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. As they walk through Town, Elgin tells Julie about what happened at the Clinic with Smiley. Elgin tells her that she can’t tell anyone, as Boyd instructed him. Julie promises not to, but is encouraged by the news that they can hurt and kill the Creatures. Julie notices that Elgin seems unhappy, and asks why. Elgin explains that he feels like there is something he is supposed to remember from his dream on the bus the day they arrived, and seeing Smiley’s body reminded him but he still can’t remember it. Elgin adds that he isn’t sure what’s real or not, and Julie sympathizes with him. Julie remarks that there is always some new insane thing that comes along, and they all go through it. Elgin comments that she seems to be weathering it well, which Julie jokingly takes as a sign that Elgin is in dire straits. Julie reveals that she does have a trick to deal- she draws a bath and sinks her head in until the water is level with her ears. The sound reminds her of the ocean, and she meditates in peace. Elgin says he doesn’t take baths, and Julie jokes that she can’t help him then.[17]
Victor arrives at the Lius' house and is greeted by Julie. Victor asks for Ethan, whom Julie summons. Julie then thanks Victor for saving her life during the Colony House attack. Ethan arrives, and 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. Victor then flashes back to when he was a child and his mother gave him the toy. Jade and Tabitha arrive in search of Victor but he tries to leave. Jade grabs Victor, prompting Julie to order him to leave Victor alone. Later, Jim heads to the Diner where he greets his children and asks where Tabitha is. Julie explains that she and Jade came in looking for Victor and Jade yelled at him, so Tabitha is likely trying to check on him. Jim pulls Julie aside and tells her that he is planning to spend the night in the RV with a Talisman and to tell Tabitha that he is alright. Julie is concerned about the idea, and tells him to be careful. 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.[18]
Boyd and Kenny exit the house after investigating, and Ethan asks if everything is alright, and Boyd tells him yes, and asks if he can go home while he talks to Julie. Tian-Chen leads Ethan home, while he and Kenny tell Julie that they have 30 minutes before dark and need go door to door and tell everyone that they can’t be alone. Julie asks what is going on, and Boyd says that something killed Paula in her sleep, so everyone has to stay awake. Julie then remembers that her father is at the RV. 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. As the night goes on, 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 was 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. Later, Julie starts shrieking in pain as her eyes glaze over.[19]
The next morning, Kristi and Kenny arrive at the Lius', and Boyd directs them upstairs, where Julie lies comatose. Kristi assures Tabitha and Jim that Julie is breathing alright. When Kristi moves to check Julie’s eyes, Julie begins screaming in pain along with Marielle and Randall, who are similarly afflicted. 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 able to return to the Dungeon to confront The Musicbox Monster, and finds Julie, Randall and Mari shackled to the walls. After he destroys the music box, the three wake up. After reuniting with her family, Ethan draws and 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.[20]
Season 3[]
Three days after Tabitha goes missing, Ethan runs away to look for her. Julie and Jim search for him, and he is ultimately brought back to the house by Tian-Chen Liu. Julie returns to see this, and sullenly informs her father that she is going on a walk, clearly affected by her recent ordeal. That night, they see that the animals from the Barn are wandering through Town. Tian-Chen leaves to help round up the livestock with Victor, telling the younger Matthews to stay inside. However, Ethan sees his favorite goat, Alma walking past and opens the door, only to find the Old Lady Creature, wgo forces her way inside as Julie grabs Ethan and runs. They are found by Sara, who helps them hide before they run to the safety of the bus, where Randall lets them inside.[21]
The next day, Jim returns home and finds Julie, who tells him about Tian-Chen’s death. Julie then tells him that Ethan is upstairs. Jim tries to reassure Julie, but Julie snaps and says that nothing is alright, Ethan almost died, and she can no longer act as the replacement parent while Jim loses it. Jim reminds her that he was searching for her mother but Julie says she is gone, noting how it has been four days. Julie says that he and Tabitha fell apart after Thomas’ death and there was no one there for Ethan, and she had to step in as a 15 year old. Julie tells Jim to get it together. Later, Julie finds Sara and thanks her for saving them. Julie admits that she thinks the Township has gotten to her head, and admits that she does not want to end up like Sara. Sara understands, and offers to be there if she needs to talk. She and her family attend the funeral for Tian-Chen in the Church. On their way home, Ethan asks if they will still live in Tian-Chen’s home. Julie walks to the Barn to check on the animals, and Ethan follows her. Jim warns them both to be careful[22]
Shortly afterwards, a panicked Jim tells his children to return to the house immediately. The next day, Julie returns home as her father and Ethan are eating lunch. 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.[23]
Julie witnesses her father rip the phone off the wall in frustration in front of Ethan, and is troubled by his behavior. That night, an ambulance arrives in Town and Ethan runs outside of the house. He is brought back by Boyd and Randall, and he explains to his father and Julie that the voice on the phone said Tabitha was on the ambulance. After hearing gunshots, Jim runs to the ambulance, followed by Randall and Boyd, who instructs Ethan to remain inside with his sister. While they 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.[24]
The next morning, Tabitha tells her family about her experience in the outside world. Julie is confused by how she was teleported to the real world, but Jim is happy that they are reunited. Jade bursts in, and begins asking about the Bottle Tree and the Lighthouse. Jade insists that they return to the tree. Tabitha says she will speak at the Town meeting, but Jade wants to leave immediately. Instead of going to the Town meeting, Julie goes to Colony House. Finding the place empty, she goes to Fatima and Ellis’ room and gazes out the window, flashing back to her first night in Town, when Fatima told her that “if you climb high enough, even a nightmare can look like a dream.” She then retrieves a pouch of weed. As she goes down the stairs, Elgin almost hits her with a fireplace shovel. Admitting that he is not okay, Julie invites him to keep her company. They go to the basement through the vintage clothing kept there, joking about people in the 80s fleeing the Creatures in fluorescent spandex and large hairdos. The two try on old clothes and goof around with a polaroid camera they find.[25]
The next morning, after her parents had a large and audible fight the previous night, Julie finds her mother in the kitchen and asks where Jim is. Tabitha answers that he went to the Settlement to help gather the rest of the food. Julie asks if this had anything to do with their argument the previous night. As Tabitha prepares to speak, Julie remarks that things are normal again with them fighting, and leaves to get Ethan for breakfast. Later that day, Kenny finds Julie outside smoking weed. After promising not to tell her parents, he asks about a screwdriver his mother kept in the junk drawer. Julie apologetically admits that her father probably moved it without thinking. Kenny promises that it is not a big deal and returns inside.
At the bus, Julie finds Randall moving his stuff out. After joking that he is moving to an oceanside condo, he explains that he is moving to the Clinic on Marielle’s offer. Julie asks how she is doing, and Randall answers that she is pretending that nothing happened. Randall asks how Julie is doing, and she says she gets stoned a lot, which helps, and he asks if she has anything with her as she holds up the bag.[26]
Julie arrives at the Clinic, as Randall is leaving, preparing to go for a walk. Despite his saying he wants to be alone, Julie joins him. As Julie and Randall walk, Julie explains her mother’s visions while her father is afraid because the last time he tried to figure things out, he almost died. Randall, who is not listening, explains he is looking for a specific kind of mushroom. Julie asks what he was doing on the bus, and he explains that he was heading to Detroit. As they talk, Julie reveals that she never got her learner’s permit, shocking Randall, who tells her to follow him. He brings her to Colony House, where they grab the van and he begins teaching her how to drive. As the two drive, Julie asks for a turn at the wheel. However, Randall begins seeing cicadas. He stops the van and becomes overwhelmed. After he recovers, he says they should go home and storms out into the Forest. Julie follows Randall, and they find the ruins of the Dungeon. Julie begins feeling something, and is drawn toward the ruins, but Randall stops her from going further. Julie asks if he feels it too, but Randall says he does not and they need to get the van back to Colony House.[27]
Julie asks Randall if he’s seen Kristi or Marielle so she can thank them. She then says that they should return to the Dungeon ruins. Randall does not want to, believing that it may just make things worse. He tells her that nothing in the Township wants to help them, and advises her to stay away. 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. The two cross the arches, and Julie is returned to the restored Dungeon alone. She begins remembering her and the others torture. However, it is a vision, and as Julie seizes on the ground, Ethan calls out for help.
Julie continues to be overwhelmed by sounds of torment in the Dungeon. However, the noises suddenly stop, and Randall and Marielle disappear. She then sees Martin, shackled to the wall, shouting to a voice at the bottom of the dry well that he has to climb. Martin, addressing Julie by name, has her throw the rope down, where it is received by Boyd. Martin thanks Julie and tells her to leave, warning her that it is not safe. As she leaves, she turns back and sees that he has disappeared. Julie exits the doors and finds herself in the Tunnels. She hears her mother and Victor speaking, and follows the sound of their voice towards a light. Ethan arrives with Kenny and Acosta as Julie wakes up, and she pulls her brother into a hug.[28]
Julie is taken to the Clinic, where she is examined by Kristi Miller and Marielle Sinclair in Jim and Ethan's presence. Kristi observes no signs of trauma, which she declares a good sign, and Julie promises that she is fine. 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.
Later that day, the Matthews go to the Diner. While they eat, Ethan glumly picks at his food, saying he misses Tian-Chen’s pancakes before leaving for the bathroom. Julie tells her parents that he blames himself for what happened to her, because she brought him with her to the ruins, and asked him if she should enter them. Julie acknowledges it was a mistake, but explains that it felt like one of Ethan’s stories. She adds that Jim and Tabitha trying to pretend things are alright is only making things worse.
Boyd and Donna call for everyone to gather in front of the Diner. Tabitha and Julie go outside, where Boyd and Donna announce that Fatima Hassan has gone missing and they need everyone to form search parties to look for her. Now joined by Jim and Ethan, she and her brother volunteer to assist with the search, and Tabitha agrees to take Julie while Jim takes Ethan. Tabitha and Julie search in the Clairy’s Canned Goods Truck. Julie worries that they will be picked off, one by one, and recalls that Fatima was the first person to make the Township seem like it could be normal. Julie reveals that she does not think she was dreaming when she blacked out at the ruins. She believes that she was transported somewhere, first to the Dungeon where they were screaming, there was a man shackled to the wall. She then heard her mother’s voice in the Tunnels and tried to follow it, but it kept getting further away. She also heard the children, repeating the word “anghkooey.” Julie says she was worried that she would die alone, but Tabitha pulls her into a hug and tells her that she will never be alone. Tabitha then sees a Ghoulish Child in the distance, and reveals to her daughter that the child is beckoning them to follow.
The Ghoulish Child leads Tabitha and Julie through the forest to the open Root Cellar doors. Tabitha begins to enter, but freezes again. After Julie snaps her out of it, Tabitha continues downstairs and finds Victor, continuing to lament his role in his mother’s death. Tabitha reassures him that it was not his fault, as he was just a child. However, Tabitha begins having flashes of the night Miranda died and runs outside, overwhelmed.[29]
After Jim and Ethan return to Town, Julie takes Ethan to the Diner while Jim checks on Tabitha. 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.
While Jim visits the RV, Julie, with shorter hair and covered in blood, arrives screaming for him. She tells him to run, explaining that this is where she needs to change the story. However, they are found by the Man in the Yellow Suit, who remarks that Jade is a good violin player. Jim orders Julie to run as the Man draws closer, saying that this did not have to happen, but knowledge comes with a cost. Jim confront the man, who grabs him by the throat. Julie tries to help but is pushed away by the Man, who turns back to Jim and tells him that his wife should not have dug the hole, echoing the voice Jim heard on the radio. The Man then rips Jim’s throat out as Julie screams.[30]
Trivia[]
- Missing since: 2/20/2022, Last seen: traveling from Glendale, AZ toward Yellowstone National Park.
Appearances[]
Season 1[]
- Long Day's Journey Into Night
- The Way Things Are Now
- Choosing Day
- A Rock and a Farway
- Silhouettes
- Book 74
- All Good Things...
- Broken Windows, Open Doors
- Into The Woods
- Oh, the Places We'll Go
Season 2[]
- Strangers in a Strange Land
- The Kindness of Strangers
- Tether
- This Way Gone
- Lullaby
- Pas de Deux
- Belly of the Beast
- Forest for the Trees
- Ball of Magic Fire
- Once Upon a Time?
Season 3[]
- Shatter
- When We Go
- Mouse Trap
- There and Back Again
- The Light of Day
- Scar Tissue
- These Fragile Lives
- Thresholds
- Revelations: Chapter One
- Revelations: Chapter Two
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 A Rock and a Farway
- ↑ Long Day's Journey Into Night
- ↑ The Way Things Are Now
- ↑ Choosing Day
- ↑ Silhouettes
- ↑ Book 74
- ↑ All Good Things...
- ↑ Broken Windows, Open Doors
- ↑ Into The Woods
- ↑ Oh, the Places We'll Go
- ↑ 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?
- ↑ 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