Pas de Deux

Pas de Deux

## Episode guide

**Pas de Deux** is the sixth episode of the second season of From and the sixteenth of the series overall.

## Synopsis

*Tensions run high at Colony House when word of the coming food shortage leaks out. A night at the clinic takes a terrifying turn*.

## Plot

In the Diner, Boyd haltingly tries to explain how while he believes his decision to keep Sara alive is for the good of the Town, he understands if she hates him for it due to Sara’s actions. He sympathizes with the difficulty of losing a loved one in this place. He struggles to explain how he is doing everything he can to get them al home when Kenny arrives, and he angrily confronts Boyd. Tian-Chen tries to diffuse the situation but Boyd thanks her for her time and leaves. Boyd goes to the Church and finds the main room empty. He then hears a music box, and turns around and sees a Ballerina dancing in front of him. The Ballerina has Boyd twirl her, smiles at him, but then opens her mouth in a blood-curdling shriek as worms fall out of her mouth. Back in the Diner, Boyd falls on the floor of the Diner, hitting his head. Boyd apologizes and is helped up by the Lius. Tian-Chen tells Kenny to take Boyd to Kristi, but Boyd insists he is ok and tries to walk out, but struggles to stay upright, and is helped out by Kenny.

In Colony House, Donna, Ellis and the other residents sort the supplies. As Dale brings the last of the potatoes, he remarks that he hopes Donna plans on bringing some of it back. Fatima asks if the boxes are ready to go, and rebuffs Ellis’ offer of help, and Dale asks them if there is trouble in paradise. Donna assures Fatima that they will be fine, so long as they keep their heads and stick to the rations. Donna leaves Ellis and Fatima in charge while she helps store the supplies at the Liu House, reminding them to keep cans on all the doors. Fatima asks what they should tell people about the food, and Donna says for now, they should just say they are working out a new system, so as to avoid a panic. Noticing that things are troubled between Ellis and Fatima, she asks if they will be alright, and Ellis promises they can do it.

In the Clinic, Kristi looks for a hair clip in Mari’s bag and finds a rehab brochure. When Mari arrives, Kristi confronts her, reminding her that Mari told her that she was on her way to see her aunt when she arrived in Town. Mari insists that it isn’t a big deal and that it is all under control. Kristi points out that she was on her way to rehab and is now stuck here, therefore nothing is under control. Kristi asks when she relapsed, and blames herself for causing Mari’s relapse. Mari tries to say that she was going to tell Kristi, who rushes to the drug cabinet to secure its contents. Mari tries to insist that it isn’t a big deal and tells Kristi to stop treating her like a junkie. Kristi says that their drug supply is limited and vital, and asks if Mari took anything. Mari admits that she took a bit of morphine to even herself out. Mari gets angry and tries to storm out, but Kristi warns her that it will be dark outside soon.

As Kenny and Boyd walk, the latter remarks how he’s never seen the leaves change here before. Kenny, seeing that Boyd is walking ok now, decides to leave him, but returns when he hears Boyd cry out in pain and clutch his arm. Boyd tries to explain how there are worms crawling underneath his skin. Boyd then hears the music box again and sees it on a nearby rock. The Ballerina then emerges from the Root Cellar, and smiles at Boyd as she begins dancing. Kenny snaps him out of the vision, but Kenny is disturbed by Boyd’s state of mind.

Ellis leads the Colony House residents in preparing for the night by boarding up the windows and hanging alarms at all the doors. Ellis checks on Fatima, who continues to be cold to him, and asks if they are ok, but she insists they are fine. Meanwhile in the Clinic, Boyd tries to explain what happened with Martin in the dungeon and the worms. Boyd continues to say the worms had been feeding on Martin for years but they would not let him die. Kristi is disturbed, and Boyd asks her that if she can’t believe him, for her to promise to end his misery if things get too bad for him, leaving her shocked. Kristi exits and talks with Kenny about Boyd’s condition. Kenny worries that Boyd’s mental state is declining, much like his father’s did. Kristi tells Kenny that dementia usually only happens later, but Kenny points out that it does happen.

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.

In the Clinic, Boyd has another vision of the music box and the Ballerina. The Ballerina comes up behind him, pushes him onto the bed and begins strangling him. This causes Boyd to panic, and when Mari walks in to check on him, he draws his gun on her. Boyd apologizes and puts the gun down. Mari asks if he is ok, and he promises he is.

Up at Colony House, Ellis asks Fatima what is wrong, and says that his father asked him to promise not tell anyone about Sara. Fatima reminds him that they are getting married and cannot keep things from each other. She further adds that Boyd should not have put him in that position. Ellis says that his father didn’t have a choice, but Fatima says there is always a choice, and that he put people in danger by bringing her back to Town. Ellis agrees and apologizes, but realizes that her distress is not about his dad or Sara, and that ever since the night the bus arrived when they spent the night in the Sheriff’s Office, she has been different. Ellis asks what is going on, but they hear commotion downstairs. In the kitchen, Dale accuses Elgin of sneaking food out of the pantry. Elgin denies this and says he was taking extra food out of his backpack. Ellis arrives and asks what is going on, and Dale repeats his accusation, adding that it is bad enough that the storm wiped out their crops. Ellis denies this, but Dale says he saw what they loaded on the truck. Dale continues to complain about how the radio tower didn’t work, they have so many people they’re running out of food, and Ellis, Fatima and Donna are concealing the fact to prevent panic. Fatima tries to reply but Dale rudely tells her to shut up, angering Ellis. Dale says that they can’t have new people stealing their limited food supply, and insists that they leave. Dale then brandishes the knife he was using to chop vegetables at Elgin and Bakta. Ellis tries to restrain him, but as Dale turns he accidentally stabs Ellis in the side. Fatima and Bakta help him to a couch, while Clara fetches them towels and they attempt to put pressure on the wound.

In the Clinic basement, Boyd looks at the remaining bloodstains in the spot where Bing-Qian was killed. The vision of the Father Khatri remarks that there are some stains that can’t be washed clean. Boyd asks if this is how they will all end up, like him and Bing-Qian. Khatri replies that they all end up the same, no matter where they are, but Boyd specifies that he is talking about being mauled to death by the Creatures. He then says that whatever is inside of him is getting worse. Khatri agrees, but says he is proud of Boyd for asking for help and admitting weakness. Khatri adds that the people upstairs probably think he has gone crazy, and Boyd asks if he has. Khatri points out that he is talking to a figment of his imagination, but that sometimes crazy is the most rational response. Khatri concludes that Boyd did what he could but not every story gets a happy ending, much like his own, Bing-Qian’s and Abby’s. Boyd remarks that Khatri is still the worst priest he’s ever met. Khatri tells him to imagine a better version next time, causing Boyd to chuckle. Kenny then walks in, and asks Boyd who he was talking to. Boyd tries to say he was just thinking out loud, but Kenny sees through the lie and repeats his question. Kenny then bars the doors and says Boyd is not leaving until he is assured that it is safe, having heard what happened with Marielle. Boyd admits he was talking to Father Khatri and knows it looks bad, but insists that something happened to him out in the forest and it terrifies him.

In Colony House, Fatima and Bakta tend to Ellis, and Fatima says they will take him by van to the Clinic. Ellis says it is too dangerous, but Fatima says they have lookouts in all the windows and Clara reports that it looks like they’re all clear. Ellis says they can wait until morning, but Bakta gives Fatima a look indicating otherwise. Fatima then calls Elgin over for help, and he helps Fatima get Ellis up and they walk to the door, but Matthias reports that a Creature is coming up the hill and is about 50 yards away. Ellis says he can’t run, and Elgin leaves and tells them to meet him at the steps. Elgin makes a run for the van, and is spotted by two Creatures. After finding the keys, he drives to the front of Colony House and ushers Fatima and Ellis inside as Creatures begin to surround them. As Elgin drives them to the Clinic, Ellis begins to struggle to breathe.

They arrive at the Clinic and are let inside by Kristi and Marielle. Fatima and Elgin explain what happened, and Kristi calls Boyd and Kenny upstairs as she begins tending to him. Marielle tries to help, and Kristi is resistant but tells her where the saline is. Kristi figures out that there is blood in his chest cavity and makes an incision in his side to drain the blood. Meanwhile, Fatima, Boyd and Elgin nervously wait in the next room. Boyd calms a panicking Fatima and asks Elgin if he is ok, and Elgin explains that he isn’t good around blood. Kristi arrives and says she was able to relieve the pressure in his chest, but due to the blood loss he needs a transfusion. Boyd says Ellis’ blood type is O negative, and Kristi says they will use Boyd for a transfusion, but Boyd, fearing that whatever is inside of him will then transfer to his son. Boyd insists he is not crazy, but Fatima tries to tell him it can’t be worse than dying, but Boyd is adamantly against it. Kenny then points a gun at Boyd and tries to force him to provide his blood. Boyd then begins writhing in pain, and Marielle sees the worms and alerts the others to their presence. Fatima begs them to do something. Kenny retrieves a knife and tells Boyd to transfer the worms to him so he can do the transfusion, and they can figure out the rest later. Boyd refuses, explaining that there is a nightmare happening under his skin which is getting stronger and is not willing to risk passing it onto Kenny.

Boyd then has an idea and leaves the Clinic, saying the worms have to go somewhere. Boyd calls out to the Creatures, and the Smiley Creature comes. Boyd invites him to come get him as more Creatures arrive. Boyd then cuts his palm and walks over to Smiley and cuts his throat. Smiley continues grinning, and Boyd then presses his wound to Smiley’s, repeating what Martin told him in the Dungeon. Boyd painfully feels the worms leave his body, while a unfazed Smiley says he likes this game. He and the other Creatures advance on Boyd, but Smiley begins to writhe and howl in pain as his human appearance disappears, revealing his true monstrous face. The other Creatures inspect what is happening to Smiley and leave Boyd alone, allowing him to run back to the Clinic. The Creatures then disperse. Inside, Boyd assures them that he is ok now, and they begin the transfusion. While Mari cleans up, she eyes the unlocked supply cabinet, but resists the temptation.

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

After the successful transfusion, Kristi tells Boyd to lie down, but he promises that he is ok. Fatima watches over a recuperating Ellis, and Kristi asks how he’s breathing is. Ellis replies that he is fine, and Kristi promises to fetch new sheets. Ellis jokingly asks Fatima if she is still and at him, and the two kiss. Fatima then leaves, promising to return. She steps out into the hallway and begins crying. Kristi tries to comfort her as Fatima says she almost lost Ellis and is frightened by the worms under Boyd’s skin. Fatima says she needs to ask Kristi something she cannot tell anyone else, and asks for a pregnancy test. Kenny approaches Boyd and admits that they should have listened to and trusted him as they stare at Smiley’s body. Kenny asks if it is dead, and Boyd replies that they will find out soon enough.

## Trivia

* The title of this episode, Pas de Deux, is a dance for two people, typically a man and a woman. The literal translation from French is “step of two."
* This is the first time something has been confirmed to successfully harm the Creatures, who are impervious to conventional weapons such as firearms and knives.

## Cast

* Boyd Stevens - Harold Perrineau
* Tabitha Matthews - Catalina Sandino Moreno
* Jim Matthews - Eion Bailey
* Jade Herrera - David Alpay (credit only)
* Donna Raines - Elizabeth Saunders
* Victor - Scott McCord (credit only)
* Kenny Liu - Ricky He
* Kristi Miller - Chloe Van Landschoot
* Fatima Hassan - Pegah Ghafoori
* Ellis Stevens - Corteon Moore
* Sara Myers - Avery Konrad (credit only)
* Julie Matthews - Hannah Cheramy
* Ethan Matthews - Simon Webster
* Tian-Chen Liu - Elizabeth Moy
* Tillie - Deborah Glover (credit only)
* Bakta - Angela Moore
* Marielle - Kaelen Ohm
* Randall - A.J. Simmons (credit only)
* Elgin - Nathan D. Simmons
* Father Rudra Khatri - Shaun Majumder
* Dale - Cliff Saunders
* Colony House Resident 3 - Kevin Jalil Mahoney
* Clara - Katerina Bakolias
* Matthias - Matthias Fenez
* Librarian Creature - Daphne Stephen
* Mob Guy Creature - Riley Mclean-Dewitt
* Smiley Creature - Jamie McGuire