‘Castle Rock’ Recap: ‘Dirty’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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​I would venture to say, that horror themed television shows have high expectations from their fan base. Because if a show is unable to provide its audience with quality and dynamic characters that consistently grow and struggle, and an overall story that doesn’t move along briskly and enthrall us and of course, scare the hell out of us, it’s deemed a failure and quickly forgotten. But what we sometimes forget when it comes to this genre, is that it is okay for horror to be something a little more topical than what is currently demanded of it, and it can outright just be a wild and savage ride that makes you cringe and for proof… well look no further than the latest episode of Castle Rock.
 
Because ‘Dirty’ was an episode that was devoid of any deeper meaning or further explorations of what turns Annie Wilkes into the monster we meet in Misery. Instead, this was nothing more than an intense horror story, one that let the darkest parts of this town shine and in doing so, it set the stage for an intense conclusion to season two, and really the first thing I liked when it comes to this episode, is how it built tension and danger. Something that was accomplished by the fact that the song of Castle Rock was continuing to resonate with the residents of this twisted little burg, and as more people succumbed to its call and followed their new idol, the more it became apparent that the original followers of The Kid were preparing for something far more nefarious.
 
In fact, anyone who didn’t answer the call of the Kid, were targeted for destruction and that brought about some rough moments for Nadia. For Chris tried once again to recruit her into the cult, with unfortunate results since she fought back at every single turn and her attempts to help him is what brought about the ugliness in question. Because the Kid’s disciples came calling for her at the hospital where she admitted Chris for treatment, and they were quick to defend one of their own and attempt and put her down for even touching someone they deemed so holy. But a dose of Haldol offered her a chance at hope since it brought out the man she knows and loves. But despite their best efforts to escape the clutches of the Kid’s minions together and free Chris of the evil within, Nadia’s love lost his life in the fight, leaving her alone and confused and in danger.
 
But truly the centerpiece of this particular tale is everything that happened at the Marsten House involving Annie and Joy. Because the group was finally able to bring both of them under the house’s creepy roof, all in the hopes of detoxing Annie so she could become the vessel for Amity. But a quick look at Joy’s art made Ace come to realize that perhaps she was the actual vessel instead and plans were made to bring her to the crypt post haste. But with her dose being altered, Annie desire to keep her ‘baby’ safe, intensified to dangerous levels and that led to a wholesale bloodbath within the house wherein Annie dropped people left and right so that she and Joy could escape their clutches. But while they were nearly successful at getting out this disturbing burg, unfortunately for Annie, her little sister heard the call of Castle Rock as well and responded to it by joining the flock, leaving her fate and the fate of this storied town in the hands of the unknown.
 
If anything, I have to admit that I was quite impressed with this episode, simply because I didn’t expect to see something this intense. Because this season really has been a cerebral and mysterious affair, so it was quite refreshing to just see it let loose and bathe in danger and doom and it was definitely successful in its endeavor to tell us a bleak tale. For everything is really starting to fall apart in Castle Rock and with so many succumbing to the strange symphony playing in the air, who knows how on earth this mess will get resolved. But when one considers the sheer quality of this season’s storytelling, I think it is safe to say that it will all wrap up in stunning and potentially heartbreaking fashion and I truly cannot wait to see how this town survives its biggest scrape with darkness to date. Until next time. 

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