‘Hysteria!’ Recap: ‘Mother’

11/18/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

HYSTERIA! -- "Mother" Episode 105 -- Pictured: (l-r) Nikkie Hahn as Faith, Brandon Butler as Ryan Hudson -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Hysteria!’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.

If there is one particular storytelling element that fans of the new Peacock and USA Network series, Hysteria! have been waiting for… it’s answers. Because thus far, we don’t know what is happening in the idyllic town of Happy Hollow. We just know that fear has gripped this town, and disturbing discoveries are everywhere to be found. All of which seems to relate to something evil growing in the shadows. But alas, it may not be anything evil at all. In fact, what might be happening here is nothing short of a theological takeover of the town because of the fear that certain parties harbor, and that can be said with some measure of confidence, simply because answers came forth in this week’s episode of the show.

For ‘Mother’ made it clear, that all of the problems the town is currently experiencing, relates less to Dylan and his desire to be admired, or Judith’s dark curiosities. It all comes down to Tracy, and her supremely sordid past. Since we came to discover that she was not always the perfect Christian Nuisance we know her to be. No, instead, back in her youth, she was a wild child. One raised by some ultraconservative parents (played brilliantly by horror royalty Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton), that she was eager to rebel from. To the point where she eagerly enjoyed the finer things in life. But alas, her parents didn’t want her out and about in the world living a non-Christian life, so they hired the mysterious reverend, to deprogram her.

Which brought about a harrowing time for Tracy. Wherein she was basically tortured and psychologically broken to be compliant, as opposed to anyone stepping in and helping her find a better path instead of the one her parents demanded of her. But that’s not how things worked in 1969, and eventually she was returned home as the perfect little Christian daughter and this matters, because of her daughter, Faith. Who was having bad cramps from a violent menstrual cycle and of course discovering boys and well, Tracy saw that as a warning sign. One that would create the same person she once was, who she was taught was bad and evil and filled with darkness for trying to enjoy life. So rather than talk with her daughter and help her make better decisions, she just had her kidnapped.

That of course, led to pain and suffering for Faith, as she was tortured and drugged to help her forget the darkness she witnessed when Ryan died. But that spoke to the fact… that all the terror in this town has been related to the will of one woman. One who felt the need to impart beliefs upon the town and her family and because of that, all are suffering now. And that, combined with the fact that the reverend wants her to take control of this town, made it clear that as is often the case in our history, ideology and stupidity and a broken mind is leading a town to ruin through fear, suffering and an imposing of a will. To make matters worse… a violent bonding moment may help in accomplishing her ultimate goal.

Which all hints at the possibility that this town is quite literally suffering from mass hysteria, and everything we are seeing is related to fear and panic and Tracy’s machinations. But while we wait for confirmation on that, we can celebrate one amazing tale. One that answered so many questions and really did remind us, how people like Tracy, who weaponize religion and more extreme conservative values… always cause more harm than good in our world, and well, that bitter truth leaves us eager to enjoy more of this story. Since just like that, we may be looking at an ideological battle to save this town, and that will lead to some fascinating commentary that we can perhaps apply in our world as this brilliant series continues along. Until next time.

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