‘NOS4A2’ Recap: ‘Chris McQueen’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘NOS4A2’.
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When we are young, we tend to view our parents as outright heroes and the center of the universe. After all, we feel the incredible love they provide us with in our youth, and since they are there the instant, we need someone to help us along in any capacity, there is no one else we hold in a higher regard. But sadly, as we grow older and life begins to test everyone in the household, the potential arises to see them in different light. Because pressure and fresh and unresolved trauma can bring out the absolute worst in us and well, when those moments arrive, our parents either stand strong and reinforce our belief in them or give into the darkness and impart some of their pain upon their children. Which is problematic for certain since that kind of darkness is easy for another generation to maintain and grow. 
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For since our parents serve as a guide point, and because we see ourselves in them, we take on their habits and their sins and well, we know how that particular story ends. Which quite frankly, begs the question, is it possible at all to break these unfortunate cycles of emotional abuse? For we slip so easily into the grip of this darkness and the pain it creates, that it seems nearly impossible to relinquish it from our souls. If anything, these traumatic cycles are something that are deeply rooted in our modern society and while there is likely no one answer in ending it, there are likely some things we can do to start the healing process, so that we can remove it from our lives. And oddly enough, these topics are relevant to today’s since discussion; simply because they found their way into last night’s fascinating and devastating episode of NOS4A2.

Because ‘Chris McQueen’ put that very man on display in this tale and wasted no time in informing us, that the ugly things he exhibited when Vic was growing up, were a direct result of cyclic behavior. Because Chris turned out to be a spitting image of his father, since both of them fought in an ugly war and turned to the drink after, making it quite eerie that these two men ever found common ground. Especially since Chris showed some serious disdain for his dad and his behavior, when he spoke of his late father at his funeral. But it just goes to show how deep this kind of pain goes and how easy it is to inherit it and pass it along and well, what was truly stunning about taking the time to learn about Chris and the cycle, is the sheer fact that Mister McQueen hasn’t quite rid himself of the darkness within, despite his claims otherwise. 

For he actually buried his unresolved trauma deep within his soul and took the time to unleash it in this tale shortly after the bike was finally fixed. Because he was quick to accompany Vic to the junkyard by way of the Shorter Way and well, it turns out they just missed Wayne by a few moments. And knowing that his grandson was still in harm’s way, motivated him to harness that pain and the fury that comes with it, and beat the tar out of Bing and injure him further. Something that sadly robbed Team McCarmody of precious time. For now, Bing had to recover in the hospital, leaving Vic angry with her dad for overstepping his bounds and potentially leaving Wayne to a fate worse than death. But thankfully not all hope was lost. Because eventually, Bing was transferred to the FBI office in Haverhill and after he had a little chat with Tabitha, Vic was finally able to speak with her once friend and discover a way to bring Wayne home.

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Which meant that Vic and her father and Maggie and Lou were headed back to Gunbarrel, to lay a trap for Charlie. Because right before he enters Christmasland with his victims, he has them hang an ornament from a tree, something akin to a serial killer keeping a souvenir. But what mattered more about their arrival at the entrance to Christmasland, was that it gave father and daughter time to talk, and what they had to say to one another was poignant and powerful. For Vic made it quite clear how much harm her father’s behavior had caused her, and how much anger it left her with on a regular basis, and how that anger… became a necessity. Because if she were to relinquish it and forgive herself and her dad, that would somehow allow for every hardship she ever went through to not have meaning and weight. A notion that Chris disagreed with, and for the first time ever, he offered his daughter some genuine advice. In that, hanging onto that pain and letting it ‘strengthen’ a person had the opposite effect and created the situation she was in now and that forgiveness at every level could in fact, set her free in ways she never thought possible.

But before she had time to process his words, the Wraith arrived and the plan had to kick into high gear and unfortunately, this last-ditch effort to retrieve Wayne was an outright disaster. Because not only were Maggie and Lou unable to wrest Wayne’s mind from the power of the Wraith and Christmasland; Vic’s showdown with Manx resulted in the worst-case scenario. For the bombs she and her dad planted did nothing more than dust up the old car’s paint job and to make matters worse, Vic’s bike sputtered out at a crucial moment of escape. Which meant that her only hope for survival was her father, and any effort to save her would result in horrific injury or death. But in that moment, none of that mattered to Chris McQueen. He only cared about his baby brat and her safety, and that motivated him to jump in front of a moving car to save her. An act that shattered his legs and cost him his life when Manx felt the need to finish the job and well, Chris’ passing offered up some powerful revelations.

For in his daughter’s true hour of need, he was there for her every step of the way and was even ready to sacrifice everything for Vic. Which means that in his final hours, Chris McQueen was finally the man and the father he always wanted to be, and he in essence broke the cycle by standing tall and oddly enough, his thoughts on forgiveness offered up some philosophical notions on what could end the cycle that so many have suffered from over the years. Because his words make it clear that those folks who find themselves giving into the darker tendencies that mom or dad (or both) exhibit, can in fact change course. For if they take the time to realize that mom or dad’s actions were their own and that they are in fact, in command of their own path, then freedom and peace and a new tomorrow awaits them. Provided of course they forgive themselves and their folks for their mistakes.

Which is a powerful message to inject into a horror story, but that’s simply what NOS4A2 does. For this particular series is unafraid of tackling the topics that few wish to in a brave and bold manner and the show deserves serious credit for taking the time to tackle this powerful and somewhat taboo topic and offer up some kind of a path forward. But all greater concepts aside, the other elements of this episode were supremely worthwhile as well. For seeing Vic and Bing face off in a more human fashion was quite powerful for certain and the entire battle at the gates of Christmasland was intense and unnerving and of course, young Wayne’s fate still hangs in the balance. And if this is the kind of story we are going to get before we’ve reached the season finale, who knows what kind of powerful storytelling awaits us in the final episodes of season two. But in the here and the now, it is definitely a time to mourn. For a good man that lost his way, found direction at the end of his journey, and it is a damn shame that Vic will never get to know the wondrous man we saw in this sorrowful tale. Until next time.

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