‘Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale’ Recap – ‘Episode 4’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from ‘Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale’ Courtesy of AMC Networks.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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We like to believe that dark times and times of crisis, come about because of a cascading failure that takes time to reach critical mass, and we think that way, because we are curious creatures that like to explore the cause and effect of everything that happens in our lives. And in doing so, we come to see a bigger picture, where multiple failures and mistakes led to others and that in turn brought about the problem in question, and we hope to use that knowledge to prevent such problems ever again. But while that does have merit, it isn’t the whole picture as to how ugliness comes into our world and finds sustainability. 

Because in reality, what truly leads to complete and utter disaster, is indeed a singular moment. A choice for some, an inspiration for others and that is what we should look for and recognize in this world if we want to stop real trouble. For the warning signs are there, and action can quickly quell problems and well, that singular moment and that inspiration is top of mind today, simply because it was all put on display in the next episode of Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale on Sundance Now and AMC+. For the fourth chapter in this journey, saw DCI Maggie Knight continue to work to bring someone to justice for the death of Dan, with minimal results. For every lead continued to go nowhere and that inspired her to try and smoke out some truth by putting a little heat underneath folks and that… led to the disaster in question.

Because one of her hopes for a genuine lead, was that the séance that took place the night that Daniel died, might have been cover for Sarah being the culprit, as payback for what Daniel did to Harper. Not knowing that such truth was revealed to Sarah later. Which of course, brought about another dead end. But she of course, made mention of that possibility to Abigail in passing, and since Abigail was still filled to the brim with an aching and unresolved pain, and a deep rooted fear of who took the time to hurt her son, she ran with this immediately and firmly believed that Sarah caused this harm and was trying to do more post Daniel’s death, and well… that was it. That was both the singular moment and inspiration for a change of course in this once idyllic town. One that was very dark in nature. Because Abigail’s husband decided it was time to pay tribute to his son via a rally, and Abi saw that… as a platform.

Where she could take the psyche of a very fragile town and prey upon it and inspire fear and anger and fury. To make witches look to be the enemy and have her grief be solved by turning others against the innocent and this was… shocking to watch. Mainly because, it felt as though it was ripped from the very headlines of our own world. For we’ve seen hatemongers speak with glee over how they believe people should treat others and it was in some ways, eerily reminiscent of what transpired on January 6, 2021, in America. Where a giant idiot inspired an attempted coup d’état of the American government because big boy didn’t like losing. And well… a similar outcome arrived here. For so many agreed, so many gave into the hate and the fear, and just like that, life changed in Sanctuary and lives are in danger. Since Harper was quickly singled out and beaten and tossed into water where she might not be okay, and we won’t know, until next week arrives.

Which was a hell of a cliffhanger to a hell of an episode. One that truly hammered home, how one moment changes so much. Because that decision on Abigail’s part, to fire up the town to instill hate and fury, and fear… really did alter the vibe in the town. Where down the line, people could look at the whole situation and see multiple failures. But the biggest failure here, was not having an adult in the room, tell Abigail, to stop it. To back off and back down. Instead, she was enabled, and trouble came forth because of how broken she is, and that too is a grand failure. For she has no real support for her grief and now… things are going to get ugly in this town. For people are getting hurt, fear is rampant everywhere and there is nothing to stop this situation from devolving into utter chaos. Until next time.

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