‘Servant’ Recap: ‘Hair’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 303 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Most television shows out there, tend to stick to one thematic concept per episode. In large part, so they can offer it proper attention and thought and that is a storytelling decision that definitely pays off in spades. Because time and time again, we’ve been privy to stories that leave us with plenty to ponder upon, regarding whatever topic the writers room wanted to address, and we never feel overwhelmed with what we’ve just explored… because of the focus present. But every once in a while, you run into a show that becomes curious to the possibility, if the story could handle multiple themes in a singular episode and one such show that is eager to experiment with this… is Servant on Apple TV+.
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Because its next episode, ‘Hair’, wasted little time in resurrecting a theme that was seemingly buried in the past. Specifically, the power of trauma and how it impacts our lives. A move that basically put the exploration of fear that’s been hanging over season three on the back-burner for a moment… so we could come to understand, how dark a day Jericho’s death was for Julian. Because he was playing that moment over and over in his head in this tale, simply because… he was severely traumatized by the events of the past year. And facing death himself and seeing Jericho in the beyond and being the one who found him, had him convinced that somehow, Leanne had brought in her own baby. Which in turn motivated Julian to do some dastardly things in the home.

In that, he plucked a hair from Jericho’s head and attempted to get one from Leanne in order to get a DNA test conducted behind Sean and Dorothy’s back and when he couldn’t get a hair from Leanne… he used what he thought was Dorothy’s. A move that backfired horribly since it was DNA from another redheaded mother on the block, embarrassing Julian when he presented the ‘evidence’ to his sister. But what matters more here is that his journey spoke volumes to how trauma can haunt us and drive us to new unhealthy heights… when we simply do not deal with it. Because Julian has yet to process any of his pain and it continues to hang heavy over his head and if he doesn’t handle it soon, who knows what other wild decisions he will make this season. 

But while that made for some powerful storytelling for certain, there was mention of multiple themes in this episode and that was handled by Leanne and Sean in this tale. Because their respective journey related back to the overreaching season three theme of fear, with a twist of course. For Sean was being quite kind in this tale and feeding some of the homeless youth in the park nearby. A decision that Leanne vehemently disagreed with, since she was concerned, they were members of her former brood and would eventually bring forth trouble. Making it seem as though this plot thread was going to once again point out how Leanne is indeed consumed by fear and unable to function in the slightest because of it. But that is where the twist came into play. 

Because in the end, it turns out that Leanne was right and these ‘poor, unfortunate youths’ are indeed members of Leanne’s old club. Which means in this instance her concerns about this trio (and Dorothy’s as well) relate to how fear can be useful in situations such as these. But all lessons aside, this could mean major trouble for the Turners, since one of these troubled teens saw inside the home. But while we wait to see what comes of this surprise, we can bask in the wonder of one brilliant tale. Because this episode really did offer some powerful moments and observations on the human condition, and it was able to offer up two complete and fascinating thematic explorations in a half hour. Proving once again that Servant is one of the most intelligent horror stories out there. Until next time.

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