‘Servant’ Recap: ‘Neighbors’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 405 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Whenever we realize that we have a supremely toxic person in our lives, one that we are ready to be free of, we are faced with quite the task. Specifically… how do we remove them from the fabric of our existence? Because toxic people love to overstay their welcome and keep the drama and the trouble rolling, even when they know they’re not welcome. So, an elaborate plan has to come into play to properly get them off our hands and back into the void of the world where they truly belong, away from harming others. One that might work, one that might not, since those folks are tricky… but we have to try none the less, and the struggles of getting rid a toxic individual are top of mind today, simply because the Turner household dealt with that problem in the next episode of Servant on Apple TV+.
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For when we caught up with the family in ‘Neighbors’, Sean and Dorothy were trying to figure out how indeed to remove Leanne from their home in a simple manner. Which after much debate, they came to realize… there was a good chance that people from the church were nearby, and possibly moved in as Leanne had hypothesized. So, why not have a little gathering in the household and see if by chance they could figure out who wanted to bring Leanne back to the church… and let them do so? Because that would indeed solve all of their problems, and that prompted Sean to hit the streets and knock-on doors and extend an invitation to a cocktail party at the Turner estate. A decision that led to some of the show’s trademark quirky black humor.

Because the party in question was as awkward as can be. Not because the neighbors didn’t feel welcomed, but because Sean and Dorothy… tried to out the church members in conversation. Courtesy of awkward questions about life and death and spirituality. Not to mention, just when it seemed that Dorothy had identified the right people, it turned out she simply identified an older man with desires for Leanne. For when she got them into the backyard to chat, he gushed about how badly he wanted Leanne, and how it wouldn’t be an issue for his wife, since it was an open marriage. All of which made it seem as though… this plan was going to be an absolute bust through and through and they’d be stuck with Leanne in their household far longer than they wanted.

But that is when a surprise into came into play. For when the power briefly went out, the neighbors that Sean thought were members of the church, proved him right and made their move. One complete with violence and apathy from Sean and Dorothy. Who calmly watched and hoped for their dream to come true. But that’s when this story took a trademark turn for the worse. Because Leanne fought back, with more than just physical strength. She tapped into something deep and powerful, which not only signaled to her minions to take her aggressors away, but also damaged the city street in front the house by creating a sinkhole. Making it clear that her power has grown and is beyond dangerous now, and that it will be beyond difficult to remove her from the house… especially now that she is aware that Sean and Dorothy want her gone. 

Which really was… an extreme but impactful way to hammer the central theme of this episode home. Since she simply will not budge on leaving this house, despite the fact that she isn’t wanted and has caused a great deal pain from this family, and toxic people that have their greasy claws into an individual or a situation, truly are that stubborn. Just not as magically talented. But what also makes this episode of note, is that finally… after four years… the Turners are committed to fighting her and that is going to lead to some incredible moments for certain. The kind that will see good and evil battle at last as the Turners do whatever they must to oust Leanne. But the power on display here does leave one to wonder… if we are going to get a traditional happy ending for this horror story, where the monster is defeated. Or if evil will prevail and make the Turners pay dearly for their desire to not give evil the love it commanded of them. Until next time.

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