‘Servant’ Recap: ‘Tiger’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 305 of ‘Servant’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular storytelling device that we’ve talked at length about when it comes to our recaps of Servant on Apple TV+, is the show’s ability to well… outright surprise us. Because time and time again, this brilliant and dynamic series, finds new ways to use misdirection and surprise to take the story in incredible new directions and well… reminding ourselves of that particular device is supremely important to our discussion of the show today. Because once again, this series figured out a way to outright surprise us in the creative manner that only it knows how to, and that made, ‘Tiger’, quite the fascinating and engaging tale.

One that early on, inferred that we were going to be treated to a downright uplifting story. For this one revolved around a giant block party that Leanne was eager to attend in order to just… live life a little, and once the party got underway, quite the joyous moment took place for Dorothy, since she took control back of her career. Because after her unfortunate moment on live television, one that became a scathing meme, she took the opportunity to get back on camera by straight up jumping on camera when the station sent a crew down to the block party. Making it appear as though she’d be just fine in the end. 

Plus, this episode also added some new wrinkles to the fold of the Turner household. Since we came to learn in this tale that Sean was starting to find faith again, likely because of the miracles and wonders he’d experienced as of late and that led to some awkward moments between, he and Dorothy when she found out he was going to church and taking young Jericho with him and of course… there was fun to be found in this tale as well. For Leanne was indeed able to just have a good time and enjoy herself and for a moment there, it was outright safe to believe that Leanne’s former group was staying away for good. Since we came to learn that the homeless kids nearby were not a threat after all, for they never once caused trouble at this event and other individuals of concern, were nowhere to be found.

But the level of comfort those moments provided us with, is precisely how this episode managed to surprise us. Because just like that, a strange encounter at the face painting booth between Leanne and a stranger, led to the revelation that her old group were using the block party as the perfect opportunity to attack her and that led to a harrowing sequence of events. One where Leanne survived a terrifying assault in a manner that we are unaware of, since she returned home with some ugly injuries before we could learn how she escaped and well… that’s a brilliant way to escalate the plot and bring the danger back to the forefront of the series. Since clearly, old ‘friends’ are out for blood and to complicate matters further… Leanne has now piqued the interest of someone that doesn't need to be digging around in her past. 

For a conversation with Dorothy’s understudy, led to a fascinating search result on the internet and well, just like that… this series is firmly back in horror territory, complete with high stakes and genuine threats and ugly moments and well, this show deserves a round of applause for going this route. Because this is a bold way to plunge us back into terror and it also deserves credit for leaving us with more questions than answers. Specifically, what will come out of this attack and how the heck Leanne survived, because it appeared as though they had the upper hand and well, the only way to know to obtain those answers… is to patiently await next Friday’s episode and continue this wild journey and see what other surprises and uncomfortable moments await us. Until next time.

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