‘Shining Vale’ Recap – ‘Chapter 14: What’s the Matter with Sandy?’

11/18/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Courteney Cox as Patricia ‘Pat’ Phelps in Episode 206 of ‘Shining Vale’ – ‘Chapter 14: What’s the Matter with Sandy?’ (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Shining Vale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

When we last settled in to discuss the magnificent hit STARZ series, Shining Vale, we talked at length about how the show might finally be moving toward answering its biggest question. Specifically, whether or not the ugly experiences that Pat Phelps had endured were related to mental illness, or if a real evil was in her home, and the show more or less informed us… that evil was at play. For others were seeing things, odd occurrences were everywhere, and even the Vatican was keeping an eye on things through a new desire of Gaynor’s. But alas there was no confirmation this was the case, and well… there was good reason for that. Because the show needed to set the stage for the truth, in order to provide us with the truth… as it did during this week’s tale.

That is of course, after ‘Chapter 14: What’s the Matter with Sandy?’ showcased the growth, everyone was experiencing. For this is where we came to learn that Terry and Pat really did put in the work to be better partners and better parents, and the end result of that work was quite lovely. Since they were working together as a team and were respectful and truly bonding once again, and they really were preparing for the new baby in a beautiful manner, and they weren’t the only ones just living again. For Jake found new solace in his wall hideout, and spent more time with his friends, and even explored new drug related frontiers in the process. And of course, Gaynor started to explore love again, with Ennio as he carefully watched over the house and well, growth is good. For it gives us strength, and they will need it. Thanks to the reveal of the truth.

For as Pat continued to settle into life and prepare for motherhood again… something strange continued to happen regarding her book. Not the fact that it was selling well, Pat definitely expected that, but more so… the fact that it was now related to a bevy of murders. Because housewives everywhere were picking up the book and enjoying it deeply before slaughtering their significant others with an axe, and while no one was raising any concern over this… when they should have… Pat definitely took an interest in it. Because it was downright awful and deplorable, and well… it led to her to believe that something sinister was happening in her household and that perhaps the house and Rosemary and all the weird events of the past year were related to this nightmare and that prompted her to seek out the answer to the all-important question.

Courteney Cox and Merrin Dungey as Patricia ‘Pat’ Phelps and Kam Jennings in Episode 206 of ‘Shining Vale’ – ‘Chapter 14: What’s the Matter with Sandy?’ (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

In that, was she mentally ill or not? Which brought her back to the facility to see her medical files, an idea that Nellie that put into her head, since the files would tell her precisely what her diagnosis was, and well… what she uncovered was quite shocking in nature. In that, none of her paperwork actually included a real diagnosis. Just a bunch of poor misspellings regarding schizophrenia and well, the video files of her time in there, only confirmed a truth she’s been thinking about for ages. In that, while the chance existed that she did indeed carry some form of mental illness, passed down from her mother, none of that applied here. Because she WAS possessed at that time and well… now that we know for certain evil is involved in this story, all we can do is wonder exactly what it is up to.

Because in many ways, everything that’s happened as of late, speaks to a grand plan on evil’s part. One where Pat and her family are nothing than pawns. Where they are somehow helping evil to lay down some sort of foundation. After all, it’s infecting the hearts and minds of everyday women around the nation and inspiring them to cross the ultimate line through Pat’s book, and of course… it may be using Pat as a vessel of sorts to give it a physical presence. Not to mention, the kids are feeding it by being curious about it. Especially since the paranormal activity in the house continues to grow in strength from that. But what matters most… is that the truth is now in front of us, and we know that Pat Phelps isn’t mad.

Which is a move that gives this story renewed focus and engages us further. Since we need more answers to the questions we just posed. But while we wait to obtain them, we can celebrate one amazing tale. One that truly leaned into the horror aspect of the show hard and finally informed us of the truth. While at the same time, having a message in place regarding mental illness and mental health. In that, we blame it all of too often for our problems, and we don’t provide folks that have issues with it, with proper care. But messaging aside, make no mistake about it… evil is now on the horizon, and it will be interesting to see how this family of everyday folks stands tall against it. Until next time.

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