‘Shining Vale’ Recap – ‘Chapter 15: Coven’ – Nerds That Geek

‘Shining Vale’ Recap – ‘Chapter 15: Coven’

11/25/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Courteney Cox as Patricia ‘Pat’ Phelps in Episode 207 of ‘Shining Vale’ – ‘Chapter 15: Coven’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘Shining Vale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It is definitely safe to say that the hit STARZ series, Shining Vale, offers up consistent masterclasses in how to pay proper homage to a genre, and it also features… some downright brilliant writing. Courtesy of the amazing tributes to the great films of the horror genre it offers, with an emphasis on The Shining of course… heck… it’s even in the title. But it also harbors the best aspects of horror, courtesy of smart scares and powerful commentary regarding modern concerns in our world, and observations about very real issues that we face, and it often takes the time to showcase all of that in just about every single episode it sends our way.

But you’ll note we didn’t say every episode and there’s good reason for that. For one of the smartest horror shows around understands that sometimes… you need to lean into the scares and the story, and set the stage for bigger moments ahead, and that’s precisely what this week’s episode sent our way. For ‘Chapter 15: Coven’ was all about advancing the plot and setting up future surprises, some of which involved both Gaynor and Terry. Since Gaynor came to learn there’s a chance Ennio is something supremely supernatural in nature since he basically disappeared and no one seemed to remember too much about him, and Terry… well he made his bid for mayor known and got the town to listen to him, courtesy of a great speech written by Gaynor. All of which set up so much for the future.

But in between that… there was the whole matter of what Pat discovered regarding her time in the Asylum. For now, that she knew she was possessed during that period of time, and likely wrote her book under the influence of whatever spirit jumped into her body, and she was genuinely concerned that a spell was placed into her book and that more foul things would come from it. Which prompted her to return to the spiritual shop in town to speak with Zeth, to understand the truth to stop the evil from spreading. Since he was really the only expert on such affairs and well, he was less than forthcoming about offering help or information as to what might be going on. Mainly because of how the evil within helped freak him out, but she tried her best.

Mrs. Stephen Edwards, Emily Harris, Mira Sorvino, and Sherilyn Fenn as Deb Hiett, Eva La Dare, Ruth, and Robyn in Episode 207 of ‘Shining Vale’ – ‘Chapter 15: Coven’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

However, eventually Pat did get some of her answers, courtesy of a surprise baby shower at the house. Because… that baby shower was downright weird, and filled with creepy presents that didn’t totally make sense. Not to mention, there was mention of Pat being celebrated as some kind of deity, one that served another deity of darkness and well… the strange gifts she received and the outright creepy vibe of the whole party, prompted her to figure out a quick and easy way to get everyone out of her house. Simply because she needed to process everything she’d learned in the hospital and the strange behavior her friends were exhibiting in that moment and well, that brought about some unsettling discoveries.

Because Pat took a good long look at her presents, one of which was a thick book about the comprehensive history of this town and its odd history. Specifically revolving around the town’s focus on mental health treatments for women, and as it turned out, this place was nothing short of a nexus for treatment. One that ‘helped’ so many women that the hospital had to expand into the surrounding area through fine homes, such as Pat’s, and well… bad things came out of that work. Giving the town a dark reputation for suffering, to the point where the secret rooms that Jake discovered were referred to as ‘The Portal to Hell’. Which of course, prompted Pat to investigate her own home and discover… that an entire network of tunnels connected nearby houses.

Giving rise to a labyrinth of terrors, one where Pat heard Ruth speaking about how this baby belonged to some other entity and of course… she knew Pat was near and well… that… and the fact that Jake walled the exit up, left Pat terrified for what lie ahead and left us… in awe of a perfect tale of horror. Because all of those elements were hardcore horror for certain. Courtesy of the reveal that so many in this town seem to be in on something greater, something evil really, and they’ve been playing Pat and her family, as pawns the entire time. And now it’s going to be up to Pat to figure out their true intentions, and who this monster is that they serve, so she can stop their plans before something horrible happens in a town where awful is the norm, and that should make next week’s season two finale about as explosive as season finales come. Since it will undoubtedly focus on the truth, and a fight to keep evil away from this world. Until next time.

Watch ‘Shining Vale’

0 Comments