‘Shining Vale’ Recap – ‘Chapter 16: Redemption’

12/2/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Courteney Cox as Patricia ‘Pat’ Phelps in Episode 208 of ‘Shining Vale’ – ‘Chapter 16: Redemption’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

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

Over the course of the past two years, we’ve talked at length about the unique nature of the STARZ series, Shining Vale. Simply because… this is a horror/comedy that has outright defied convention at every turn. By offering up a fascinating story that spent a great deal of time toying with the concept that perhaps its protagonist might not be surrounded by evil forces but may in fact be mentally ill. Not to mention, it’s also provided us with some trope busting moments that send up some of horror’s more dubious decisions, especially when it comes to how women are written within the genre and its commentary is timely and relevant, since so much of it focuses upon women’s rights in modern America.

All of which really has provided us with a horror/comedy unlike any other and well… for its season two finale, the show opted to defy convention one more time. For ‘Chapter 16: Redemption’ was an opportunity for the story to take us on a supremely traditional path. Wherein Pat could do something to combat the evil that was apparently growing in the very heart of her belly and that she was surrounded by. By potentially exposing the evil or fighting back. Which would have made for a very traditional ending. One that would truly put fine closure around two years of chaos in the Phelps home, but well… none of that happened in the slightest. For once Pat made the decision to fight this with very soul, did evil take control.

First by revealing that her doctor was part of the cult that seemingly wanted this monstrosity to be born, which put her in grave danger. Especially when he ordered her to bedrest and sedatives. For then it meant that evil would win, and she would be helpless. So, she took the time to escape her homely bonds and attempted to fight back by busting into Ruth’s home to confront her about the strange potions and milk she had present, in that desperate all-out attempt to expose the Coven/Cult and make it fear the public eye. And when that didn’t work, she made her way to her mother’s house. All in the hopes of having mother keep her safe long enough to figure out a way forward to fight back and well… that backfired too.

Mira Sorvino as Nellie Burke in Episode 208 of ‘Shining Vale’ – ‘Chapter 16: Redemption’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Because sweet old mom, turned her into the doctor and Terry and that meant Pat was out of options and locked in a horrible fate. Which is where the episode briefly made it seem as though traditional elements were going to come into play. For following some feverish and wild dream-filled final days of pregnancy, she gave birth to a little girl, and when she finally recovered… everything seemed to be a wild dream. One where Ruth’s appearance changed, Terry was now the mayor, and her kids were on a new path. Since Gaynor wanted to be a writer, and Jake did not feel quite as lost. But that… was nothing more than a final ruse on evil’s part. Because it wanted Pat to be docile and ready to care for the baby so it could begin to assemble its true plan. Which was to use every member of the Phelps family to encourage evil to grow, with Terry leading the charge as the town’s mayor.

Which was the unconventional exclamation point on an unconventional finale. Because just like that… evil won. It took hold, it began to guide its agenda and that was just amazing to see. For it rarely wins in this kind of manner in horror, but it sure did here. Because this show holds nothing back and wants to see what can happen when a story goes in a different direction and well, what we got was nothing short of amazing. For that ending gave rise to a dark future for the family and the town, one where Pat might indeed be helpless to do nothing but sit back and watch the world be taken over.

After all, the Coven has been here long enough to make all of this happen without missing a beat and well, that means we absolutely need STARZ to renew this series ASAP. So, we can see what Pat will do now that she stuck between a rock and an insane group of followers of evil, and to also see what bold direction this franchise will take us in season three and hopefully beyond. Because this show… really is something special and deserves the chance to continue to shake up the genre for years to come. Until next time.

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