‘Shining Vale’ Recap – ‘Chapter One: Welcome to Casa de Phelps’ & ‘Chapter Two: She Only Comes at Night’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

‘Chapter One: Welcome to Casa de Phelps’

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Shining Vale’. 

Starting over in life, is never easy. Largely because of the fact that it means we truly have to rebuild just about everything we spent years assembling in the first place and having to dive in and figure out where to begin again, likely because we’ve either made a mistake or need to remove ourselves from a tough situation, only makes the fresh start that much harder. But sometimes, you simply don’t have a choice and you simply must hit the reset button and do your best to forge a second chance that rights wrongs or gives you what you want and really, the difficulties that one would face with starting over in life is relevant to our discussion today, because it serves as the focus of the new STARZ series, Shining Vale.
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For this is a show that introduces us to a woman named Patricia ‘Pat’ Phelps who is in fact… in the midst of attempting an incredibly daunting fresh start. For she unfortunately had an affair, a move that nearly shattered her marriage and her family and well, she and her husband Terry decide that a move away from the city and into the idyllic town of Shining Vale, is the right way to reaffirm their marriage and give everyone the fresh start they so desire. And when we catch up with them in ‘Chapter One: Welcome to Casa de Phelps’ and ‘Chapter Two: She Only Comes at Night’, this decision isn’t going quite as smoothly as planned. After all, the kids aren’t exactly thrilled to be starting over fresh in a new school without their friends and Terry is still working in the city and Pat… has to face what she’s done.
 
Which is no easy task, and well, that leads to some fascinating moments in this tale. The kind that not only showcase the fallout of infidelity but how hard it is to pick up the pieces. Because trust has been violated and has to be rebuilt. Something that Pat and Terry attempt to do through couples counseling and romance as well. But where this exploration truly shines, is by way of the inflection that Pat has to endure. For this is also a moment of reckoning for her, one that has made it clear that she isn’t getting what she needs out of life and that lacking, and longing may have motivated her to cross a line she never thought she would, and that perhaps the time has come to really dig back into her writing, since she is a successful novelist, and find meaning there.

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‘Chapter Two: She Only Comes at Night’

But even then, that endeavor yields little joy or peace for Pat. Because writer’s block reigns supreme for her. Leaving her to wonder if her current personal issues are what’s blocking her or if something bigger is responsible for her troubles and the strange events around the house, seem to confirm the latter. For Pat also finds herself, experiencing hallucinations of a woman roaming about outside and inside the house, and strange dreams are plaguing her. Creating the genuine possibility that perhaps Pat is losing her mind and losing touch with reality and that… is an unexpected and deep twist that dives into matters of mental health. Which is a storytelling move that deserves a round of applause, since that type of topic is taboo even in horror for the most part, so to see explorations on such matters in any capacity, makes this quite the progressive show.
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One that is so deep and so in tune with its story and its characters, that at times… you forget you are watching a horror story. But make no mistake about it, this is a tale of terror for certain and we would be remiss to not discuss the wonders present there. Because this premiere leans hard into homages for The Shining, complete with Kubrikian-title cards and a house that has hints of The Overlook/Stanley Hotel and it also doesn’t hurt that the ghostly elements present here, unsettle the viewer as well. Since the quick flashes of the ‘ghost’ and the strange moments that Pat endures, do a wonderful job of making one’s skin crawl and what’s amazing is that the wonder of this show, doesn’t end with its intelligent storytelling and supremely impactful scares.

Because it is also quite funny and relatable. The latter of which comes about from family moments and everyday interactions that we have all dealt with and the jokes are beautifully timed courtesy of Greg Kinnear and Courtney Cox’s extensive background in comedy and well, this is simply a perfect premiere. Because it not only takes the time to properly introduce us to the characters and what makes them tick, but it gives us a grand mystery to play with. Specifically whether or not the ghost here (played impact-fully by Mira Sorvino) is real or if Pat really is slipping into the recesses of her mind and well, the need to know that truth and if Pat can reclaim her former self… leaves one eager to complete the journey. And it will be quite incredible to see what other surprises and truths await us as season one of this refreshing horror comedy continues along. Until next time. 

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