‘Shining Vale’ Recap: ‘Chapter Three – The Yellow Wallpaper’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Shining Vale’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss STARZ’s fascinating new horror comedy series, Shining Vale, we were left with one big question hanging over this tale. Specifically, whether or not Patricia ‘Pat’ Phelps was having a full-on mental breakdown because of the stress of moving to a new place, and because of the fact that she had an affair with another man and nearly ruined her marriage because of it. Or if by chance there was indeed a ghost roaming about the family’s new home at night, one that remains eager to cause mischief in a manner that would be revealed to the audience later on. Which is a grand mystery that should by virtue, be answered quickly, so the true plot and direction, and meaning of the story can be revealed, keeping the audience free of any concern that the show might be taking them for the wrong kind of ride.
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But as last night’s episode of the show taught us, this is a series that is as unconventional as it gets, and it will keep the smoke and mirrors going for as long as possible for reasons we don’t quite understand just yet. Because ‘Chapter Three – The Yellow Wallpaper’ is a story that truly kept the mystery going, by focusing on the show’s characters and their struggles. Take for instance what Pat’s doctor did this tale. Because by doubling down on the medications to absolutely rule out some kind of major break, we were able to really get to know Pat’s character like never before and come to understand just how much stress she’s under and how much baggage she’s carrying.

Because the drugs basically removed all inhibition surrounding her, and her memory of her actions when it kicked in, allowing for her to put together some quality writing at last. In fact, she churned out thirteen pages of pure romantic gold, the kind that shocked her through and through and not to mention… she also found the inspiration to cook for the first time in forever. Making it clear that the things that she’s done and the guilt and remorse she carries over them, really are weighing her down… as is some of the resentment she has toward her husband and his inability to leave his job behind long enough to really work on their marriage and their connection. And that deep seated frustration, led to perhaps the funniest moment/sequence in this series to date. 

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For Terry left his big presentation to the Archdiocese on his home computer. Which in turn motivated him to ask Pat to send it over ASAP. But there was another blackout moment when she prepared to send it and well… it turns out that in that hour long void, she made some major modifications to the presentation. The kind that seemed harmless at first until Terry read aloud the worst possible sentence you could say to men of the cloth and uh… that shocking surprise led to the firing of a co-worker, one that Terry flirts with, and a suspension for him. But what matters more here, is that the lack of inhibition and repression for Pat… brought about all kinds of breakthroughs both good and bad for a time… it really did seem as though, ghosts had nothing to do with this story and this was going to be a tale about how difficult it is to reconcile our mistakes and how they can break us.
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But the discovery of a vintage tiki bar in the basement the Phelps’ family didn’t know they had, brought forth the specter of specters once again. For late one night, the ghost that Pat has been seeing in her dreams and in a dream-like state, invited her down to the basement to introduce herself. As it turns out, her name is Rosemary, and she is eager to assist and be a pal to Pat. To the point where she’s playing muse out of the seeming kindness of her ghostly self. But the fact that she basically seduced Pat a la Lloyd in The Shining is genuine cause for concern since it speaks to total commitment to whatever this spook is selling, and that incredible sequence, alongside the strange encounter Jake had outside, and Gaynor’s odd interaction with Val and the appearance of that skull… really does seem to reinforce that something otherworldly and dangerous is going on.

Or does it? Because this could genuinely be a grand breakdown on Pat’s part and well… the fact that we are getting compelling cases for and against both possibilities in every episode of this show, is why the lack of answers doesn’t annoy in the slightest. Because we’re along for a fun and wild ride that knows how to make us laugh and is steadily digging into some fascinating commentary on the human condition and the mistakes we make, all while giving us an engaging mystery to pick apart week in and week out. And well… it will be quite interesting to see where the revelations in this tale take us next and see how long the show is going to lean into the mystery before giving us the truth about the Pat, and the home that might be gearing up to torment her. Until next time.  

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