‘SurrealEstate’ Recap: ‘Gods & Monsters’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

SURREALESTATE -- "Gods & Monsters" Episode 207 -- Pictured: (l-r) James Collins as Morris Truby, Tim Rozon as Luke Roman -- (Photo by: Duncan de Young/Blue Ice Pictures/SYFY)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 207 of ‘SurrealEstate’. To revisit the previous episode, clickhere.
​
Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about how season two of the SYFY series, SurrealEstate, has been revolutionary in nature and rightfully so. Because every episode this season has been filled to the brim with either powerful commentary on the human condition, or it’s offered up experimental and trope-busting storytelling regarding the ghost subgenre of horror. Since we’ve been treated to spirits that are unlike any other in the subgenre and well… it would seem that as we inch closer and closer to the season two finale of the show… the series is going to go all out in providing us with non-traditional ghost stories that ask fascinating questions about the purpose and meaning of hauntings in this type of story, as evidenced by this week’s tale.

Well, that is… after ‘Gods & Monsters’ offered up a little misdirection of course. Because it initially opened up with an introduction to a man named Morris, who had a tough life, thanks to some prison time and some other painful moments in life, and Morris… had returned home to sell his family home. A place that deeply scared him. For in this house was a spirit that tormented him as a boy, one that was waiting for him after all these years. So of course, he needed the Roman Agency to help him exorcise that spirit. However, while August and Luke were able to confirm its existence and that it did indeed have an attachment, they could not confirm that it was evil and eager to cause harm. Which prompted Luke and Morris to have a more intimate chat about his life and this spirit.

Wherein Luke learned that the nasty words from this spirit, more or less scarred a young boy that was already hurting from other family events and that there was a good chance that additional ethereal abuse pushed Morris down a dark path. Which prompted Luke to ask Morris, point blank, if perhaps he needed to worry less about kicking the monster out, and more about confronting his choices and confronting the evil. An approach that Morris hadn’t considered yet, and he outright followed it because it was far better advice than hiding away, and well… for his efforts… he came to learn that the spirit wanted nothing more than to see Morris be strong and not give into fear, and it scared him in an effort to strengthen him. Which brought about peace and understanding between them, and a purpose for the monster that is rare in this type of story.

But more on that in a moment because we also need to recap the other fascinating journey this story provided us with. Since Luke did ask Lomax to join the firm for a minute while he figured out who the next agent would be, and she was tasked with helping a squatter remove herself from a development project and while there… she came to learn the squatter, was some kind of immortal god. One that was lonely, hurting, and downright scared and rather than chastise her and belittle her, Lomax used kindness to just… make her feel normal, wanted, and not as some kind of monster. Giving rise to a vastly different kind of interaction between man and deity and that just put an exclamation point on what this amazing episode wanted to accomplish really.

In that, it clearly just wanted to explore if spirits can be helpful or not or if the unusual can be reasoned with and be humanized and this episode made it clear… yes, that can be the case. Granted, the kindness/helpful aspect went poorly here… but it was coming from a being that was once human and we are indeed flawed. And in the end, it was just amazing to see these different kinds of spirits and creatures on display and see them be more than just misunderstood and hurt entities that need to take part in revenge. Giving rise to a fascinating episode, one that also set the stage for more trouble with Susan’s house. Since everyone is starting to wonder if it’s a safe space, or a terrifying place, and it will be interesting to see what other surprises await us as the Roman Agency inches toward a fated final showdown to save Susan. Until next time.

---

Watch ‘SurrealEstate’

Powered by JustWatch