‘The Terror: Infamy’ Recap – ‘All the Demons Are Still in Hell’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

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Fear is perhaps the most powerful emotion in our arsenal of feelings, simply because it can motivate us to do a great many things in life. After all, when we are terrified of losing our job, or failing at something that means the world to us, it motivates us to do better and be more and it is quite fascinating to see people push themselves at the beck and call of an emotion that we often deem as negative. But there is good reason as to why we view fear as a bad thing. Because while it can engender good, it also tends to bring out the worst in us. For when we don’t understand something or believe it may harm us, we immediately handle that ‘threat’ in the ugliest of fashion, all in the name of keeping our fears from becoming a reality.
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It’s something we’ve seen happen time and time again, and it is the kind of emotional response that on a small scale, can ruin dreams and relationships. But what truly makes the power of fear, terrifying in its own right, is when it takes hold of a group of people. Because then they band together to deal with what keeps them up at night and often hurt others in the process and that aspect of fear, is precisely where the next episode of The Terror: Infamy decided to go exploration wise. For ‘All the Demons Are Still in Hell’ picked up in early 1942, to show us an America where fear has taken hold thanks to the attack on Pearl Harbor, and well, what fear did to the United States back in the day was chilling and uncomfortable to say the least.

Because there is something horrifying about watching human beings who dedicated hours on end to starting their lives over in America, be asked by soldiers to get the hell out of their homes and find someplace to live and the panic present on everyone’s faces in this episode, as they bounced from home to home, was heartbreaking to say the least. But this was our country in 1942, and this was the stain that we rarely talk about when it comes to the Second World War and while it’s harrowing to watch segments such as this, it’s also poignant and important to remember, especially when one considers the parallels to present day that began to pop up as this part of the story moved along, the kind that truly give one pause. 

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For seeing American soldiers grab Japanese children from places of safety is an image ripped straight from the headlines since there are kids down at the border who have experienced this, thanks to the decisions being made in Washington and the comparisons to modern day didn’t end there. Because seeing Chester’s family be forced to clean up a stable in order to have a quality place to sleep, if only for a moment, served as a reminder of the conditions of the internment camps down south. And echoes of ICE were also present in Henry’s story in this tale as he and his friends were subjected to unique interrogations in North Dakota, the kind that were designed to out them as spies and seeing the FBI pull Chester and Luz from his professor’s home only added to the commentary on this agency’s actions in modern America.
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If anything, this segment of the story served as a fine reminder that sometimes ‘The Terror’ in the world is mankind itself and its commentary on how fear can transform us in the worst ways imaginable came through loud and clear. But this is still a scary story featuring a vengeful ghost and those elements were also on display in this tale. For the spirit that is pursuing so many is lurking around every corner and every time she appeared on screen, one had to wonder what kind of horrors would unfold and sadly, it would seem that for the moment, she simply wants blood upon her hands. Because she motivated Walt’s father to pick up a gun and challenge the MP’s present at the race track and that of course, ended in horrific fashion since Walt’s father was gunned down with impunity and at this point, I have to admit that I’m quite curious as to why this this spirit is so bloodthirsty and starved for revenge.

Of course, knowing how well this series tells a story, it will only be a matter of time before we uncover the true intentions of the Yurei. So, in the here and the now, it’s best we simply celebrate another brilliant episode, one that dove deep into some of the mistakes that are being repeated now. And while some will lament the modern-day commentary present in this tale, and likely chastise the show for hammering this ugly part of our history home, I for one, celebrate it and encourage it. Because this happened and is happening now, and we shouldn’t shy away from either era when it comes to these unfortunate decisions and if a scary story is what is needed to properly raise awareness about what’s happening on the border, so be it. But, all commentary aside, it’s equally as important to tell this story and see the plight of the Japanese-American in the 1940s, when fear gripped a nation and prompted the greatest generation to make a poor choice and I am quite curious to see what kind of bold and uncomfortable stories await us as this new season continues along. Until next time. 

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