‘The Terror: Infamy’ Recap – ‘Gaman’

Written by John Edward Betancourt 

THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

There are a few key things that go into telling a quality horror story. One of them is of course, to provide the audience with quality scares, the kind that give you goosebumps and leave you afraid to turn off the lights when it is time to settle in for the night, and we also require a quality and intelligent story that finds a way for the audience to connect with its characters because without that particular element, there’s no reason for us to care about the scares in question. But the biggest key when it comes to telling a top-notch scary story, is finding a way to balance those particular elements so that one never quite overpowers the other, providing the fans with a seamless experience that entertains and terrifies all at once.
​
All of those reasons are precisely why I’m such a fan of AMC’s The Terror: Infamy, because this particular tale knows exactly how to make all of that happen in seamless fashion and for proof, look no further than last night’s episode, ‘Gaman’. For this is a story that found a way to continue to dive deep into the harrowing situation that Chester and his family and friends continue to experience in a world seemingly gone mad, all while pushing the plot forward when it comes to why this mysterious spirit is terrorizing this tight knit community from Terminal Island, and that made this story supremely fascinating to say the least, since it offered up some emotional moments with Chester’s family and left this reviewer unsettled when the story came to a close.

But before we get too deep into the scares in question, because they were quality ones for certain, let’s pause and examine the human elements I made mention of, because there were some powerful moments to be found in this one. Case and point, the fact that Henry finally made his way back to his family and clearly whatever else happened in that interrogation facility changed this proud and noble man irrevocably. Because not only was he suddenly afraid of his own shadow and the people surrounding him, a true bitterness when it comes to America and what it stands for had settled into his soul, and this served as the episode’s commentary on modern America, since Henry’s words spoke volumes in regard to how many people are in shock when it comes to the White House’s actions on immigration and the rhetoric that permeates our daily lives.

---

Yet, surprisingly, that was where the commentary came to an end since this tale since had so much more to explore, for it also took the time to show us how stifling life was in these camps back in the day. Because despite the fact that everyone in this camp was being treated well, and receiving square meals and medical care, this simply wasn’t living. There was no purpose or direction to be found for anyone living in these camps and that was chilling in its own right and the isolation and claustrophobia this revelation produced, is what helped to set up the scares in this tale. For the spirit was actively lurking about in this story, and she used the uncomfortable nature of the camp to sow discontent and worry and I have to admit, that her machinations and manipulations in this tale were quite impressive.
​
Because this was in fact, all part of a grand plan, one involving Chester, and everything she did here was to unsettle him and make him believe that she was coming for his soul and that made for some supremely creepy moments, the kind that really showed us just how powerful she is, and it truly seemed as though she was going to strike at any moment. But, as it turns out, pushing Chester to his breaking point and motivating him to join the Army so that she could find him alone and in a compromised position was not the plan in question. Instead, driving him away was step one since we came to learn in the closing moments of this tale that she has her sights set on being near his and Luz’s unborn child. For what purpose exactly, we don’t quite know, but watching her lay claim to the baby definitely made my skin crawl.

If anything, this really was quite the magnificent episode when all is said and done. Because this one really did live up to the word ‘balance’, and it was filled to the brim with powerful and fascinating moments, the kind that honestly leave you feeling pity for Chester at the end of this tale. For he really is desperate to find approval in a world that has rejected him at every turn, since there is nothing he can do to please his father and the situation at hand makes him an outsider as well and everything happening in this tale seems to be setting Chester up for one grand tragedy. But who knows, there may be redemption and hope for him down the line, provided of course those who know how to deal with the spirits can save him and his child from the evil that lurks in the shadows and well, it should be interesting to see where this bleak story is headed, now that we have some clarity on what this monster wants. Until next time.  

---