‘Apples Never Fall’ Recap: ‘Stan’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

APPLES NEVER FALL -- "Stan" Episode 106 -- Pictured: (l-r) Sam Neill as Stan, Dylan Thuraisingham as Detective Ethan, Jeanine Serralles as Detective Elena -- (Photo by: Jasin Boland/PEACOCK)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Penultimate Episode of ‘Apples Never Fall’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular question that comes up often these days regarding the human psyche, is what is it that creates toxicity in individuals?  Because we are finally coming to understand, that no one is born with toxic traits in their personality, they’re instilled upon a person and no two people harbor the same path in getting there. So, we must discover what truly brings it forth to help them and understand them, and their actions and to stop the spread of this all, and this is something we are applying post haste to toxic masculinity. Since it is something that needs to be addressed with a sense of urgency in our world, and well, such matters are top of mind today, simply because that particular question and exploration was applied to Stan Delaney in the next episode of Apples Never Fall on Peacock.

For ‘Stan’ picked up sometime after it seemed he had a heart attack, only for him to learn that he actually suffered through an anxiety attack, and that he was going to be fine, physically. But of course, the police now had the video and they were eager to come after him, which prompted Brooke to hire a lawyer for Stan, a former student no less and well… once Stan left the hospital and let his lawyer keep the police at bay, did this story begin to ponder deeply upon what creates men like Stan, and yes, as it turns out… all of his anger, his fury, his desire to be more and be better was forged in his youth, courtesy of a father that was shockingly, far more toxic than Stan. A truth that came forth, by way of one last desperate attempt to prove his innocence. 

Because Logan also shared the video with his dad and let him know he sent it to the cops, and Stan knew how that looked. So, without his lawyer he marched into that police station and explained how those were Harry’s trophies he loaded into the boat and dumped into the water, and he wanted them gone to prove to Joy his family mattered more. And he finally explained that a fight with Joy happened the day she went missing, and that led to the wound on his face. But that he did not kill her or harm her. But more importantly, he opened up about his abusive past, and how he suffered through a lot to get to this point, but never wanted to be that man. All so that the police would hopefully, finally see him as a man, maybe not the best man… but a man. Of course, that didn’t work, and they demanded a confession, period, but Stan refused to offer that concession.

But it did finally inform us, that Stan paid it forward so to speak. He adopted his father’s behaviors, granted… not all of them… but the ones that served him well and imparted them accordingly. Because that is how toxicity is born and that is how it continues from generation to generation. But that aside, this did make for a fascinating origin story for Stan, one that also took the time to explore the consequences of such toxicity. Because it cost him everything. For the majority kids no longer took the time to speak with their father. Because they could no longer fathom his icy and angry nature and that was further exacerbated by a stunning ending to this particular tale. Because eventually, a podcast recording that appeared to imply Stan killed Joy, put him under arrest and shocked the family, and prompted Brooke to turn her back on her dad.

But alas those charges weren’t the biggest shocker in this story. Because shortly after Stan settled into his new life in jail, the story shifted gears and dropped a bombshell. For news of Stan’s arrest spread far and wide, even into the hands of Savannah, who enjoyed the news heartily before stepping into her home to greet an old friend… Joy Delaney. Yes, you read that right. Joy is alive and well and hanging with Savannah and that’s the giant twist this story leaves us with. Setting the stage for an epic finale, one that will have to answer a lot of questions for certain. But before we ponder upon those answers, we must revel in the majesty of this intelligent and powerful tale. One that spoke to the age-old problem of generational trauma, by way of a powerhouse performance from Sam Neill. But while that was incredible, the revelation revolving around Joy is truly top of mind and the time has come to learn… how she ended up in Savannah’s company. Until next time.

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