In the fifth episode of Apple TV+'s psychological thriller "Before," titled "Folie à Deux," the narrative takes a haunting turn as the lines between reality and illusion blur further. The episode opens with a chilling scene where Noah, a young boy with a mysterious past, begins to notice worms crawling beneath his skin, a hallucination that he inadvertently transmits to another child, causing her to flee in terror. This incident sets the tone for an episode that delves deep into the collective psychosis that seems to be affecting not only Noah but also those around him.
Eli, a child psychiatrist grappling with his own demons, continues his quest to uncover the truth about Noah's past. His investigation leads him to the hospital, where he encounters a cancer patient who seems to be a recurring figure in his visions. The elevator scene, with its incongruous playing of "What a Wonderful World," adds a layer of surrealism to the hospital's sterile environment, hinting at the underlying chaos.
As Eli engages with Noah, he presents a photograph of a farmhouse, which triggers a shocking reaction from Noah upon seeing the initials "B.W." written on the back. This leads to a series of sketches being compared, with Noah claiming that one of the children in the drawing is him and the other is Eli, suggesting a connection between them that is yet to be understood.
The episode takes a dramatic turn when Noah's condition deteriorates, and he is rushed to the neuro ward. In a chilling moment, every child in Noah's vicinity falls unconscious, suggesting that Noah may possess a strange power to harm others or perhaps is causing mass psychosis through his seizures. This event forces Eli to confront the possibility that Noah's repeated use of the word "worms" is a psychological trigger for the children's symptoms.
Eli's search for answers leads him to believe that a "conversion disorder" might be at play, a condition where psychological factors manifest as physical symptoms. With the support of Doctor Jane, Eli is given the chance to explore this theory further. However, the situation in the child psych ward escalates, with Eli himself being tested for a potential infectious disease, adding to the tension and uncertainty.
At home, Eli's quest for understanding continues as he sifts through Noah and Lynn's sketches, searching for clues. His exhaustion leads to a nap, from which he is woken by Cleo, his wife's sister. Together, they consider the possibility that Lynn's sketch might be the trigger for Noah's condition. Their search for rough pages leads them to the name Benjamin Walker, Lynn's ex, and the connection between the farmhouse and Benjamin is established.
The episode reaches its climax when Eli, driven by his obsession, extracts an imaginary worm from Noah's head, only to realize that it was all in his mind, and he has harmed Noah for no reason. This moment of realization is a crushing blow to Eli, who faints from the shock of his actions.
"Folie à Deux" is a pivotal episode that explores the depths of collective delusions and the fragility of the human mind. It raises questions about the nature of reality and the power of suggestion. As the series progresses, the audience is left to wonder whether Eli and Noah are locked in a psychic battle that is distorting their perception of the world, or if there is a more sinister truth at play.
The episode ends on a note of uncertainty, with Eli's mental state in question and the truth about Noah's condition more elusive than ever. As we approach the halfway point of the season, the show's enigmatic plot continues to unravel, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, eager for answers that may or may not be rooted in reality.