In the seventh installment of Apple TV+'s psychological thriller series "Before," titled "The Power of Belief," the narrative takes a haunting turn as Dr. Eli Russell (Billy Crystal) delves deeper into the psyche of Noah (Gideon Adlon), a young man plagued by delusions and a mysterious past. The episode opens with a somber tone, setting the stage for a series of events that will challenge the boundaries of reality and the limits of Eli's unorthodox therapeutic methods.
The hospital, concerned about the effectiveness of Eli's treatment and his own mental health, decides to transfer Noah to a higher care facility. This decision is met with resistance from Eli, who is determined to have one last session with Noah before the transfer. Jane (Dana Davis), the hospital administrator, reluctantly agrees, allowing Eli to conduct a so-called "transitional therapy session" to prepare Noah for the changes ahead.
Eli's session with Noah is a masterclass in manipulation, as he hypnotizes the young man, convincing him that he is a sack of sand leaking and that his hand is being lifted by a balloon. This surreal imagery is juxtaposed with the intense emotions of the characters, as Eli pushes Noah to recall his first encounter with Denise (Ali Ahn) and his time with previous foster parents. As Noah denies any abuse, Eli commands him to delve further into his past, causing the young man to experience a traumatic episode, clutching his chest and gasping for air.
The episode's tension escalates as a psychic cleanse at the Adler household is intercut with Noah's therapy session. The psychic's rituals seem to awaken something within the house, and Eli's presence there triggers a vision of Lynn's (Judith Light) ghost. This supernatural encounter adds another layer of complexity to the already tangled web of relationships and secrets that bind the characters.
Eli's obsession with connecting Noah's delusions to his own past with Benjamin becomes the driving force behind his actions. He convinces Jane to take Noah to Lawrence's (Benjamin's brother) house, believing that curing the imaginary Benjamin within Noah will heal the young man. However, Eli's personal connection to Benjamin remains a secret, a fact that Jane discovers later, leading to a confrontation and a deepening of the trust issues between them.
At Lawrence's house, Noah's connection to Benjamin becomes more apparent as he interacts with objects and memories that belong to the deceased. The emotional climax of the episode occurs when Noah puts on a song that was significant to Benjamin and Lawrence, causing an emotional outpour from Lawrence and further solidifying the belief that Noah may be a reincarnation of Benjamin.
The episode concludes with a shocking twist, as Noah's delusions manifest physically, causing Eli to experience a drowning sensation and vomit water, suggesting a possible supernatural connection to a past event. This scene, along with the flashbacks of a girl in a red coat drowning, leaves the audience with more questions than answers, speculating on the nature of Noah's delusions and the true extent of Eli's involvement in the tragic events of the past.
"The Power of Belief" is a gripping chapter in the series, one that challenges the viewer's perception of reality and the power of belief to shape our experiences. It is a testament to the show's ability to weave a complex narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, eager for the next revelation. As the series progresses, the lines between truth and delusion, past and present, continue to blur, leaving us to question the nature of memory and the consequences of our actions.