The final chapter of 'Before' Season 1, Episode 10 - Before, brings the intricate narrative full circle, as the enigmatic threads of the past are finally untangled. This episode serves as the culmination of a psychological odyssey that has spanned decades, connecting the lives of Eli, Noah, Lynn, and Benjamin in ways that defy the boundaries of time and space.
The episode opens with Eli and Noah embarking on a fateful journey to Sullivan County, where the infamous farmhouse awaits them. As they approach the decrepit structure, the weight of their shared trauma becomes palpable. Jane's desperate attempts to dissuade Eli over the radio are met with determination, as Eli rips out the radio, symbolically severing the ties to the present and fully immersing himself in the quest to exorcise their past demons.
Upon entering the farmhouse, Noah's memories of a past life as a girl begin to surface, a revelation that sends shivers down the spine. The duo's journey through the farmhouse is not a mere walk through the building but a dive into the depths of their souls, where the lines between past and present blur. As Noah retreats into a corner, hissing like a cat and brandishing scissors, Eli's desperation to understand their connection intensifies.
The truth is unveiled in a heart-wrenching flashback, painting a picture of three friends—two girls and a boy—playing by a farmhouse in a past life. A tragic accident leads to the death of one of the girls, with the boy, who is believed to be a past incarnation of Eli, fleeing the scene. This original sin sets the stage for the recurring trauma that has haunted Noah through his subsequent lives, with the other girl, presumably Lynn, bearing witness to the tragedy.
In a bid to break the cycle of trauma, Eli recreates the fateful moment by jumping into the freezing lake with Noah, this time choosing to save him. The act not only revives Noah but also severs the bonds of their shared past lives. The episode masterfully cuts between Eli performing CPR on Noah and the memory of Lynn's final moments, where Eli, torn between saving her and respecting her wish to die, ultimately drowns her.
The episode concludes with Noah and Eli both miraculously cured of their psychological afflictions. Noah returns to a normal life under Denise's care, while Eli faces the consequences of his actions. Despite the shared delusion that bound them, Eli's radical exposure therapy proves to be the catalyst for their healing. The final scenes show a park where Noah plays, seemingly unaffected by the events, while Eli, from a distance, narrates his own case report, suggesting a surface-level understanding of their shared delusion.
'Before' Season 1, Episode 10 - Before, is a poignant exploration of the depths of human psyche and the power of past lives to shape our present. The episode masterfully weaves together the threads of trauma, guilt, and redemption, offering a resolution that, while not entirely satisfying, leaves a lasting impression. As Eli and Noah move forward from their shared ordeal, the audience is left to ponder the implications of their journey and the mysteries that still linger in the shadows of the farmhouse.