REVIVAL Season Finale Recap: (S01E10) Rend the Veil

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Revival Season 1 Episode 10, 'Rend the Veil,' is a high-octane finale that packs an emotional wallop. It's a rollercoaster ride of intensity. Of course, answers abound, and the person you least expected is the puppeteer. Oh, Lester. Melanie Scrofano and Romy Weltman offer their show-best work here, delivering nuanced, dynamic performances. 'Rend the Veil' leaves the door open for a second season, tying up loose ends and posing new questions for us to chew on in the interim.
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We open with Blaine (Steven Ogg) preaching to Wausau during his radio show. Only this time, he plans to expel a demon via his angel for his listeners. Em (Weltman) struggles against her chains, which are tied to an X-shaped post, like a cross on its side. Ibrahim (Andy McQueen) sits in a pew in handcuffs. Tyler (Luca Villacis) watches as Blaine delivers his speech about cleansing Wausau of Revivers. REVIVAL — 'Rend the Veil' Season 1 Episode 10 — Pictured: Andy McQueen as Ibrahim Ramin — (Photo by: Naomi Peters/Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
He regales his followers with the tale of the light he saw on Revival Day. Also, according to Blaine, when he found his angel, the creature said Rose's name. This garners a derisive chuckle from Ibrahim. The two debate the function of science — to be open to change based on evolving evidence. Ibrahim wonders if perhaps that light Blaine saw was from Em. What if her death thinned the veil between the living and the dead? What if she's the original, the Reviver to start it all? Hanging in the Balance
Tyler incapacitates Em before Blaine ushers in his angel to send her back to Hell. He contacts his followers by Moore Creek. Of course, we know they're dead, and the angel that arose from said creek has fled. Outside the church, Lester (Peter Millard) inadvertently gets himself, Dana (Scrofano) and Wayne (David James Elliott) caught by Blaine's followers.
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Inside, Dana and Wayne find Blaine pointing his gun at Em's neck. Before he pulls the trigger, Dana reveals that her sister healed her wounds. Blaine remarks that if this is true, that would make Em special. So, Blaine pivots to scientific experimentation. He shoots Wayne in the stomach, testing Dana's declaration. Overcome with terror, Em breaks free of her chains. She and Dana hunch over Wayne as he tells his daughters he loves them. REVIVAL — 'Rend the Veil' Season 1 Episode 10 — Pictured in this screengrab: Steven Ogg as Blaine Abel — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
Then, those familiar black tears streak Em's cheeks. Dana urges her sister to concentrate. Suddenly, a golden light emanates from Em's palms as they press against Wayne's gunshot wound. She heals her father. However, as he regains strength, Em passes out. Despite witnessing this act himself, Blaine decides he can't risk keeping Em alive. From All Sides
But as he tries to fire at her, General Cale's (Konima Parkinson-Jones) troops begin shooting into the church. A bullet grazes Blaine's shoulder. He ducks behind a pew with Tyler as Cale addresses him from outside. She orders him to stand down. Blaine declares that this is their fight. Ibrahim gives Em a vial of water from Moore Creek. Lester reveals he owns the grist mill by the creek. He can take her there and keep her safe until the military presence thins out.
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Wayne urges Dana to grab Cooper and ensure they all get out of Wausau. Nella and J.P. are still at the tunnels, helping Revivers escape. After Em recovers, of course. Wayne vows to take care of the Cale situation. Next, Wayne sits in one of the military's vehicles as Cale's man insists the mission can continue as planned. Wayne notes that not only did Cale lose the Revivers, but she also fired on 12 civilians in a church. And they send her to clean up messes? REVIVAL — 'Rend the Veil' Season 1 Episode 10 — Pictured: Melanie Scrofano as Dana Cypress — (Photo by: Naomi Peters/Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
Meanwhile, Lester brings Em to the mill and gives her a cup of creek water to facilitate her healing. Elsewhere, Dana stops by Jeannie's (Lenore Zann) house, where Cooper (Hudson Wurster) is. Jeannie remarks that Cooper has been quiet since he arrived. Dana replies that the poor kid's been through a lot in a short time. Lester calls Dana to inform her that while Em is on the path to recovery, Cale's people are still in the area. Better wait it out a bit. Who Is Alpha?
Then, Cale's team discovers one of the aliens in the woods. The creature looks injured. Cale's man observes that it belongs to Wanda Peterson. Could Wanda's murder at the hands of Blaine have caused this 'angel's' weakened state? After this, Cale orders her crew to free Wayne. They no longer need him. She also orders them to report this finding to 'Alpha.' They won't leave here empty-handed. How vaguely ominous.
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Later, Dana finds a book by Aaron Weimer atop Jeannie's TV. Jeannie tells her that she thought it would be a steamy romance novel. However, it's about a boring creek. Oh, and it belongs to Lester. There's also a speech Aaron delivered on tape. Dana asks to watch it. On the VHS tape, Aaron (Gianpaolo Venuta) talks about the restorative properties of creek water and its mythological ties. REVIVAL — 'Rend the Veil' Season 1 Episode 10 — Pictured in this screengrab: Konima Parkinson-Jones as General Cale — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
Next, the speech quickly cuts to Jeannie and Lester's sex tape. It's always those you least expect who love to get their freak on. Hey, no judgment here. Dana tries to shield Cooper's eyes before she spots the symbol Em kept drawing in her journal on Lester's chest. Jeannie tries to explain it away, claiming it's related to Lester's Irish heritage. It all clicks for Dana, though. From the Shadows
Meanwhile, Em wakes up and hears one of the aliens from inside the mill. She follows the sound. This creature radiates a purple glow instead of that familiar gold. Lester reveals his true colors. He stands behind Em in a brown cloak with that symbol on his chest. He also holds the animal skull mask from Em's vision. Em accuses Lester of killing her and Rose.
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Now, it's time for a good villainous expositional dump. Lester fills in the blanks regarding the overarching narrative's mystery. While he didn't actively murder Em and Rose, he was in partnership with Aaron. Lester explains that Em's death was never part of the plan. However, Aaron wanted to get rid of Em to prevent Nithiya from discovering their affair. Aaron tried to make it look like Em died by suicide. REVIVAL — 'Rend the Veil' Season 1 Episode 10 — Pictured in this screengrab: Romy Weltman as Martha 'Em' Cypress — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
Lester adds that Aaron was messy, though. He parked the car he rented on Lester's property. Lester called Blaine that evening to tow it. Then, Lester discovered Aaron killing Em by submerging her in Moore Creek. Aaron wanted to take their discovery for himself and his wife. Lester couldn't allow that to happen. So, he hired Brent (Mark Little) to take out Aaron. Of course, Dana became collateral damage that night in the woods. Immortality
We learn that Lester and Aaron started their experimentation with Rose (Leenah Robinson). While it initially produced a hopeful result — a golden light emanated from Rose as Aaron drowned her — she died. So, what was the objective of all this? Immortality. Moore Creek has the ability to extend human life indefinitely. Em's murder kick-started the whole shebang. As we see in the flashback, the light Blaine saw that night issued forth from her body.
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Clearly, it paved the way for Revival Day and the existence of Revivers. Lester insists this is all for the betterment of humanity. Families have been reunited because of Em. They've unlocked the key to immortality. Naturally (and understandably), Em is pissed. She didn't ask to be a key to anything. Lester pivots, asking if she wants to meet the alien behind the door. He calls it her 'spirit.' Lester knows Em hasn't felt whole since coming back to life. Perhaps this meeting will fill the void.
After he opens the door, the creature wanders toward a well. It submerges itself in the waters, sinking deeper until it's out of sight. Then, Lester encourages Em to bathe in the creek water. We see the ghost of Em and Dana's mother, Patty (Lara Jean Chorostecki), emerge in place of the alien. She calls to Em. Em embraces her mother before Patty gently pushes her into the water. I love this inversion of Em's water birth scene in the flashback from a few episodes ago. The element of water is truly part of Em's innate makeup. REVIVAL — 'Rend the Veil' Season 1 Episode 10 — Pictured in this screengrab: Romy Weltman as Martha 'Em' Cypress — (Photo by: Lavivier Productions/SYFY) Goodbye, Lester
As Em dips below the surface, we see it's not a gentle submission but Lester attempting to drown her. This time, purple light spews forth from Em. Suddenly, Dana fires on Lester to prevent him from harming Em further. Lester whirls around and begins choking Dana, his eyes now purple, as if Em passed her Reviver abilities on to him.
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Next, Em rips Lester's heart out of his chest. He collapses. Dana and Em embrace. However, Em remarks that she doesn't feel right. Dana urges her to hold on. That purple light shoots out of Em's eyes and mouth as she leans her head back. Dana clutches her younger sister tightly, tearfully begging her to stay with her. Purple light bathes the room as Dana screams Em's name.
After this, Em wakes up to find Wayne looming over her. He asks Dana about Em. Where is she? We fast forward to 35 days later. Mayor Dillisch (Conrad Coates) is on Good Morning Wausau , chatting about Revivers. He reassures the town that things will be different from here on out. The governor is rolling out a new bill, ensuring protections for Revivers. After all, Dillisch's wife is a Reviver. He wants everyone to feel comfortable existing as they are. The Aftermath
Dana calls for Cooper to get ready for the school bus's arrival. He admits he misses Em. Dana asks Cooper if he'd like to speak with his therapist after school. Then, they'll unpack his room together. Dana plans to remain in Wausau for good.
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Later, Wayne clears his office. J.P. (Glen Gould) will serve as interim sheriff while Wayne takes a breather. He anticipates a lot of fishing in his future. After Cooper leaves for school, Ibrahim arrives with doughnuts for Dana. He's accepted a residency at the university. This puts him in proximity to Moore Creek, so he can continue his research. Of course, he wants to remain close to Dana, too. Dana proposes they go on another date.
Once Ibrahim departs, Dana looks through Em's belongings. She finds a pamphlet for Myrtle Beach in her journal before reading one of her poems. A brief montage plays out. Rhodey (Kaleb Horn) writes in his notebook in his van. Blaine, back in action, records an episode of his radio show. Nithiya (Gia Sandhu) receives chemo at the hospital. Wayne visits his wife's grave, placing a bouquet of flowers and a framed picture of Patty and Em on it. Developments
Next, Dana meets with Kay (Maia Jae). Kay delivers the last of Em's things. They talk about missing her. Dana remarks that she wishes Kay hadn't suggested Em go to the bridge that night. Otherwise, Revival Day wouldn't exist. A bewildered Kay reveals she did no such thing. Em spent a lot of time in online forums. Perhaps it was one of her friends from those message boards.
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This prompts Dana to snoop around on Em's laptop. She finds a worrying exchange between Em and a stranger. Said stranger urges Em to visit the bridge, to end it once and for all. Dana calls May (Katharine King So), asking the latter to trace the stranger's IP address. REVIVAL — 'Rend the Veil' Season 1 Episode 10 — Pictured: Melanie Scrofano as Dana Cypress — (Photo by: Naomi Peters/Lavivier Productions/SYFY)
Then, Wayne calls Dana to ask if he can see Cooper. Dana doesn't feel this is a good idea yet. Cooper blames Wayne for Em's disappearance. Dana believes they should give it time. However, she's here if Wayne wants to chat. Nithiya Weimer
After some time, May calls back with her findings. The IP address is from the Weimer residence. Dana claims she already knew this. May asks her about Nithiya. As it turns out, Nithiya was never assigned to be Em's court-appointed therapist. In fact, Nithiya went out of her way to ensure she was Em's therapist. Curious.
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The following day, Dana knocks on Nithiya's door. Nithiya isn't home. We see her in an undisclosed location, sewing up the skull hoodie. She hands it to Em, who puts it on. Em walks over to a window and looks out. We see they're in a cabin in the middle of nowhere near a large body of water, surrounded by rolling green hills and fog. Perhaps somewhere in Scandinavia?
Regardless, Em is alive. And Nithiya plays a much larger role in all this.
Revival Season 1 is now streaming on Peacock.
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