document_title: Mom (TV series)

question_text: who plays the mom on the tv show mom

question_tokens: who plays the mom on the tv show mom

text: Mom (TV series)

text: Synopsis[edit]

text: Mom follows Christy Plunkett (Anna Faris), a single mother who, after dealing with her battle with alcoholism and drug abuse, decides to restart her life in Napa, California, working as a waitress and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Her mother Bonnie Plunkett (Allison Janney) is also a recovering drug and alcohol addict. Christy's daughter, Violet (Sadie Calvano), who was born when Christy was 16, has also become a teen mother by her boyfriend, Luke (Spencer Daniels). Christy also has a young son, Roscoe (Blake Garrett Rosenthal) by her ex-husband, Baxter (Matt L. Jones), a deadbeat but likable pothead. As the show progresses, it adds themes of real-life issues such as alcoholism, teen pregnancy, cancer, homelessness, gambling addiction, domestic violence, death, obesity, rape, stroke, drug addiction, relapse and overdose.

text: Cast and characters[edit]

text: Main[edit]

text:
Anna Faris as Christy Jolene Plunkett: a single mother who has gone four years without drinking and is still struggling with addiction and gambling. Now sober, she strives to be a good example to her son Roscoe, and regain the trust of her daughter Violet, who is revealed to be pregnant herself in the first episode. In addition, she is trying to iron out the rough edges in her relationship with her mother Bonnie, who never learned to play her role well and who would rather go out and drink than baby-sit. Christy later finds out that her biological father ran out on Bonnie on Christmas Eve, the day before Christy was born, and locates the man as a now-married father of two sons who runs an auto repair shop.
Allison Janney as Bonnie Plunkett: Christy's mother, a joyful if cynical recovering addict who is now grateful with life. She tries desperately to regain the love and trust of her daughter, whom she was unable to properly nurture as a child. In her teen time Bonnie started drinking at 15 years old. She was in the foster care system being ricocheted around from house to house when she kept running off with Alvin, she ended up plainly pregnant and had Christy however he abandoned them at the hospital and Bonnie nearly put Christy up for adoption. A pleasant Jewish couple was going to adopt her, yet Bonnie pulled out finally. From that point on, she attempted her best to raise Christy, however Christy wound up raising herself as Bonnie drank heavily and took tranquilizes and got back home late. A single mother, she preferred to party and drink rather than stay home. With time and much therapy, Bonnie managed to find the balance and now wants to catch up, revealing to Christy her past, including who her real father is and how to find him, as well as her past side career as a drug dealer.
Sadie Calvano as Violet Plunkett (main cast seasons 1–3; recurring season 4): Christy's daughter and older half-sister of Roscoe. A senior in high school at the beginning of the series, Violet is hardworking, smart and sure of herself, though upset with her mother, who never had time to take care of her children and failed to fulfill a true motherly role despite now being sober for some time. After having her boyfriend Luke's baby, Violet made the decision to place her baby for adoption because she felt that this was the best way to break her family's repeated cycle of poor life choices and give her child a better chance than she, her mother, or her grandmother ever had. During season 2, in a brief downward spiral of bad behavior, Violet cheats on Luke and he breaks up with her. She later gets engaged to Gregory Munchnik, a psychology professor at her university, but he breaks the engagement after she relapses - she has since been behaving in a gold digger-esque manner with other men. She got back together with Luke in Season 4.
Nate Corddry as Gabriel (main cast seasons 1–2): the manager of the restaurant where Christy works. Married to a domineering woman who scares him somewhat, Gabriel and Christy are carrying on an affair which Christy later ends but which Gabriel himself frequently and desperately tries to renew: they briefly resume their affair in season 2 when Christy is promoted as his replacement. He is a hardworking, competent manager, but often put in his place by his subordinates, particularly Chef Rudy.
Matt Jones as Baxter (main cast seasons 1–3; recurring season 4; guest season 5): Christy's ex-husband and the father of Roscoe. Sweet and charming, but very unstable, he is unable to maintain a serious relationship or steady work for much longer than a month. Loves easy life and frequently gets into fraudulent deals to make money. Despite his flaws, he is a loving father who usually comes through for his son. During season 2, under the influence of his wealthy new girlfriend Candace, Baxter gives up his slacker ways and becomes a car salesman.
French Stewart as Chef Rudy (main cast seasons 1–2; guest season 3): the head chef for the restaurant where Christy works as a waitress. A dominant and difficult self-made man, Rudy acts superior in his relationships with others. He is boastful and arrogant, often yelling at his subordinates without mincing words and will not hesitate to humiliate anyone who opposes him. He is secretive about his past and distant from people, but briefly dates Bonnie at one point: during this time, he is revealed to be a (bi)sexual fetishist with expensive tastes and hobbies who enjoys stealing food from the restaurant.
Spencer Daniels as Luke (main cast season 1; recurring season 2; guest season 4): a young student who loves to enjoy life and adventure. He had been dating Violet for a little over a year and got her pregnant. Luke is considerably airheaded, smoking marijuana often, but always tries to prove to Christy that he is not as crazy as he appears: he seems to genuinely love Violet, staying beside her and supporting her throughout her pregnancy, and he is often more sensitive towards Christy than her own children are, perhaps because his parents are religious fundamentalists with whom he does not connect. In season 2, Violet, during her downward spiral, cheated on Luke and he broke up with Violet. By season 4, Luke has apparently cleaned himself up and got a high-paying job with a video game company, driving Violet to get back together with him.
Blake Garrett Rosenthal as Roscoe Plunkett (main cast seasons 1–3; recurring season 4): Christy's son by Baxter and half-brother of Violet. He eventually goes to live with his father and his father's fiancé. He experimented with marijuana at age twelve.
Mimi Kennedy as Marjorie Armstrong-Perugian (recurring season 1, main cast season 2–present):[8] Christy's and Bonnie's AA sponsor. She had problems with alcohol and drugs in the past and is a breast cancer survivor. Through Christy she meets Victor Perugian, Christy's former landlord, who she eventually weds.
Jaime Pressly as Jill Kendall (recurring season 2, main cast season 3–present):[9] An AA member who Christy sponsors, Jill is a wealthy divorced socialite who is prone to relapses.
Beth Hall as Wendy Harris (recurring season 2, main cast season 3–present):[10] A member of the AA group, who constantly cries. She is a registered nurse and a member of Mensa.
William Fichtner as Adam Janikowski (recurring season 3, main cast season 4–present):[11] Bonnie's latest love interest and later fiancé, a wheelchair-bound former stuntman whom she met over the phone after he dialed the wrong number.

text: Recurring[edit]

text:
Octavia Spencer as Regina Tompkins (seasons 1–3): A fellow AA member and money manager who embezzled from her clients and is now facing a prison sentence. While a close if questionable friend to Christy, Regina and Bonnie typically hold each other in contempt, but beneath the surface they bear some affection for each other. In the middle of season 2, she is given early parole and becomes a born-again Christian, eventually moving in with Jill. Regina drifts apart from her friends after she decides she is no longer an alcoholic, essentially choosing wine over her friends, and struggles alone with the dissonance after moving into her own apartment and out of Jill's mansion.
Kevin Pollak as Alvin Lester Biletnikoff (seasons 1–2): Christy's father and Bonnie's ex-boyfriend who abandoned them when Christy was born. When Christy found Alvin he was married with two sons; despite that he loves Christy and does what he can to be in her life and help out, including fixing up a used car to give her and attempting to reach out to her children as a grandparent. He and Bonnie initially treated each other with contempt and hatred over the various mistakes each of them has made in their past, but they rekindled their relationship after his wife left him and he survived a heart attack. In season 2, Alvin suffers a fatal, second heart attack while in bed with Bonnie, and dies.
Courtney Henggeler as Claudia (seasons 1–3): Gabriel's wealthy and snobbish ex-wife, who has taken over the restaurant from him and briefly appointed Christy as manager.
Reggie de Leon as Paul (seasons 1–3): Chef Rudy's silent and often submissive sous-chef.
Mary Pat Gleason as Mary (season 1–present): A fellow AA member who is frequently interrupted by Bonnie when she shares her problems with the group.
Don McManus as Steve Casper (seasons 1–4): A fellow AA member, Steve is a competent but creepy lawyer and occasionally aids Christy, who becomes his intern and trainee in season 2. He has a casual sex relationship with Bonnie in season 3.
Sara Rue as Candace Hayes (seasons 2–4): Baxter's wealthy new wife, under whose influence he has reformed. She delivers many subtle jabs at Christy's poverty and seems to be trying to force Christy aside to replace her as Roscoe's mother. The hostility becomes much more obvious in season 3, when Candace's wealthy father Fred (Harry Hamlin), starts dating Christy and Candace accuses Christy of only being with him for his money.
Jonny Coyne as Victor Perugian (season 2–present): Christy's Armenian former landlord who becomes attracted to Marjorie, marrying her in season 3. In season 5, he suffered a stroke.
Amy Hill as Beverly Tarantino (season 2–present): A tenant in the apartment building where Christy and Bonnie live; she dislikes Bonnie and is always trying to get her fired from the manager position.
Charlie Robinson as Mr. Munson (season 2–present): A blind tenant in the apartment building where Christy and Bonnie live.
David Krumholtz as Gregory Munchnik (seasons 2–3): Violet's older ex-fiancé, a psychology professor at the college she attends.
Emily Osment as Jodi Hubbard (season 3): A young drug addict whom Christy and Bonnie try to help get sober. She later dies from a drug overdose.
Lauri Johnson as Beatrice (season 3–present): A waitress who works at the diner where the AA members usually go.
Leonard Roberts as Ray Stabler (season 4–present): Bonnie's half-brother who is a successful lawyer.
Julia Lester as Emily (seasons 4–5): Jill's teenage foster daughter.
Missi Pyle as Natasha (seasons 4–5): Emily's biological mother, an alcoholic whom Christy knows from her stripping days. Christy helps Natasha get sober and get custody of her daughter back.
Steven Weber as Patrick Janikowski (season 5): Adam's younger brother and Christy's love interest.

text: Notable guests[edit]

text:
Jon Cryer as himself (S01E01): a customer at the Rustic Fig.
Justin Long as Adam Henchy (S01E03, S01E06 and S01E08): Christy's love interest.
Ed Asner as Jack Bumgartner (S02E05): a tenant in the apartment building where Bonnie and Christy resides.
Beverly D'Angelo as Lorraine Biletnikoff (S02E09, S02E11 and S02E12): Alvin's ex-wife, who hates Christy and Bonnie.
Colin Hanks as Andy Dreeson (S02E09): Christy's potential love interest whose idea of a fun night isn’t exactly what she expected.
Ellen Burstyn as Shirley Stabler (S03E01): Bonnie's biological mother, who put her in foster care when she was very young.
June Squibb as Dottie (S03E01): a woman who, Christy thinks, might be the ideal grandmother.
Judy Greer as Michelle (S03E03): a sloppy drunk that Christy and Bonnie meet in a bar and try to help get sober.
Linda Lavin as Phyllis Munchnik (S03E07 and S03E21): Gregory's mother and Violet's would-be mother-in-law.
Harry Hamlin as Fred Hayes (S03E08 and S03E09): Candace's father and Christy's love interest.
Rosie O'Donnell as Jeanine (S03E10 and S04E02): an ex-girlfriend of Bonnie who she and Christy lived with: she and Christy maintain an aunt-niece relationship.
Joe Manganiello as Julian (S03E11): a newcomer to Alcoholics Anonymous who Christy takes under her wing.
Rhea Perlman as Anya Perugian (S03E12): Marjorie's armenian sister-in-law and Victor's sister.
Richard Schiff as Robert (S03E20): Bonnie's Communications Director in a White House dream that she had.
Bradley Whitford as Mitch (S04E09): Adam's friend who is a Hollywood director with a fondness for alcohol.
Nicole Sullivan as Leanne (S04E09): Mitch's hard-drinking wife.
Chris Pratt as Nick Banaszak (S04E11): a charming horseback riding instructor whom Christy decides to pursue, despite the fact he’s the nephew of Marjorie, who declared him off-limits. He is later revealed to share traits with John Steinbeck's character Lennie Small.
Wendie Malick as Danielle Janikowski (S04E15 and S04E16): Adam's ex-wife whose friendly relationship with him confounds Bonnie.
Kristin Chenoweth as Miranda (S05E14): Jill's inner strength advisor who met her at the latter's weight loss retreat.
Kristen Johnston as Tammy Diffendorf (S05E17): Bonnie's old acquaintance who is in jail.
Yvette Nicole Brown as Nora (S05E18): Christy's new sponsor.
Patti LuPone as Rita Gennaro (S05E19): the (demanding) new owner of the building that is managed by Bonnie.

text: Episodes[edit]

text:
Season
Episodes
Originally aired
Nielsen ratings

First aired
Last aired
Rank
Viewers
(in millions)

1
22
September 23, 2013 (2013-09-23)
April 14, 2014 (2014-04-14)
42
8.34[12]

2
22
October 30, 2014 (2014-10-30)
April 30, 2015 (2015-04-30)
26
11.79[13]

3
22
November 5, 2015 (2015-11-05)
May 19, 2016 (2016-05-19)
40
9.64[14]

4
22
October 27, 2016 (2016-10-27)
May 11, 2017 (2017-05-11)
29
9.43[15]

5
22[16]
November 2, 2017 (2017-11-02)
May 10, 2018 (2018-05-10)[17]
TBA
TBA

text: Production[edit]

text: Development[edit]

text: Mom was one of the many projects that became a priority for CBS and Warner Bros when it was pitched in December 2012, in part due to Lorre's new four-year deal with Warner the previous September.[18] It was green-lit by CBS for a series order pickup on May 9, 2013.[19] This pickup also gives Lorre the distinction of having four sitcoms airing on one network starting in the 2013–14 season. The following week, the network announced that it would place the sitcom in the Monday night 9:30 pm (ET/PT) time slot following 2 Broke Girls.[20] However, after the cancelation of We Are Men, 2 Broke Girls was moved into the show's 8:30 pm slot, with repeats of The Big Bang Theory occupying the 9 pm lead-in time slot to Mom until the season debut of Mike & Molly on November 4, 2013. The show received a full first season order for 22 episodes on October 18, 2013.[21]

text: On March 13, 2014, CBS announced the second season renewal of Mom.[22] The series moved from Mondays at 9:30 PM to Thursdays at 8:30 PM for the first fourteen episodes until the series moved to Thursdays at 9:30 PM following The Odd Couple series premiere and the series finale of Two and a Half Men.[23][24]

text: By season three, the focus became more about Christy and Bonnie and their group from AA, while the restaurant set, the kids and Baxter roles were reduced significantly.

text: Casting[edit]

text: The series gives Faris, who had guest-starred in various television programs between her film projects and been sought after for other television projects (including a failed pilot called Blue Skies that was being produced for NBC), her first full-time television role, as she landed the part of the lead character, Christy, in January 2013.[25] On January 28, 2013, Janney was next to come aboard the project, playing Christy's mother.[26] Matt Jones and Spencer Daniels were added to the cast in February 2013, with Jones playing Christy's ex-husband, Baxter, and Daniels taking the role of Luke, the boyfriend of Christy's daughter, Violet.[27]

text: Reception[edit]

text: Ratings[edit]

text:
Season
Time slot (ET)
Episodes
Premiered
Ended
TV season
Rank
Viewers
(million)

Date
Viewers
(million)
Date
Viewers
(million)

1
Monday 9:30 pm
22
September 23, 2013
7.99[28]
April 14, 2014
6.86[29]
2013–14
42nd
8.34[30]

2
Thursday 8:30, 9:30, or 9:00 pm
22
October 30, 2014
11.13[31]
April 30, 2015
8.78[32]
2014–15
26th
11.79[13]

3
Thursday 9:00 pm
22
November 5, 2015
7.28[33]
May 19, 2016
8.14[34]
2015–16
40th
9.64[14]

4
22
October 27, 2016
7.02[35]
May 11, 2017
8.12[36]
2016–17
29th
9.43[15]

5
22
November 2, 2017
8.46[37]
May 10, 2018

2017–18

text: Critical reception[edit]

text: Mom has been met with consistently positive reviews, with much praise going towards its writing and performances of its cast, especially that of Allison Janney. The show received a Metacritic score of 65 out of 100 in its first season, based on reviews by 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[38] On Rotten Tomatoes, the first season was given a 67% approval rating based on 36 reviews and an average rating of 5.7 out of 10. The site's critical consensus states: "Anna Faris and Allison Janney share an undeniable comedic chemistry, and if the jokes are sometimes too crass, Mom represents a sincere (and often witty) attempt to address addiction issues."[39] Boston Herald critic, Mark A. Perigard gave a positive review, writing "This is dark material, yet Faris balances it with a genuine winsomeness, able to wring laughs out of the most innocuous lines." New York Magazine critic Matt Zoller Seitz praised the cast, calling it "just about perfect".

text: The second season was met with even more positive reviews. The show received a Metacritic score of 81 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim".[40] On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 100% based on 6 reviews and an average score of 8.5 out of 10.[41]

text: The third season was also met with positive reviews from critics, receiving a Metacritic score of 82 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim".[42]

text: Accolades[edit]

text:
Awards

Year
Award
Category
Recipients and nominees
Result

2014
People's Choice Award
Favorite New TV Comedy
Nominated

Favorite Actress in a New TV Series
Anna Faris
Nominated

Favorite Actress in a New TV Series
Allison Janney
Nominated

Critics' Choice Television Award
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Won

Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series
Mimi Kennedy
Nominated

Primetime Emmy Award
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Allison Janney
Won

2015
People's Choice Award
Favorite Network TV Comedy
Nominated

72nd Golden Globe Awards[43]
Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film
Allison Janney
Nominated

Prism Awards
Performance in a Comedy Series
Anna Faris
Nominated

Allison Janney
Won

Comedy Series Episode or Multi-Episode Storyline
Nominated

Critics' Choice Television Award
Best Comedy Series
Nominated

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Allison Janney
Won

Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Won

2016
People's Choice Award
Favorite Network TV Comedy
Nominated

Favorite Comedic TV Actress
Anna Faris
Nominated

Critics' Choice Television Award
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Allison Janney
Nominated

Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series
Ellen Burstyn
Nominated

Art Directors Guild Awards
Excellence in Production Design in a Multi-Camera Series
John Shaffner
Nominated

Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Allison Janney
Nominated

Outstanding Cinematography for a Multi-Camera Series
Steven V. Silver
Nominated

Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series
Ben Bosse & Joseph Bella
Nominated

2017
People's Choice Award
Favorite Comedic TV Actress
Anna Faris
Nominated

Primetime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Allison Janney
Nominated

Outstanding Multi-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series
Joseph Bella
Nominated

text: Broadcast[edit]

text: In Australia, Mom debuted on Nine Network on April 9, 2014.[44] In Canada, City airs the series simultaneously.[45][46] In Greece, Star Channel debut the series on 25 of October 2014.[47] In the United Kingdom, ITV2 debuted the show on January 20, 2014,[48] with season two debuting on March 2, 2015.[49] In India, Comedy Central has been broadcasting the series through 2015. In 2017, TV Land, FXX, CMT, and local broadcasting stations began airing past episodes.


document_title: The Path (TV series)

question_text: where does the show the path take place

question_tokens: where does the show the path take place

root

text: The Path (TV series)

text: Premise[edit]

text: Eddie Lane lives in Upstate New York with his wife Sarah and their two children, Hawk and Summer. They are all members of the Meyerist Movement, which combines aspects of New Age philosophy, shamanism, Scientology, Christian mysticism and Utopianism with a few elements from the Shakers, Sufism, Tibetan Buddhism and Freemasonry ritual. Eddie returns from Peru, where he had undergone a spiritual retreat designed to advance him further up Meyerism's spiritual ladder. Unbeknownst to his family, while in Peru, Eddie experienced a revelation which causes him to question his faith in Meyerism. Meanwhile, Cal Roberts, a friend of Sarah's and one of Meyerism's top leaders, is looking to expand their influence and deal with the imminent death of their founder, Doctor Stephen Meyer.

tag: p

text: Meyerism[edit]

text: Meyerism is a fictional movement in the series founded by Dr. Stephen Meyer. In the show's mythology, on October 28, 1974, Meyer literally climbed a ladder of burning light to receive the message of universal truth. Meyer gave to his followers the instructions for their spiritual development, written in the first book of Meyerism, The Ladder. Meyerists believe that all people are damaged which is the cause of the world's suffering. Through personal enlightenment, they seek to become aware of suffering in themselves and others, and to heal the world, caring deeply about family, humanity and the environment. In this way and others, they create the heavenly Garden of Meyer's vision here on earth. However, The Ladder foretells that their efforts will be thwarted by non-believers or Ignorant Systemites (I.S.) whose selfish actions will result in an apocalypse; but those who ascend The Ladder of Enlightenment will live forever in The Garden.

text: The Movement claims 6000 members with facilities located in San Diego, California, and Parksdale, New York, with a retreat center located in Cusco, Peru. Most practice Meyerism in everyday lives, while others have taken vows of service and dedicate themselves to counseling, recruitment and outreach programs. However, founder Stephen Meyer warned against media attention, that the movement should remain small and publicity should be kept to a minimum. Spiritual progress is evaluated on an ascending series of rungs from 1R to 10R, with many decisions made by the senior membership or Upper Rungs (U.R.). Meyerists practice meditation and use biofeedback devices and drugs—including ayahuasca and cannabis—to aid in reaching deeper levels of consciousness, and put considerable stock in visions and intuition which are believed to be The Light trying to communicate with them.

text: A Vanity Fair analysis of the show's first episode described Meyerism as "inspired by a grab bag of religious practices and cult beliefs".[11] The show's creator, Jessica Goldberg, specifically refutes comparisons to Scientology.[12][13][14]

text: Cast and characters[edit]

text: Main[edit]

text:
Aaron Paul as Eddie Lane: A convert to Meyerism with a wayward past. Eddie suffers a crisis of faith when all that he has come to accept as truth is fundamentally challenged.[15]
Hugh Dancy as Calvin "Cal" Roberts: The charismatic, unofficial leader of The Meyerist Movement. His ambition puts him at odds with the organization's existing leadership and roils Sarah and Eddie's already turbulent marriage.[16]
Michelle Monaghan as Sarah Lane (née Armstrong): Born into a Meyerist family, Sarah's compassion and authority have made her an important figure in The Movement. Her devotion, however, is tested when she uncovers her husband's falsehoods.[17]
Emma Greenwell as Mary Cox: An addict who's been saved by Cal and a team of Meyerists after a tornado leveled her hometown. Now freed from a life of abuse, she becomes infatuated with Cal and devotes herself entirely to The Movement.[18]
Rockmond Dunbar as Agent Abe Gaines (seasons 1-2): An FBI investigator who seems to be the only agent suspicious of the mysterious religious sect that recently responded to a natural disaster. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he faces personal troubles at home and is forced to reflect on his own faith.[19]
Kyle Allen as Hawk Lane: Eddie and Sarah's devoted teenage son who wants nothing more than to drop out of high school and join The Movement full-time. His loyalty wavers when a popular classmate pursues a relationship with him.[20]
Amy Forsyth as Ashley Fields (starring season 1; recurring season 2): A popular girl at Hawk's school who would normally have nothing to do with "a weird cult kid." After a financial crisis hits home, she turns to Hawk and his family for help.[21]
Sarah Jones as Alison Kemp (season 1): A defector of Meyerism who holds The Movement responsible for the mysterious death of her husband. She employs Eddie's help in a search for answers and redemptions.[22]
Paul James as Sean Egan (recurring season 1, starring season 2): A novice member of the Meyerist Movement who begins to date Mary when she joins the Movement. Sean's sister was shot and killed in a school shooting, which led him to join the Movement.[23]
Freida Pinto as Vera Stephans (season 3): Eddie's publicist.

tag: ul

text: Recurring[edit]

text:
Clark Middleton as Richard
Minka Kelly as Miranda Frank
Keir Dullea as Dr. Stephen Meyer
Peter Friedman as Hank Armstrong
Deirdre O'Connell as Gab Armstrong
Brian Stokes Mitchell as Bill
Adriane Lenox as Felicia
Patch Darragh as Russel Armstrong
Ali Ahn as Nicole Armstrong
Stephanie Hsu as Joy Armstrong
Allison Layman as Shelby
Steve Mones as Silas
Kathleen Turner as Brenda Roberts
Aimee Laurence as Summer Lane
James Remar as Kodiak
Britne Oldford as Noa
Michael Countryman as John Ridge
Kaili Vernoff as Kerry Ridge
Matt Bailey as Mark Penetti
Max Ehrich as Freddie Ridge
Jeb Brown as Wesley Cox
Leven Rambin as Chloe Jones
Whitney Crowder as Betsy
Ali Marsh as Meg Fields
Kaili Vernoff as Kerry Ridge
Alexa Landeau as Tessa
Vincent Kartheiser as Congressman Buck Harbaugh

text: Episodes[edit]

text: Series overview[edit]

text:
Season
Episodes
Originally aired

First aired
Last aired

1
10
March 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)
May 25, 2016 (2016-05-25)

2
13
January 25, 2017 (2017-01-25)
April 12, 2017 (2017-04-12)

3
13
January 17, 2018 (2018-01-17)
March 28, 2018 (2018-03-28)

tag: table

text: Season 1 (2016)[edit]

text:
No.
overall
No. in
season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date

1
1
"What the Fire Throws"
Mike Cahill
Jessica Goldberg
March 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)

The faith around which Eddie Lane has centered his life is shaken when, during a sacred ceremony in Peru involving ayahuasca, he sees his dead brother, who guides him to a hidden room where Meyerism's founder Steve Meyer lies comatose in a hospital bed, the instructions for their salvation incomplete. As Meyerists are taught to believe that Steve "lives so deeply in Truth that Light literally surrounds him" and will eventually become one with the Light, the revelation that he is but mortal is intensely disturbing. At the library, Eddie reads a website saying "Meyerism is lying" in that the current leadership is straying from the light. His wife Sarah, a Meyerist counselor, becomes suspicious and believes he is having an affair when he secretly meets with website author Alison Kemp, a banished "denier" who might understand him. Meanwhile, Cal Roberts arrives to take leadership of the eastern region, and evacuates desperate people from a tornado-stricken trailer park to the Meyerist compound where they are indoctrinated. Trailer park resident Mary Cox, who has been sexually abused from childhood, offers her body to Cal. Cal refuses, and later takes her to the trailer park and brutally beats her abusive father.

2
2
"The Era of the Ladder"
Mike Cahill
Jessica Goldberg
March 30, 2016 (2016-03-30)

Sarah and Eddie begin the Infidelity Rehab Program but he won't confess to an affair. He meets Alison, considering to pay lip service to Meyerism despite his lack of faith, but she angrily claims that the Meyerists killed her husband Jason, the community's doctor, in Peru for trying to leave. Meyerist enforcers are following her and she believes they're trying to kill her. Eddie begins to investigate this, finding that police records show Jason killed himself; he is alerted that his son Hawk got in a fight at school, over attention from his friend, popular-girl Ashley who turned to him as her family are about to lose their home. For his family's sake, Eddie undergoes 14 days of "Infidelity Rehab", isolation and interrogation, by the end of which he has confessed to an affair with Miranda Franks, the assistant at Eddie's ceremony in Peru, who is forcibly brought to the community from her home. Cal's ambitions show as he breaks protocol to appear on the local news, and demands the faith of wealthy John Ridge whose son Freddie is dragged from the home and brought to the Meyer community for their drug rehab program. Cal also suggests to Mary that she cultivate her relationship with fellow novice Sean as they pass out literature to recruit more followers. FBI Detective Abe Gaines puts the Meyerists on cult watch.

3
3
"A Homecoming"
Michael Weaver
Annie Weisman
April 6, 2016 (2016-04-06)

Meyer has liver cancer; his tumour hasn't responded to treatment. He's got no will and no next of kin. Cal visits Meyer frequently with founding members Bill, Felicia and Peruvian shaman Silas. But he pretends to the membership that Steve is well and working, telling Sarah only that Meyer is "moving on" and the final rungs are about the succession of leadership. Miranda Franks, torn from her home and brought by force to the community -- against protocol -- is placed in "Realignment Lockdown", but won't confess to an affair with Eddie, receiving no pity from her only visitor, Sarah, and collapses in her cell. Eddie cuts ties with Alison and responds angrily when he finds her outside his home. Cal visits his estranged, alcoholic mother Brenda and breaks two years of sobriety as she makes going into an assisted living facility conditional on his drinking with her. And Detective Gaines convinces Mary's father to delay charges until he can build a bigger case against Cal.

4
4
"The Future"
Michael Weaver
Julia Brownwell
April 13, 2016 (2016-04-13)

Miranda confides in Cal what really happened on Eddie's retreat; he saw his brother, he went somewhere, returned weeping and saying "There is no Light", and she embraced him out of concern; the shaman Silas then counseled him privately. Convincing her that she's to blame for the misunderstanding, Cal removes her from the hospital. Still concerned of what Eddie may have learned in Peru, Cal offers to be his guide for the next level, 7R, which permits no secrets between them. Founding members Bill and Felicia arrive for the Ascension Day festivities. Sarah cautions the Ridges on Freddie's apparent progress after two weeks' rehab, but John pulls his son out when he learns Sarah is giving him Ayahuasca. Sarah later rescues Freddie from a drug den, and sends Freddie and his mother Kerry to Cuzco to do the ceremony properly. At the Ascension Day celebration, Mary reveals her father's abuse and is comforted by the whole assembly, giving Detective Gaines second thoughts. Bill and Felicia warn Cal to check his ambitions, blaming him for Alison Kemp's outspoken hostility and the abuse of Miranda. Cal shows that he's convinced Miranda to blame herself; that he alone has the charisma to attract new members; and that he will write the last three rungs himself. Bill and Felicia warn that Silas will never agree to this. They leave with Miranda; asked by them to keep an eye on Cal, Eddie agrees. Hawk continues to attend to Ashley's well-being, and despite warning from his cousin Joy, he kisses Ashley at a field party.

5
5
"The Hole"
Patrick Norris
Coleman Herbert
April 20, 2016 (2016-04-20)

Hawk's relationship with Ashley comes out and Sarah is terrified that he might choose to leave Meyerism, "choosing to be ignorant" and unable to reunite with the family in The Garden. Hawk pretends to break up with Ashley but sneaks out to her at night. An angry John Ridge demands Cal return his wife and son from Peru; Cal is initially irate with Sarah for ignoring his orders but later defends her actions to Ridge. Ridge's bodyguard brutally beats Cal, while Silas guides Freddie and Kerry through a vision, drawing them closer together. Mary and Sean have sex and begin to fall in love; she considers leaving when a preoccupied Cal is dismissive of her, but Sean convinces her to stay. And Detective Gaines questions Alison about her husband's death; he'd been on "secret missions" to Cuzco, confided his doubts of Meyer doctrine, and told her "This is the last time". Gaines advises her to leave the area, but says the FBI will investigate; also, he learns his infant daughter Lucy has a condition that might require surgery, and receives advice from Eddie.

6
6
"Breaking and Entering"
Patrick Norris
Jessica Goldberg
April 27, 2016 (2016-04-27)

Eddie joins Cal searching the motel room of Alison Kemp whose presence Eddie conceals; Alison later admits to taking $40k intended for Jason's secret missions. Sarah confronts Cal about intimidating the widow, and Cal admits to Eddie that it was a mistake. Ashley's family are evicted and Hawk convinces Sarah to shelter them. Ashley's mother Meg explains what happened and the family interpret it through Meyerism, take them to an inspirational lecture from Cal, and get her a job. However, Ashley realizes her estranged father would have no place in the Meyerist afterlife; Hawk consoles her and they have sex. Sean is transferred to a different Meyerist center. Mary admits to first dating Sean on Cal's instructions, but now loves him; when she looks into the light, she sees him. Detective Gaines learns that Jason was trying to buy late-stage cancer medications. Sarah sneaks into the well-appointed home of her estranged sister, Tessa, who left Meyerism almost 20 years ago, and finds a half-dozen prescription sedatives. Cal takes in several undocumented immigrants.

7
7
"Refugees"
Roxann Dawson
Jason Katims
May 4, 2016 (2016-05-04)

Police, media and protestors descend on the Meyerist community concerning the Honduran immigrants. Bill and Felicia work with the Upper Rung council for the surrender of the Hondurans, but Cal unilaterally calls for the entire membership to vote. Caught sheltering Alison, Eddie admits to Cal what he saw in Peru and Cal demands he undergo "The Walk", a 250-mile pilgrimage that tests faith and endurance, warning that if he refuses, Cal will tell Sarah everything. At her new job, Meg panics when she sees a Meyerist meditation room in the office, pulls her family from the community and forbids Ashley from seeing Hawk. Mary entices med technician Betsy to get drugs from the infirmary, confronts Cal and leaves -- but quickly returns when her father emerges from among the protesters. Silas unexpectedly arrives and goes to Cal, declaring that the Movement is dead because "Steve couldn't accept his own mortality". Cal pleads that the next generation is waiting for him to lead them, but Silas calls Cal a fraud and Cal lashes out, accidentally but fatally stabbing Silas. At the vote, Sarah makes an emotional plea for the Hondurans which sways the Membership. Eddie prepares to leave on The Walk when Hawk returns home in despair and asks to go with him.

8
8
"The Shore"
Roxann Dawson
Annie Weisman
May 11, 2016 (2016-05-11)

Cal buries Silas's body in the woods, in a hole previously dug by Eddie as a devotional exercise. He then brings Sean back to the New York community to reunite with Mary. The standoff ends as the community is successfully declared a protected space, and they receive a sizeable spike in donations. Felicia shares her concerns of Cal's recklessness and asks Sarah to be ready to take a bigger leadership role. Sarah finds a Pachamama idol Silas had left for her, of which she'd earlier dreamed. She begins to call Silas and leave messages for him. The FBI's case is handed over to Homeland Security, which Gaines views as putting politics before justice. Eddie and Hawk grow closer as they begin The Walk; at his childhood haunt of Coney Island, Eddie has a second vision of his brother on the beach. Nicole delivers a stillborn baby whom Sarah revives through resuscitation and prayer. The experience was moving enough that Sarah almost transgresses with Cal, but when she stops he throws suspicion on Eddie, leading her to find Eddie's burner phone with Alison's phone number on it.

9
9
"A Room of One's Own"
Michael Weaver
Julia Brownwell
May 18, 2016 (2016-05-18)

Cal asks still-comatose Meyer to communicate any displeasure before Cal commits to the next phase of the Movement. He promises to try to channel Meyer's ideas for the writing of the final rungs. Sarah meets Alison and trades Jason's journal for the truth about Eddie, that they were not transgressing but that Eddie was questioning his faith. Mary's promiscuity and drug use are exposed; Cal prompts Sean and Mary to recommit through marriage. Eddie and Hawk return and Sarah confronts her husband over 3 months of lying, feeling that he's rejecting everything in her soul. She continues to leave messages for Silas. Gaines is given two weeks' leave to clear his head; a co-worker shows him a pathology report showing Jason Kemp's hands were badly burned. Cal asks John Ridge, whose son Freddie is succeeding in art school, for help to expand Meyerism globally. Later, he makes a false announcement that Steve is returning. Hawk leaves to get a job to support Ashley despite Sarah's threats to cut him off. Both parents seek help, leaving Eddie estranged from his extended family while Cal bribes Ashley to break-up with Hawk by offering a house for her family. Eddie finds out, accusing and then hitting Cal in front of the membership. Alison reads the journal, realizes Jason wasn't murdered, and contemplates suicide before surrendering herself at the community.

10
10
"The Miracle"
Michael Weaver
Jessica Goldberg
May 25, 2016 (2016-05-25)

Eddie refuses to sign forms labelling himself a denier, moving out to a motel. Sarah supports this decision. Alison seeks help, Jason's journal describing strange visions and stating that he was going to climb the ladder "even if it killed" him. Cal claims the final Rungs change the existing policy, permitting forgiveness for repentant deniers. Sarah's calls to Silas go unanswered; Felicia says Cal was at the community the night Silas went there. At the hospital Eddie prays for Gaines's daughter Lucy, whose condition suddenly resolves before her scheduled surgery. Eddie asks the community's head counselor Richard for help, fearing a psychotic break, but Richard urges Eddie to find the meaning to his visions. Mary tells Cal that they're alike, trying to be good but irreparably broken and seeking darkness; they have sex. Sarah agrees to take the Movement to the next level with Cal, joining him as a guardian of the light, but soon discovers that Cal wrote the last three rungs himself. Mary's father returns and tells Sarah he saw Cal leaving in his car a month ago; the time coincides with Silas' vanishing. Eddie returns to the retreat center in Peru where he finds an empty hospital bed, with Meyer standing at the window.

text: Season 2 (2017)[edit]

text:
No.
overall
No. in
season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date

11
1
"Liminal Twilight"
Michael Weaver
Jessica Goldberg
January 25, 2017 (2017-01-25)

Atop Huayna Picchu in Cuzco, the senior membership celebrates that Steve has ascended into the Light and dedicate themselves to continuing his message. Eddie and Sarah remain separated. Eddie now works in construction and Sarah brings him Hawk and Summer in secret. Summer is happy to see Eddie but Hawk, now studying 1R, is suspicious of Eddie, even though he has not signed the denier forms. The novices help residents of Clarksville suffering a polluted water crisis. Hawk bonds with a jaded college student, Noa. Eddie meets former classmate Chloe, who had dated his brother Johnny. Eddie again sees Johnny, seeming to indicate he's on the right track. A flashback reveals that when Eddie went to Peru, Dr. Meyer had awoken from his coma and ripped out his IVs; he walked through the town and up Huayna Picchu, Eddie pleading with him to reveal his illness; he said he was prepared to write the last three rungs and declared Eddie, not Cal, the new son of the movement. They are both hit by lightning and Meyer falls from the mountain. His burned body is discovered by locals. Meyerist counselor Richard investigates, joined by Kodiak, a "gifted" 10R elder whom Sarah summoned from his hermitage in Siberia when she discovered Cal's deceptions. To protect the faith they agree not to disclose Steve's true fate. They photograph a drawing by a local resident who says Steve was pushed. In the city, Cal runs into Mary who is five months pregnant, severely hinting that he may be the father. Cal purchases a building at $5 million, much more than the organization can afford. He plans to have Meyerism declared a religion for tax exemptions (against Meyer's intentions). Sarah is deeply opposed. Later, she accidentally hits a fawn with her car. Cal finds her, confesses that he accidentally killed Silas and shows her his body, further shaking her faith. They rebury Silas with the fawn beside him. FBI agent Abe Gaines is seemingly now fully immersed in the movement and confesses his attraction to Russell's wife Nicole; they kiss but do not fully transgress. Later, Abe returns to his family, who feel neglected by his absence.

12
2
"Dead Moon"
Michael Weaver
Annie Weisman
January 25, 2017 (2017-01-25)

Sarah experiences flashbacks and nightmares following the reveal of Silas's body. In an unburdening session with Richard, she learns that Eddie was seen in Peru, which she questions. Eddie refuses to respond to the allegations and goes on a date with Chloe, his old classmate, and they awkwardly have sex. Hawk bonds with his new friend Noa and further explores his own faith. The two leave a bottle of the polluted water on the doorstep of the deKaans, wealthy industrialists whose factory caused the pollution. Hawk hurls a rock through a window. Abe helps to halt the Meyerists' application for tax exempt status, forcing Cal to tap the Ridge family for a fundraiser party. Told to not directly solicit donations, he nonetheless asks the crowd for help. Sarah, embarrassed by Cal's actions, escapes to another room and begins to get physical with another guest, but stops after seeing paintings of animals being hunted and killed, causing another flashback. Cal confronts the sexually aggressive guest and punches him in the gut. Sean questions the way Cal shows him and Mary off, bringing tension into their marriage. Hawk and Noa take an initiatory walk through a forest without lights on the dark of the moon and Hawk has a mystical experience.

13
3
"The Father and the Son"
Michael Slovis
Julia Brownell
February 1, 2017 (2017-02-01)

Hawk shares his spiritual experience with Eddie, who expresses doubt. Hawk says he needs to commit fully to the movement and can no longer see Eddie. In a depressive spiral, Eddie confronts both Cal and Sarah, threatening to murder Cal if he tries to take Hawk away. He joins Chloe at a casino, but becomes aware that he's being followed. He confronts the man, who tells him to stay away from the city center and punches him in the face. Kodiak shares memories of Steve's kindness and friendship with Sarah's mother Gaby, with whom he once had an affair. Richard and Kodiak read the "final three Rungs" in Steve's supposed last journal, but realize Steve didn't write it. It names Cal and Sarah as the new leaders, but Richard remembers Steve saying the Light would decide that. They speculate that Cal pushed Steve off the cliff. Hawk and Sarah apologize to Mrs. deKaan. She threatens to have Hawk arrested unless they drop the water campaign. The movement can't afford independent tests thanks to Cal's overspending. Jocelyn Gaines warns Abe to wrap the case up, takes the children and leaves. Cal pressures Lisa, the IRS officer and sometime Meyerist who handled for their tax-exemption forms. Farmer Marshall Small expresses doubts that the Meyerists can truly help with the water; Sarah promises the tests will be done, and drinks some of the water herself to prove her commitment. Mary tells Sean her baby may not be his and he silently leaves. Richard and Kodiak withdraw to the forest for a private ritual hoping to summon Steve's spirit; seemingly successful, they hear him say "there is no Light".

14
4
"The Red Wall"
Michael Slovis
John O'Connor
February 8, 2017 (2017-02-08)

Eddie awakens in the hospital. His doctor tells him Meyerism is a cult, gives him anti-anxiety pills and refers him to an ex-cult support group. The novices take a lesson in using will power to cause change; they imagine a white wall as different colors and see it vividly enough to believe it's actually changed -- all but Sean. Noa takes Hawk to a "private concert" by Andrew Bird. He makes a play for her, but she says he is too young. The $5M building had been a homeless shelter for decades; Cal wants to keep and even expand the homeless services but evicts all the current residents. They are furious. Sean comes to Eddie's house, distraught over Mary's affair. Eddie tells Sean that family and love are all that counts. As he speaks he realizes he still believes in the Light. Sean and Mary reconcile. Kodiak speaks gently to Cal, inviting him to unburden, implying he will listen. The FBI put a wire on Lisa and send her to the community where Sarah threatens Lisa with the tape of her unburdening session; Lisa writes a note warning about the wiretap. Sarah silently gives Lisa her tape, which she later burns. The FBI get nothing useful. Sarah gives Cal Lisa's warning. Cal reassures her that they have new wealthy donors, among them Noa's mother, a high-powered music mogul.

15
5
"Why We Source"
Norberto Barba
Jessica Goldberg
February 14, 2017 (2017-02-14)

In Meyerism, "sourcing" is interrogation with the subject's hand resting on a piece of treated paper similar to litmus. Cal hopes to uncover the FBI agent. Gaines, the real agent, passes the test. Cal asks his help. Sourcing also involves sweeps for contraband, such as cigarettes. Sarah's brother Russell leads these "ES" teams. Sean subtly warns Cal he knows about the affair, asking for a new refrigerator. Mary tells Cal her baby might be his. Summer reveals to the family she and Hawk have been seeing Eddie, angering Nicole, Russell's wife. Gaby advises her husband Hank to keep this quiet as they have secrets of their own. Richard source-interrogates Cal, who reveals there's an FBI mole, but nothing else; he passes, barely. Sarah and Marshall Small negotiate with the lab about water testing in Clarksville. Mrs. deKaan has Hawk arrested and charged with eco-terrorism. In juvenile hall, he hears lectures about systemic racism and income inequality from his Afro-American roommate Samuel. Eddie prays in the Meyerist fashion and is inspired to locate Mrs. Dekaan's estranged son and reunite them by phone. However, Sarah has to promise to stop the testing before Mrs. deKaan will drop the charges. Sarah and Eddie reunite secretly and Sarah discovers strange scarring on his back. He explains he was struck by lightning. Furious, Hawk tells Eddie he would have stayed in jail so the water tests could proceed. Gaines has the clinic sourced and frames Shelby, the community's nurse-practitioner; she is forced to leave. Sarah tells Marshall, who sits with his favorite cow as she dies, about having to stop the tests. He plunges a knife into the cow's neck, splattering Sarah with black tar and shouting that it is poison.

16
6
"For Our Safety"
Norberto Barba
Justin Doble
February 22, 2017 (2017-02-22)

Sarah undergoes a purification rite, but continues secretly visiting Eddie. She misses a meeting where Cal puts Abe Gaines in charge of security. Members must now wear ID badges. Elders react badly, especially Hank and Kodiak, who says "Repealing rights is always done in the name of safety." Prompted by Nicole, Cal commends Russell's obedience and devotion publicly, inviting him to train for 8R. Wanting as a Meyerist to do his part to relieve suffering, Hawk moves to the city center. Cal speaks flatteringly to him, inviting him to train for 2R. Kodiak believes Cal's role in Steve's death should be revealed, saying the proof is in Steve's journals. He implies he might murder Cal himself; Richard locks him in the archive room. Years ago, Cal, then a small child, overheard a private session where Steve and Kodiak confessed terrible things they'd done. Eddie attends social gatherings with Chloe, finding them difficult at first. He tries to tell Sarah about Peru; she refuses to believe Steve didn't ascend. Hank secretly visits his daughter Tessa. Richard counsels Sarah to let Eddie go, visualizing him walking away; she mentions the lightning scars and Richard bolts from the room to release Kodiak, saying Eddie, not Cal, was with Steve when he died. Gaines orders the FBI lab to test the Clarksville water, charging it to the Meyerist investigation; asked how to categorize it, he says "Offset", the Meyerist term for atonement.

17
7
"Providence"
Michael Weaver
Vanessa Rojas
March 1, 2017 (2017-03-01)

Eddie volunteers to babysit for Chloe's son Johnny, taking him to an exhibition at a local Army base. Kodiak follows them, but is unnerved by displays that revive his Vietnam War memories. The community is threatened with foreclosure. Sarah and Cal try and fail to raise the money. Each rung has a theme and 2R is "Service". Taking this deeply to heart, Hawk holds a Foot washing service for homeless people. Cal tells him to ask Noa for more money from her mother. Noa refuses, citing her mother's drug use and neglect. Hawk suggests her mother could be converted. Mary tells Cal she has faith in his ability to find a way. Sean slips away to call his mother, telling her about Mary's pregnancy but warning her not to come. In the forest, Gaines meets an associate who reports his request for a water test was denied. Richard secures and consecrates an isolated cabin where he can question Eddie. Kodiak says he will do this only in the right spirit. Sarah tells her family about the taxes; Gaines finds out from Nicole. Sean, walking on a back road, discovers his parents with a Deprogramming counselor in a car. Realizing he was followed, Eddie takes young Johnny and drives off to rejoin Chloe, but the surroundings begin to resemble a dream he'd had, including the cabin; he stops, discovers Richard in a parked van and is knocked unconscious by Kodiak. Cal joins Sarah's family at dinner, asking forgiveness and promising to find a way that won't risk their homes. Sarah begins listening to tapes of self-incriminating unburdening sessions.

18
8
"Return"
Michael Weaver
Annie Weisman
March 8, 2017 (2017-03-08)

In Los Angeles, Cal connects with Noa's mother Jackie and tries unsuccessfully to help her persuade Luna, a very young pop star, to continue her career. Cal's mother Brenda is dying, leaving a message for Cal by way of Sarah; she apologizes for not having stopped Steve molesting Cal as a child. Sarah refuses to believe it. Hawk, now interim leader of the city center, discovers the financial crisis and confronts Sarah. Kodiak and Richard give Eddie ayahuasca to relive Steve's last moments. Instead, Eddie has a near-death experience. Steve leads him into the Garden (an expanded version of the Meyerist community). He sees his mother and his brother Johnny, who consoles him about Steve's death. When he revives he relates his vision and says he tried to keep Steve from falling, but he would have died of cancer anyway. Jackie tells Cal he doesn't believe his own sales pitch, and they have sex. Young Johnny is picked up by police and returned to Chloe. Sarah tells Cal of Brenda's death, saying only that she apologized for not being a good mother. Finding Luna considering suicide, Cal advises her to quit. He warns Jackie that Noa was courageous to disconnect from her: "Don't wait until it's too late to be a good mother." Sarah leaves a blackmail note for a former member. Richard gives Eddie Steve's medallion of the Meyerist Eye, affirming him as the next leader.

19
9
"Oz"
Patrick Norris
Coleman Herbert
March 15, 2017 (2017-03-15)

Sarah's blackmailings raise enough money to pay off the back taxes; she is literally sickened by what she's done. Eddie consults a priest at his childhood church about feeling "called". Cal, experiencing massive burnout, wants to quit. Deprogrammer Wendy Kennair gives Mary a copy of The Wizard of Oz, with its theme that people and things are not always what they seem. Eddie visits Richard; Felicia is there to take Eddie through the last three rungs. The theme of 8R is "mending". Eddie's visions lead him to condemn the shunning of outsiders and Deniers, which was not in the original doctrine and has destroyed many relationships, including Richard's with his lover Jeremiah. Hawk brings Noa to a family dinner, where Russell behaves rudely to Nicole. Cal asks Mary to run away with him; she refuses. Kodiak tells Gaby the community is about to collapse and pleads with her to escape with him. Eddie visits Tessa; she rejects his ideas. He then encounters Ashley, who later visits the city center to see Hawk. Gaines visits the "contributors" who tell him of the blackmail. In search of their tapes, he connects with Nicole again; they have sex. A chance remark of hers leads him to the archive room. Cal and Sarah give a brief and not very Meyerist talk on "self-love" at the World Faith Conference; later, they have sex. Hank visits Eddie, who explains he is preparing to take Cal's place and reunite the family. As they embrace, Eddie begins bleeding from his lightning scars.

20
10
"Restitution"
Patrick Norris
Jessica Goldberg
March 22, 2017 (2017-03-22)

Restitution is a solemn three-day religious fast similar to Yom Kippur where Meyerists return to the community to reflect on atone for and relinquish their worst sins of the year, sealing written confessions in tiny coffin-shaped boxes, which are flung into the lake and later retrieved and burned. Unnerved by a dream about Marshall Small, Sarah returns to the farm and finds that he has died. Gaines speaks with Don, one of the blackmailed members, who agrees to help expose Sarah's crimes. Hawk remains in the city with Ashley, but when she tells him of Cal's bribe he leaves. Wendy Kennair speaks with Sean about Meyerism vs. personal choice. He tells Mary she's the only reason he stays. Eddie persuades Tessa of his idea of shunned Deniers returning to the community; instead of waiting for a group she goes on her own, badly upsetting the family but also inspiring individual thoughts and reactions -- including the revelation that Sarah had planned as a teen to leave Meyerism and go with Tessa. Eddie feels he has failed, saying he is no leader. As the people throw their boxes in the lake, Cal releases his mother's ashes. Instead of burning Sarah's box Richard opens it and shows her confession -- that she was with Cal -- to Eddie.

21
11
"Defiance"
Phil Abraham
Coleman Herbert
March 29, 2017 (2017-03-29)

Felicia continues guiding Eddie through 8R. Hawk commits himself to Realignment Lockdown but feels worse, and wants to see Eddie. Later he reunites with Noa. Eddie furiously confronts Cal and shows him Steve's Meyerist Eye emblem, proving he is the "chosen son". Sarah confirms Eddie was with Steve when he died. Cal rants hysterically at a security meeting, frightening the staff including Mary. Cal fakes a text message from Hawk to Eddie, dispatching three enforcers to beat Eddie. Eddie asks Hank to search the archive for Deniers and outcasts. Cal speaks to Hawk about his bribe of Ashley; Hawk later tells Eddie to accept Sarah and Cal's relationship, mimicking Cal's words and even his mannerisms. Hank and Gaby secretly reunite with Tessa. Cal goes through mementoes of Steve, stirring painful memories. Eddie confronts Sarah, but his words give Richard away. Mary warns Sarah that her baby's father may be an exploitive, abusive member but won't identify him. Sarah tries to tell Cal, then realizes Mary meant Cal. Cal encourages Sean and Mary to leave. At the last moment Mary runs away. The water tests are completed against orders and presented to Det. Gaines by a technician whose mother died young in Clarksville. Gaines finds he was set up to investigate the Meyerists only to prevent them from exposing DeKaan, his boss' highest campaign contributor. He visits Eddie and reveals his true identity. Sarah rifles Richard's home, finds a motel key and discovers Felicia. Cal's dreams reawaken more memories of Steve's sexual abuse.

22
12
"Spiritus Mundi"
Sian Heder
Coleman Herbert
April 5, 2017 (2017-04-05)

Mary, lost in the forest, goes into labor. Cal and Sarah interrogate Richard, who admits everything, and Felicia, who flatly refuses to cooperate and remains in Lockdown. Richard is forced to sign denier forms and thrown out, homeless and destitute. His ex-lover Jeremiah refuses to help. Eddie interviews Deniers; many trace their banishment to Cal, not Steve. Gaines tells Eddie about the unburdening tapes used as blackmail. The "contributors" give their FBI depositions. Gaines slips a copy of the water report into Sarah's car (she doesn't see it). She meets Eddie who reveals he knows about the blackmail. As she drives back, someone runs her car off the road. She is hospitalized; Cal implies to Hawk that Eddie was responsible. Hawk angrily demands that Eddie must leave. Eddie gives his house to Richard, tells him about the blackmail and leaves. Richard warns that the final rung, "Augur", consists only of visions that will come to him. Mary's baby boy is white: Sarah assumes Cal's the father and repudiates him. Richard returns to the community. Denouncing Cal publicly, he declares Eddie the true leader, locks himself in the archive room and douses himself and the tape library with gasoline. At a filling station, Eddie senses Sarah is in danger and speeds back to the community just as Richard strikes a match.

23
13
"Mercy"
Jessica Goldberg
Jessica Goldberg
April 12, 2017 (2017-04-12)

Sarah, with a warrant out for her arrest, is in Canada with Summer. Eddie visits them in secret. During a memorial for Richard, some devotees leave. More Deniers come to Eddie's house trusting his leadership. Eddie demurs, but is deeply moved by their faith. Mary pressures Cal to acknowledge his still-nameless son. Hawk shows the water report to Cal. Gaines locates Shelby, now homeless; Eddie takes her in. Cal warns Eddie that the "business" of religious leadership is difficult and talks him into helping to convince Mrs. DeKaan into arranging to dismiss Sarah's charges if the Meyerists drop the water scandal. Sarah and Summer flee when a neighbor becomes suspicious, but are passed through at the U.S. border. Later she remonstrates with Eddie for not letting her take responsibility. Mary tells Hawk that Cal is her baby's father; disillusioned with Cal over this and the DeKaan deal, Hawk asks Eddie about being "chosen" by Steve, saying he knows from personal experience that some aspects of Meyer mysticism are real. Cal names his son Forest Roberts. On Ascension Day, Cal rudely silences Felicia's story of the Ladder. He speaks instead about releasing pain and loss. A noise at the gate interrupts the festivities. It's Eddie's Denier group. Hank immediately opens the gate; the devotees greet the Deniers warmly, and Cal pretends he'd been in on the plan. Abe Gaines walks away, unnoticed. Felicia tells Sarah to be ready to lead as Cal is unfit and Eddie -- for selling out Clarksville to save Sarah -- has proven unworthy.

text: Season 3 (2018)[edit]

text:
No.
overall
No. in
season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date

24
1
"The Beginning"
Michael Weaver
Jessica Goldberg
January 17, 2018 (2018-01-17)

Mark Fuller, a blackmailed ex-member, confesses to Sarah he was her auto assailant before killing himself in front of her. A freak earthquake causes a gasline explosion and fire at the city center. Eddie gets everyone out, somehow protecting a pregnant woman from a massive backdraft fireball; both emerge unhurt. A video of the "miracle" goes viral, attracting global attention and money. Six months later, the Meyerists own a massive modern complex. Eddie declares the old rural community open to the public. The "miracle" interests Lilith, a veterinarian who is also the leader of a grim offshoot of the old faith; her daughter Vera Stephens becomes Eddie's publicist. In Florida, Cal and Mary hold Lifespring-like workshops. They live with former football star Harold, where Cal is on call 24-7 to help with his anxiety and drug abuse. Caleb Matthews, son of a famous Christian preacher, applies to hold "Musa" youth group meetings in the Meyer building's interfaith space. Dead, skinned rabbits are found hanging from a tree on the old property; devotees hold a funeral including a blood atonement ritual that Vera films, infuriating Eddie. Seeking penance, Sarah discovers Steve's notes on Hypoxian Cleanse, a ritual of confession, bondage and asphyxia. While in Boston to help Harold with a family gathering, Cal meets Sarah and does this for her, but it causes him to experience flashbacks to childhood abuse, as Sarah admits "Meyerism doesn't work for me any more."

25
2
"A Beast, No More"
Patrick Norris
Annie Weisman
January 17, 2018 (2018-01-17)

Cal's abuse flashbacks and panic attacks intensify. Mary is suspicious, but he can't reveal that he recovered memories in Sarah's ceremony. At a dedication for Harold's health club, Cal finds himself quoting Hamlet's "I do not know why yet I live to say" speech. Vera remonstrates with her mom Lilith about neglected eye trouble. Later, she shows Sarah plans to market the "juice cleanse", a Meyer sacramental, for recruiting new members at the university. While on campus Sarah encounters comparative religion professor Jackson Neill who asks her to address his students. Novice Monica Garcia's parents show up demanding she leave the "cult". Old Meyerist rules forced families apart, so Eddie asks Monica to rejoin her family, infuriating Hawk. After counseling Monica and understanding her sincerity, Eddie lets her stay. Monica's family distributes flyers and billboards attacking Meyerism; Vera blackmails them with the fact that Mr. Garcia is undocumented. Hawk attends the interfaith fellowship/beer party with the Christian Musa group. Sarah pleads with Cal to give her the Hypoxian Cleanse again, but he refuses. Lilith leads a session where members believe Eddie will summon a "cleansing fire of destruction" leaving them, the "truly chosen", to enter the Garden.

26
3
"Locusts"
Michael Weaver
Julia Brownell
January 17, 2018 (2018-01-17)

Meyerism ingathers more seekers of peace and safety in a dangerous world. Eddie discovers Logan Dodd, a disturbed teen, hiding in the Meyer forest. He killed the rabbits for food. He has a swastika tattoo, which he says is meaningless to him, but was helpful in juvenile detention. Eddie welcomes Logan, saying he was like Logan at that age. Devotees, particularly non-white members, including Felicia, Nicole and her daughter Joy, react very badly to the "Nazi kid"; he fails the ODE personality inventory that assesses whether a damaged person can be healed. Cal quits his "servant" job with Harold, who goes berserk and attacks Mary. As they flee, Mary steals two of Harold's championship rings. Sarah addresses Neill's comparative religion class; he asks her to dinner. Vera and mom Lilith visit a bomb-shelter-like facility prepared by Lilith's Meyerist offshoot devotees, speaking about how "the end" will come after Meyerism is established at the "four corners" of the earth. They believe "Eddie must die so we can live". The novices and Musa group hold another beer party in the old community. An argument between Hawk and Logan escalates into a fight and Logan is sent away. In his house on the Meyer property, Eddie discovers a box on the doorstep with a note reading "White reflects most light". Opening the box, he finds thousands of locusts who swarm out into the night.

27
4
"De Rerum Natura"
Patrick Norris
Coleman Herbert
January 24, 2018 (2018-01-24)

A false bomb threat sends community members fleeing to the city center; Eddie regrets his new policy of openness. He apologizes to the membership, reinstating some old rules. Cal arrives and ingratiates himself. Eddie relegates him to a dorm and insists that Forest be "Embraced", a dedication making Eddie his spiritual father. In an old home movie of the founding members, Sarah finds a few frames with Steve, bound as if for the Hypoxian Cleanse, kneeling in a cave and being directed by someone called Lil. Gaby says this is Lilith, an "erratic, angry" ex-patient of Steve's who made "crazy claims" about him. Cal shows Vera Steve's compromising letters and photos, blackmailing her into putting him back in a leadership role. Sarah assures Mary that Cal acts solely out of self-interest. The Musa group leaves the Meyer center; Joy is hurt as she liked Caleb. Hawk goes to Caleb's church and calls him an asshole for deserting her. Mary sells Harold's rings to a Russian fence. Eddie and Cal take ayahuasca together and embark on a complex shared trip, in which they see the devotees lying dead on the ground, while Sarah departs alone. Speaking about Steve, Vera tells Lilith "Did you know my father was a pedophile?"

28
5
"Pageantry"
Stacie Passon
Vanessa Rojas
January 31, 2018 (2018-01-31)

Eddie begins a national tour of presentations at Meyerist centers. When they are harassed by fundamentalist Christians, Cal makes a rousing address. Eddie warns him to keep to prepared statements. Later, he finds Cal advising novices and removes him from the program entirely. Gaby directs the children in The Awakening, a sacred drama about the birth of Meyerism. Children who hope to take lifelong vows must participate in this initiatory experience. Summer is to play Steve, but Sarah forbids it. She and Eddie argue about this by phone. Mary encounters her father, later confronting him at a cafe and storming out, leaving behind Forest's bag with her money. Lilith's eye trouble is melanoma; she must have the eye removed. An old man, Daniel, asks Eddie to counsel his daughter; the girl died years ago in another cult's mass suicide; Daniel drugs Eddie and buries him alive, but Cal has followed them and rescues Eddie. Sarah relents and allows Summer to be in the play. Realizing that one of the songs has directions to the cave she saw in the film of Steve, she finds it on the property, enters and discovers a hoard of Steve's old journals. Eddie arrives for the end of the play, having driven all night; the children enact the Future, where devout Meyerists enter the Garden. The audience puts on flower and animal masks showing they too are part of the Garden.

29
6
"Messiah"
Stacie Passon
Andrew Hinderaker
February 7, 2018 (2018-02-07)

Prof. Neill identifies Steve's old journals as an early draft of The Ladder, Meyerism's sacred text -- but there are two authors, not one. This throws Sarah into a crisis of faith. Neill comforts her and they have sex. Hank Armstrong dies of a sudden heart attack. Sarah, still with Neill, doesn't get her family's text messages. Harold coerces Cal into helping him find his stolen rings. The Russian fence reveals the buyer after Harold wins a cocaine-snorting competition. Sarah participates in the rites for her father's death, though family tensions are revealed. Caleb listens to Hawk's stories of Hank, and they kiss. Harold and Cal confront Sameer, the fan who bought his stolen rings. He insults Harold who bludgeons him and leaves. Vera blackmails Sameer with receiving stolen property, so he won't identify Harold or Cal to police. Mary's dad spent her money on heroin. She injects him with a lethal overdose. Sarah tells Eddie about her work with Dr. Neill. Eddie warns him away from her. At Hank's burial, Eddie declares that the Light chose him and that those who wish to enter the Garden must follow him. Later, Sarah takes the journals to Eddie and begs him to help her regain her faith.

30
7
"The Gardens at Giverny"
Peter Sollett
Jessica Goldberg
February 14, 2018 (2018-02-14)

The first European Meyerist center opens at the immense estate of convert Jean-Paul. Cal and Mary expect Eddie to appoint Cal as Guardian after his rescue of Eddie. Sarah can find no information about Lilith, the second journal author. Eddie assures Sarah that her father is safe. He asks Vera to help find Lilith; Vera warns her mother. Hawk hears Caleb sing at a Christian night club and is questioned by an older man, Arnie. At the Lane home, he and Caleb confide in one another and have sex. Gaby discovers them and welcomes Caleb. Sarah and Cal lead a healing workshop, observed by hypnotist/energy worker Marcel Stendhal. Eddie names Felicia as Guardian. Refusing "private audience" with Jean-Paul, he reaffirms his love for Sarah at an outdoor cafe. Cal maneuvers Jean-Paul into an embarrassing stunt re-enactment of Steve's ascension, then later consoles Jean-Paul, promising to help him. Sarah asks Marcel to guide her through a lucid dream for clues on Lilith. She sees young Lilith telling Steve of her visions, then looking through his files, finding one on John Kordjak, a name from the journals. Felicia tells Vera Lilith was cast out because she severely burned her child, an "old practice" which Steve abolished. Sarah leaves, saying she cannot condone the theatrics. Feeling much the same, Eddie fires Vera; she and Mary commiserate over champagne, joined by Cal, and the three dance together; Cal sees a terrible burn scar on Vera's back.

31
8
"The Door"
Peter Sollett
Annie Weisman
February 21, 2018 (2018-02-21)

Eddie says it's time for "Refinement", casting off distracting possessions or ideas. Sarah takes Prof. Neill to look for "Kordjak"; he is Kodiak, now helping disabled veterans in a hospice. He says Steve appropriated Lilith's ideas, then banished her without credit, denying her existence. All the elders knew. Vera asks her mother about the burn scar, which Lilith had told her was from a car wreck; Lilith admits burning Vera "for her own good", and Vera leaves. She tries to connect with ex-husband Remy, but he's moved on. JP sends Cal and Mary a Porsche, which they enjoy but fear will give away their plans. Driving it later, Mary spots Nicole watching. Hawk and Joy join Caleb at a gay nightclub where they're challenged again by Arnie. Caleb's father confronts Eddie about their sons' affair. Eddie has Cal take him through a ritual to find his own distraction and concludes it's Sarah, as he cannot make her believe. Later, he asks her to leave. As the devotees reveal what they're giving up, Cal drives the Porsche onto the property and leads the group in smashing it. Late that night, Sarah comes to Lilith's door; and Vera comes to Eddie's door, asking to become a Meyerist.

32
9
"The Veil"
Michael Weaver
John O'Connor
February 28, 2018 (2018-02-28)

Lilith tells Sarah of her early visions of the Light; her parents took her to Steve's psychiatric clinic. She and Steve created Meyerism together. She gives Sarah the book of her own doctrine. Eddie arranges to bribe building inspectors and speaks with Rufus Mott, a cook who's suing the Meyerists for a Slip and fall the day after he left 1R. Mott gets a restraining order against Eddie. Vera demands the ODE test, administered by Cal, who realizes a childhood "moment of bliss" she relates was an afternoon of innocent play -- with him. He is profoundly affected by the recovered memory, and how Steve stopped their fun. The test shows she's "blocked", but Eddie accepts her; they have sex. Gaby moves in with Sarah, saying Hank communicates with her from the afterlife. Cal and Mary work with Congressman Buck who's been accused of Sexual harassment; later, Mary has a session with Buck alone, revealing painful truths. Caleb tells Hawk he's being sent away for Conversion therapy. Sarah asks Lilith about the Garden, but Lilith says she never saw that; Steve added it for a "happy ending". Using kambo, Lilith shows Sarah the end time she did see, a rain of blood, millions dead, and a blazing apocalypse.

33
10
"The Strongest Souls"
Michael Weaver
Lorna Clarke Osunsanmi
March 7, 2018 (2018-03-07)

Post-surgery, Lilith dreams that Eddie is murdered in Jakarta. She shows Sarah the underground shelter where "those who know the truth" will live "after the fire". Sarah pleads with Eddie to speak with Lilith. A new lawyer creates a draconian "liability agreement" for members. All react badly, especially Gaby, who says she should have listened to Sarah. Cal shows Vera the meadow and tree of her "blissful memory". Believing Eddie will disband Meyerism if he learns the truth, neither Cal nor Vera admit knowing Lilith. Cal begins non-Meyer psychotherapy for his emerging memories. At a Transmutation ceremony, a tree is planted over Hank's body; Sarah says a brief prayer from Lilith's rituals and slightly cuts her hand to bleed into the soil. Hawk invites Caleb to an LGBT-friendly church but Caleb's dad intervenes; Hawk tells him "Your son has a beautiful soul, and you will never see it! You're the one that's going to Hell, not him!" He confides in Sarah who apologizes for her treatment of him over Ashley. Vera reveals to Eddie all about Lilith, Steve, and her own role. She begs him not to see Lilith; but Eddie immediately goes to her office. "Whenever she can -- I will come to her."

34
11
"Bad Faith"
Jacob Hatley
Coleman Herbert
March 14, 2018 (2018-03-14)

Meyerist convert Gede, a rich Balinese who owns a chain of hotels, wants to start a Meyer center at Kuta Beach. Hawk and Eddie go to the gay conversion center to free Caleb, but fail. Sarah discovers Vera is Lilith's daughter, prompting an angry call to Eddie. Mary keeps an eye on Buck as he addresses a group of Democratic women, intercepting his attempt at an assignation with a waitress; they become friends. Sarah as an ex-member is banned from the old property; she sneaks in and is put in lockdown, where she and Cal share their painful stories. Cal enters the old cave and uses a belt for a makeshift Hypoxian Cleanse to exorcise Steve's influence; Eddie, driving home with Hawk, is also affected. Vera tells Sarah that Lilith, now in an insane asylum, is dangerous and has predicted Eddie's death. Sarah refuses to help Lilith, saying she belongs there. Eddie gently asks Cal "Did something happen to you with Steve?" Cal asks Eddie to pray with him, saying he shouldn't still want to be a Meyerist, but he does.

35
12
"A New American Religion"
Jessica Goldberg
Julia Brownell
March 21, 2018 (2018-03-21)

Jackson Neill goes on nationwide TV denouncing Meyerism as a cult. He reveals about the "liability agreement", the old journals and a member who told him all. The elders convene over this and a damaging New Yorker article by Neill. Cal prepares to debate Neill on a subsequent show. Buck asks Mary to be his executive assistant. Sarah and Vera take Eddie to meet Lilith in the hospital. Lilith downplays her real agenda; Eddie has her released. Hawk uses the ICSA Cult Behavior Checklist to reassure the novices. Hoping to stop Lilith's prophecy, Vera blackmails Gede into dropping the Kuta Beach project. Cal begs Mary not to take the job, even proposing marriage; but when he won't give up the idea of debating Neill on TV, she takes Forest and leaves him. Eddie and Sarah research Meyerism's origins using all the old writings, angering Vera who returns to Lilith. Cal does very well on the show, using information passed to him by Sarah at the last minute. Eddie's fury with Steve overwhelms him. He now plans to reform Meyerism by revealing the truth to all, despite what it will cost Cal. Late that night, Cal buys a handgun.

36
13
"Blood Moon"
Phil Abraham
Jessica Goldberg
March 28, 2018 (2018-03-28)

Vera announces the Kuta Beach project is off, to the consternation of Lilith's group; Lilith determines to kill Eddie herself. Cal plans suicide. He slips notes to Mary and Forest into Forest's diaper bag. Mary finds them later; she and Buck call Sarah and rush to the old property where Eddie will announce "Revelation". He pleads with Vera to help him rebuild the movement. Gaby and Felicia react furiously to the truth, but Felicia later confesses that she knew. In the 1970s she and Steve, with Silas' help, guided each other through 7R; he'd confessed his pedophilia and they tried to heal him. Sarah finds Cal at Silas' grave. Overwhelmed by terrible emotions, Cal relinquishes his plan. As Eddie addresses the crowd, Lilith fires at him, misses and hits Vera. As Hawk reassures the devotees once again and Caleb returns, Eddie demands of his lawyer official IRS religion status and proceeds with his reform plans. Sarah brings Lilith a lock of Vera's hair. Steve's spirit tells Lilith Vera's death was his plan all along. Vera, now considered Meyerism's first martyr, is buried on the property. Concurrently, Felicia is exiled from the community, Caleb's father declares war against Meyerism, and Lilith's remaining disciples vow to fulfil her prophecy.

text: Production[edit]

text: The Meyerist compound was shot on location at Nyack, New York, redressed with influences from kibbutz living, collective farming, and production designer Russell Barnes's experiences being raised on an island with limited resources.[24] The two-story Lane home was built on a sound-stage. Almost all of the Peru scenes were shot in the area, including a New York state park used for a mountaintop scene with subtropical plants concealing uncleared snow.[25] The City Center is "played" by the Church House of the Flatbush Reformed Dutch Church Complex.[26] The New Brunswick scenes in "Mercy" were filmed in Greenport, Long Island.[27] Jean-Paul's palatial home and estate in "The Gardens of Giverny" were "played" by the Oheka Castle on Long Island.[28]

text: The Eye symbol, central to Meyerist branding and given dominance in many interiors, was based on tribal, Egyptian and modern art, with a rising sun overlaid to show hopefulness for a new day.[25] Series creator Jessica Goldberg describes the Eye's symbolism as a duality of enlightenment and paranoia, that "your eyes have been opened, and now you've seen the truth" but also that "you're always being watched." While preparing to shoot a scene in a Westchester storefront dressed as a Meyerist recruitment office, passers-by would come in—curious about the Eye on posters, books, brochures, etc.—wondering what the movement was and how they could join.[29]

text: Accolades[edit]

text:
Award
Date of ceremony
Category
Recipient(s)
Result
Ref(s)

Annie Awards
February 4, 2017
Best Animated Short Subject
The Path Title Sequence
Nominated
[30]

text: Reception[edit]

text: The first season of The Path has received positive reviews from critics. On the review aggregator, Metacritic, the first season scored 70 out of 100 based on 33 reviews.[31] Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter reacted positively to the series, writing: "There's a lot to like about The Path, from the strong visual sense of place that director Mike Cahill established in the first two episodes to its theoretical take on faith, and of course the exquisite acting and deft writing."[32] Hank Stuever of the Washington Post, wrote that "The Path works best as an intense psychological study of an extended family whose members equate faith and loyalty with happiness."[33]

text: Alan Sepinwall of HitFix had a more critical reaction to the series. He called the show a "a dry, claustrophobic show, with not enough of a narrative hook to pull the viewer through hour after hour of it."[34]

text: The second season also received generally positive reviews from critics. On Metacritic, the season has a score of 64 out of 100 based on 8 reviews.[35]

text: Controversy[edit]

text: Residents of Marysville, Washington called the show "insensitive" for "exploiting" the October 24, 2014 shooting at Marysville Pilchuck High School. Episode 2 referred to the shooting in order to develop the backstory of one of the characters. The insult, they say, was that the show's writers changed the real events in order to make them better fit the story, giving the shooting a racial motive (the character stated that the shooting was due to "the color of their skin").[36] As of 8 July 2016[update], Hulu and the writers of the show had made no response to this.

text: In April 2017, following the announcement that Hulu had picked up the show for a third season, actor Rockmond Dunbar was abruptly told that his contract would not be renewed. Speaking about it with The Hollywood Reporter, he called the decision "not a healthy way to do business".[37]


document_title: Clash Royale

question_text: when was clash royale released in the us

text: Clash Royale

text: Gameplay

text: This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

text: In Clash Royale, players are ranked by their trophy count. Players level up by gaining experience points through donating and/or upgrading cards. The highest possible level is level 13.

text: Trophies are won or lost through multiplayer battles - a player wins a battle by destroying more towers than the opponent (each destroyed tower being represented as a 'crown'), or by destroying the opponent's King's Tower, resulting in an automatic "three-crown" victory (unless the King tower was destroyed at the same time by both players, resulting in a draw).

text: There are 12 playing arenas in total (excluding the tutorial arena, Training Camp): Goblin Stadium, Bone Pit, Barbarian Bowl, P.E.K.K.A's Playhouse, Spell Valley, Builder's Workshop, Royal Arena, Frozen Peak, Jungle Arena, Hog Mountain, Electro Valley, and Legendary Arena, with each arena corresponding to a certain trophy count range.

text: Cards

text: Playable units, buildings, and spells are represented as cards. Prior to each battle (with the exception of the first battle in training Camp), players construct a deck of eight cards which they use to attack and defend against their opponent's cards. At the start of each game, both players begin with four randomly chosen cards from their deck of eight.

text: Each card costs a certain amount of elixir to play. Players start the battle with 5 elixir points (0 in Double and Triple Elixir modes), and one elixir point is replenished every 2.8 seconds (or 1.4 seconds in the final 60 seconds of the game and overtime, and every 0.9 seconds during Triple Elixir), with a maximum of 10 elixir points at any one moment. Once a card is played, a new card is automatically drawn from the player's eight card deck.

text: As of April 2018[update] there are 83 cards in the game, coming in four rarities: Common, Rare, Epic, and Legendary, with Legendary being the rarest.

text: Currency

text: As a free-to-play game, Clash Royale offers players the ability to purchase gems in the card shop using real currency. Gems can be used to start tournaments, enter challenges, and purchase chests, cards, and gold from the shop. There are also Special Offers that appear from time to time.

text: Chests

text: When a player wins a multiplayer battle, they will obtain a 'chest' unless the player's chest slots are full. Chests take a certain amount of time to unlock, depending on the rarity of the chest; Silver Chests take three hours to unlock, Golden Chests take eight hours, Giant, Magical, and Epic Chests take 12 hours, and Super Magical and Legendary Chests take 24 hours. Gems may be used to speed up unlocking or can be used to purchase a chest. Chests contain cards and gold, and free chests and crown chests can also contain gems. Different levels of chests contain different numbers or types of cards. When the player has a certain number of a troop's cards, they can upgrade it, using gold, to increase its statistics. A player can hold a maximum of four chests at one time; to open up chest slots, a chest will need to be opened.[8] Every 24 hours, the player also has the chance to win a Crown Chest by claiming ten 'crowns' from battle victories. A Clan Chest appears from Friday at midnight to Monday at midnight (time varies for different areas). There are ten stages to it, with each stage increasing the reward. Crown chests are only allowed to be stacked twice and can be unlocked instantly. The free chests are now available daily as quests, where players can collect up to 3 chests/gifts a day at 4 hour intervals. 3 new chests within the new update were announced on December 11, 2017 featuring the Lightning Chest, Fortune Chest, & King's Chest / Legendary King's Chest. These chests can only be bought from the shop or earned as Quests, and each has its unique ability. The Lightning Chest allows you to "strike" up to 5 times to get a different stack of cards, of the same number and rarity. The Fortune Chest guarantees at least two stacks of cards from four stacks that change daily. The (Legendary) King's Chest allows the player to choose one card from a pair of cards multiple times, similar to a draft chest, and at Arenas 7 or above, guarantees a Legendary.

text: Clans

text: From level 1, players can form and join clans. Clan members may engage in 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 2 friendly battles with one another, where the outcome of which does not affect trophies or chests. The friendly battle feature allows live spectating from other clanmates. Clan members may also donate or request cards from one another starting from level three. Joining a clan allows you to take part in the Clan Wars (where you battle with your clan).

text: Clan Wars

text: During the April 2018 update released April 25th, a new Clan Wars feature was added. Clan Wars consists of clans attacking other clans to get better rewards in the form of special chests. Clan Chests were also removed in the update and replaced with the new Clan War chests.

text: Tournaments

text: In July 2016, Supercell introduced a new Tournament feature. Tournaments are similar to normal battles, but cards are leveled down so commons are level 9, rares are level 7, epics are level 4, and legendary cards are level 1. This feature is unlocked at Level 5, but can only be played at level 8. Tournaments can only be created by using gems, and the creator can choose to make it password protected or open. Based on tournament performance, players are rewarded with tournament chests. As well as tournaments, there are two types of Victory Challenges in which the goal is to win 12 times while losing no more than three times. A Grand Challenge costs 100 gems to enter, and a Classic Challenge costs 10. Completing (or getting 12 wins on) a Classic Challenge gives you 2000 gold and 100 cards, and completing a Grand Challenge will give you 22,000 gold and 1,100 cards.[9] Supercell has also added various event challenges, for limited periods of time, that add special features to the battles, or allow players to receive special cards. These event challenges can also be played in Friendly Battles.[10] As of the October 2017 update, players would no longer get a refund on gems if no matches take place in their custom tournaments.

text: Leagues

text: In March 2017, "Leagues" were added to the game. Once above 4000 trophies, players are placed in one of nine different leagues ranging from Challenger I to Ultimate Champion.[11] At the end of each season, players receive rewards based on the highest league achieved during that season. Another feature that was introduced is Clan Battles. Two players get to battle side by side with another member of their clan facing off against two other opponents from another clan. This is the first update to include a new game mode.

text: Release

text: The game was soft-launched in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and New Zealand for iOS platforms on January 4, 2016.[12] The game was soft-launched on Android for those same countries on February 16, 2016 in the form of an Android application package.[13] Both platforms received a global release on March 2, 2016.[5]

text: Upon its release, Clash Royale became the most downloaded and top-grossing app on the U.S. iOS App Store.[14]

text: Reception

text: Clash Royale mainly received positive reviews, with TouchArcade's Eli Hodapp calling it "absolutely phenomenal" in his five-star review.[4] Pocket Gamer's Harry Slater gave the game a score of 9/10, summing up "It's an incredible amount of rewarding fun, it's nail-biting at times, and there's content here that will keep you busy for weeks if not months."[15] Writing for Geek.com, James Plafke criticized "Clash Royale for being genuinely fun—more so than Clash of Clans—while the developer chronically interrupts the player from enjoying it."[16] Clash Royale has received a very positive response from its players, with an average score of 4.5 out of 5 on the Google Play Store and an average score of 4 out of 5 on the Apple App Store.

text: Crown championship

text: The Clash Royale Crown Championship is the official e-sports world championship of the game, developed by Supercell.[17] The tournament connects the best players all over the world from North America, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and more. The first edition had over 28 million participants all over the world, becoming the world's largest Clash Royale event.[18] The first Clash Royale world champion was the Mexican Sergio Ramos who beat the American MusicMaster by 3 games to 1 on the Crown Championship World Finals.[19] In 2017, Supercell announced the 2nd annual Clash Royale Crown Championship which it will be held in Asia in 2018.

text:
Edition
Year
Venue
Country
Champion
Runner-up
Prize money
Ref

1
2017
Copper Box Arena, London
 England
 Sergioramos:)
 MusicMaster
$150,000
[18]

text: Awards and nominations

text:
Date
Awards
Category
Result

May 19, 2016
Google Play Awards
Best Game
Won[20]

December 1, 2016
The Game Awards
Best Mobile/Handheld game
Nominated[21]

April 6, 2017
British Academy Games Awards
AMD eSports Audience Award
Won[22]

March 15, 2016
International Mobile Gaming Awards
Best Upcoming Game
Won[23]

February 28, 2017
Best Multiplayer Game
Won[24]

March 1, 2017
Game Developer Choice Awards
Best Mobile/Handheld Game
Nominated[25]

March 16-18, 2017
SXSW Gaming Awards
Mobile Game of the Year
Nominated[26]

April 27, 2017
Finnish Game Awards
The Small Screen Game of the Year 2016
Won[27]

The Main Award – The Finnish Game of the Year 2016
Won[27]

May 17-19, 2017
Nordic Game Awards
Nordic Game of the Year – Small Screen
Nominated[28]

Nordic Game of the Year
Nominated[28]

April 12, 2018
British Academy Games Awards
Evolving Game
Nominated[29]