NOS4A2 (S02 E10) recap: Bats on the Shorter Way Bridge
By Carla Davis
Wayne suggests she break her ornament, but she thinks that would make her weak and ordinary. Wayne says he doesn’t want to grow up because “grown ups just work and pay bills.” Note: This is a true statement.
Millie wants to rebuild Christmasland, and wants Wayne to help, but Vic shows up before he can give an answer.
Tabitha visits Maggie at the library, and gives her the bag of letter tiles that was found on one of the Christmasland kids. She says they are making some progress, but the ones in foster care can’t be trusted around other kids, which sounds ominous. Tabitha warns Maggie about using the tiles, then leaves.
In Haverhill, some kids find the Wraith in the water, with Charlie Manx’s body floating next to it. Later, Tabitha, Maggie, Vic, Lou and Wayne stand in the junkyard watching the Wraith being crushed. Wayne looks conflicted.
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Vic and Maggie chat and play catch up. Lou is officially adopting Wayne, and the little family is staying in Haverhill for the time being. Manx’s body was cremated, Vic has put the Triumph in storage for now, and plans to stay in the real world, but Maggie says her tiles have told her about all sorts of places she wants to go. Vic cautions her not to make Tabitha regret returning her tiles.
At home, Wayne draws a picture of he and Millie in Christmasland, but is interrupted by his parents and stashes the drawing under his pillow. He asks when they are going home, because he misses his friends. Vic says she thinks he really misses Christmasland, and says she used to miss Manx, because she liked chasing him.
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When she finds his drawing, Wayne starts to panic, but she reassures him. He admits that he thinks there is something wrong with him on the inside. She says it’s ok to feel that way. That was why she drank and chased Manx, leaving Lou and Wayne behind. Coloring is better than doing any of the stuff she used to do. There will be no more running away, or pretending to feel ok when they don’t. It’s a nice family moment, something NOS4A2 has given us plenty of this season.
Maggie is burning herself and using the tiles, asking, “How do I get to the world of thought?” The tiles answer with one word: HOTEL. Thus, Maggie returns to the hotel where she met the Hourglass Man. The lights flicker, and she gets on the service elevator.
Some teens pull up into the woods in Haverhill to make out, and hear something on the roof of their truck. While the boy teases that it’s the ghost of Charlie Manx, he is pretty close. It’s the evil Millie, and the final image of season two is her fist busting through the window of the truck.
Final thoughts: I am hoping that the number of loose ends means we will be treated to a third season of NOS4A2. Although Zachary Quinto’s awesome performance as Charlie Manx may be done, I wouldn’t rule out the villain’s return. Millie would be a formidable replacement as queen of Christmasland, provided she can find a way to get back, and we still have all of those Christmasland kids roaming around in the real world.
Kudos to the cast this season, including Quinto, Ashleigh Cummings, Jakahra Smith, Olafur Darri Olafsson, Jonathan Langdon and young Jason David. A tip of the hat also to showrunner Jami O’Brien, who ventured farther out of the territory of Joe Hill’s novel this season. Well done.
Here’s a special treat for you, NOS4A2 fans! Below is a deleted scene from the season finale, check it out.
Next. Shudder announces a Halloween treat with October's Scare Me. dark
Are you a fan of AMC’s NOS4A2? Tell us what you thought of the second season in the comments section.