Apple TV+’s Before launched to much anticipation, giving viewers a psychological thriller perfectly timed for the Halloween season. The series opens with Eli, a grief-stricken child psychologist played by Billy Crystal, who is still mourning his wife’s tragic death. Episodes 1 and 2 of Before lay down a mysterious and unsettling narrative. Here are the five key revelations:
1. Eli’s Nightmare Loops
The series opens with Eli dreaming of himself injured at the bottom of an empty pool, dragging his broken ankle to the diving board, and stepping off. Later, a shadowy figure resembling his late wife pushes him. This nightmare recurs, hinting at the psychological loop he’s stuck in, avoiding his unresolved grief over her death.
2. Lynn’s Death
Eli’s wife Lynn died by suicide, a fact that weighs heavily on him. Though he lost her long before the show’s events, his reluctance to speak about it shows the depth of his emotional suppression. His grief is both haunting and isolating, leading him to experience hallucinations that add a suspenseful layer to the story.
3. Noah’s Strange Visits
A young boy named Noah appears outside Eli’s house, scratching marks into the door frame until he bleeds, prompting Eli to question his reality. The boy eventually reveals his name and leads Eli to his foster home, yet his strange connection to Eli remains shrouded in mystery.
4. Dark Water and Visions
Noah’s visions of dark, creeping water signal underlying trauma. At times, it morphs into ominous shapes, like a tentacle wrapping around him. The dark water symbolizes Noah’s fear and unexplained connection to Eli’s trauma, blending horror elements into the psychological drama.
5. The “Mad Game”
Eli and Noah play a therapy exercise called “The Mad Game,” aiming to draw out Noah’s feelings. Yet, in an eerie twist, Noah repeats back to Eli, “You know what you did,” ending in a disturbing scream and bloody nose. This haunting moment underscores the connection between Eli and Noah, hinting at a shared, mysterious past.
