The Crowded Room Episode 5 “Savior”: Recap & Ending Explained

The Crowded Room Episode 5: The fourth episode of ‘The Crowded Room’ hinted at Rya Goodwin’s doubts about Danny Sullivan’s story. She is not certain anymore as to whether Danny is telling her the truth since some parts of what he said were impossible for him to know about. At the time, Danny spoke about his time in London, which occurred right after the shooting at the Rockefeller Centre. He spoke about his encounter with Jack Lamb since he could not meet his biological father.

The fifth shows Danny talking more about his relationship with his twin brother, Adam, and their childhood together. He shares details before Marlin came into their lives and how he seemed like a saviour at the time.

Spoilers ahead. 

The Crowded Room Episode 5 “Savior” Recap 

The episode begins with Rya Goodwin (Amand Seyfried) questioning Danny Sullivan (Tom Holland) about his childhood and his past related to Adam. Until then, Danny had only briefly mentioned the loss of Adam but never shared the story of what had actually happened. When asked about a happy memory, Danny recalls the times when he used to share a bunk bed with Adam. The two used to chat till late at night and stay awake.

This is from the time when they both were in grade school. Since Adam had to go live with their father in London, they started staying apart for the first time in their lives. As a result of this, Danny started feeling more and more alone. We see a scenario from his school after Adam’s departure. A schoolmate asks Danny for some money to buy cookies. He promises to pay back the amount later. However, right after buying them, he pushes Danny to the ground and teases him.

Because of this humiliation, Danny gets angry and throws around things on a nearby table. So, afterwards, the principal questions him about this tantrum. While he goes on to give a warning note addressed to Danny’s mom, the school’s guidance counsellor, Mr Jones, conveys his concern and support to this emotionally vulnerable boy.

Danny returns home to find Candy (Emmy Rossum) planning to go to work. Unlike his relationship with others, she seems to have been pretty close to him. While she prepares to go out, he keeps asking her why he cannot be sent to his father’s place, instead of Adam. Later, he asks to tag along with her to work. She does not agree to do so initially but eventually agrees. She even lets him pick an outfit for her.

In the present, Rya tells Danny that she spoke with his mom, who wants to come to see him. He is extremely happy on hearing that. Back in the past, we see Candy driving with him to her work at the bar. During the drive, he throws away the note his principal gave him to share with her.

In the bar, Candy’s boss tells her to not let the kid be there to avoid any further complications. He mentions how Pete was never a reliable person. Anyhow, Candy manages to make her boss let Danny stay there. Soon after, four young, Black men enter the bar and face stares from the almost entirely White crowd inside. They walk up to the counter despite the stares and ask for drinks. One of these men interacts with Danny and praises his dinosaur drawing.

Suddenly, a racist White man walks up to this man and tries to make him leave. He hurls abuses and eventually throws a punch. The Black man fights back, and it ends in chaos. Blood splatters on Danny’s face, which the present-day Danny considers to be the source of his painful journey after that. He sees in the literary and religious contexts how blood spilt in violence has magical powers. He believes the blood can ward off evil or summon it.

Then, Danny recounts how Marlin Reid (Will Chase) appeared as a saviour in their lives. Marlin interviewed a young, Black kid named Christopher but did not have any prejudice against him. Marlin dealt with this situation with kindness and made Christopher accept a favourable deal. He made Christopher trust him to the point the kid shared a razor blade from inside his mouth. Sometime later, Marlin enters the bar where Candy works. He charms his way into her heart with a playful interaction.

Rya cannot help asking how Danny knows these details if he has not lived through those experiences. He explains that they may have been told to him, repeatedly. He says Marlin and Candy told these things to him and Adam. Anyhow, in the past, Candy and Marlin stay together in the bar till the night. She believes that Marlin could help save them from any dangers in her and Danny’s lives.

The Crowded Room Episode 5 Ending Explained

Besides Candy’s, Marlin managed to win over Danny’s heart too. He portrays himself as a reliable father figure in the kid’s life. That day, Danny leaves for the school bus and Adam joins him. They talk about Adam’s time in London. Adam also saves him from a kid who tries to tease him during the ride. Later in school, Danny shares a story about his father with his entire class. It bores the students to death. But Mr. Jones attentively listens to him and makes him feel valued.

After the class is over, Mr. Jones asks Danny to stay back. Then, he sits extremely close to the kid and tries to portray himself as a friend. Marlin suddenly walks into the room and saves Danny from the pedophile. He brings Danny to the car where Adam is already sitting in the backseat. While driving away, he talks about how Candy sees him as a solution to her financial problems.

Marlin also asks Danny about whether Mr. Jones touched him in an inappropriate way. He drives the kids to a secluded house and asks Danny to make a pact to keep a secret between them. Adam also gets out of the car and asks to go in instead of Danny. Marlin gets angry and hurts him. Eventually, Danny stays outside while this horrible monster abuses his power over Adam. Danny says that Marlin kept doing this to Adam and while he kept saving him from the monstrosities. However, Candy never learnt about this despite their marriage.

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The Crowded Room Episodes 5 Links – IMDb
The Crowded Room Episodes 5 Cast – Tom Holland, Amanda Seyfried, Will Chase, Emmy Rossum, Sasha Lane