Summary
The plot unravels in an engaging, packed episode. The portals gain some much-needed screen time, and multiple characters all seem to struggle to trust one another.
This recap of the Amazon Prime Video series Night Sky season 1, episode 3, “The Caretaker,” contains spoilers.
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Episode two ended with the shocking revelation that Jude the drifter had many more secrets up his sleeve, or in this case, down his trouser leg. The stranger broke out of his bedroom prison and pilfered a kitchen knife, then he proceeded to cut open his leg and withdraw an alien device from under the skin. This tracking device was flickering blue, reminiscent of some gadget from The Matrix. Jude destroyed the alien technology and flushed the evidence down the sink. In episode three, this deceitful amnesiac continues to live under the York’s roof, adding tension to proceedings.
Night Sky season 1, episode 3 recap
“The Caretaker” opens with Franklin taking Jude’s golden coins to the local pawn shop, where they are analyzed and found to be Spanish doubloons. As the third chapter unfolds, we discover slight clues to Jude’s past, yet this mysterious drama always ends up prompting more questions than it answers. It’s an odd setup, the captive being allowed to roam the house as a guest, although Jude himself appears happy to stay. This is a man who has nowhere else to go or is exactly where he intends to be. The stranger repeatedly pleads ignorance, playing the memory loss card at every turn. Irene eats it up, but Franklin is more than a tad suspicious.
Creator Holden Miller lays out a few strands of seemingly random subplots in this installment, which I’m sure will all add up eventually. The Argentinian narrative continues with Stella taking on a cryptic assignment and opening up to daughter Toni. Denise, the Yorks’ granddaughter, must make a life-changing decision with regard to work and Byron trudges on with his town council campaign. On their own, these stories feel a little insignificant, but I know they are all working together towards an overarching structure. Thankfully, the tension is gearing up again and there is excitement in the series once more — yes, you heard that right.
A more entertaining side to the show comes in the form of two separate narratives connected by that gimmicky, enigmatic teleportation device. An enraged Byron decides to inspect the York’s shed once more after his campaign is derailed. He blames Franklin for a complaint about fraudulent signatures and decides to take out his frustrations on the old couple. The neighbor discovers the hidden trapdoor this time around and takes a trip down to the secretive cellar. Meanwhile, Stella introduces her portal to daughter Toni, with the additional teaser of an alien remote that helps pinpoint an exact destination. Fortunately, the series has remembered to have a little fun this time around, delving into some thrilling new territory.
The ending
Back at the York household and guest Jude effortlessly slides into his new role as the caretaker, caring for the old couple. Granddaughter Denise doesn’t quite trust this hastily organized arrangement and contacts an old friend, possibly to keep an eye on her grandparents for her. Denise’s doubts are correct, Jude should not be trusted. The slimy man plays at Irene’s heartstrings, provoking an emotional exchange when they discuss her dead son, whilst the stranger confesses to being in town to search for his own father. But can we believe a word this man says?
The third episode manages to regain some momentum after the lackluster “La Capilla”, comfortably juggling multiple storylines and expanding its horizons into new landscapes. There’s clearly a plan in place with the ambiguous portals, as the writers eke out, piece by piece, snippets of information. I’m eager to find out more about these alien constructs and the history of Stella’s family. An exciting and emotional fifty minutes of TV that will win over viewers who were on the fence with this one. Now, we’re hooked, desperate for some answers, please don’t disappoint.
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