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| Originally Aired | November 15, 2024 |
| Network | Apple TV Plus |
| Director(s) | David Petrarca |
| Writer(s) | Emmy Grinwis |
| Character | ACTOR’S NAME |
| Jane | Hope Davis |
| Ruth | Barbara Bain |
| Eli | Billy Crystal |
| Noah | Jacobi Jupe |
| Cleo | Ava Lalezarzadeh |
| Lynn | Judith Light |
| Denise | Rosie Perez |
Storyline Recap
Are You Helping or Hurting? – Eli, Noah, Jane
Eli’s methods clearly get a reaction out of Noah, but there is the question of whether he is helping Noah. Every time he opens a door or triggers Noah, something bad happens. In the most recent event, after Eli shows Noah some of Lynn’s artwork, he ends up in a state where his doctor, Jane, believes him to be paralyzed in his own mind.
But, to make matters worse, before Noah was isolated into his own room, on the way out, his episode seemed to affect the other kids, and as he passed them, they dropped like flies. Jane thinks there is an environmental disease in the wing, but Eli presents the idea there is a “Conversion Disorder.” This is hard to prove, as it deals with psychology and energy, but Eli believes the other kids will recover if he can solve Noah’s issue.
B.W. – Eli, Ruth, Lynn, Benjamin, Cleo
Thanks to Cleo and Eli’s latest debacle with Noah, Eli realizes that the B.W. on the back of the farmhouse picture represents her ex, Benjamin Walker. Knowing Lynn would often record herself as she works out ideas, Eli decides to visit her mother, Ruth, who appears to have dementia or something akin to it.
Strangely, Benjamin seems to have a similar affliction to what Noah has, including the worms that seem to be moving throughout Noah’s body. It isn’t clear if the unexplainable here could be that Benjamin was reincarnated in Noah’s body or what, but with some idea of what is going on with Noah, Eli thinks he may have a solution to the conversion disorder.
What Did You Do? – Denise, Eli, Noah, Jane
For some reason that cannot be explained, Eli is able to see the worm moving under Noah’s skin. No one else can see it, neither Denise nor Jane, and that causes a problem. Why? Well, despite Eli not being a surgeon or a medical doctor who would ever need a scalpel, he cuts Noah open and removes the worm with tweezers.
This is watched in horror by Jane and Denise, and though Eli thinks everyone can see what he removed, they don’t, and upon realizing this he faints.
New Character Descriptions
Jane
Jane is a doctor at St. Benedict who finds herself tasked with handling a room full of children, including Noah, experiencing varying and worrisome symptoms.
Ruth
Ruth is Lynn’s mother, Eli’s mother-in-law, who is experiencing something akin to dementia and thus is generally homebound. Luckily for her, however, she does have an aide to take care of her and various tapes and more to keep herself entertained.
Review
Highlights
The Focus On The Lynn Mystery
While I cannot say that what is being delivered has improved the show, I can, however, say that Lynn is an underutilized character who is the key to “Before” being considered anything close to decent. The more we hear about her, be it her ex, seeing her mom, or her experience with Benjamin, which may connect to Noah, the more there seems to be a reason to hope “Before” can stick the landing.
Granted, are we still avoiding the accusation that Eli may have killed her? Yes. However, considering Ruth noted she never did like Eli, and they didn’t get along, maybe there is a reason behind that?
On The Fence
Realizing Noah Is Just A Medium
Increasingly, it seems Noah is just a medium for whatever is going on. It isn’t clear if Benjamin or Lynn might be trying to use him from beyond the grave or what, but the more we learn about Lynn, the less invested I honestly feel in what happens to Noah. This isn’t to say the kid who is playing him is terrible, but simply, they aren’t giving him what he needs to shine, and thus, he becomes a speed bump to the answers the show seems to want you to focus on.
Overall
“Before” remains where you aren’t sure it will ultimately deliver, as it drags out everything that could make it worth staying committed to.
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