Servant is created by Tony Basgallop and executive produced by the legendary director M Night Shyamalan. It is a psychological thriller that stars Lauren Ambrose, Nell Tiger Free, Toby Kebbell and Rupert Grint, alongside other cast members.
The current episode titled ‘Itch‘ is the second of the ten episodes this season. Most episodes range from 25-36 minutes each. Servant season 4 episode 2 is directed by Kitty Green and runs for 27 minutes.
Apple TV’s synopsis of the show reads:
FROM M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN, SERVANT FOLLOWS A PHILADELPHIA COUPLE IN MOURNING AFTER AN UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY CREATES A RIFT IN THEIR MARRIAGE AND OPENS THE DOOR FOR A MYSTERIOUS FORCE TO ENTER THEIR HOME.
– Servant Season 4 Episode 2 Recap Contains Spoilers –
Dorothy is back home, and trust issues are hanging in the air. While Sean is busy with a GQ interview, Tobe comes home to prep some things in the kitchen. Julian is home, too and is currently making sure that Leanne is treating Dorothy well. At the beginning of the episode, we see Dorothy waking up to Jericho’s voice but unable to go to him because of her injury.
Leanne has taken over the house by caring for Jericho and helping keep the house safe with Sean and Julian. She and Julian still have some unresolved affection toward each other. He still isn’t over, and when he sniffs her clothes, it becomes clear that there is clearly something that is still attracting him. When Leanne explains that Sean is busy and Dorothy is injured, she proclaims that Julian and she are the only people now for Jericho. This doesn’t sit well with him, and he becomes uneasy with the prospect of being compared to a parent.
Everyone in the house has been trying their best to avoid Leanne. After the Dorothy incident, they are too afraid to say anything to her, allowing her to do her own thing. Sean leaves for the interview and makes Dorothy a bland breakfast, but Leanne is convinced that she needs something normal in the house. So she asks Julian to make something for her. She uses Jericho as a negotiation tactic to make her eat food and then takes him away instantly.
At this point, Dorothy makes her disdain for her nanny clear. Spitting out the food at her heels and forcing her to go away, we see Leanne trying her best not to get angry. While this mild altercation takes place in the bedroom, Leanne feels sorry for her employer and brings her phone back. However, Dorothy is smart enough to call Kourtney to take care of her, so she isn’t alone with Leanne.
Soon, Sean also comes home and tells Leanne that she was calling him to come back. Things outside have gotten worse, there is a bed bug infestation in the neighbourhood encompassing the whole block. Julian has been on the phone with the exterminator for three hours. When no one shows up to take care of the situation, he goes out himself to call someone home.
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Here he sees a woman walking towards him, gushing over how powerful Leanne has gotten, how every day her power increases. This offends his sensibilities, but when Leanne talks about how she feels taken for granted, she describes the feeling as bugs crawling under her skin. Dorothy has been itching all day. Finally, when Sean visits, she pushes him away, feeling betrayed that he left her alone with Leanne.
The bed bugs are just a small crescendo in the sequence of events about to unfold. Uncle George has once again appeared to gauge just how bad the situation has gotten. Falling to his knees, it can be assumed that things are about to get bigger. Leanne’s anger is just beginning to rise and her growing dislike for Dorothy will be the downfall of the household.
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Servant Season 4 Episode 2 Review
This time the episode goes a little slower, matching Dorothy’s pace perfectly. There is definitely a sense of false security in the beginning that gets shattered as the episode moves on, and the bright light outside yawns to a darker sky. This descent into madness and insanity is symbolised through the blanket and the colour of Leanne’s dress as it continues.
Wearing a dress similar to the one on the poster, this episode marks the beginning of a new narrative sequence that will take place in the later episodes. If the first one was a taster, this episode is an intermission to ensure we are still on track with all the players in the game. Integrating Tobe, Frank and Kourtney in this episode truly exemplifies the range of Leanne’s wrath.
However, as the episode ends, we see Leanne show her true colours to Dorothy. The malicious person hiding behind a quick smile, long brunette hair and a polite fashion sense. This is the first time Leanne is seen taking control of the narrative in front of Dorothy, a clear shift into high gear for the next episode.
While this may be a filler episode, subtle hints seem to be placed only for it to be paid off in the later instalments of the season.
Servant Season 4 Episode 2 is currently streaming on Apple TV+. Did you think this was a filler episode? Let us know in the comments below.
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