The Boroughs - Season 1: Episode 2 - "The Mourning After" Review & Recap (Netflix)
- Jimmy Palmquist
- 53 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The Boroughs Episode 2 Review & Recap – “The Mourning After”
After an excellent premiere, The Boroughs wastes absolutely no time picking up where Episode 1 left us hanging. "The Mourning After" dives headfirst into the fallout of Jack Willard's shocking death while continuing to peel back the layers of mystery surrounding this seemingly idyllic desert retirement community. More importantly, it proves that the show's strongest asset isn't necessarily the supernatural horror lurking in the shadows, it's the fascinating collection of characters at the center of it all.
The episode opens immediately following Sam Cooper's horrifying discovery in Jack's bedroom. After witnessing what appeared to be some kind of creature crouched on Jack's chest moments before his death, Sam is understandably shaken. Medics, security, and authorities arrive to deal with the situation, but Alfred Molina does a fantastic job portraying a man who no longer trusts his own senses. Did he really see a monster? Or did grief, stress, and his increasingly troubling visions of Lilly finally push him over the edge?
That uncertainty hangs over the entire episode and gives "The Mourning After" a much more psychological feel than the premiere. Don't get me wrong though, the sci-fi/horror is very much present.
While Sam wrestles with what he saw, the community struggles with the loss of Jack. Bill Pullman's absence is immediately felt, which speaks volumes about how effectively the character was established in a single episode. Judy is devastated by the loss, and Art begins to realize that Jack may have occupied a much larger place in Judy's life than he previously understood. Their relationship dynamics add an emotional layer that elevates the show beyond being just another mystery box series.
One of the episode's biggest strengths is how it continues developing its ensemble cast.
Sam's dreams about Lilly remain some of the show's most emotionally effective moments. At first, they feel comforting and bittersweet, allowing him to reconnect with the wife he lost. But now those dreams are becoming increasingly unsettling. The line between memory, grief, and something potentially supernatural is beginning to blur, and the show wisely refuses to provide easy answers.
Meanwhile, Wally emerges as one of the most intriguing characters in the series.
His medical checkup initially appears to be a simple update on his terminal condition, but it quickly becomes something much more meaningful. His argument with his doctor over unconventional treatment options reveals a stubborn determination to keep fighting. He refuses to surrender simply because science says he should. The conversation also gives viewers a better understanding of who Wally is beneath the surface. He's not just another resident facing mortality, he's a brilliant doctor who goes above and beyond with is research.
The episode quietly reinforces that idea throughout its runtime, creating an interesting parallel with Sam's engineering background. It's becoming increasingly clear that many of the residents of The Boroughs were exceptional people long before retirement, and those skills may prove crucial as the mystery deepens.
Judy also gets a chance to shine.
Her investigative journalism instincts kick into high gear as she begins digging into Sam's past. From her perspective, the evidence doesn't look good. Sam was the last known person to see Jack alive, and investigators discovered a hammer bearing Sam's name in Jack's bedroom. Judy's suspicion feels completely justified, and Alfre Woodard continues to bring tremendous intelligence and emotional complexity to every scene she's in.
Sam's own investigation proves far less successful.
Hoping to uncover more information, he visits Edward once again, searching for clues behind the old man's bizarre warnings. Unfortunately, all he gains is a damaged house and growing frustration. Convinced there must be something hidden behind Edward's talk of lights and walls, Sam destroys portions of his new home searching for answers. It's another reminder that the mystery is beginning to consume him.
Art's storyline takes an unexpectedly entertaining detour.
Retreating to abandoned structures in the desert, he spends his time getting high and hanging out with his crow companion, Brooks. I sincerely hope Brooks is a deliberate nod to Brooks Hatlen from the classic film The Shawshank Redemption because it's exactly the kind of subtle reference that genre fans love spotting.
Of course, nothing in The Boroughs stays normal for long.
Art soon experiences strange behavior from the local birds and witnesses unsettling events in the desert that suggest whatever is happening extends far beyond the community itself. Unfortunately, Art also witnesses his winged friend Brooks die, along with a whole murder of crows who were flying in odd patterns prior to nosediving into the ground.
Another standout subplot involves Wally taking Renee coffin shopping.
On paper, that sounds morbid. In execution, it's somehow touching, funny, practical, and deeply human all at once. We learn this isn't Wally's first trip to browse final resting places, but this time feels different. For the first time, he's ready to make a decision. The scene serves as meaningful character development while also cleverly planting seeds that pay off later in the series.
Meanwhile, Paz continues making his awkward romantic intentions toward Renee. Surprisingly, those efforts appear to be working, adding a little warmth and humor amid the growing darkness.
My favorite moment of the entire episode, however, comes in what may be one of my favorite Easter eggs in recent television.
While searching through Edward's storage unit after discovering a key hidden exactly where Edward predicted (behind the lights), Sam begins sorting through old belongings. Sitting quietly on a shelf is a small golden idol. Fans of adventure cinema will immediately recognize it as the famous golden fertility idol from the opening sequence of Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Why is that so brilliant?
Because who was standing opposite Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) during that iconic opening scene? Alfred Molina of course!
In his first film role, Molina played Satipo, the guide who betrays Indiana Jones, steals the idol, and promptly meets a very unfortunate end thanks to the temple's booby traps. Nearly fifty years later, seeing that idol casually sitting in the background of a scene featuring Molina felt like an incredibly fun and affectionate nod to film history.
The episode builds toward Jack's memorial service, where emotions finally boil over.
Judy becomes almost obsessively focused on preserving her final memory of Jack, shushing anyone who interrupts her concentration. When Sam arrives late, desperately seeking Wally's help, the disruption sends Judy into a full emotional meltdown. It's heartbreaking, uncomfortable, and wonderfully acted.
But the biggest reveal is still waiting.
Sam finally convinces Wally to come see something he discovered. Even Sam isn't sure whether it's real or another hallucination. Once Wally sees it with his own eyes, however, the audience receives confirmation that Sam isn't imagining everything.
Something is happening in The Boroughs.
Something far stranger and far more dangerous than anyone realized.
"The Mourning After" is an outstanding follow-up to an already strong premiere. Rather than rushing answers, it invests heavily in character development while carefully expanding the central mystery. Every major character receives meaningful growth, the emotional stakes continue to rise, and the episode ends with the unsettling realization that Jack's death may have only scratched the surface of what's really lurking beneath this community's polished exterior.
Two episodes in, The Boroughs is shaping up to be one of the most compelling mystery-horror series of the year, and I can't wait to see where it goes next.
Check out the trailer for the show below:
