"Episode 9 will be the anchor episode for the whole series ... directing nine was really, really special" stated M. Night. Indeed, the directing here is absolutely precise and mesmerizing, as per usual with Shyamalan. The fear was that "Jericho" would have included a classic Shyamalan twist that comes out of nowhere. Instead, and probably due to it being written by the great Tony Basgallop (who continues to excel with his subtle and exquisite writing) this episode hits all the right notes as it heads towards the not-so-surprising, but absolutely well-executed reveal of what truly happened with Jericho: the greatly filmed food sequences and the allusion to food in general truly feels symbolic for the first time around- That line in which Leanne says "Tastes like bruised fruit. Like an apple that´s been in the sun too long" is simply the best written line in the show, and perfectly summarizes what the episode did best: talking about Jericho´s death without being overly-explicit and without fully aknowledging it (just like Dorothy). Shamaylan understood that perfectly: he chooses extremely wide shots in the key moments where one would expect close-ups. He respects Dorothy´s intimacy and gives her space. But Ambrose is so great here, that even from afar and behind, without seeing her face, one can feel the weight of her devastating performance as she fluctuates between denial and guilt.
The lateral camera movements, always from left to right seem strange at first but make perfect sense once he includes an establishing shot of the extremely sunny day that secretly includes the reveal that Jericho died in the sun (perhaps unnoticeable at first): the lateral movement is now from right to left, and it ends with Jericho in the back of the car, probably dying or already dead. The attention to detail here is simply astonishing.
On a side note, Dorothy´s trances now also make perfect sense: that intense sun-like light that seems to paralize her is what triggers the repressed trauma of her son´s death.
So, to sum up: No, it didn´t answer every big question, but it provided a well-appreciated character motivation to all four leads while setting up a finale that will probably leave some loose threads (as it´s been already renewed for a second season) but will sure be interesting to watch now that we know what happened that night.
22 Reviews
Finally some answers
Just-A-Girl-1413 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It wasn't a perfect episode but at least we finally got some answers. We now know what happened to Jericho although not much more than that. I wanted to see what happened afterwards. To see it from the point of view of both Sean and Julian. How they reacted to his death and to Dorothy. How did they hide his death (if they called the police then it wouldn't be a secret). What was Dorothy's reaction to her brother and husband. Most importantly, why would they choose such an alternative therapy instead of calling a professional psychiatrist.
I think the show is too much focused on the mystery part and they dragged it for too long, but maybe the final episode could give us the rest of the information we need. I'm still a little doubtful but let's see...
Finally
saifeliya12 January 2020
Finally we are understanding some things in this series .. now we know what happened to baby Jericho .. still we don't fully understand Leanne's capabilities and what she's done to the baby ...
There's one thing also weird about this show , it ends before you even realize it .. 35 minutes passed like 10 minutes hehehe.
21st century Horror
jools_611 January 2020
What a gruelling episode. Superb acting from Lauren Ambrose. A very difficult watch. Truly haunting.
The juxtaposition between the rotting meat and Jerico is a thing of nightmares, wouldn't expect anything less from Shyamalan.
Extremely powerful episode. The actors have led us on such a strange and captivating journey so far, and this episode is gut wrenching.
Powerful acting, powerful directing, powerful screen-play.
Haunting.
Encapsulating
cartsghammond12 January 2020
It has been a slow moving ride to get here but it's all been worth it, I have thoroughly enjoyed the series so far, and don't understand the critiques of it being way to boring. I think it is actually the shows strength to feed the audience information slowly. Now i understand that some episodes can feel a bit tedious but I find it incapsulating to theorize what is really happening in the show. This episode definitely answered questions that we've been waiting for, and successfully showed some truly shocking moments. I hope the finale gives us some more answers. Excited for season 2
Un-rewatchable Excellence
ssy32911 February 2021
This was an incredible episode with some of the best acting (by Lauren Ambrose) that I've seen in a very long while but I can say without a doubt that I will never watch it again. It's far too authentic and painful.
Questions answered
skin-mvi11 January 2020
Going down in history as one of the greatest episodes of TV ever.
leonleaoalves12 January 2020
Servant has been a great show ever since its very first episode, but this episode surely makes it stand out from the rest of the ever-growing "great TV shows in streaming service" pool out there. The first 13 minutes offer one of the most well-crafted, perfectly-constructed tension sequences ever put to screen. Knowing what will happen, but not *how* it will happen, always makes for great entertainment, but here, the director and the screenwriters have taken that concept to the next level. This is an episode that is sure to make you feel tense, on the edge of your seat, and waiting for the other shoe to drop, even if you already know where it is dropping on. I highly recommend this show to anyone who loves good horror/suspense stories, and I can't wait to see what they come up with on the next season.
JERICHO Is The EMMYS 2020 Award Winning Episode
PurpleCrayon201414 January 2020
This is the episode that encapsulates the series SERVANT - full of mystique and revelation and discovery. What is so fascinating about JERICHO is that while there are horrors displayed, what is obvious is left to the imagination. Cringe worthy moments have been the calling card of the series SERVANT, and the episode JERICHO represents all those moments - obvious and implied. JERICHO is finally the episode of SERVANT that I can finally say 'This Is Why I Watch'.
Brilliant tension building
CX78-I12 January 2020
Jericho
bobcobb3019 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Not the strongest episode in anticipation of the finale, but I am curious to see how things are wrapped up. The show has lost some momentum so hopefully they are able to resolve all the questions while also delivering a good finale.
Speechless.
jools_610 January 2020
Not a 10 out of 10 because of how shattered my heart feels!
What a powerful episode. The actors have led us on such a strange journey so far, and this episode is gut wrenching.
Powerful acting, powerful directing, powerful screen-play.
Don't even know where to begin
Greendayhero112 January 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Not going to lie, I had very high hopes for this show. But my enthusiasm faded away with each and every episode. There are so many unanswered questions and "out-of-logic' moves from the characters. For instance, I thought that Dorothy had done something very horrible and inexcusable to the real Jericho to justify Leanne's bitc*y attitude towards her. But really? Just because she forgot the baby in the car by accident makes Dorothy a devil? Hellooo, hasn't this ignorant weird-as-hell girl heard about "postpartum depression"? And why is everyone acting like she is the one who hired them? Why are they all obeying her? Seanne - reknowned chef, Dorothy - sucessful presenter and Julian who is also obviously rich and reputable in his own circle; are suffering her whims and being her servants instead? She is 18! Honestly, I was waiting more to be revealed this episode but they are feeding us the soup with a fork! From this point on, I don't even think that they will answer all those questions (Leanne's past, her uncle, the cult/religion they are talking about, real Jericho incidence etc) in one 30-min episode and no one has a patience to suffer for a year or two more to be revealed in the second season.
Television Gold
dog-3856324 January 2021
Best episode yet
ufulu10110 January 2020
Yes this is a slow series but it has drawn me in and I've been really enjoying it. This episode was very good in telling the story of what actually happened to Jericho. Great acting by everyone on this episode and the direction by M. Night S is superb. We are still none the wiser what the deal is with Leanne is which makes me eager to watch the next episode. Good episode. 9/10.
Best episode of the season
jules-898-60335718 January 2020
The Real Jericho?
georgepalmerjr14 January 2023
Season 1, Episode Jericho
The real Jericho is mysterious and unknowable. The way in which the scenes are spliced together and the performers in the scenes telling the storylines of what I called the real Jericho, because as a member of the audience I really don't know when or what is Jericho? Is Jericho actually crying? Or is it a disembodied cry from a baby somewhere in the far reaches of a parallel universe? It seems unknowable in the Jericho episode! I have never watched a show on a particular episode, that kept me not knowing what is real and what is fantasy before, this is very intriguing and it baffles me. I think the screen play of the 'Servant' Writer-Director Ishana Night Shyamalan was successful in keeping me fascinated by the storyline of the characters. I know a enough about the characters to care what happens to them in the scenes. This doesn't always happens!
First truly good episode
Ritchie0712 January 2020
This was the first episode I enjoyed and didn't feel frustrated when the episode ended. It was excellent. The acting and suspense was top tier.
I see another review saying they "don't understand" how people find this show too boring. Come on, man. Are we watching the same show? Let's just be honest here. I understand liking the show but it has certainly been very boring a lot of the times.
Regardless, I have stuck with it because I am interested in the premise and how this pans out-and it definitely helps that episodes are so short. Otherwise I probably would have dipped by now. I'm glad I didn't.
I see another review saying they "don't understand" how people find this show too boring. Come on, man. Are we watching the same show? Let's just be honest here. I understand liking the show but it has certainly been very boring a lot of the times.
Regardless, I have stuck with it because I am interested in the premise and how this pans out-and it definitely helps that episodes are so short. Otherwise I probably would have dipped by now. I'm glad I didn't.
Twists
koki_ali87511 January 2020
Flashback?
AvionPrince163 January 2022
Mindblowing episode
elartu-9510 January 2020
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