Burden of Truth: Name Your Ghosts (Season 3 Episode 7)
The veil is pulled back on ClearDawn’s head scientist as Joanna and Billy discover some sordid history on a fantastic and emotional Burden of Truth Season 3 Episode 7, “Name Your Monsters.”
ClearDawn counter sues as Kodie’s trial against ClearDawn looms closer.
ClearDawn’s head scientist, Solomon, offers more insight into the very unsettling explanation about his purpose at the lab. The moment Solomon utters the words “put on this Earth,” there’s an eerie uncomfortable feeling that comes over the moment, making you wonder what he’s hiding and what it means for him to “save” the children.
The further Joanna and Billy dive into the past, from Solomon to Legacy Pines, the more devastating and frightening the story becomes, from brainwashing and manipulating teenage boys to the preventable death of a child.
It’s fascinating the way the story is woven throughout the season, and everyone from the main cast to the guest stars has played this story so heartbreakingly perfect. The stress, anger at the past, unhealed trauma that each character brings about is so beautifully done.
The confrontation with Eli at Legacy Pines as he breaks down is a perfect illustration of all that emotion elevating the story.
That tumultuousness of emotion leads to a fantastic moment between Joanna and Billy. It’s a conversation that’s overdue but so very much necessary as the pair air their concerns, their hopes, and their needs in their relationship.
I love that while Joanna confesses her fears about being a mother directly to Billy (and not an entire room of parents), Billy offers her his own fears and wants from their relationship. He wants the chance to work through it together, something that feels like Joanna needs to hear at the moment.
Joanna usually deals with things on her own and becomes so accustomed to it that she doesn’t seem to realize what Billy wants until he tells her.
It’s a beautiful, raw moment between the pair that leaves you feeling that they’re coming out of it stronger than before.
Taylor goes to Owen with the photos of Sam Mercer with the man she’s been following over the season. You can’t help but feel that bit of looming hope that he’ll finally be able to take Sam down with those photos.
That hope quickly fizzles out the moment Sam reveals how he’s been making money: blackmail.
Somehow even with something that can nail Mercer down, the looming threat of revealing Diane’s secrets makes your stomach sink.
Owen and Diane’s moment where he tells her exactly what Mercer has on is heartbreaking. You can’t help but feel for her and work through the possibility of having those photos released if they decide to bring him in is worth more than the lasting damage of those photos.
“Name Your Monsters” fires on all cylinders in terms of emotion and heartbreak, as everyone does a phenomenal job pulling out all the stops as the story rallies and heads into the final episode.
Now, questions remain as we head into the finale: how much did Sheppard know? Will Kodie get her children back? Will there be any sense of justice brought about, or will this be one case that Joanna and Billy lose?
Random Thoughts
- That Rookie Blue mini-reunion, no matter how dark it is, is a solid moment.
- The process of seeing Luna and Taylor breaking her out and then delivering the woman’s baby is equal parts funny in their freaking out and sweet in seeing the aftermath, with a healthy baby born.
What did you think of this episode of Burden of Truth? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Burden of Truth airs Thursdays at 8/7c on The CW.
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Brianna Martinez
Brianna spends her time away from briefs, legal research, and pleadings, watching TV and writing about it. She generally has a lot of feelings about TV, which you can read about here and on Twitter.