To say this episode marks a major turning point in this series is the definition of an understatement. Emma reveals that she had never stopped planning their escape. Mom’s constant surveillance of Ray and Emma backfire as they are able to use this to their advantage. Emma leaves the rest of the training and preparation to Gilda and Don. Norman continued to plan the next phases of their escape. Ray continues his skepticism, and decides that he will sacrifice himself. He concludes that if he sets the house and then himself on fire Mom will be too distracted to pursue them.
Emma has other plans of course. She pretends that Ray set himself on, then she leaves while Isabella tries to put the fire out. In a shocking move, Emma cuts her ear off. She meets with the other children. The other kids were informed of the situation at the house and allowed to eavesdrop on the conversation they had with Sister. Emma had actually pretended to be devastated while giving orders to the other children. The plan largely works perfectly, until it turns out that Phil was left behind.
Of course this episode would put a wrench in the plot. Phil has always stood out, even considering the fact that he’s just 4 years old. The question is whose side is he on? It seems ridiculous to believe that with all this careful planning Emma and Norman wouldn’t have a plan that included making sure that all the kids were accounted for. Clearly, Phil is either in on the plot or a foil for it. Finally, I’m not convinced that Norman is dead. I predict that he will be helping them escape across the bridge.
