The Returned Season 2 Episode 7: In Etienne, The Series Comes Full Circle

This week's penultimate episode "Etienne" provided some answers and, as usual, a hell of a lot more questions. It opens 35 years in the past. A group is gathered in the woods. The good news is Milan says he knows how they can be with their deceased loved ones. The bad news is they have to all kill themselves. Etienne shoots everyone (including Simon's parents). Milan shoots Etienne. A young Pierre shoots Milan but fails to kill himself. Victor watches from a distance. There was also a plan to kill all of the children (Berg, Simon, Serge, Toni) but the police arrive before Milan's wife can give them sleeping pills.

Back in the present, Camille (who declines Virgil's request to leave with him), Claire, Lena and Jerome are alone when the undead flee town (with Berg close behind). The Segurets head outside where the encounter the military. The family is taken to the temporary military base. A captain questions Jerome. They know Camille is supposed to be dead. Also being held at the site are: Milan (he's pretending he doesn't remember anything after being pulled from the lake), Mme Costa (she was shot by the Helping Hand thug but is back among the living), Victor (who was with Mrs Costa), Adele, Chloe and baby Nathan. The authorities refuse to let Adele see Nathan (because they think she abused them).

Elsewhere Lucy and the others are wandering through the woods. A helicopter flies overhead. They scatter. Lucy wants Simon to bring back Nathan. Does she really have a plan or is she just making it up as she goes along? Berg grabs Etienne and takes him back to his former house. Etienne has no memories of his past life. Why do some of the returned (like Claire, Milan, Mme Costa) remember everything but others (such as Morgane) seem to have no cognitive functioning whatsoever? Etienne is somewhere between these two extremes. Lucy also references some of the returned hiding in the caves. What's up with them?

We see a flashback of Etienne before he built the second dam. He is visited one night by Victor (who is still wearing his trademark red shirt). Victor says Etienne must not build the dam or lots of people will die. Etienne ignores the child and sends him on his way. Victor's next stop is the Lewansky household. He stayed there until he was "killed" by Milan's crew.

In the present, Mr Lewansky passes away (after confirming that he only had one son). Victor is still desperately trying to find Julie. He has a recurring dream of her jumping from the dam. Now he dreams of Milan shooting her in the head while saying "she is joining us". Victor also sees her happily resting on the beach with a child. We assume this is the son she lost when Serge stabbed her in the tunnel.

Meanwhile Julie dreams of being awakened on a slab by a kiss from Ophelie. Julie then runs off to the Helping Hand to find Victor. Opelie pleads to join her but is ignored. Not to the surprise of anyone, Julie is locked in the basement with Audrey and Sandrine. Julie, you're kinda dumb sometimes.

Victor and Milan have a heart to heart. Victor asks him to not hurt Julie. Milan says he only "saves" people. Milan also insinuates that he killed all the others because Victor wanted him to. Victor says he is not responsible for any of the deaths.

From what we've seen previously, the returned have the power to control the living's minds and make them hurt themselves. Victor has done it several times. Claire beat up and nearly stabbed herself. Milan does the same to one of the police officers. Victor makes the power go out so Jerome and family can escape. Adele is off to look for baby Nathan.
Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). One of the best episodes this season. "Etienne" has set a high bar that I hope the finale can exceed. There has been no talk about a season 3 (that I know of) so this may really be the conclusion. What are your thoughts thus far? Is Victor truly responsible for all the deaths? What's up with Milan's weirdo cult? What are Pierre's motives?