The mysterious Jakub lures Charles to Jerusalem’s Lot where he discovers that his madness is connected to an ancient book. The children are stunned and betrayed when Loa finds Rebecca’s secret writings about the Boone family.

There’s little light in this episode of the Stephen King short story adaptation, with Charles and his family falling further down the rabbit hole. This hour serves to bring the screen characters up to date with facts that we’ve been aware of for some time; Humans have been used as food for the vampires of Jerusalem’s Lot and their leader wants back an ancient book.

A pervasive air of gloom hangs over this episode, even before Charles has met the evil Jakub (Christopher Heyerdahl, Van Helsing). Every Boone has been damned, and if Charles is prepared to return the book of worms, his family will be released from the curse. To help sway his decision, family members are held hostage, though there’s another tragedy to befall them.

Verdict: A necessary pause to establish what’s going on and what’s expected of Charles Boone in the latter half of the story. Bleaker than a bleak midwinter, it’s a quality show that glamours you and pulls you in to share with the misery. 8/10

Nick Joy