2026 Crystal Lake S01E04: A New Beginning

• Directed by: Logan George, Celine Held
• Written by: Victor Miller, Evan Endicott, Josh Stoddad
• Stars: Linda Cardellini, William Catlett, Gwendolyn Sundstrom
• Run Time: 53 Minutes

Spoiler-Free Judgment Zone

The camp is reopening, and Pam goes back to her old job. New counselors and helpers get things going. Lev tries putting things together with the bear victims and his sister Briana does some digging. In other words, stuff happens, somewhat slowly, and the story progresses as we learn more about most everyone. The writing is good, and the effects continue to be gnarly. A little drag happening, but still forgivable overall.

Spoilery Synopsis

After killing Valerie, Pam goes to see Lev late that night. They’re both ready for some lovin’. As they go at it, we see all the fire trucks passing by outside. Grace is going to live with the Christies up at the camp.

A hippie girl, Willow, comes to town looking for some friends of hers. Her friends are up working at the camp.

Lev goes to see Enos in the hospital after the accidental shooting. Enos talks about finding the bear tracks and the strange “person” he saw out there. He describes seeing a tall, twisted man out there. “It was some kind of demon.”

Willow sees Jason in the woods, but when she runs, she steps in a bear trap. Jason approaches and…

Pam talks to John about getting her old job back at the camp. Grace is living there now, and Pam wants to keep an eye out for her. Grace joins the hippies, who are decorating at the camp.

Lev and Dorf find the bear cave and a second body inside. Lev knows that it was no bear attack. They go to see Ralph, who’s creepy as always. He saw the bodies but thought he was hallucinating them.

Brianna is researching things for Lev and learns about a multinational pharmaceutical company, Bellflower Inc, who may have ties to the missing men.

Grace confronts Claudette, who isn’t forgiving. In the city, Lev talks to some of his old police contacts for help with the case. One of the men has been identified, and he’s trouble.

Pam listens as Dorf tells Rita that those men weren’t killed by a bear. She then throws the machete into the lake; she hears someone out in the woods.

Pam finds Grace with the hippies and doesn’t approve. Harmony is a psychic and says she can contact the dead, like Grace’s mother or Pam’s son. This is a lot more real than Pam expects, especially when the spirit accuses her of murder. Grace is afraid of her now.

Dorf checks out Ralph’s cabin and finds what’s left of Willow hanging in there.

Brian’s Commentary

Everything flows logically from what we’ve seen previously. Not only is Pam out there killing people, but Jason is still alive and living out in the woods. The stuff with Grace is starting to drag a bit, but it’s not too much yet.

Kevin’s Commentary

Stuff continues to happen. Maybe it’s a side effect of watching four episodes in one morning, but it’s starting to feel a little long. The story is moving and coming together. I’m feeling less sure about it. It is clear by now that Jason is still alive, at least sort of.