The Terror: Infamy (2×02) All the Demons Are Still in Hell Review

Henry Nakayama sits in a cement cell reciting his innocence. He loves America, he is not a spy, but yet he still remains captive. This simple imagery sets up the rest of an episode that is horrific to watch, but necessary social commentary. The Terror might just become the most important series of this year. Here’s what went down in “All the Demons Are Still in Hell.”

The story picks up a few months later after President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 that allowed the military to detain families of Axis countries to avoid any spies from destroying the United States on home soil. The Nakayamas, Yoshidas and Furuyas are all rounded up and brought to a hotel where they still manage to feel a bit like Americans. Upon arriving, Wilson Yoshida (James Saito) sees Yuko roaming the halls, but after following her she disappears.

Meanwhile at the prison, Chester and Yamato-san discuss the potential haunting of the halls by obake. While they become increasingly paranoid, they are greeted by an eager younger man named Nick Okada (Kai Bradbury) who causes their paranoia only to get worse. Chester visits his old professor to ask about the blurry photos, but he has no explanation. He sees Luz roaming the halls and decides to chase after her discovering she is still pregnant. He questions her decision, but she chose to keep the child because of her mom and how she tragically died giving birth.

That night Chester believes he saw Yuko roaming the halls and decides to head back to the bar to see her. However, he learns that Yuko never worked at the bar causing him to become confused. He returns to the hotel and learns that they are all being moved. He decides this is the best time to tell his mom that his girlfriend is pregnant. However, he promptly leaves to go see Luz again at the orphanage.

She is living there since her dad kicked her out and is furious with the military for coming by and taking all the Japanese kids. Luz fears this fate for her unborn child and decides to leave with Chester. However, that doesn’t last long as they are rounded up by the FBI and brought back to his mom and Toshiro Furuya (Alex Shimizu) who they have taken in since his father was taken away. At least at the horse track each family gets their own stall.

Meanwhile at the prison, Henry has been forced to either exercise, catch fish for the inmates or interrogated. He becomes suspicious of Okada as more people he interacts with disappear. Yamato-san believes him to be a shapeshifting creature. The men are sent ice fishing and decide to confront Okada about their suspicions. He is confused at first, but as they name all the men who have gone missing, the men break the ice surrounding Okada. Finally Okada gives in and reveals he is working with the FBI to figure out spies within the Japanese community, but he has no idea so he has been making up names. They disapprove of Okada’s actions and leave him stranded on the ice telling him to pray that the spirits protect him.

Back in California the real threat arises as Wilson spots Yuko once again. He yells out for Chester to get away before being thrown into the air. As he gets up, Wilson grabs a soldier’s gun, but is instantly shot down by the other soldiers. Yuko looks on from a distance, bleeding from the top of her head. The remaining Japanese-American prisoners are loaded onto a bus and sent away with Chester seeing Fumi Yoshida (Hira Ambrosino) holding an urn with Wilson’s ashes. They arrive at their next, and presumably final, destination: the Colinas de Oro “War Relocation Center.”

So far The Terror: Infamy has set up a strong grounded story set during a horrific time in American history, but still has yet to incorporate interesting, believable and truly terrifying supernatural elements. The protagonist Chester continues to feel like an average, lackluster everyman who is overshadowed by the supporting cast around him. While the scenes in this episode are superior to the premiere, it still leaves something to be desired.

The story becomes more intriguing as it follows the Japanese men forced into labor and interrogation with some phenomenal performances from Shingo Usami and George Takei, particularly during the prison exercise and ice-fishing scenes. Their paranoia towards ancient Japanese culture brings the horrific elements expected of The Terror series, but it is within the other storylines that Infamy manages to shine.

Looking at the horrors of this time period, how even children were ordered to be rounded up and escorted to camps, can cause anyone’s stomach to churn in disgust and discomfort. Watching these innocent people lose their livelihood and be carted off with families torn apart is horrifying enough. The question remains, what is so special about Chester Nakayama?

• • • What is so special about Chester Nakayama?
    • Which ancient creature is attacking the prisoners?
    • Who will be the next victim of Yuko?
    • Why didn’t “it” attack Chester?
    • Will Chester get to have the family he dreams of?

What did you think of “All the Demons Are Still in Hell”? Let me know in the comments below!

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Dylan Phillips