‘Carrie’ Episode 4: Social Media Warfare, Maternal Manipulation, and Existential Dread

Episode 4 of the reimagined "Carrie" series, titled "Dramatic Arts," plunges viewers into a heightened reality of social media-fueled torment, complex maternal manipulation, and Carrie White's deepening existential crisis. The installment, directed by Axelle Carolyn and written by Dani Parker, draws parallels to real-world anxieties and the profound impact of bullying.

The episode opens with a jarring vignette seemingly unrelated to the main narrative: a real-life 2010 traffic jam in China that lasted 12 days. This serves as a metaphorical prelude, highlighting the suffocating pressure and the desperate need for release that mirrors the emotional turmoil faced by the characters.

Back at Ewen High, the "Carrie Red" Instagram account continues its destructive campaign. Students are cruelly memed and targeted, leading to physical altercations in the school hallways. Miss Desjardin finds herself caught in the crossfire, underscoring the escalating chaos. The repercussions extend beyond the school, with one student reportedly being sent to an eating disorder clinic and another being outed to their family and church.

Meanwhile, Margaret White's character arc takes a significant turn. Observed by Margaret via hidden home cameras, her attempts to escape janitor duty lead her to manipulate coworkers. She implicates her manager, Joanie, in racist remarks, ultimately leading to Joanie's suspension. This marks the first time Margaret is shown actively menacing someone outside of her own daughter, revealing a more complex and sinister facet to her character.

Carrie's personal struggles intensify as she grapples with her mother's inability to connect and the lingering questions about her deceased father, Ralph. Upon finding a letter from a funeral parlor, Carrie experiences a vision of her father, leading to a kitchen tremor and a disoriented flight outdoors. She is found by Sue, who offers her shelter and bandages her injured foot.

In a rare moment of vulnerability, Carrie confides in Sue about her father, describing him as "great. Complicated. I think he was really afraid all the time." She questions his paranoia surrounding "radio signals, chemtrails, biological warfare, the deep state," and expresses a desire to understand the world's harsh realities, even if it means leaving behind her sheltered existence. Despite this newfound openness, her mother punishes her with a stint in the prayer closet upon her return.

The Hargensen family faces their own unraveling. John Hargensen's construction operation, in which he had a stake, shuts down following Ralph White's death, impacting his finances. Chris overhears this and realizes the connection to Carrie's father. The repossession of Chris's car further escalates the family's distress, prompting her to seek out Billy "Burnout" for an escape. Their dangerous escapades foreshadow further cruelty.

Chris, along with Tina, pressures a high Carrie into consuming what she believes are candy gummies, which are actually laced with marijuana. Tina also discreetly films Sue purchasing a pregnancy test. Later, Billy drives them to the construction site where Ralph died, using the location's alleged haunting and allusions to Ralph's death to psychologically torment Carrie. Carrie, under the influence and distraught, vividly hallucinates the circumstances of her father's death, crawling into a trench and crying out to him.

Tina, continuing her destructive behavior, films Carrie's breakdown. When confronted by Sue, a drugged Tina reveals Chris as the perpetrator behind the "Carrie Red" account. This revelation deeply impacts Sue, who confronts Chris about her actions. Their childhood friendship and broken trust are highlighted, with Chris admitting, "take your fucking pick" when asked what is wrong with her.

Carrie, alone and covered in mud, unleashes a powerful psychic scream that causes widespread disruption. Emaline, who appears as if by chance, guides a distressed Carrie home. Upon entering, Margaret White begins a tirade, quickly turning to concern at the sight of her mud-covered daughter. Carrie, seemingly broken, expresses regret for not believing her mother's misanthropy and begs for her help.

Margaret reassures Carrie, promising retribution against those who have wronged her, stating, "You tell me everything happened and we will make them pay." This exchange sets the stage for the inevitable confrontation and Carrie's explosive powers.

Showrunner Mike Flanagan, in an interview with TV Guide, discussed the significant re-envisioning of Margaret White's character. Unlike previous iterations, this Margaret is motivated by love and a desire to protect Carrie, albeit through a twisted belief system. Actress Samantha Sloyan, who portrays Margaret, delved into the character's psychology in interviews with Esquire, describing Margaret's actions as stemming from a continuously breaking heart.

In the "Stephen King Trivia Corner," the episode's details about Ralph White are compared to the original novel. The novel portrays Ralph's death as an accident occurring before Carrie's birth, with Margaret receiving a substantial insurance payout. The text also notes King's description of Ralph as carrying a gun to work for fear of encountering the Antichrist, and a passage suggesting Margaret may have been dangerously overprotective of baby Carrie.