The OA - Part 1, Chapter 7: Empire of Light

"You know why we, uh why we like to be hugged? The way I see it, it sets a limit on the pain. You know? Puts a perimeter around it."

The OA's Chapter 7 episode, "Empire of Light" continues the story all in the present day, as OA receives another terrible dream or possible premonition while dealing with the potential trauma she might've caused to her adoptive parents, Abel and Nancy Johnson, that fateful day she left over 7 years ago. In the mean time, the Crestwood 5 is working on perfecting the movements for interdimensional travel while Steve's horrific actions has finally caught up to him. 

Although the entirety of "Empire of Light" stays within the present timeline in which we don't get to see what happens to Homer, Renata, Scott, and Rachel, we get an emotionally resonant episode about dealing with our past traumas and how that festers into our current daily lives. The chemistry between Phyllis Smith's BBA and Patrick Gibson's Steve soars here with such tidy and timely humor albeit in a very serious situation. The conclusion to the episode is incredibly chilling because of how high the emotional stakes are, especially considering that this may be the last time we get to hear The OA tell her story. 

"Tonight, I will finish telling my story. Are you ready?"