Peacock’s Hysteria! delivers a fun, teen-focused horror experience, immersing viewers in a town caught up in mass hysteria during the peak of the “Satanic Panic.” The story revolves around Dylan, a heavy metal-loving teen whose life spirals into chaos when he pretends to be a Satanist to impress a girl. This snowballs into a larger issue when the town starts linking the band’s faux Satanic activities to a series of tragic events, including a classmate’s death.
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Who killed Ryan in Hysteria?
The biggest bombshell of Hysteria! is the revelation of who actually killed Ryan. Throughout the series, Tracy Whitehead, who harbors extreme fear for her daughter Faith’s safety, repeats that she’s doing everything to protect her. This fear stems from her traumatic past—when she was Faith’s age, her parents forced her into an exorcism led by the Reverend to rid her of “evil.”
Now, Tracy believes that same evil is trying to take over her daughter. This leads her to desperate lengths, which ultimately contribute to Ryan’s death. Tracy doesn’t kill Ryan herself, but the Reverend’s men, who acted on her orders, accidentally do. Tracy then covers up the incident by framing Dylan’s band, planting evidence in Jordy’s house to make it look like they were responsible for the murder. This sets off a chain of events that eventually forces Faith to confront the truth.
Does Tracy Really Exorcise Linda?
Tracy convinces the town that Linda, Dylan’s mom, is possessed and needs an exorcism. Everyone is already convinced that Dylan and his friends are responsible for the strange events in the town, so all Tracy needs is for Linda to confess that her son killed Ryan.
However, Linda isn’t possessed at all. She has been influenced by the fear and hysteria surrounding the town’s obsession with Satanic panic. The media’s constant portrayal of demonic forces preys on her fears, leading her to believe that an evil force is controlling her. The real evil here, though, is fear itself. Tracy manipulates Linda’s vulnerability to further her own agenda.
Faith, Tracy’s daughter, sees through her mother’s manipulation and devises a plan with Jordy to reveal the truth. Instead of planting the inhaler in Jordy’s house as her mother instructed, Faith plants it in the Reverend’s home, exposing his involvement in Ryan’s death. Jordy sends Chief Dandridge to help save Faith and bring the Reverend to justice.
The Reverend’s capture signifies a major turning point in the story, as Faith finally frees herself from her mother’s control. At the same time, the town is left to reckon with the chaos caused by Tracy’s fear-mongering.
What Happens to Linda?
While the exorcism unfolds, chaos erupts in the church. Tracy attempts to pin the crime on Dylan, but when the situation spirals out of control, the church catches fire. Amid the flames, Dylan manages to save his mother, pulling her from the brink of madness. This act of love snaps Linda out of the hysteria, and she comes out of the whole mess healthy and free from the delusions of possession.
By the end of the series, Linda’s physical and mental state improves. She no longer bears the marks of fear-driven panic, but before everything settles, we catch a glimpse of something ominous—a creepy hand and a demon-like figure lurking in the doorway, suggesting that the fear and hysteria are far from over.
What Happens to Tracy?
Tracy is arrested at the end of the show, but the people of the town still see her as their savior. In their eyes, Tracy rid them of the evil presence plaguing their community. Even as she’s dragged away in handcuffs, the crowd hails her as a hero, solidifying her status as a cult-like leader in their eyes. This moment is both tragic and ironic—Tracy’s desperate attempts to save her daughter have only resulted in more destruction, yet she’s celebrated for it.
Before the church burns down, Tracy has a chilling vision of a demon with massive wings. Whether this is a hallucination born from her own fears or a supernatural hint of things to come, it’s a haunting image that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.
Will There Be a Hysteria Season 2?
As of now, Peacock hasn’t confirmed a second season for Hysteria!. While the first season wraps up many of the loose ends, there’s plenty of room for the story to continue. What will happen to Tracy in prison? Will the town continue to worship her from afar, much like Charles Manson’s followers did?
The show hints at future complications for Faith, who might not be free from her mother’s grasp just yet. And what about the creepy hand at the end—does it mean the town’s hysteria is far from over?
There’s also the potential for Dylan and his friends to become famous after all the attention their band has gotten, and Judith’s upcoming move to LA could create an entirely new storyline. Hysteria! ends on a high note, but it leaves plenty of questions that a second season could explore.
In conclusion, Hysteria Season 1 isn’t just a story about teen rebellion or occult panic—it’s a deeper commentary on the power of fear and how it can control and destroy lives. Whether or not there’s a season two, the message is clear: fear is the true mind-killer, and it will continue to wreak havoc unless someone stands up to it.
