"castle Rock" Ties That Bind(2019) Apr 2026

: Critics from Den of Geek noted the episode’s brilliance in subverting expectations, particularly Joy’s decision to restrain her mother "for her own good".

: Annie becomes convinced she is hallucinating after seeing a resurrected Ace Merrill at the Marsten House. Her subsequent mental unraveling leads her daughter, Joy, to sedate her and tie her to a bed—a mirror of Annie's future behavior in Stephen King’s Misery . "Castle Rock" Ties That Bind(2019)

: Things begin to "take shape" at the cursed Jerusalem's Lot mansion, as reanimated figures like Ace Merrill begin building a mysterious presence there. : Critics from Den of Geek noted the

: Pop Merrill suffers a minor stroke while interrogating Abdi. Despite their tensions, Abdi shows mercy by taking Pop to the hospital, resolving their immediate conflict while setting the stage for a "stunning collision" later in the season. Critical Reception : Things begin to "take shape" at the

" Ties That Bind " (2019) is the critical third episode of Castle Rock's second season, widely praised for its expert blend of psychological tension and character-driven horror. Critics particularly highlighted the role-reversal dynamic between Annie Wilkes and her daughter, Joy, as the episode's centerpiece.