The Changeling Episode 4: Mind-Blowing Revelations Unraveled – William's True Identity and Spellbinding Connection to Lillian!

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Apple TV+'s The Changeling.

Summary

In The Changeling episode 4, it is implied that William might not be a human being, given his astonishing resilience despite being viciously beaten, showing no visible signs of pain or injury.

Throughout the series, William has consistently deceived Apollo, presenting conflicting accounts regarding his wife and daughters, hinting at a potential involvement in something dreadful concerning them.

The Wise Ones hold deep disdain for William due to suspicions of him manipulating and causing harm to his wife and daughter. Additionally, there are concerns that he may have engaged in the unsettling act of swapping babies with malevolent supernatural beings, including Apollo's own child. The Changeling episode 4 concludes with a tantalizingly ambiguous ending, leaving viewers pondering two captivating inquiries: Is William truly human, and how does Apollo's current situation relate to his mother's past? Commencing with Apollo and Patrice striking a bargain with William to purchase their rare edition of To Kill A Mocking Bird, the episode unfolds with unexpected developments. William manages to evoke sympathy from Apollo and successfully convinces him of possessing knowledge regarding Emma's whereabouts. Subsequently, Apollo and William embark on a boat journey towards the enigmatic island, where the Wise Ones presumably reside.

The Changeling's William Is Likely Not Human

On the island, while Apollo embarks on his search for his wife, Emma, it becomes evident that William is scheming something far more sinister. The situation takes a bleak turn when both of them are assaulted by the Wise Ones and subsequently imprisoned. Although initially appearing as the primary adversaries of The Changeling, episode 4 subtly reveals that the motives of the Wise Ones and the true identity of William are much more intricate than initially perceived.

After discovering William's true identity, Cal and the other Wise Ones unleash a merciless beating upon him. Astonishingly, he miraculously survives the brutal blows to his head and appears unfazed by the anguish inflicted upon him. Rather than being overcome by his injuries, William cunningly manipulates Apollo by revealing his knowledge of his wife's whereabouts. Furthermore, he issues a chilling ultimatum, threatening that without Apollo's assistance, the entire island will face a grim fate. This foreboding proclamation hints at the presence of a formidable force awaiting his call for rescue. The eerie absence of pain or discomfort as William remains upright and undaunted following the savage assault by the Wise Ones raises suspicions about his true nature, casting doubts on his humanity.

William Is Lying To Apollo In The Changeling

The Changeling has previously alluded to the presence of otherworldly elements in its overarching narrative. For instance, by revealing the fulfillment of Emma's three wishes, The Changeling has established the existence of supernatural undertones within its storyline. This suggests the possibility of additional mystical creatures, beyond witches, inhabiting its world. Furthermore, William's lack of reaction to being struck in the face with a spiked baseball bat indicates that he may also possess supernatural abilities within Apollo's storyline. Despite professing a desire to assist Apollo, doubts remain about the true intentions of his heart.

Ever since their encounter in The Changeling episode 3, William has been consistently deceitful towards Apollo. Despite his confirmed profession as an app developer, there are numerous inconsistencies surrounding his accounts of his wife and daughters. Initially, he stated having two daughters, but towards the end of the episode, he clarifies he only has one. Likewise, his narrative about his wife leaving him constantly changes. He convinces Apollo that he arrived at the island due to having nothing left after his wife's departure. However, upon their arrival on the Wise One's island, it becomes apparent that he has been aware of the island's existence for an extensive period.

Why The Wise Ones Hate William

Cal's explosive reaction upon discovering that William is Greta's husband further solidifies the notion that William's account of his wife leaving him is a complete fabrication. This intense outburst suggests that he may have committed something sinister against his wife and daughter, which prompted Greta to seek assistance from the Wise Ones. Moreover, the conclusion of Episode 4 in The Changeling alludes to the fact that William and Apollo's initial encounter was not a mere coincidence. In reality, William had meticulously devised a cunning scheme to encounter Apollo following his wife's entanglement with the Wise Ones, and posing as a buyer interested in acquiring To Kill A Mockingbird was a strategic maneuver within his elaborate plan.

Episode 4 of The Changeling suggests that the Wise Ones hold deep disdain for William due to his actions causing harm to his wife and daughter. Contrary to his self-proclaimed saintly nature, William appears to have a history of manipulating other grieving men, such as Apollo, into believing that the Wise Ones are malevolent. In a particular scene from this episode, William subtly implies that he was the one who sent enigmatic messages to Emma prior to her seeking aid from the Wise Ones. Although the reasons behind his surveillance on Emma and Apollo remain unknown, it appears probable that baby Brian was actually a changed being and William played a role in substituting him with something else.

How Lillian's Past Is Connected To Apollo's Present

The conclusion of episode 3 of The Changeling unveils a shocking revelation: Emma was not the sole victim of the mysterious messages. This revelation confirms that William, the culprit behind these eerie occurrences, has targeted other unsuspecting mothers in the past, replacing their innocent babies with malevolent supernatural beings. Greta, his very own wife, may have also fallen victim to his deceit before uncovering his true intentions. By emphasizing William's habitual dishonesty and the deep-seated animosity the Wise Ones hold against him, episode 4 of The Changeling solidifies his role as the overarching antagonist of the show. It is only a matter of time until Apollo discovers this unsettling truth as well.

Upon their initial encounter, Cal shares a profound revelation, stating, "The fears of today are mere echoes of the fears of yore, timeless and unyielding. Yet, when the time arrives for us to confront them, they manifest anew." This astute observation underscores the perpetual cycle of history, underscoring the intertwined nature of Apollo and his mother Lillian's pasts and present. Eerie recollections from Apollo's childhood surface, where his father sporadically visited him, leading Lillian to insinuate that he attempted to snatch Apollo away from their abode. Moreover, Apollo was once bestowed a mysterious box by his father, embellished with the cryptic term "Improbabilia"- a vessel that contained a tome recounting the tale of a spiritual shape-shifter.

What's In The Red Suitcase In The Changeling's Ending

These subtle indications surrounding Apollo's father suggest that he may have also been affiliated with the same cult as William and desired to swap Apollo with a changeling when he was an infant. This likely explains why Lillian ended their relationship. From a figurative perspective, this exemplifies how Apollo can only become a good father to baby Brian if he uncovers the truth about his own father and learns to acknowledge and confront his childhood traumas. He attempted to be an exceptional father to baby Brian by avoiding his father's mistakes, yet history has a tendency to repeat itself in The Changeling. As Cal puts it, "old fears" have a tendency to manifest as "new."

In the closing scene of episode 4 of The Changeling, Lillian can be seen discarding a red suitcase into a river. Although the actual contents of the suitcase are undisclosed during the episode, it is possible that this act symbolizes Lillian's attempt to rid herself of the burdensome baggage from her past, much like Apollo. The red suitcase serves as a tangible reminder of all the unrealized dreams and unforeseen traumas that continue to haunt her. By throwing it into the river, Lillian takes a significant stride towards freeing herself and discovering inner peace, acknowledging the sacrifices she made as a mother to safeguard Apollo.