Teacup season 1 episodes 5 and 6 ending: Who is inhabited by the Assassin?

Directed by John Hyams, Teacup season 1 gained popularity due to its intense storyline that mixed family dynamics with the concept of aliens living among humans.

On Thursday, October 24, 2024, the show released episode 5 titled I’m a Witness to the Sickness, and Episode 6 named You Don’t Know What it Means to Win. Both episodes offer thrilling twists and revelations, bringing critical pieces of the puzzle into focus.

The show follows the journey of James, Maggie and their son Arlo, who find themselves caught between alien forces. Harbinger, the good alien, has come to Earth to stop an invasion. But assassins are hunting him, threatening the family’s safety. As episodes 5 and 6 wrap up, the assassin inhabits Ellen's body, manipulating her behavior while the group struggles to determine who can be trusted.

There has been confusion regarding whose body remains inhabited till the end, which should get resolved in the finale. The conclusion of episode 6 suggests that obstacles that lie ahead for all.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinions on spoilers for the finale of Teacup season 1. Reader discretion is advised.

The role of Harbinger in Teacup season 1 episode 5

In Teacup season 1 episode 5, Harbinger's true mission is revealed. He's identified as a crucial individual in preventing a large-scale alien invasion. The iridescent tree presented in the episode represents both hope and danger.

Harbinger explains the existence of good and bad aliens, indicating that Harbinger serves as Earth's last line of defense. The assassins pursuing him throughout the season are not merely after him; they require him to activate a device referred to as the Machine.

The Machine, according to Harbinger, is a device that will initiate the alien invasion. Maggie and James prioritize the protection of Harbinger above all else. The situation becomes more critical when they understand that if the assassins succeed in capturing him, the invasion will be inevitable.

Exploring Travis and McNab’s connection

Travis and McNab's connection started when they met at a pub where Travis worked as a bartender. McNab introduced Travis to his theories about aliens living among humans. At first, Travis was skeptical, but over time, he became intrigued by McNab’s confident assertions that there were good and bad aliens on Earth.

According to McNab, meteors were the only way these extraterrestrial beings could arrive without causing alarm. The bad aliens hunted the good ones, and McNab believed that these events were linked to unusual meteorological patterns.

As Travis spent more time with McNab and another believer named Olson, they taught him self-defense and the importance of being wary of everyone. One night, Travis asked McNab how he became convinced about aliens, and McNab revealed a deeply personal story.

Travis in Teacup season 1 (Image via Peacock)

His daughter, Elisa, had been inhabited by a good alien. McNab realized that assassins, particularly a paramedic named Adam, were after her. Adam forced Elisa to drink a strange liquid, and, together, they crossed a trap line, something McNab couldn't do without experiencing intense pain.

When McNab finally found Elisa, she had been murdered, her throat slit, and the good alien had moved to another host. This personal tragedy fueled McNab's relentless pursuit of the assassins, which Travis came to fully understand, strengthening their bond.

The Iridescent Tree and its power

The iridescent tree that is revealed in episode 5 is of paramount importance to the progression of the narrative.

Travis and McNab's group observe Mary Alice planting the liquid that's the source of the tree at the Navarro residence. The characters quickly realize that the tree is not your typical plant; it establishes a trap that obstructs the good alien from evading the assassins.

Travis finds Mary Alice trying to activate the tree's power. Nevertheless, the tree ultimately represents a decision: salvation or destruction. Its influence is extensive but also functions as a tether for the aliens.

The sole method of escaping the assassins' control may be to destroy it. The tree's significance is evident by the conclusion of Teacup season 1 episode 5, but it also presents a never-ending challenge for Maggie, James and their allies.

The assassins’ pursuit of Arlo in episode 6

Arlo in Teacup season 1 (Image via Peacock)

Teacup season 1, episode 6 digs into the genuine reason for the assassins' pursuit of Harbinger. Maggie and James' son, Arlo, plays a critical role in this pursuit. Harbinger discloses that the Machine cannot be activated in his absence.

In episode 6, the family is depicted as making desperate efforts to safeguard Arlo from the looming danger. Harbinger's explanation illuminates the intricacy of the alien invasion; these assassins, which are dormant in their human hosts, will commence action on detecting Harbinger's movements. Harbinger's description of himself as the "on switch" for the Machine renders the fear of an invasion.

As a result of this revelation, Arlo gets involved in a critical conflict between good and evil aliens.

The inhabitation of Ellen’s body

Ellen in Teacup season 1 (Image via Peacock)

In Teacup season 1 episode 6, the alien assassin inhabits the body of Ellen, Maggie’s mother-in-law, which is confirmed when her demeanor changes drastically after the alien takes control.

Ellen is put to sleep, but the alien inside her becomes desperate to earn Maggie’s trust. It tries to use Ellen’s deep love for her grandchildren as a means to manipulate Maggie, reminding her how much Ellen wants to see them.

However, Maggie remains cautious, asking Ellen to rest in her room. The alien also attempts to inhabit Maggie’s body when they are alone, but its plan is thwarted when Valeria enters, informing Maggie that the children have returned. Later, when James returns home, he learns that his mother has killed Olson.

On examining the scene, James, Donald and Ruben deduce that Olson was killed while held captive, leading them to conclude that Ellen must have been the one inhabited by the alien. They find Ellen at the animal shed, her fingers trembling, a familiar sign of alien inhabitation.

Despite Ellen’s insistence that she's no longer controlled, no one can be certain if the alien has left her body or moved to someone else, fueling suspicion and fear among the group. That sets the stage for growing tension and uncertainty in the episodes to come.

Searching for a way out

A still from Teacup season 1 (Image via Peacock)

The characters are confronted with a challenging dilemma as Teacup season 1, episode 6 advances: How can they safeguard Arlo and Harbinger in the face of an ongoing threat? The solution is found in McNab's notebook, where Nicholas discovers a clue: drowning may be the key to extracting the alien from an inhabited body.

The episode's concluding moments emphasize the group's increasing paranoia. The tension in the room increases as everyone begins to question who might be inhabited despite the fact that they isolate Arlo for safety.

The uncertain future

Maggie, James, and Arlo have a lot at stake by the end of Teacup season 1, episode 6.

Everyone is on yhr edge because they are always afraid of an alien takeover, and the assassin getting into Ellen's body has made it difficult to trust anyone. Harbinger needs to keep him safe to stop the invasion, but now his family has to make decisions that they can't make.

The question that keeps coming up is whether the characters can stop the killers and save their son or whether the aliens will take over. With McNab's strong desire to keep Harbinger safe and the iridescent tree's mysterious powers, the last episodes will show if there's any hope for humanity.

Teacup season 1 is streaming on Peacock.

Edited by Bhargav