Luke Undergoes More Testing
The third episode of The Institute season 1, titled “Graduation,” kicks off with Tony escorting Luke to Dr. Hendricks for more testing. Once secured in a restraint chair, Dr. Hendricks administers an injection of a strange green liquid. As the substance takes effect, Luke becomes dizzy and his heart rate increases. Dr. Hendricks instructs Luke to keep his eyes fixed on a screen, warning that if he looks away, Tony will slap him, and if he does it again, he’ll receive an electric shock.
As the machine starts up, Dr. Hendricks asks Luke if he begins to see dots on the screen. Luke struggles to maintain focus, so Tony slaps him and forces him to look forward. Luke eventually sees colorful dots but doesn’t report it. Dr. Hendricks stops the machine and walks over to Luke, who is now convulsing. He passes out but wakes up later. When he awakens, he asks Dr. Hendricks if he can go to his room and lie down, but Dr. Hendricks denies him, insisting on another test.
Dr. Hendricks presents Luke with various cards and asks him to describe what he sees. While the audience can clearly see the images, Luke cannot. Frustrated, Luke shouts random answers, which enrages Tony and results in an electric shock. Luke is then taken back to his room.
Discovering Avery’s Abilities
Later in the cafeteria, Luke, Kalisha, and Nicky get to know Avery better and begin to uncover just how powerful his telepathic abilities are. Maureen is also present, listening in on their conversation. She later reports her findings to Ms. Sigsby.
In the cafeteria, Kalisha reveals to Luke that she saw dots when she was in the dream box, meaning she’s going to Back Half soon. Luke asks if there’s any way she can fight the dream box, and Kalisha responds that fighting it could lead to an embolism. A humming sound is heard throughout the Institute, and Luke asks the others what it is. Kalisha explains that they sometimes hear the noise and believes it comes from the Back Half.
Trusting Maureen?
Later, Luke and Avery stroll through the hallways and come across Maureen mopping the floor. Luke is trying to find a staff member they can trust to help them escape. He asks Avery if he can trust Maureen, as he can read minds. But when Avery reads her mind, he discovers she has many secrets. He tells Luke that while Maureen hates working at the Institute, she can’t be trusted because she reports everything they say to Ms. Sigsby.
A New Discovery
Later, Luke, Nicky, and Avery are at the playground when a security guard walks by with a dog. Avery stares at the guard, and Luke and Nicky ask what’s wrong. Avery explains that he can see what the dog sees. Through the dog’s eyes, he sees another playground located by the Back Half. Luke asks if there’s a way to dig through the ground to reach it, and Avery says he believes they can.
Their conversation is interrupted when Kalisha stumbles through the doors. She doesn’t look good after coming back from the dream box. Luke asks if her experience was bad, and she replies that she connected to “the hum.” Unfortunately, she’s about to graduate to Back Half.
Kalisha Graduates to Back Half
Graduation day for Kalisha is bittersweet. She and the others are upset about her transfer to Back Half. After a brief ceremony in the cafeteria, everyone takes a moment to say their goodbyes. While Nicky shares a heartfelt moment with Kalisha, Luke pulls Maureen aside and tells her he knows she’s unhappy with the Institute, urging her to help them before it’s too late. Maureen brushes him off, but it’s clear she’s considering his words.
Luke, Nicky, Kalisha, and Avery sit back at the table and hold hands. Ms. Sigsby and some staff members notice and approach, informing them it’s time for Kalisha to leave. Tony escorts an emotional Kalisha to Back Half. While this happens, Luke has Avery see through Kalisha’s eyes. Ms. Sigsby watches from her office on the security cameras. Once Kalisha walks through the doors of Back Half, Avery can no longer maintain the connection.
Annie’s Tragic Fate
When the mysterious humming sound occurs at the Institute, Annie hears it from her tent at Dennison River Bend, Maine. Later, Tim checks in on her while on patrol. Annie tells him about the noise, but Tim admits he didn’t hear anything. Suddenly, Annie begins talking to herself, muttering that someone was killed. She claims the official explanation blames the incident on pilot error, but she insists the real cause was telepathy. She believes someone or some people caused the pilot to read the numbers wrong using telepathy. Tim is confused, and Annie tells him to stay away from Route 10.
Later, Tim unwinds at a local bar where Kate notices him. As they talk, a news report on the TV catches Tim’s attention. It’s about a recent plane crash that claimed the life of a senator. Tim tells Kate about his conversation with Annie, who believes some form of mind control is happening at the mysterious facility on Route 10. He also relays Annie’s claims about telepathy being used to manipulate the pilot, causing the crash. Tim thinks Annie might be onto something, especially since the details match the news report. However, Kate dismisses the idea as conspiracy talk.
At the end of the episode, Tim goes to check on Annie again and finds her lifeless body in her tent. He sees an empty alcohol bottle and some pills. It appears that Kate may have had a hand in her death.
Ms. Sigsby’s Suspicion
Another important event in the episode is Ms. Sigsby becoming certain that Dr. Hendricks and Stackhouse are conspiring behind her back. Her suspicion is confirmed when she catches Dr. Hendricks in a lie, prompting her to review the security footage. There, she sees him speaking with Stackhouse, but the footage becomes muted by Stackhouse after a minute or so.
