Recap: The ’Burbs Episode 4 Ending Explained: Is Rob Hiding a Dark Past?

Is the World’s Greatest Husband Actually a Psycho?

Rating: ★★★★★

The white picket fences of Hinkley Hills are officially stained with pomegranate juice and maybe a little bit of actual blood. In The 'Burbs Season 1, Episode 4, titled "A Nine on the Tension Scale," the honeymoon phase for Samira and Rob didn't just end; it drove off a cliff. Between freezer-burnt husbands and teenage rage tapes, this episode proved that in the "Safest Town in America," the only thing truly protected is a high-level sociopath.

Block Party Blues and Fridge Red Flags

The episode kicks off with a classic suburban omen: a walk. Samira runs into Laura Daniels, who drops a reminder about the upcoming neighborhood block party. But the real drama starts with Agnes, who clearly didn't get the memo on widow etiquette. Agnes asks Lynn to whip up her late husband Marty’s famous pies and, wait for it, clean out her massive industrial fridge for a "meat delivery."

Lynn, played with glorious edge by Julia Duffy, finally snaps. She blasts Agnes, refusing to touch the pies or the fridge, declaring she’s done with the block party charade. As it turns out, Lynn has a very good reason for wanting people to stay away from her appliances.

Wine, Lies, and Pomegranate "Blood"

At wine night, the neighborhood gossip mill turns toxic. The group blindsides Samira with the "Rob Files," revealing his history of severe anger issues and the unsettling fact that their neighbor Betsy has zero digital footprint.

When Samira returns home, she’s greeted by every horror movie trope at once: Rob standing in a dark kitchen, wielding a knife dripping with red liquid. It’s pomegranate juice, he’s making a romantic dinner but the damage is done. Samira calls out his mounting lies. Rob’s defense? He only lied about his "water runs" because he was sneaking off to smoke weed and felt guilty since Samira can't partake. He gives a sweet speech about worrying for her comfort and Samira (and the audience) buys it.

A Neighborhood Bash That’s Just a Bust

The block party is a disaster from the jump. From Agnes being casually racist toward little Rory over Girl Scout cookies to Naveen’s ex showing up and triggering a total meltdown, the vibes are rancid. The "sweet" Rob vanishes the moment he starts arguing with Naveen, showing a flash of the "angry side" the neighbors warned about.

Meanwhile, Todd and Dana take things to a felony level by essentially kidnapping Naveen to grill him for dirt on the missing Allison. But the episode’s biggest "holy sh*t" moment belongs to Lynn. We finally see what’s in that fridge: Marty isn't just dead; he's wrapped up in the freezer like a Sunday roast.

The Basement in the Woods

Samira’s snooping finally hits paydirt. After witnessing Rob’s temper, she finds his therapy file and even more damning Allison’s old phone. On it is a voicemail from a teenage Rob, snarling that Allison will "regret her decision."

Seeking safety, Samira heads to the woods to vent to her brother, only to trip and discover a hidden basement door. The episode ends on a chilling "Nine" as Rob suddenly appears behind her in the dark.

Is Rob the world’s greatest husband or a calculated psycho? Did Lynn "retire" Marty herself? And just how much does Naveen know? One thing is certain: Hinkley Hills is officially at a breaking point.

Stay tuned to The TV Cave for more recaps and deep dives into the suburban madness!

How do you feel about Rob’s "pomegranate juice" jump scare? Drop your theories in the comments, is he a killer or just a guy with a really bad PR problem?

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