Recap: The ’Burbs Episode 5 Delivers Shocking Twist — But Was Rob’s Secret Worth It

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

If you’ve been loitering around Hinkley Hills with us, you know that The ’Burbs on Peacock has been leaning hard into the "prestige suburban noir" aesthetic. But in Season 1, Episode 5, titled "The Old Face-to-Face," the narrative engine starts to sputter just as we’re supposed to be hitting top gear. While the show excels at atmosphere, this is the installment where the central mystery gets a little wonky, trading genuine tension for some "teen trauma" tropes that don't quite carry the weight the writers think they do.

The "Big" Secret That Fell Flat

For episodes, we’ve been led to believe that Rob (Jack Whitehall) was harboring a secret dark enough to bury the entire neighborhood. Samira (Keke Palmer) has been playing amateur sleuth, convinced her husband might be a calculated psycho. The reality? It turns out Rob and Naveen haven’t talked about the missing Allison Grant because, wait for it, it was too painful.

Really? In a show defined by its subversion of suburban tropes, the "it’s too sad to talk about" defense feels like a massive letdown. Even Samira admits the secret isn’t exactly earth-shattering. As it turns out, Allison simply went to meet a guy who promised to help her dance career, a classic cautionary tale about meeting strangers and was never seen again.

While it’s understandable that Rob and Naveen have trauma from the police doing nothing and Allison’s parents just packing up and moving, the narrative buildup suggested something much more sinister. For a series that thrives on high-stakes paranoia, this revelation felt like finding out the monster under your bed is just a dusty gym bag.

The Twist We Actually Liked: Betty is Who?!

Thankfully, the episode saved itself from total boredom with a classic soap-opera-style pivot. In a shocker that the most eagle-eyed fans at The TV Cave might have smelled coming, we discover that Betty, Gary’s seemingly Stepford-esque wife, is actually the long-lost Allison.

The brief, tension-filled reunion between the "three amigos" before Gary’s poorly timed return was the highlight of the hour. It’s the kind of messy, improbable drama we tune in for. Best of all? We can finally breathe a sigh of relief: Rob is officially not a murderer. He’s just a guy with some repressed teenage baggage and a very questionable set of communication skills.

Final Thoughts

While "The Old Face-to-Face" took a detour into some shaky storytelling territory, the Allison-is-Betty reveal injects enough adrenaline to keep us buckled in for the rest of the season. The show is at its best when it’s being weird, not when it’s trying to be a PSA about 90s abduction risks.

Other notable storyline mention: Bill and Lynn have some sparks flying.

What did you think of the big reveal? Did the "too painful to talk about" excuse ruin the vibe for you, or are you just happy Rob isn't hiding bodies in the crawlspace? Let us know in the comments below or over on The TV Cave!

How do you think Gary is going to react when he finds out his wife has a history with the guys across the street?

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