School Spirits, the teen murder mystery series starring Peyton List, delivers a gripping first season filled with twists, betrayal, and shocking revelations.
The story follows Maddie Nears, a teen stuck in the afterlife at Split River High School, as she uncovers truths about her death and the people she thought she knew. Let’s break down the season finale and what it means for Maddie and her friends.
Maddie’s Unsettling Discovery About Her Mother
As the final episode begins, Maddie becomes suspicious of her mother, Sandra, believing she might be connected to her death. Maddie instructs Simon, her friend and living connection, to investigate Sandra’s house for clues.
Simon finds Maddie’s necklace, the one she was wearing on the day she died, hidden in Sandra’s belongings. This discovery leads them to confront Sandra during a school event where she is set to accept an award on Maddie’s behalf.
During the confrontation, Sandra reveals that on the day Maddie died, she had shown up at school drunk, excited to share her plans to buy a cabin with money meant for Maddie’s college fund. Maddie was furious, dragging Sandra to the boiler room to avoid public humiliation. Maddie told her mother how years of neglect had forced her to grow up too soon, taking care of Sandra instead of enjoying a normal childhood.
Maddie then threw her necklace at her mother and told her to leave. While Sandra’s actions were selfish and hurtful, it becomes clear she did not kill Maddie. Instead, her speech at the award ceremony is a heartfelt acknowledgment of her failings as a parent.
A Shocking New Revelation About Maddie’s Death
While Maddie and Simon uncover the truth about Sandra, their friends Xavier, Claire, and Nicole are working to free the school janitor, who was framed for Maddie’s murder. A stakeout at a suspect’s house goes wrong when someone steals Xavier’s truck and injures him during an escape. Nicole records the incident and later notices something unbelievable in the footage—a reflection of Maddie’s face in the truck’s mirror. She sends the video to Simon, believing it holds the key to understanding what really happened.
Simon confronts Maddie with the video, but instead of finding answers, he questions her existence. He begins to believe the Maddie he’s been talking to is a figment of his imagination, as the video suggests she might still be alive. Distraught, Maddie tries to convince him she’s real, but he walks away. Left alone, Maddie remembers more details from the day she “died.” She recalls hearing someone calling for help from the fallout shelter and seeing Mr. Martin, the school’s resident ghost counselor, arguing with another spirit, Janet. Maddie realizes that Janet attacked and possessed her body, leaving her spirit trapped in the afterlife while her physical body remains alive but under Janet’s control.
The Fallout Shelter’s Dark Secrets
Meanwhile, the other ghosts at Split River High—Wally, Charley, and Rhonda—begin investigating the school’s history after noticing discrepancies about Janet’s past. They discover that Janet lied about her death, which occurred alongside Mr. Martin in a fire in 1958. Digging further, they uncover Mr. Martin’s hidden notebooks filled with psychological observations about the spirits and personal items tied to their deaths. It becomes clear that Mr. Martin and Janet are hiding something, and their connection to Maddie’s death is deeper than anyone suspected.
Rhonda warns Maddie that she “can’t trust him,” referring to Mr. Martin, just as he appears ominously at the top of the stairs in the fallout shelter. The season ends with Maddie still separated from her body, her friends believing she’s alive, and Mr. Martin’s true motives shrouded in mystery.
What’s Next for Maddie and Split River High?
The finale leaves many unanswered questions: Can Maddie regain control of her body from Janet? What is Mr. Martin’s endgame, and why is he so invested in Maddie’s fate? Will the ghosts uncover more about the mysterious fire and Mr. Martin’s role in it?
Maddie’s friends are also left in a precarious position. With Simon doubting Maddie’s existence and Xavier recovering from his injuries, they must figure out how to move forward without exposing their own secrets. Meanwhile, the other spirits are determined to uncover the truth about their unfinished business, even as Mr. Martin tries to keep them from moving on.
Conclusion
School Spirits Season 1 ends on a suspenseful note, weaving together emotional character arcs and a compelling mystery. Maddie’s journey explores themes of grief, betrayal, and identity, leaving viewers eager for answers in the next season. The haunting twist of her body being alive but controlled by Janet adds a chilling layer to the story, setting the stage for more revelations and confrontations in Season 2.