Episode 5: The Seraph

All storylines hurtle towards climax as Ceann confronts his own personal Apocalypse. Songs in this episode: "The Quiet Savior," "The Unnameable," "Move From Me," "The Unnameable (Reprise)," "The End of Love (Reprise)," "Duet With America (Reprise)," and "Hymn to Life." Produced by Topic Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the lines between reality and fiction blur, fractures appear in Ceann’s new family while his mother Maeve (Glenn Close) summons him to satisfy her ultimate demand. Songs in this episode: "Unborn/Unsound" and "Dissolve Me." Produced by Topic Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joan (Cynthia Erivo), Jairo (Nakhane) and Ceann prepare for their baby’s arrival, while thousands in the present day prepare for the Homunculus. Ceann seeks out much-needed advice from his father (Denis O’Hare). Two petals to go. Songs in this episode: "If You Were Born," "Cloud of Unknowing," "Nobody Blink," and "Philosopher's Stone." Produced by Topic Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joan (Cynthia Erivo) joins Ceann and Jairo’s chosen family and Ceann learns his tumor is far from ordinary. Songs in this episode: "The New Messiah" and "Everybody Look." Produced by Topic Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enter Jairo (Nakhane), the young South African man who breaks into Ceann’s home and takes him on a journey into his own heart.  Songs in this episode: "State Road," and "Prayer of the Mandrake." Produced by Topic Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ceann and Jairo (Nakhane) settle into domestic bliss, at least at first. Meanwhile, Ceann helps his Aunt Ida (Patti LuPone) with some unfinished business and we are introduced to a revival preacher named Joan the Baptist (Cynthia Erivo). Songs in this episode: "I See What I Am," "Cloud of Unknowing," and "Love You For Free." Produced by Topic Studios Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ceann revisits glory days with his high school ex (Shalewa Sharpe) including his attempt to seduce legendary writer William S. Burroughs (Ben Foster) into being his mentor.  Song in this episode: "The End of Love." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Struggling with the fragility of memory, Ceann tries to make a virtual relationship work with a long-distance lover (Mari Moriarty) and confronts a disturbing relationship with his boarding school teacher Father Angus (Alan Mandell).Songs in this episode: "Gog and Demagogue," "Duet With America," and "Metaphor."Produced by Topic Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the pledges trickle in, Ceann reminisces about his military Dad (Denis O’Hare) and his kid brother Fintan (Christopher Hanke) with whom he has an unexpected reunion. Songs in this episode: Toy Train, and I Exist. Produced by Topic Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Broke and uninsured, struggling artist Ceann Mackay (John Cameron Mitchell) launches an online telethon to crowdfund his life-saving brain surgery. Ceann ushers his listeners into his "trailer home of secrets," opening up about his parents (Glenn Close and Denis O’Hare), his scholarly parrot, and his favorite jazz-singing aunt (Patti LuPone). Songs in this episode: "Homunculus," and "Second Glance." Produced by Topic Studios. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.