8. Strange Brew

Complete story — includes the ending

Tom awakens next to his wife Rebecca to discover he has been living an ordinary but perfect life as a college professor and as a father to his three sons in a world that has not been invaded by the Espheni. Things were going well for him until he starts to receive messages from Anne Glass that imply he is having an affair behind his wife's back. But with no memory of the 2nd Mass, Anne or the alien invasion, he becomes increasingly concerned that he's been living somebody else's life. As a result his world starts to fall apart around him. When four locations are made exceedingly clear to him, he begins to suspect something is not quite right and awakens from the dream to find out that Karen was trying to manipulate him into revealing the location where the Volm weapon will be used. When seemingly he is rescued and shoots Karen dead, he awakens later in Charleston and heads to the briefing room to find four maps of locations seen in his dream and realizes he is still being manipulated by Karen. Breaking free from the dream he awakens in the real world to discover that Karen has had Anne and Alexis killed. After breaking down in tears and initially trying to attack Karen, he is later shown the activation of the Espheni planetary defense grid. He then escapes by jumping from the ledge, using a Skitter to break his fall. After traveling to his old house, he dreams of his wife, and is told to move forward with his life and that there was nothing left for him there. Meanwhile back in Charleston suspicions are cast over Peralta when an explosion destroys the only radio that can contact President Hathaway's forces, almost killing Weaver. After initially being refused permission to join the front line troops in the upcoming operation, Maggie, after saving Weaver's life, has her request accepted. Meanwhile Hal, Matt and Ben return to Charleston without Tom, but believe their father will return home.