Turns Out, Racists Aren't the Only Evil Beings on Amazon Prime Video's Them

From the first moment the Emory family arrive at their East Compton home on Amazon Prime Video's Them: Covenant, it's clear that something is wrong beyond their racist neighbors. While Betty Wendell tries to get the white neighborhood to rally together and oust the Emorys, something supernatural is at work to try and break each family member's spirit. The devil is in the details when it comes to the creeping footsteps in the house at night, the mysterious marks showing up on Gracie's neck, and the unexplained images each member of the family starts to see. Although there is one overarching entity for the Black families moving into the white neighborhoods, it takes the form of what each member fears most. Ahead we've broken down the supernatural entities haunting the Emorys from the Black Hat Man to Ruby's "friend" Doris.

Who Is the Black Hat Man?

Who Is the Black Hat Man?

It isn't until episode three that we're introduced to the Black Hat Man in a terrifying exchange between him and Lucky on a late-night bus. He's the one poisoning the minds of the Black families that move into East Compton, causing Ella Mae to maim her husband and murder her children, and Arnette Beaumont to murder her family before ending up in an institution. The reason the Black Hat Man is so concerned with getting Black families out of East Compton stems from a deal he made with the devil while he was alive.

During episode eight, we learn that the Black Hat Man's real name is Hiram Epps and that he was once a godly man in 1800s Eidolon. After losing his family, he believes God has sent him an orphan to raise named Miles. In actuality, Miles is the devil and works to isolate Hiram from the rest of the community. A Black couple eventually is at the mercy of the community due to a broken wagon and while Hiram initially treats them as his guests and with respect, Miles leads him to believe that the Bible is instructing him to treat them as monsters.

Hiram then forces the couple into slavery before blinding them and setting them on fire, killing them and the rest of his community. Still believing that it is God talking to him, he agrees to a covenant where he will be immortal and have his sight restored so long as he "breaks" any person of color that tries to move into East Compton. If he fails, his soul becomes forfeit. Despite offering Lucky a reborn Chester, she rebuffs Hiram's offer so that he can no longer hurt her family. He is then sent to hell.

Who Is Da Tap Dance Man?

Who Is Da Tap Dance Man?

Da Tap Dance Man, as he's listed in the credits, is Hiram's attempt at latching onto Henry Emory's deepest fears in order to drive him mad. He is a manifestation of Henry's anger and rage when it comes to how he's treated by the white men at work, how he feels at fault for Lucky's rape, and the guilt he feels for not being able to protect his family from the racist vitriol and hate from his white neighbors.

As the only Black engineer at his workplace, Da Tap Dance Man manifests and puts on a show for Henry reminiscent of the Blackface minstrel image it embodies. Da Tap Dance Man preys on Henry's insecurities by making him feel that the white people around him only see him as a stereotype.

Although portrayed by Jeremiah Birkett, a Black actor, throughout the series, Da Tap Dance Man character is later revealed to have been in Blackface all along. It's not until Henry realizes he's the one that gives Da Tap Dance Man power that he's able to defeat him. Da Tap Dance Man wants Henry to be everything his white neighbors fear — angry, violent, and self-loathing — but in the end, Henry isn't any of those things. He's a loving father and devoted husband that wants to protect his family, so he shoots Da Tap Dance Man in the head, ending him once and for all.

Who Is Miss Vera?

Who Is Miss Vera?

Miss Vera is the first supernatural entity we're introduced to through Gracie Jean, although we don't actually see her until later. Disappointing her family, her teachers, and potentially becoming unhinged like her mother are some of Gracie's worst fears. Hiram pulls the character of Miss Vera straight from a beloved book of Gracie's, and because she's an authority figure, Gracie doesn't feel like she can stand up to her.

Miss Vera constantly leads Gracie to believe that she will never be good enough and this treatment culminates in outbursts seen both at home and at school. Miss Vera also tries to turn Gracie against her mother by teaching her the lyrics to "Old Black Joe" and the phrase "cat in the bag"; both of which tie back to the traumatic events of Chester's death.

Lucky goes to save Gracie from Miss Vera in the final episode and just as Miss Vera seems to get the upper hand, Gracie realizes her mother is who she truly wants to be. Gracie ultimately defeats Miss Vera by ripping apart her book, saying, "You'll never be like Mama."

Who Is Doris?

Who Is Doris?

At first, Doris seems like a teenager at Ruby's school, however, she is soon revealed to be another extension of the devil and any time she appears on screen, Ruby is actually alone. Much like Miss Vera and Da Tap Dance Man, Doris preys on her target's insecurities. For Ruby, her worst fear is to end up like her mother and all she wants to do is fit in with her white classmates.

It's heartbreaking to see Ruby all alone as she thinks she's gaining acceptance from her peers during a cheerleading tryout. It isn't until she covers herself in white paint that she realizes there is something wrong with her "new friend." Much like Gracie and Henry, Ruby needs Lucky's help to defeat her devil. Doris tries convincing Ruby that it was actually Lucky that killed her brother and that she will hurt her too, but together, Lucky and Ruby reconcile and Doris ceases to exist.

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