Chucky episode 4 sees Jake reject the killer doll and sets them as enemies. Here’s why Junior could fill that void and become Chucky’s new protege.

Warning: SPOILERS for Chucky season 1, episode 4.

Jake (Zackary Arthur) officially turned back to the light in Chucky episode 4, "Just Let Go," but here's why the stage may have been set for Junior to take over as the killer doll's protege. Played by Teo Briones, Junior Wheeler was introduced in the premiere of the Chucky TV show. Despite being Jake's cousin, Junior was raised in Chucky's version of Hackensack, New Jersey, under drastically more affluent circumstances. He was also infinitely more popular at school, having a wide circle of friends and crushes perpetuated by his being a top athlete. Between that and his open mentioning of Jake being gay in front of his homophobic father (Devon Sawa), Junior was solidified as a polar opposite and an antagonistic force in Jake's life.

Since discovering Chucky at a yard sale, the killer doll offered to help Jake with such figures. He first murdered Jake's father in Chucky episode 1, "Death by Misadventure." Subsequently, he turned his attention to Jake's top bully, Lexy Cross (Alyvia Alyn Lind). Alongside fleshing out Chucky's origin, succeeding where other slashers failed, that mission came to a head in Chucky episode 3, "I Like to Be Hugged." With Jake finally snapping, he gifted Chucky to Lexy's sister Caroline (Carina Battrick) to facilitate Lexy's murder. Ultimately, however, Chucky was only successful in killing fellow bully Oliver (Avery Esteves) and burning down a part of Lexy's house. Though Chucky made another attempt in Chucky episode 4, "Just Let Go," Jake saw the error of his ways, choosing instead to save Lexy. Chucky obviously didn't take it kindly, setting the stage for Chucky vs. Jake, Lexy, and Devon (Björgvin Arnarson).

With Jake now determined to stop him and Caroline still in the hospital's ICU, Chucky episode 4 left the killer doll with currently no friends to the end. Though the returns of Tiffany and Chucky-possessed Nica are imminent, there may already be a new protege looming in Hackensack. And that may be none other than Junior Wheeler himself. While that could seem out of left field for some viewers, the seeds may have actually been planted already. First of all, though Chucky was acting in service of Jake, the red-headed monster has inadvertently done Junior a few favors. By killing Oliver, he removed Junior's rival for Lexy's affections. Secondly, when Chucky burned down Lexy's house, it caused damage to Junior's lungs — giving him the out from competitive running that he's secretly craved. As a result, it's plausible that Junior could emerge more grateful than Jake if he learns the truth about Chucky.

Many fans thought that Jake and Chucky working together was a perfect franchise change. Junior stepping up to become a more committed protege could fill the void left by Jake's rebellion. The early episodes of the Chucky TV show have even already laid the psychological groundwork for this development. Though Jake was lonely and troubled, he remained true to his individual self — not succumbing to the pressure of Chucky or his father to be something different. Conversely, Junior has been fully molded by his own father (also Devon Sawa) to be what he wants him to be. Junior has lost all sense of individuality. As mentioned, that kind of pressure could make Junior act out. Furthermore, following the Peter Pan-inspired Chucky episode 4, it could make him susceptible to Chucky's manipulations, with Junior embracing his murderous influence as a path to freedom from his father and problems.

Another stepping stone could be the fledgling alliance between Jake, Lexy, and Devon. As seen when nobody visited Junior in hospital, he’s losing his circle to somebody he dislikes. As such, he could become as alienated and vengeful as Jake himself once was. That would make Junior even more ripe for Chucky’s deranged influence. Junior embracing the dark path Jake rejected would solidify them as polar opposites. Equally, it would cement the Chucky TV show’s progressive and subversive elements, with the gay, struggling outsider becoming the hero and the rich, popular kid who had everything succumbing to villainy — setting up some intense action in the final episodes.

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