'The Strain' Recap: "The Master" Presents Corey Stoll's Eph Fighting Against Vampires In Season One Finale!

The first season finale of The Strain has finally arrived on FX. Based on the bestselling Dark Horse Comics series by visionary director Guillermo Del Toro, the fate of humanity rests in the hands of Ephraim Goodweather (Corey Stoll) as he takes on "The Master."

Billionaire Eldritch Palmer (Jonathan Hyde) makes a visit to the dilapidated pawn shop. Palmer asks his right-hand man to carry out some souvenirs from the basement during his conversation with Thomas Eichorst (Richard Sammel). Eldritch learns he was only given good health, not immortality; basically he was suckered out of his deal.

In a flashback, Zach (Ben Hyland) remembers his mother teaching him how to ride a bike. The boy wakes up from his dream after hearing gunshots. Zach sees his father Eph (Corey Stoll), Abraham (David Bradley), and Vasiliy Fet (Kevin Durand) planning another attack against The Master. 

While Palmer's right-hand man announces his resignation, Vasiliy and Eph discover the coffin's whereabouts. Vasily discovers a hidden underground tunnel that leads to the rock star's venue. The exterminator then removes a sewer cap to bring in sunlight for the sleeping bloodsuckers.

Eph discovers Nora (Mia Maestro) is in a state of mourning. Eph doesn't want to fight because he wants to protect Zach. Nora reminds him that the only way he can keep his child safe is to bring him along for battle.

Palmer continues to bask in the dark side by throwing a senator off the roof. Knowing there is too much at stake, Abraham and Eph teach Zach how to use a silver knife against a vamp. After the lesson, the group goes down the tunnel, sets off some dynamite sticks, and lets the explosion take out half of The Master's army.

A big battle is about to begin, bringing in all the baddies, including the infected rock star and Eichorst. Vasiliy ends up going one-on-one with Eichorst, but gets his butt handed to him. Nora gets revenge for her dead mother by cutting off the stinger of the rock star. 

Zach and Eph join Abraham as they fight against the Master. Abraham slashes his sword around while the father and son duo break all the windows in the room. The Master howls in pain as the sunlight burns his white skin.

The battle is too much for the Master as he throws himself out the window. All of a sudden, the vampires retreat, realizing their overlord is in trouble. With the scorching sun on his back, the Master crawls across the building and into the sewer tunnels.

The group has hurt the Master but they have not defeated him. They realize a horrible truth –– sunlight does not kill him. This vampire is not like any of his own brethren.

We find Gus (Miguel Gomez) still alive but tied up after being taken hostage. The vampire vampire hunter lets him loose because he wants to show him something. In a wide room, with the floor drenched in blood, The Ancients are sleeping.

The vampire vampire hunter explains a truce has been broken. The Ancients have chosen Gus to kill The Master for them. Accepting their offer, Gus wants payback for the death of his mother. 

Zach and Eph return home, only to find the mother waiting for them. Knowing she has been turned into the Master's bride, Eph has to shoot the woman he loves. Traumatized by the event, Eph's sobriety ends as he drowns himself in alcohol.

While driving across the bridge, Eph takes a look out side the window. In a wide shot, we see the island of Manhattan covered in flames and smoke. 

This is how the first season of The Strain ends. Readers, what did you think of The Master?