In the sixth installment of "Boy Swallows Universe," titled “Boy Gets Job,” the narrative leaps forward three years. Eli, now seventeen, finds himself navigating life's complexities. The mystery of Lyle's fate remains unresolved, leaving Eli and his family uncertain about whether he is alive or not.
The episode reveals significant changes in the lives of those around Eli. Bich Dang is now disabled, and her son Darren, who had taken over her business, finds himself behind bars. Robert, Eli's father, has successfully maintained his sobriety and gained control over his life. Frankie, Eli's mother, is on the verge of release from prison, and the family plans to use their hidden savings to purchase a new home. Despite these developments, some aspects of Eli's life remain constant, including his correspondence with his prisoner friend, Alex Bermuda.
Upon Frankie's release, Eli and Gus eagerly welcome her back, reminiscing about the time Eli broke into prison to see her on Christmas Day. The brothers disclose their plans to buy a house in The Gap, but Frankie surprises them with her own plans. She reveals her romantic involvement with Teddy Kallas and her intention to move in with him, a revelation that upsets Eli due to his resentment towards Teddy over Lyle's situation.
Eli's attempt to persuade Frankie to live with Robert instead fails, and she instead invites Eli to join her at Kallas’s place. Tensions rise when Gus donates all their saved money to a friend suffering from muscular dystrophy, leaving Eli financially stranded and prompting him to seek employment at a newspaper agency. Unfortunately, his application is late, and he misses the opportunity.
Eventually, Eli and Gus agree to stay with Kallas and Frankie for a short period. Concurrently, Caitlyn visits Bich Dang in a nursing home, probing for information about Lyle Orlik. Despite Bich Dang's reluctance to speak, Caitlyn leaves her contact details, hoping for future cooperation.
The situation at Kallas's house deteriorates when Eli accuses Teddy of being a whistleblower, causing tension and hostility. The conflict reaches a climax when Kallas attempts to smother Frankie, only to be knocked out by Eli. With no other options, Frankie returns to live with Robert, bringing her sons along.
The episode takes a dramatic turn when Alex Bermuda, the man Eli has been writing to, intervenes during a confrontation where Kallas, armed with a baseball bat, attempts to forcibly take Frankie from Robert's home. Bermuda's intervention prevents the situation from escalating further.
The episode concludes with a menacing act by Ivan, who enters Bich Dang's room and suffocates her with a pillow, ensuring her silence. This act hints at Ivan’s role as an enforcer for a more powerful, unseen figure pulling the strings.
As the series heads towards its finale, it becomes clear that Ivan is not the mastermind, but rather a hired hand serving someone else's interests. The anticipation builds for the final episode, where long-concealed truths are expected to come to light, including the mystery surrounding Lyle’s fate. This episode of "Boy Swallows Universe" sets the stage for a revealing and potentially explosive conclusion.
