According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.812 million household viewers and gained a 0.4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
In flashbacks, after David (Dan Stevens) escaped, his interrogator named Clark (Hamish Linklater) survives the explosion but is put in a coma.
Syd tells Clark about Farouk, hoping that they could team up to stop him, but Melanie (Jean Smart) does not trust Division 3.
In February 2017, it was reported that the eighth and final episode of the season would be titled "Chapter 8", and was to be directed by Michael Uppendahl and written by series creator Noah Hawley.
"[2] The final scene, where David gets trapped by the orb, is meant to symbolize the end of the story and the beginning of the second season.
[2] In its original American broadcast, "Chapter 8" was seen by an estimated 0.812 million household viewers and gained a 0.4 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Club gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "This season was entrancing, puzzling, exhausting, and energizing in equal measure.
"[10] Kevin P. Sullivan of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "The finale for the first season of Legion, easily the biggest delight of the TV year so far, turns down the volume to take a breath and nod in the direction of show's future.
"[13] Nick Harley of Den of Geek wrote, "Though the final showdown may have left a little to be desired, the rest of the episode featured all of the elements that made this season such a joy to watch and set up the series nicely for its return.
I still have plenty of questions and things I'd like to see expanded on when Legion returns in 2018, but once again Noah Hawley and FX took a challenging property on and completely knocked it out of the park.
"[14] Katherine Siegel of Paste gave the episode a 9 rating out of 10 and wrote, "These are not circumstances that those without firsthand experience can easily understand or imagine, and as such, this clear and direct attempt to generate not just sympathy but empathy that makes Legion a game-changer.