Suzanne is updated on the latest developments in the case. There are two sets of fingerprints on the knife, one belonging to Mae and the other is unidentified at this time. Not only that, but the blood on the knife matches that seen on Mae’s dress too. It’s not enough to get a warrant but it’s at least a start.
Lopez deduces that Mae was abused by her parents, which explains why she ran away and why they’ve not shown up to take her home.
Mae is brought into school with Jules. She’s not happy about being stuck with a shadow, but Suzanne sees it as an opportunity. When Mae notices the A on the back of Suzanne’s car later on, she hastily washes it off before anyone else can see it.
Peter and Suzanne head out together for dinner, where the former is worried about the financial implications of bringing Mae in and paying for new school supplies. As we know, he’s struggling with money and hasn’t bothered to tell his partner. While they’re on their date, the girls end up watching a film together. Heever, Mae hurts Dani by “helping” her with her stretches. Just after, she decides to braid Jules’ hair.
Mae shows up at Jules’s house later that night and urges her not to say anything about her past or where she’s come from. Jules encourages her to “fake it till she makes it”, before the pair grow closer together, complete with Jules even doing her makeup ready for school.
Mae’s past is detailed in flashback, including being chosen as a “blessed one” by Abigail, her mother. After giving her something to eat, other women and girls there get her prepped for something. Along with washing her down with a sponge, her hair is braided.
There are a lot of rumours about Amon town, including one in particular (according to Adele at the hospital) where babies who are born there are hung upside down on crosses to see if they’ll survive. When Suzanne hears, she shrugs it off and claims it’s farfetched. “Have you been out to Amon County?” Adele bites back. ..
Detective Lopez interviews Mae’s parents, the Dodd family. Malachi and Abigail Dodd, Mae’s parents, to be precise. The rep is pretty standoffish, pointing out that it’s odd Lopez has shown up in a small town after being a hotshot in Chicago. “You’re encroaching on their religious freedom.” Bill signs off, leaving things on an ominous note and another intriguing littler mystery. What happened to Lopez in his past?
Suzanna Dodd decided to leave a note for her family, asking them to call her about Mae. She also started asking about the Dodd family at a nearby pig farm. He unnervingly told her to go home and stop asking questions. Given there are several menacing men outside, she gets in her car and takes off.
Suzanne finds a note from her neighbor, Mae, that says she’s been branded with a pentagram. This is a sign of control and something that’s prevalent in the community. As she reads the note, Suzanne starts to freak out.
Peter strikes a deal with an old friend called Cheryl, asking her for help with his development. Thankfully she agrees to help.
Jules starts to find cracks in what little rays of light she’s held onto at school, with Mae taking the first issue at the newspaper and overshadowing Isaac. While the “two besties” continue to laugh and joke together, Mae still has her strange shrine, which she continues to add items to, including ripping up Jules’ shirt. ..
As the episode ends, Suzanne promises never to betray Mae. When Suzanne heads to bed, Mae grabs a knife and heads into the garage, cutting up the meat Peter brought back from his deer hunt earlier in the episode.
The Episode Review
As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Mae is part of a cult and the sheriff is investigating them. The questions raised about the cult and Mae’s role in it are just beginning to be answered.
The mystery in this series is intriguing and builds to a dramatic conclusion. The flashbacks help to flesh out the past but the style and tone of the series feels very similar to Servant, which makes it an enjoyable read. Despite that, the mystery is enticing enough to stick with and find out what happens next.
