As a seasoned connoisseur of British drama and a long-time observer of human nature, I must say that this latest episode of “The Deceived” has left me utterly spellbound. The Garveys, those irrepressible sisters, continue to captivate with their antics, leaving no stone unturned in their quest for truth and vengeance.

Occasionally, it’s necessary to acknowledge one’s mistakes, and I must confess, I’ve made quite a few this season! The twists and turns have certainly taught me a lesson or two – though I still believe some of the issues stemmed from inconsistencies in the show’s production as well. From the low point last week to the high note we’ve reached today, it’s become strikingly clear that this season could have greatly benefited from having ten episodes instead of eight.

For the penultimate episode, where events took a dramatic turn, let me take you through the instances where my predictions proved incorrect as your trusted recapper.

It turns out that “Ian” was the main antagonist in season two, a twist that, while expected looking back, wasn’t my preferred choice. Despite having my suspicions about his questionable behavior from the beginning, I find it mind-blowing to see how deeply he has manipulated everyone around him. Even considering their historical distrust of strangers, the sisters’ trust in “Ian” remains hard to believe for me.

Cormac Sweeney isn’t just a swindler like “Dirty John,” but a corrupt former police officer with a gambling addiction and another family. He also carries a history of domestic violence, earning him the angry label of “despicable” from Houlihan. His wife, who seems to have dropped the charges against him under pressure, is reportedly aware of his scam targeting vulnerable women, yet appears powerless to stop him or may have given up on doing so.

Thus, Cormac located Angelica’s support group and zeroed in on Grace, a widow who seemed particularly vulnerable, as his primary mark for blackmail. It appeared that Blánaid’s €100,000 inheritance was not his final objective; Grace’s passing had significantly complicated his plan. However, when the chance provided by Eva’s distress presented itself, he swiftly seized it. He felt secure in his ability to escape unscathed, particularly after depositing a USB with incriminating security camera footage at the police station for Houlihan, who was taken aback by the evidence. But when Cormac’s wife had to ward off Eva from their front door, he escalated his actions by collecting Blánaid from school as a hostage. As he exited Eva’s residence with a cold, menacing smile, he had never been more dangerous.

In discussing the theme of this season, Horgan highlighted his intention to portray the real-life consequences of domestic violence rather than giving the false impression that everyone, particularly Grace, would be okay after JP departed. It’s a known fact that the impact of abuse can extend beyond immediate victims, often leaving them vulnerable to further exploitation by unscrupulous individuals. I appreciate that the show “Bad Sisters” chose to delve into this complex and messy scenario instead of sticking to the idealistic ending from the previous season. However, it’s incredibly distressing to see the series redefine a seemingly happy moment for Grace – as well as Eva – as another harrowing ordeal. It’s heartbreaking to realize that these strong, guarded women have once again been victimized by a man who is not only violent but also reckless. Unfortunately, Grace chose yet another toxic partner, and this time, she didn’t survive the encounter.

It’s all horrific stuff, especially because:

In our own words, we’d say: “Angelica appears to be not entirely guilt-free, yet she’s very much alive. And to think things couldn’t get any more complex!

Apart from being found unscathed after being rescued from the sea, Angelica’s suspicion about Ian proved correct. Despite this, I still harbor no affection or confidence towards her. Her intuition often seems off-base, and I can’t forget the hurtful words she spoke about Eva prior to the broadcast’s end. However, given the fact that she nearly bled out in the ocean, I acknowledge that she deserves a modicum of compassion. “Jonah spent three months inside the whale. I was in the sea for three hours. A miracle,” she declares – overly dramatic, yet perhaps justifiably so when considering her situation.

It’s uncertain if Angelica, who seems to have forgotten everything that transpired on the sailboat aside from boarding it, will harbor a bitter resentment towards the Garveys due to her known capacity for doing so. For the time being, it’s worth noting that she skillfully dodges Houlihan’s probing questions about the sisters by instead casting doubt on “Ian.” In fact, she leaves Houlihan speechless with her assertion that he has been feigning his grief altogether. While Angelica can be irritating, she does appear to value Blánaid and has held Grace’s friendship dear (regardless of whether it was reciprocated or not), which places her in the sisters’ camp – at least for now.

Also, allying with the Garveys is someone I’ve been quite rude to recently, so let’s acknowledge:

Once more, Roger shines as a character, portrayed with raw emotion by Michael Smiley. Throughout the series, he’s been one of the most subtly heart-wrenching characters, struggling with his own losses and uncertainties. He harbored Grace’s secrets for so long, fearing self-humiliation, and still carries a deep love for her. His anger towards the Garveys for not disclosing Angelica’s disappearance is understandable, given the circumstances.

As a movie enthusiast, I must admit I’ve been quite critical of him this season, mainly because I yearn for a change in his fortunes. However, it’s truly heartening to witness the renewed vigor in his eyes as Becka and Bibi appeal for his aid – an offer he graciously accepts once he comprehends the opportunity to bring Grace some long-overdue justice. His intuition, recognizing the swindler who once went by “Ian” from the racetracks, propels them all on a journey back to the location of Grace’s bachelorette party – one of the precious few memories they’ll cherish of their beloved sister forever.

I’m not responsible for the Fourth’s disaster, but I’m deeply saddened by it nonetheless. Unfortunate as it is, Eva trusted a fraudster with her feelings.

The Cormac twist just sucks so hard for Eva, who only ever wants to do right by her sisters. She’ll now beat herself up the rest of her life for following one of the only half-selfish instincts she’s maybe ever had. As an eldest daughter who only barely keeps it together sometimes, I feel so hard for her as she realizes the extent of the damage she’s done by putting her trust in this deeply unworthy man.

In a challenging acting role, Horgan – known for penning “How to Pick a Prick” with Perrie Balthazar – portrays Eva as she spirals out of control. She experiences a panic attack in the bank, angrily opens her emergency supply of less-than-fresh wine, and navigates racetracks while evading her distorted recollections of the man she believed she understood. Instead of heeding her sisters’ advice to face the problem together (a pastime they enjoy), she decides to journey north on her own.

In this series, it’s obvious that Eva’s emotional turbulence significantly alters the usual family equilibrium. Though Ursula holds the title as the eldest after Grace’s passing, it’s Bibi who steps up to restore some semblance of order. She tries to lighten the mood with a joke, “Ease off the gas, lady,” subtly guiding her older sister away from that bottle of less-than-ideal wine. “The last thing you need is more fuel for your anger,” she suggests, but Eva isn’t receptive just yet. “That’s exactly what I need right now,” she responds, a tad unnerving in her intensity. Let’s not forget the chilling opening scene of this season where the sisters were seen trying to dispose of… something… from their car trunk. So, it’s safe to say that things are not looking too bright!

Ultimately, I’ll devote a larger portion of this summary to Becka’s subplot, for the reason that I must acknowledge my oversight in previous summaries.

Regarding Becka’s team with Joe (Team Becka-Joe), it’s crucial that everyone acknowledges and respects this choice, even though it might seem overshadowed by the intense plotlines involving blackmail, violence, and extortion throughout the season. However, her decision to carry the baby and embark on a new path signifies a substantial change in her storyline.

In summary, we regretfully bid farewell to Daryl McCormack/Matt Claffin, and although Joe may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, he proved crucial when it mattered most. Despite teasing Becka for her request at this moment, it was Joe’s hint about “Ian” being a gambler that led them to the correct racetrack.

Despite feeling sad about McCormack and Eve Hewson’s dynamic, it’s hard to argue with the poignant ending they reach by the episode’s close. Their romance symbolizes a turbulent period in their lives that they must both leave behind to progress. As for Becka and Joe, I foresee many heated discussions ahead, but hopefully also lots of loving moments as well. In Joe’s words, they simply enjoy sharing the same atmosphere, which has value in itself.

From a movie-loving perspective, the emotional farewell between Becka and Matt feels like the end of a chapter, but whether letting go of the past is truly an option remains to be seen in the season finale. Given the Garveys’ history, there’s always a curveball waiting around the bend that might pull them back into their starting point – or send them tumbling over a cliff into the unknown.

Loose Ends

I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Loftus. This week, his retirement seems to be a significant point in our discussions. It appears that he’s going through a tough time with his daughter moving to Australia and being caught by Houlihan. However, this situation may serve as a catalyst for him to overcome his self-pitying drunkenness (Farewell, Loftula). I hope he finds the strength to assist Houlihan in turning things around.

If not, Houlihan’s readiness to act on his controversial advice is evident: “Sometimes, the only way to achieve something good is by doing something seemingly bad.” This unconventional guidance may not be wise in many cases, but for an individual who has rigidly adhered to the rules and neglected the compassion she wishes authorities would demonstrate towards her own traumatized relatives, such words could strike a chord at a critical juncture.

Joe’s honest disdain for Matt’s music has provided some of the most humorous continuity throughout this season, all thanks to Peter Claffey. The band wasn’t terrible (…or could it be that I’m equally charmed by Matt’s charm?).

• “He always had one eye on the horses. [looks at Bibi] Sorry.”

• Quick programming note: the season finale will not be dropping next Wednesday as per usual, but Monday the 23rd, presumably to keep the actual holidays free of whatever dark shit awaits the bad sisters on that seaside cliff. See you then!

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2024-12-18 13:54