Sirens Recap: Family Matters

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“Does this look like fun to you? Being a Mrs. Somebody?” 

In the realm of cinema, I find myself captivated by the character Michaela Kell from the series “Sirens“. She’s a boss who struggles with control and setting boundaries, making her challenging to work under at times. Yet, this episode sheds light on a different side – a woman who was swept away in the golden world of a man she loved.

It would be easier if she were the cold-hearted villain Devon presumed. However, in “Sirens”, no one is completely perfect or wickedly evil. They’re all characters with damaged pasts, trying to mend their broken wings.

In a stark contrast to the ethereal, surreal world of “Monster,” the gritty reality of “Persephone” is an earth-shattering return. The film masterfully intertwines our principal characters in a whirlwind night that was so tumultuous, it left me momentarily forgetting about Michaela’s high-profile gala. Amidst all this chaos, I can hardly imagine how it could surpass Peter’s dismal clam chowder and seemingly endless dinner party. Only time will tell if it lives up to the hype.

For now, let’s explore the consequences of Ethan’s proposal, which seems to have backfired significantly. Simone’s anger is justified as she finds it romantic that he invited her father, Bruce, despite their history of not speaking for obvious reasons. On the contrary, Ethan can’t comprehend why anyone, especially a woman from Buffalo, would reject the New England region’s (three times!) most eligible bachelor.

In an even more bizarre turn of events, Michaela stumbles upon an extraordinary scene where she looks radiant in a stunning emerald green dress that one might associate with Julianne Moore. This catch the attention of Bruce who is left speechless. He claims they’ve known each other for a very extended period, looking at her with deep admiration. However, things take an awkward turn as Bruce seems to believe that Michaela is his long-deceased wife and proposes something inappropriate, using explicit language. The situation quickly becomes unbearable for a marriage proposal, causing Simone to flee the scene.

In the whirlwind of events following Peter’s unwanted advance at the Cliff House, I can hardly fault her for momentarily overlooking his apology attempt. It feels like an insignificant detail compared to all that has transpired in just a few hours. Eventually, Simone reassures him she won’t betray him to Michaela, promising, “We both have much to protect, so this will remain our secret.” Little did she know, those words would be her undoing.

Although it may have been harsh for Michaela to point out that Devon is in last place among those Simone prefers, it’s clear that Simone could benefit from Kiki’s advice. In the episode’s opening scene, we learn that during Simone’s job interview, Michaela shared her own background – having worked tirelessly for a law-school scholarship similar to the one Simone eventually earned. Unlike Michaela, Simone comes from a more affluent family, and Michaela understands the potential consequences of marrying someone who doesn’t.

Michaela doesn’t explicitly advise Simone against marrying Ethan, but it’s evident what her true feelings are. She says, “When you become Mrs. Someone, your life expands significantly, yet you shrink in many ways.” Moreover, she lacks financial independence and relies heavily on his approval. In light of this, Michaela presents an enticing option to Simone: the chance to lead her conservation foundation in New York City for three times her current wage. It seems as though Michaela is offering a potential escape route that she herself cannot take, much like Persephone who was trapped by temptation in a dark realm.

In a mix of excitement and dread regarding Ethan, Simone agrees. However, before jumping into action, Michaela humorously queries, “Can we take a quick moment for some paperwork before you cut him loose?” She’s determined to uncover Peter’s infidelity, convinced she can with access to his electronic devices. Simone advises they try his personal phone since it often remains unlocked. Turns out, the phone was hidden amidst stacks of bread. When Michaela eventually discovers it, she dials an unidentified number from Peter’s recent calls – naturally, it belongs to his son.

Simone’s emotionally draining night continues without respite. Despite standing firm when parting ways with Ethan, he throws a petulant fit (a trait Glenn Howerton is known for), protesting that this new side of her is unfamiliar. “You’re like, dark,” he blurts out. “It’s making me uncomfortable.” However, Simone remains steadfast. She recalls the last time she saw Bruce was in court when he lost custody of her due to negligence and abuse, a story that eventually convinces Ethan that she is right.

In my perspective as a film enthusiast, the conversation between Simone and Devon in this episode takes an unexpected turn, flipping the dynamic from what we saw in the premiere. When Simone coolly declares she never wants to lay eyes on their father again, it’s hard not to empathize with her sentiment. However, Devon seems taken aback by her words. He questions if she feels no sense of obligation towards their father, to which Simone retorts that he never showed any responsibility for her when she was young. Not only did his neglect result in Simone spending time in foster care, but it also led her to consider taking her own life. She goes on to tell Devon, visibly shocked by her words, that their father is the one who drove their mother to suicide and will likely drive him to do the same. In a nutshell, it’s a heart-wrenching conversation that leaves us all in disbelief.

In this third episode sequence, we see the sisters grappling with their past, a process that proves impactful, though painful. Regrettably, they should not have had to face such struggles at all. However, they did, and the methods they used to cope might linger as dark shadows in their future. Interestingly, Simone seems to have made strides in improving her mental health. For instance, when Devon mentions her unused Klonopin, Simone explains that she and her long-term psychiatrist devised a step-by-step plan to lower her medication dosage.

It would be so much simpler for Devon if her initial perception of Simone as a mind-controlled damsel in distress were accurate, but life is seldom that straightforward. Now that all cards are on the table, it’s clearer than ever that there are more shades of gray in their situations than either of them initially understood.

Devon hastily leaves for the beach, seeking solitude. Swiftly following behind is Captain Morgan, Married Raymond, and that Mysterious Gardener from earlier in the day, much to everyone’s displeasure. (Apologies for any discomfort, but it seems Devon must have quite the charm in that department.) Josh Segarra convincingly portrays dim-witted men with kind hearts because I found myself unexpectedly empathizing with Raymond in this scenario. He evidently cares for Devon; however, he appears oblivious to the harmful behaviors he supports, from their casual encounters to the excessive drinking bouts that led to her arrest. But when she lashes out at him, going so far as to threaten that “if you stepped into the ocean and drowned now, I’d be better off,” it’s hard not to cringe alongside him.

Inside, Michaela is doing her utmost to soothe Bruce who appears agitated after descending from Peter’s “sad-man crow’s nest” under the influence of something and exhibiting paranoia. Even Simone attempts to lend a hand upon encountering this unsettling situation, but Bruce, in his confused state, mistook her for someone deceased, calling out “dead.” To prevent him from deteriorating any further, Michaela feigns being his wife and allows him to reminisce about their tumultuous past. She even discloses a personal memory of her own struggles with infertility. Upon witnessing this, Peter, who had been observing the scene, seems to recall that his wife might actually be human.

After Bruce finally tires out and dozes off, Peter and Michaela finally engage in a sincere discussion, which feels like it’s been ages. Peter confesses about attending his grandson’s christening; Michaela firmly expresses her desire for him to have a connection with her children, despite the potential disapproval. They both declare their affection for each other. It appears more genuine or authentic from now on.

It’s unfortunate that the evening concludes with that Vanity Fair photographer capturing Peter and Simone in a kiss, as if finding out about it is the most devastating moment for Michaela and Simone alike, overshadowing even Ethan’s dramatic fall off Chekhov’s cliff.

Bread crumbs

Kudos to the hair, makeup, and costume teams for creating distinct looks for Simone, both before and after Michaela, as Simone arrived at the island with a messy ponytail, an old gray shirt, rough skin, and hastily done tattoos. (Additionally, Milly Alcock deserves recognition for her skillful acting adjustments throughout this episode.)

Could you please ask the Cliff House staff once more to silence their phones? This way, their supervisors won’t be able to inquire about the content of their messages since they won’t see them receiving any.

The standout moments from Raymond (Raymond) or Josh Segarra are either his annoyance at being confused for a caretaker (“I’m actually a manager at a highly-rated Falafel Balls place, if you didn’t know”) or his response to the Buffalo Bills quarterback attending the event (“Guess I don’t have to go to work today, I’ll just torch the restaurant instead”).

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2025-05-23 05:58