Nine Perfect Strangers Season-Premiere Recap: New Drugs, New Faces

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In my perspective as a movie reviewer, when we last caught up with enigmatic character Masha Dmitrichenko, brilliantly portrayed by Nicole Kidman, she had managed to slip through the cracks of justice. Upon reflection, Roxana Hadadi noted that the season finale of Nine Perfect Strangers left a bit of an unsavory taste: Despite building suspense for eight gripping episodes about something sinister brewing at Masha’s Tranquillum House retreat-turned-psychedelic experiment, every character ended up finding exactly what they were seeking and needing from the experience – with Masha reaping the most benefits of all.

In the second season, we are left wondering if Masha’s self-centered intentions from last season have evolved in the time she has been communicating with her deceased daughter, Tatiana. Has Masha undergone a transformation as she claimed she would for clients at Tranquillum? Is it possible that the psilocybin treatment, which allowed her and the Marconis to reconnect with Tatiana, has gone awry, causing Masha to be tormented instead of comforted by her daughter’s presence? Can the past and history of Zauberwald, the secluded Bavarian clinic where Masha practices, impact or conflict with her unconventional methods?

Initially, it’s clear that Masha has undergone a significant change, most noticeably resembling Elizabeth Holmes in some aspects. We meet her at Bloomberg’s “disruptors conference,” where she reveals the development of a “psychedelic delivery system.” This technology, allegedly aided by her Silicon Valley contacts, enables patients to relive specific past experiences as if they were happening for the first time. The concept seems somewhat perplexing, with the implication being that re-experiencing something traumatic like losing a child, as if for the first time, could potentially aid in healing. However, similar to other figures in the “disruption” sector, Masha is under federal investigation, but this fact appears insignificant in the context of the story. Despite her history of skirting legal threats, it remains unclear whether they have ever presented a significant challenge for her.

At the conference, Masha encounters Martin (Lucas Englander), a representative from Zauberwald, a German medical facility where Masha initially interacted with psychedelic therapy. Martin extends an opportunity to Masha: a position at Zauberwald would allow her to carry on refining and advancing her method – which Martin refers to as her “art” – without the scrutiny of American media or government officials. It’s strategically beneficial to transfer Masha to Germany, where regulations are less stringent, but the emphasis on discipline in German culture causes friction between the mystical and transcendental aspects of Masha’s work and the scientific and medical precision that underpins it.

Martin assumes the role as Masha’s counterbalance, representing order and adhering strictly to rules. It’s evident from their initial encounter that he may eventually break his own barriers or succumb to being drawn towards Masha, much like Yao and Delilah at Tranquillum. Martin imposes three strict guidelines: no dosage without a proper amount, no dosage without consent, and no self-dosing. In the novel “Nine Perfect Strangers,” tension arises from the conflicting forces that both admire and question Masha’s teachings. Alongside Martin, opposition also comes in the form of Helena (played by Lena Olin), the wealthy owner of Zauberwald, whose grandfather established the clinic. It’s hinted that her grandfather was the doctor who transformed Masha through psychedelic therapy. Helena appears both fascinated and troubled by Masha’s unconventional methods, expressing concern over their potential impact on her grandfather’s legacy. However, Masha argues that if only he had been more open-minded, Zauberwald might not be on the brink of financial ruin.

In the summer of 2021, the debut of the first season of “Nine Perfect Strangers” followed closely behind the premiere of “The White Lotus.” Remarkably, the two series share similarities as they both feature diverse characters in a secluded luxury setting where self-discovery is encouraged. The connection intensifies with Murray Bartlett’s appearance in both shows; he played Armond in “The White Lotus” and Brian Tumkin in “Nine Perfect Strangers.” Upon arrival, Brian encounters trouble with his luggage, which gets stuck on the trolley and eventually goes missing. A petite woman in uniform (Dolly de Leon) promptly assists him with his belongings and promises to address the issue of the missing item. It is later revealed that she is not an employee of the resort but a renowned nun, Sister Agnes, who has recently left the church but continues to garner reverence. The idea of a well-known nun, given recent real-life events like a conclave and a movie portrayal, appeals to me greatly, making Sister Agnes an intriguing character among the guests.

Regarding the remaining characters: First introduced is Peter Sharpe, portrayed by Henry Golding, who unknowingly exposes his identity as an alpinist within minutes of encountering some German campers, arriving in a luxury Mercedes. Peter assumes Zauberwald is merely a high-end hotel, but one of the Germans cautions him about its past as a sanatorium where a relative perished, which is unsettling.

Next, we meet Imogen O’Clair, played by Annie Murphy, who has arrived with aspirations to reconcile with her mother, Victoria O’Clair (Christine Baranski), a frequent guest at Zauberwald. To Imogen’s dismay, Victoria has brought along Matteo (Aras Aydin), a young new boyfriend whom Imogen finds particularly offensive. Their relationship appears strained, as Imogen doesn’t seem to hold Victoria in high regard. She may have come seeking Masha’s treatment for free after reading Lars’s intriguing New Yorker article. Imogen enters the scene discussing Jungian archetypes and philosophy, expressing her disdain for all things New Age wellness. Martin advises her to forget everything she thinks she knows, but it appears that won’t be easy — she has a stubborn attitude problem.

To conclude, we meet Wolfie (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) and her girlfriend, Tina (portrayed by King Princess), who seem to have lost touch, yet appear content on this vacation. As in the initial season, we find an array of guests with different intentions: some seeking family reconnection (the Sharpes and O’Clairs), others aiming for partner reconnection (Tina and Wolfie), and a few trying to reconnect with themselves (Brian and Sister Agnes). Unlike at Tranquillum, there’s no need to confiscate phones here because there’s no service, which both Imogen and Peter discover simultaneously. Later at the bar, Imogen skillfully uses their encounter to subtly flirt: “By any chance, did your date arrive?” It turns out he’s waiting for his father, a surprise given that he hasn’t flown commercially since the ’70s. The shared tension between Peter and Imogen concerning their parents makes them an interesting pair.

At the bar, all attendees greet each other. When Victoria and Matteo show up, Imogen teasingly introduces them to Peter, causing them embarrassment. Wolfie and Tina are present, with Tina politely but pointedly turning down Wolfie’s amorous advances earlier in their shared room. She seems uncomfortable when she sees a piano. Believing Sister Agnes to be an employee, Brian asks about his lost bag, despite her not contradicting him. Martin is also there, and later Masha arrives, wearing a ‘Traitors’ hood and a snarky demeanor. She immediately greets Sister Agnes (revealing her true identity to Brian), inquires about Peter’s father, whom he has yet to hear from. Taking on the role of a detached hostess at a modern downtown eatery, Masha mentions they can’t proceed with protocol until everyone has arrived. This announcement causes some unease among the guests.

At Tranquillum House, Masha secretly administered psilocybin to her visitors without their knowledge, forcing them to consider whether they wished to remain under her supervision or depart. Consequently, due to Lars’s unique persona and Frances’s literary work, Masha gained a reputation as a psychedelic-wellness figure of sorts. It’s odd that many Zauberwald guests appear unaware of her true intentions. Tina, who neglected Wolfie’s articles, believed she was attending a spa. “It’s a mental detox,” Masha clarifies, and yet, Tina expresses discomfort with the ambiguity. It’s peculiar for her to express such concerns since she initially suggested abstaining from alcohol at the bar before joining Masha, implying that she was aware of, or intrigued by, Masha’s enigmatic practices.

Martin seems to be attempting to calm others, leaving me questioning if it’s too late for a refund. Tina believes Wolfie led her to a “cult” with the intention of getting her back to playing the piano. In the meantime, Helena is furious that Masha brought in David Sharpe, who happens to be Peter’s father and someone from Masha’s past. When Masha suggests he could potentially invest, Helena retorts, “There are plenty of billionaires who aren’t David Sharpe.” This exchange, though informative, is merely setting the stage for what has already been done by Masha – an action she wasn’t supposed to take. As the episode concludes, David Sharpe (Mark Strong), in no hurry, remains in London, directing his staff not to proceed to Zauberwald until “the deal is sealed.” His driver cautions a delay could mean encountering bad weather tomorrow. “Don’t I control the weather?” David queries, making me dislike him even more already.

The visitors head to their respective quarters. Seeking respite from her mother and Matteo, as well as some personal time, Imogen decides to live with Peter; Brian remains in a state of panic over his lost luggage; Sister Agnes prefers to sleep on the floor instead; Wolfie engages in playing the piano; and Tina weeps while taking another bath. Masha’s dreams of Tatiana suggest a more disturbing presence than healing, implying that she can’t seem to rest, with Tatiana eerily whispering, “I can’t sleep. I never sleep.

Und So Weiter

It’s quite amusing that as soon as Masha arrives in Germany, she decides to chop off her hair into a strikingly straight shoulder-length bob. Plus, the constant sips of tea she takes make one wonder if it contains some sort of stimulants.

• Pretty good line delivery from Henry Golding when he goes, “Elfriede. That’s a beautiful name.”

• The Dutch angles are a bit too much for me. I get it — we’re dealing with psychedelics!

Victoria recalls having encountered Sister Agnes in Rome one time, but it wasn’t with “Elton,” as that wouldn’t make sense given the event was a fundraiser for the Catholic Church. I’m looking forward to receiving numerous excellent performances from Christine Baranski during this season instead.

It seems there’s an unusual circumstance regarding Sister Agnes’ attire. She mentioned to Wolfie that upon arrival, her clothes were “extremely soiled,” leading the staff to provide her with their uniforms. How filthy could those garments have been? Was she carrying only a single change of clothing? Or did she arrive straight from the convent without any other attire besides her habit? There appears to be a hint of a prophecy or omen in her words, accompanied by a sense of regret when she tells Wolfie she wouldn’t wish to resemble her. Although this setup seems somewhat clichéd, I find myself intrigued by the actions and motivations of our renowned nun.

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2025-05-21 08:54