Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for Bad Sisters Season 2 Episode 3.

Bad Sisters has always focused on the profound connection among the Garvey sisters. However, after the tragic loss of Grace in Episode 2, this once unbreakable family unit is now facing significant challenges to maintain their bond. Episode 3 unfolds immediately after the shocking demise of Grace (Anne-Marie Duff), and the sisters are enveloped in their individual grief. True to their nature, external forces intruding into their lives threaten to undermine their stability and safety. Although John Paul is gone, a new adversary emerges as Angelica (Fiona Shaw) inserts herself into their troubled lives. Desperate to escape the looming specter of imprisonment, the sisters grapple with the haunting question: can they truly escape their past?

The Resilience of the ‘Bad Sisters’ Shines Through in Season 2 Episode 3

The episode opens with the sisters in a state of despair following Grace’s tragic passing. Ursula (Eva Birthistle) is seen taking pills in her vehicle before collapsing into the arms of Eva (Sharon Horgan) in her front yard. Bibi (Sarah Greene) and Becka (Eve Hewson) quickly join their heart-wrenching embrace, clinging tightly to one another as they navigate their profound grief. The tight-knit group, once five strong, is now reduced to four. In a moment of reflection, Eva listens to a voicemail left by Grace on that fateful night, leaving the sisters in confusion about what Grace may have needed help with before the accident. The sisters dismiss the idea that Grace harmed Ian (Owen McDonnell) as mere “group hysteria.” However, as they contemplate the circumstances surrounding Grace’s accident, Ursula’s panic sets in. She realizes she provided Grace with medication for anxiety and wonders if those pills could have impaired Grace’s ability to drive. Rushing to Grace’s home, Ursula frantically searches for the pills but finds nothing.

When the police arrive, they inform the sisters that one of them must identify Grace’s body due to Ian’s ongoing disappearance. Ursula volunteers, citing her background as a nurse, but it seems more like an act of penance for her. She implores Detective Inspector Fergal Loftus (Barry Ward) to notify her when the toxicology results for Grace come back, convinced that her medication contributed to the tragedy. Loftus sternly reminds her that their brief romantic encounter after a speed dating event won’t grant her any special treatment. Both Loftus and Detective Una Houlihan (Thaddea Graham) maintain their suspicion that Grace was hiding something, which might explain her flight on the night of the accident.

The other sisters are equally affected by Grace’s death. Eva lashes out at her boss over the phone, declaring, “stick this job in your hole,” only to hilariously follow it up with, “I just handed in my notice.” Bibi expresses concern for her sister Bibi, who remains stoic and resorts to sarcasm as a coping mechanism. Despite their bickering, the sisters attempt to unite in selecting a final dress for Grace, sharing memories of the sister they loved so dearly. Blanaid (Saise Quinn) ultimately assists them in choosing the perfect outfit. After she leaves, Bibi mournfully remarks, “I wish we’d never started this… never gone after The Prick.” The sisters are painfully reminded that their mission in Season 1 to eliminate John Paul has now led to devastating consequences, with Grace paying the ultimate price.

Grace’s Funeral Reveals Unexpected Dynamics in ‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2 Episode 3

The sisters convene in the church for Grace’s funeral, where Angelica makes a surprising appearance, visibly distressed. She repeatedly exclaims, “I can’t believe this is happening,” prompting Bibi to label her a “grief thief.” Angelica’s actions imply her attempt to co-opt their loss as her own. Adding insult to injury, she tries to sit in the front row reserved for Grace’s family, leading to a confrontation. Blanaid initially hesitates to join her aunts, but ultimately moves to sit beside Eva when the service begins. The first major surprise guest arrives: Matt Clafflin (Daryl McCormack), who unexpectedly attends the service. Loftus and Houlihan are also present, taking note of Matt’s attendance, raising questions about why Grace’s insurer would be at her funeral.

The funeral service begins with an elderly priest who stumbles through his speech, and his incoherent ramblings prompt Bibi to burst into laughter, which quickly turns into genuine tears, marking her first emotional release. Although the sisters collectively decide against delivering a eulogy, the atmosphere becomes awkwardly silent. In a heartfelt tribute, Roger (Michael Smiley) stands up and begins to sing, with Bibi being the only sister to join in, creating a touching moment for Grace. After the service, as the sisters line up to greet attendees, they are caught off guard by another surprise: Ian has returned! While the police attempt to extract information from him regarding Grace, he reveals little. He casually mentions that he and Grace had “a bicker about nothing that escalated” and sought refuge with a friend, contradicting the sisters’ fears that Grace harmed him. Ian later approaches the sisters, inquiring if they assisted Grace in covering up John Paul’s murder. Eva candidly admits, “We covered it up.”

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After the funeral, the sisters gather at Eva’s home, where Angelica approaches Ursula, offering her chocolate and sharing her own experience of losing her husband at a young age. She tells Ursula, “you can never get grief right,” which resonates deeply. Ursula, feeling overwhelmed with guilt regarding Grace’s death, hesitates to elaborate but eventually confides in Angelica. She reveals that she had given Grace pills to calm her nerves after the incident with Ian, expressing her belief that she might be responsible for Grace’s fate. Angelica seems to offer solace, stating, “That which is done in love cannot be bad,” and kisses Ursula on the forehead before departing. However, unbeknownst to Ursula, she has inadvertently provided Angelica with crucial leverage to further embed herself into their lives.

As the days pass, Ursula grows increasingly anxious, repeatedly attempting to contact Angelica, who never answers. Determined to confront her, Ursula tracks her down at the community center where Angelica volunteers. In their conversation, Ursula nervously inquires whether Angelica has disclosed their private conversation about the pills, but Angelica evades a direct answer. Instead, she mentions a broken window at the community center, calculatingly implying that it would cost 200 euros to repair. This subtly hints at her potential intentions to blackmail Ursula, and ultimately, Ursula succumbs to the pressure, slipping an envelope labeled “For Quiet” to Angelica. This double entendre underscores Ursula’s desperation to silence Angelica and protect her secrets.

Matters deteriorate further for Ursula when she learns that Ally (Deirdre Mullins), her ex-husband’s new girlfriend, is conducting an audit at the hospital concerning missing pills—pills that Ursula had taken. In a panic, she attempts to cover up her actions but soon realizes that Angelica may have been the one who reported her. In her defense, Ursula explains to Ally that her initial theft was motivated by her desire to help her son, who was plagued by nightmares. However, after experiencing the pills’ calming effects, she became addicted to the relief they provided, making her actions even riskier. As the investigation unfolds, Ally instructs Ursula to leave, signaling the possible end of her career.

New Villain Angelica Emerges in ‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2 Episode 3

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Detectives Loftus and Houlihan continue to delve into Grace’s mysterious death, raising suspicions around the events surrounding it. During their investigation, Houlihan uncovers that Bibi has been a semi-professional poker player for two years, a revelation that hints at her potential for deception. Additionally, she suspects a past relationship between Becka and Matt. When the detectives confront Becka about it later, Loftus teasingly references her social media interactions with Matt, but Becka vehemently denies any romantic involvement. As their investigation deepens, the detectives’ suspicions about the sisters’ possible involvement in the unfolding drama grow.

Meanwhile, Eva seeks to connect with Blanaid, who has been withdrawing emotionally, spending time with Ian. Eva expresses her frustration, claiming that Ian is monopolizing the teenager’s attention. She states, “I’m not a mother, but Grace wanted me to step in if the worst happened.” Ian reassures her that he intends to support Blanaid’s well-being. Eva expresses her gratitude, acknowledging his role in saving their lives. In a moment of shared grief, Ian admits, “I wish I could have saved Grace.” He also assists Eva with her ongoing physical pain since Grace’s death, suggesting breathing exercises to help alleviate her stress. As Eva prepares to leave, she discovers bank slips in one of Grace’s coats, revealing that Grace withdrew over 20,000 euros shortly before her demise. What was Grace planning to do with this money, and where is it now?

After meeting with the sisters, Loftus and Houlihan reveal the results of Grace’s toxicology report, confirming that Grace had not ingested any pills. Ursula reacts with overwhelming relief, realizing she bears no blame for Grace’s death. However, the detectives assure the sisters, “we will get to the bottom of it all.” Following their departure, Ursula confesses her role in providing Grace with medication to her sisters, who label Angelica a “parasite.” Becka bluntly states, “We need to get one step ahead of her.”

In a dramatic twist, as “Dedicated To the One I Love” by the Mamas and the Papas plays in the background, Blanaid heads to meet with Angelica. Is this a calculated step in Angelica’s scheme to dismantle the Garvey sisters? While some questions about Ian’s fate are resolved in this episode, it becomes increasingly apparent that the sisters may have to revert to their old ways of plotting against anyone threatening their family’s sanctity.

New episodes of Bad Sisters Season 2 are available to stream every Wednesday on Apple TV+ in the U.S.