‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2 Episode 1 Highlights and Analysis
Editor’s note: The below recap contains spoilers for the Bad Sisters Season 2 premiere.
Now that the Garvey sisters have finally liberated themselves from the malevolent grasp of John Paul (Claes Bang), it might seem they can finally embark on new journeys in their lives. However, the premiere episode of Season 2 of Apple TV+’s Bad Sisters reveals that the darkness John Paul, known as “The Prick,” instilled within their family is likely to linger indefinitely. The weight of buried secrets has a way of resurfacing, and with an engaging mystery introduced right from the start, coupled with the irresistible charm of these resilient Irish women, this captivating series undeniably remains a must-watch for fans of dark comedy and family drama.
Unveiling the Mystery of the Trunk in the ‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2 Premiere
As night falls, enveloping the scene in darkness, ocean waves crash against the shore. A solitary car navigates a winding road, carrying Eva (Sharon Horgan), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), Bibi (Sarah Greene), and Becka (Eve Hewson). It becomes painfully clear that Becka has endured some form of assault, evidenced by the visible black eye she bears. As Eva takes the wheel, a moment of panic arises when she nearly backs the vehicle off a cliff, but she regains control and reassuringly tells her sisters, “We have it covered.” The tension escalates as they approach the trunk of the car, and when the lid flings open, the sisters erupt into screams, scattering into the night. This shocking moment sets the stage for a central enigma of Season 2: what (or who) lies within that trunk?
Following this startling scene, the credits roll, accompanied by the haunting melody of Leonard Cohen’s “Who By Fire,” reminiscent of the first season. However, this season’s credits feature an entirely new array of objects moving through a complex obstacle course. The items hinted at in this season appear to introduce a plethora of fresh clues that viewers will eagerly analyze as the storyline unfolds. Notably, seemingly innocuous items like golf clubs and a turtle are now intertwined with the overarching mystery, enticing fans to speculate on their significance.
Grace Is Preparing for Her Wedding in ‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2 Episode 1
The narrative then transitions to a flashback preceding the trunk incident, revealing that some time has elapsed since the murder of John Paul. Grace (Anne-Marie Duff) is seen in bed with a new partner, sporting an engagement ring. Initially, the scene appears to be a tender moment shared between the couple, until Grace unexpectedly begins to choke her fiancé! Although she remains in a semi-conscious state, her fiancé, Ian (Owen McDonnell), brushes it off with laughter, yet this incident feels like a foreboding sign of the turmoil that may lie ahead.
As the story unfolds, the Garvey sisters host a lively bachelorette party for Grace at the horse races. Ursula finds herself newly single and seems to enjoy mingling with jockeys. However, beneath the surface, there are hints that not all is well with the sisters. Becka expresses her anxiety, stating that she feels like she’s “waiting for something to go wrong.” This ominous feeling comes to fruition when Roger (Michael Smiley), the neighbor who assisted in staging John Paul’s death as an accident, arrives unexpectedly. He brings along his sister, Angelica (Fiona Shaw, in a brilliant casting choice), who is now living with Roger. Angelica’s demeanor is aggressive and socially awkward, especially when she bluntly suggests to Grace that Roger is merely prolonging her misery and that she should acknowledge there’s no future between them.
Despite the tension, Grace invites Roger to her wedding, but Angelica’s behavior raises red flags. She seems to share a mysterious connection with Grace that remains unclear (Grace even refers to her as “suffocating”), and while Angelica wins a bet on the horses, she deceitfully claims to Roger that she forgot to place the wager. This scene concludes with Angelica’s name appearing on-screen, labeled as “The Wagon.”
A Shocking Body Is Discovered in Season 2 Episode 1 of ‘Bad Sisters’
Meanwhile, at John Paul’s mother’s residence, new tenants stumble upon a suitcase that has been carelessly discarded in the pond. Upon opening it, they are horrified to discover skeletal remains, identified as John Paul’s father, George. This shocking revelation recalls a pivotal moment from Episode 9 of Season 1, where John Paul had infamously disposed of his father’s body. Now, the police are compelled to revisit the John Paul family case. Detective Inspector Fergal Loftus (Barry Ward) is assigned to investigate, accompanied by his eager young detective-in-training, Una Houlihan (Thaddea Graham).
Back at the Garda headquarters, Loftus is nearing the end of his career, but his superior is less than pleased about his previous decision to exhume John Paul’s body. The other officers mockingly refer to him as “Snatcher,” and his boss expresses disappointment over Loftus’s inability to definitively classify John Paul’s death as a murder, especially now that another corpse is linked to the family. He warns Loftus that he needs to solve this case quickly, or he risks entering retirement without any accolades. This ultimatum serves as a powerful motivator for Loftus to uncover the hidden truths surrounding the Garvey sisters, which could spell trouble for them.
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The Garvey Wedding Event in ‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2 Episode 1
The Garvey family congregates for Grace’s wedding celebration. During this gathering, it is revealed that Becka has entered a new relationship with a man named Joe (Peter Claffey), who has yet to win the approval of her sisters. Meanwhile, Bibi and her spouse have opted for an egg donor to expand their family. Eva is actively engaging with a menopause coach, while Ursula strives to keep interactions cordial with her ex-husband. While the sisters appear to have progressed in certain aspects of their lives, the shadows of their past continue to loom large, highlighted when Joe observes how they flinch at the sound of the doorbell. Grace’s wedding unfolds beautifully, with Eva walking her down the aisle and a touching moment shared among the sisters, reinforcing their unbreakable bond.
However, the wedding festivities soon spiral into chaos (a predictable outcome for any Garvey gathering). Becka indulges in too much alcohol and vomits into a nearby potted plant, while Angelica takes a bold approach, body-checking Eva to snag the bouquet. Yet, the most troubling moment occurs when Roger shares a dance with Grace. He questions her about their past actions, confessing that the burden weighs heavily on him daily. Grace’s apologies reveal the emotional turmoil, but it is evident that Roger is grappling with deep-seated guilt.
Dramatic Tensions Rise in the ‘Bad Sisters’ Season 2 Premiere
Grace appears to be adjusting to her new life as a married woman when Loftus and Houlihan arrive at her doorstep to inform her about the discovery of George’s remains. Grace is taken aback, having believed George had abandoned his family many years ago. Loftus presses her for answers, particularly regarding her retraction of the insurance claim for John Paul after his death. She maintains that John Paul took his own life, aiming to protect her daughter, Blanaid (Saise Quinn), from the harsh reality. However, Houlihan remains unconvinced of her honesty. This intense discussion prompts Loftus to send a foreboding text message to Thomas Claffin (Brian Gleeson): “We need to talk about the Garvey sisters.”
Attempting to dismiss the gravity of the situation, Grace is soon confronted by Roger, who is visibly distressed and contemplating going to the authorities. He expresses that it would be beneficial for both of them to unburden their secrets. Initially, Grace is resistant to Roger’s suggestion, urging him to reconsider, but he ultimately departs, leaving her in turmoil. Complicating matters, Ian overhears their conversation. In a later scene, Angelica presses Roger for the truth, sensing he is hiding something. She states, “I’m a woman of the church. I’m in the guilt industry. I know guilt when I see it.”
Determined to maintain the façade of a happy marriage, Grace ultimately decides to confide in Ian. She recounts the traumatic history of her first husband, who abused her and assaulted Eva. Ian responds with empathy, embracing her tightly. However, the atmosphere shifts dramatically when Grace utters the words, “I killed him,” causing Ian to recoil in horror. Shocked, he claims he needs space to process this revelation and quickly leaves, while Blanaid quietly witnesses her mother’s anguish.
The following morning, Blanaid rushes to Eva’s home, distressed, to inform her aunts that Ian has left and that Grace is in distress. The worry etched on the sisters’ faces speaks volumes; the troubles they believed they had escaped are now closing in on them. Season 2 presents numerous potential threats to the Garvey sisters: Loftus and Houlihan’s relentless pursuit, Roger and Angelica’s looming presence, and Grace’s own desperate attempts to confront the past. Will the Garvey sisters resort to murder once again to protect their family? The unpredictable nature of these bad sisters leaves fans on the edge of their seats.
New episodes of Bad Sisters Season 2 are available to stream every Wednesday on Apple TV+ in the U.S.
