As Camille's relationship with half sister Amma (Eliza Scanlen) is given the main focus, the series pushes us to the most disturbing place yet. This time Camille's attempts to keep Amma from repeating her mistakes is contrasted with scenes from the past with her trying to support fellow self-harmer Alice (Sydney Sweeney). Throughout these scenes are seamlessly intercut once again with a powerful cinematic, style. The dramatic crackle of the rain between the opening Camille/Amma exchange into the past and the institute was effective. As was the later moment when Camille is snapped back into the harsh reality of the day, once again in a drunken haze.
The past and present throughout connect themes of womanhood, and of images hiding dark secrets. Because of the isolation Amma feels from her parents she is acting out, looking to shock and provoke with her ever growing sexuality. The core idea is of Amma growing up too fast because of a lack of direction or parental guidance. Like her older sister Amma lives in a bubble. Disturbing sexuality involving young girls is tied to the murders, and Camille's shocking past. As Amma becomes more sexualised and out of control throughout the episode, we see Camille and Alice discuss womanhood. Camille is uncomfortable wearing a dress because of the damage inflicted upon her body. This is a nice touch explaining why she is so closed off at times. Dressing in causal jeans. This focuses Camille's attention onto the sexuality on display around the town. Not just from Amma, also Ashley (Madison Davenport). Ashley is the girlfriend of shy and nerdy John (Taylor John Smith). John is one of the main suspects in the case. Camille would like to interview him. Its the more outgoing and confident Ashley who persuades John to talk to her. She is moulded on the beaming girl next door just a little too perfect to be true. Like Amma, Ashley's beauty and innocence masks a darker side. John on the other hand is like the fractured, ugly truth of the town. He slowly unravels with dark secrets pouring out during the interview.
This part belonged to Scanlen. The actress really comes out of her shell. The relationship with Camille is bubbling along nicely. The back and forth between the two sisters feels naturalistic as we are dropping on a real conversation. Scanlen is credible in showing every different aspect of the character. She effectively builds the performance over the episode, from the gentle to the more playful, to the bored and wild side. There is such a spark between the Scanlen and Adams, like during the scene later when both sisters have been out drinking.
The side parts of the story still heating up. Clarkson's icy Mother is still a hard character to get a handle on. Her stand out scene this time was the once in the garden with Camille. The standout line being "Nothing's ever your fault" in reply to Camille taking no responsibility for Adora pricking herself on her rose bush. The line carrying a greater meaning to events in the past.
The relationship between Chris Messina's Richard and Camille is another slow burn. At the moment I like Richard as a character. But I'm more invested with his alternative ways of investigation compared to Chief Vickery than I am to his interactions with Camille. Things should pick up on that front once they get further into the case. Vickery's causal racism (when dismissing the killer as likely to be a Mexican trucker), again strikes a very modern anxiety. Although his character does feel a little on the nose. Again maybe a bit of fleshing out wouldn't go amiss. This is possibly the downside of the series being released now instead of in 2006 like the novel. Even so there's enough intrigue with these supporting characters to keep me interested.
This was another beautifully paced episode. The dark reveal about what happened with Alice and Camille in the past was a stunning punch to the gut. It was a truly haunting finish to another impressive chapter.
Once again feel free to comment below. More about the same time next week.
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