For me this was the weakest part yet. For the first time the slow pacing of the drama started to drag, not least considering how gripping the last episode was. Ripe was saved by a few random scenes including the dramatic final scene which has me excited for next week.
This time Camille's flashbacks were from a previous birthday. Unlike last week's flashbacks with her and the young girl from clinic, these didn't really add too much character growth or drama. Its fitting that the middle episode of the series is the one so far to be dragging its heels the most. In turn much of the episode felt scatter shot. This is set up early on with little fragments of different characters around the town. The problem is that some of these scenes are just reinforcing information we already have. At one point we drop in on Elizabeth Perkins' Jackie. She is expecting Adora at a social meeting, Adora doesn't show. Camille shows up instead and makes an excuse for her Mum's absence. Although this gives us nothing new on Adora or Jackie, there is a suggestion that Jackie has some crucial information on Adora.
Speaking of Adora the moment when isolated husband Alan stands up to her rightfully pointing out "You know everything isn't that girl's fault" - referring to Camille, its a powerful moment. Outside of that though their interactions and the scenes involving Adora don't really progress things too much. Its getting to the point with Adora where we are getting the same little character beats. At some point the writers will have to play their hand with her.
Another frustration is when a number of red herrings are thrown into the mix. The most clunky of which is Amma's broody music teacher who she defends when her friends trash him following his icy reaction to a performance. Later in an intimate but creepy scene between the two Amma takes his hand. There still could be substance to this development. At the moment it just seems too random. His character feels too on the nose too. Is it too late to introduce another character of note?
The one supporting character who probably gets the most growth was Chief Vickery. Despite his cynicism, Vickery actually starts taking an interest in getting to the truth of the case. He openly engages both Camille and Richard in discussion and follows Camille's lead about Jackie having information (even if Jackie in the end reveals nothing to Vickery). The exciting aspect of this plot is that Vickery is starting to question Adora's role in the community. Further pressure could lead to some juicy details and a right explosion between the various characters.
The two most interesting scenes for me were the end and the scene in the woods with Camille and Richard. Their subtle flirtation back and fourth nicely builds character and tension. I like the touch of them swapping past secrets in exchange for theories on the case. Camille tells Richard about Faith, a girl from her youth who became a slut to avoid the abuse of publicly being a lesbian. This builds further on the theme of the pressures of living in small town, as well as dark sexuality. It also adds intrigue on both Camille's past and the prospect of it being important to the case. As the flirtation between Richard and Camille grows in intensity, the flashes return, including a shot of the teeth from which we cut to Camille biting into Richard's neck - but of course not really. This part is in her head. It's a powerful moment which carries importance for two reasons. Firstly, because Camille is embodying the world of the killer. Second, with the series constantly flashing back to Camille's youth, now her first sexual encounter with Richard represents some sort of link to the sexual frustration of her youth. The fantasy of biting into Richard's neck is like a sexual release. One possibility is that Camille is a virgin. Or maybe she is the other end of that extreme? There are some meaty case details revealed like the two victims knowing Amma and the reveal at the end from John (still reeling from Adora shacking him from the farm), that Amma went to the special hideout with the victims. Adams sells Camille's desperation to get to Amma in time perfectly. The not knowing where her half sister is is perhaps the most devastating thing about her search. The visuals of Camille's mind racing to all extremes is so perfectly executed, and sudden cut to Amma in the road and car headlights on her is a great ending.
At this point I have to raise the question of if any of the flashes are real or just in Camille's head? They may still come true of course. Its fair to assume that the one of Amma dead in the cabin is probably Camille's worse fear manifesting itself. One strong possibility is that the killer or killer(s) have kidnap Amma but that she is still alive. Maybe they intend to keep her alive to play with Camille's emotions. Another possibility is that Amma is just missing.. Whatever the case it was a fantastic final scene, one of many in this limited drama to leave me floored. Even if somehow the pieces don't quite click into place there will be no shortage of those moments.
More next week!
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