This episode dives even deeper into the moral abyss of the Rayburns, where every choice the characters make reinforces the feeling that there's no way out. The show, with its masterful storytelling, continues to build a dense, claustrophobic atmosphere where lies multiply and ghosts-both literal and metaphorical-keep haunting the living. At this point, the series transcends the typical family drama, delivering a narrative that feels almost Shakespearean in its tragic construction.
What stands out the most here is how it lays bare John's moral collapse. The character, once the moral compass of the family, is now completely lost in his web of lies. The presence of Danny's ghost, played with the usual brilliance by Ben Mendelsohn, serves as a perfect reflection of John's mental state. Danny's taunts and mind games aren't just a clever narrative device to keep Mendelsohn on-screen-they're a constant reminder of how much John has become the very thing he once despised. What makes this dynamic even more fascinating is the contrast between how John is perceived by others-the just man, the family's pillar-and the reality of his actions, which edge him closer to becoming a Wayne Lowry-type figure.
Speaking of Lowry, his relationship with John reaches new levels of tension. Their negotiations aren't just about survival; they're a power play, and no matter how hard John tries, he always seems one step behind. The final reveal that Lowry has been killed provides John with a momentary sense of relief-but not without a price. The subtle parallel drawn between John and Vicente Cruz is brilliant, especially when Cruz admits to his crime without resistance. It's a direct reflection of what John can't bring himself to do: face his actions head-on. This contrast between the two men, both broken by their losses, is one of the episode's high points, highlighting that John's real weakness isn't his mistakes but his inability to own up to them.
As John scrambles to hold everything together, Kevin emerges as the weakest link in the chain. His disastrous attempt to "fix" the Lowry problem only digs the family deeper into trouble. Kevin's arc in this episode is particularly tragic because he's clearly walking the same path as Danny. The show builds this transformation subtly but relentlessly: Kevin, always the family screw-up, is now consumed by addictions and self-destructive impulses that make him a distorted reflection of his dead brother. The irony here is thick-Kevin always resented Danny, always resisted even the idea of Danny staying at the inn, let alone being a permanent presence. And yet, it's as if Kevin is destined to inherit Danny's role as the family's black sheep. Worse still, he carries the crushing weight of knowing that, without Danny around, he's now the Rayburns' biggest failure.
Meg, meanwhile, seems to be teetering on the edge of a breakdown. Her firing and the humiliating episode with Marco highlight how the family chaos is bleeding into her personal life. It's fascinating to watch how Meg, despite being one of the most rational characters, is also pulled into the Rayburn dysfunction. Her decision to stay in Monroe County feels less like a choice and more like a surrender to the fact that, no matter how hard she tries, she'll never fully escape the weight of being a Rayburn. This dynamic reflects the central theme of the show: the idea that no one can completely break free from the grip of their family-especially when that family is a whirlpool of secrets and betrayals.
Finally, the introduction of Eve and the revelation about Robert's financial arrangement add yet another layer of tension. Eve isn't just a reminder of Danny's dark past-she's a symbol of the debts the Rayburns have accumulated, both literal and figurative. Sally's refusal to continue the payments is a decision that's bound to have serious repercussions, especially given Eve's opportunistic nature. Once again, we see how the Rayburns are incapable of thinking beyond the immediate, constantly underestimating the ripple effects of their actions.
Overall, this episode is a masterclass in narrative construction, with every decision and interaction functioning as a piece of a puzzle that promises a devastating payoff. The series continues to explore the moral complexity of its characters, showing that there are no heroes or villains-just people trying to survive the fallout of their choices. And, as always, the Rayburns' biggest antagonist isn't Lowry, Eve, or any external character. It's the legacy of their own mistakes, haunting and defining them. A powerful episode that had me on the edge of my seat, waiting for the moment when all this tension finally explodes.
