Episode 4 of "A Nearly Normal Family" kicks off with Stella's hazy recollections of her time with Robin, spilling over to Ulrika in a confusing narrative that only serves to muddle Stella's memory further. This unsettling exchange echoes in Ulrika's present, prompting her to confront Amina, who remains elusive. Her path then crosses with Alexandra, Amina's mother, who warmly extends an invitation for dinner.
At the dinner table, as Amina's parents engage in conversation with Adam, Ulrika's mind races as she sneaks into Amina's bedroom. Her eyes land on a discarded Polaroid, a poignant image of Chris and Stella amidst the trash, igniting a fierce urge to delve deeper. Attempting to access Amina's laptop, her cover is blown, sparking a heated confrontation where Amina's father lays blame at the doorstep of Stella's tumultuous past. Adam's attempts at reason fall on deaf ears, as Ulrika storms off, Alexandra's soothing words left unheard.
Later, amidst the classroom chaos, Ulrika's paranoia takes hold, imagining whispers of Stella's name in every conversation. The pressure builds until she succumbs to a panic attack, her world spinning out of control. Hospitalized, Ulrika's tears betray her guilt, convinced she's the one who shattered Stella's life.
In therapy, Stella's heart aches as she reflects on a family dynamic she once deemed normal but has since shifted beyond recognition. She laments the lack of affection between her parents, her mother's seeming preference for Amina, and her own estrangement from her father. Stella's attempts at reaching out to Amina through the kindly guard are met with refusal, leaving her isolated in her thoughts.
Flashing back, Amina's earnest warning about Chris' unsavory nature goes unheard by Stella, their friendship fraying under the strain of Stella's single-minded focus on Chris. Yet, they manage to reconcile, their bond rekindled by plans for a girls' night out. Meanwhile, at home, Ulrika drowns her sorrows in alcohol and work, her indifference to Adam's whereabouts palpable. But the evening's festivities take a dark turn when Stella stumbles upon Chris in the company of Beatrice, a blonde stranger. The revelation shatters the illusion of a perfect night, setting the stage for a confrontation that will reverberate throughout their lives.
They profess their camaraderie, beckoning the girls to join their circle with an air of camaraderie. Chris takes delight in Stella's envy, feeding into their public displays of affection, which culminate in capturing a moment forever on Polaroid film. Feeling excluded, Amina contemplates departing, and Stella, empathetic, accompanies her. Amidst the hustle, Amina inadvertently leaves her bag behind in the bustling bar, urging Stella to proceed without her. Later, a reassuring call from Amina assures Stella that Chris merely offered her a ride, nothing more, and professes her unwavering affection.
The following dawn, Stella tenderly prepares breakfast for Chris, only to be met with his abrupt rudeness. He chastises her youthfulness and claims the urgency of work, shutting her out with a stern refusal. Her heart heavy, she inquires about the presence of another, to which he responds with a curt denial. As she dials Amina's number, her path crosses with the male neighbor, while Amina's voice echoes from the other end, immersed in the tranquility of the library.
With her parents away, Chris unexpectedly appears, confessing his fear-driven attempt at detachment. Stella, compassionate, grants him forgiveness, and their bond reignites with joyful moments. However, the mood shifts when he suggests intimacy in her parents' bed, a suggestion that unsettles her. Her repeated refusals are met with relentless kisses, memories of Robin flickering through her mind. Eventually, Chris acquiesces to her wishes, retreating to her room where their physical union leaves her emotionally frayed.
Meanwhile, Mikael's visit to Ulrika in the hospital's hushed corridors is interrupted by Adam's unwelcome gaze, prompting him to flee. Ulrika rushes home, heart pounding, only to find Adam's absence a chilling reminder of their unresolved tension. Lost in thought, he drives aimlessly until a chance encounter with Robin shakes him from his reverie. A voice message from Ulrika, imploring a conversation, lingers in the air as she hesitates over a drink, her resolve wavering until Amina's sudden arrival at the end of 'A Nearly Normal Family's' Episode 4 halts her in her tracks. Tears streaming down her face, she whispers, "Chris wasn't meant to die," her grief echoing through the room.
