Did Ian resort to blackmail against Grace? In Season 2, Episode 8 of "Bad Sisters," a haunting flashback unveils the consequences of Grace's confession to Ian about her role in John Paul's demise. Unperturbed and uninterested in staying entangled, Ian coolly informed her that she'd need to sweeten the deal to keep her dark secret buried. Later, Grace sifted through his recent phone calls, her heart shattered when a woman answered in his stead, revealing that Ian—alias Cormac—had been married when he crossed her path.
When Grace confronted him at a local pub, his cruel honesty stabbed deeper: he had never loved her; she was merely a pawn in his game. Defiant, Grace warned him to steer clear of her family, emphatically stating that he'd get nothing from her. She stormed out of the pub, her anger fuelling the wheels of her car until tragedy struck—a fateful accident that claimed her life.
As for Houlihan, does she relent in pursuing the case? In contemporary scenes, Houlihan briefing her supervisor on her findings about Ian encounters a stark reality: guards don't turn on other guards. Pursuing this case, he warns, could spell the end of her career. Houlihan finds herself at a crossroads, contemplating the sameness of these guards and pondering if it's finally time to play by their rules. Yet, her mother, knowing her daughter's unyielding spirit, understands that Houlihan will always do what is right, regardless of the personal cost. Driven by an unstoppable conscience, Houlihan cannot help but follow the path of justice.
Eva confronts Ian at Grace's abode, insisting on the repayment of the teenager's money. The arrival of the other Garvey sisters interrupts the confrontation, prompting Ursula to seize Ian's car to transport Blanaid to Donal. With Blanaid no longer in their midst, the remaining siblings escalate their altercation. Becka lunges at Ian, who swiftly disarms her by throwing her to the ground. He embarks on a defiant spree, asserting that the authorities would never side with them against him.
Eva's inquiry about whether he ever cherished Grace provokes a cruel revelation: Ian declares that no one could love a "crazy bitch" like her. Unfortunately, his disdainous words are inadvertently overheard by Angela, who retaliates with a swift blow to the back of his head. As he stumbles, Ian's skull collides with the table, and he collapses, seemingly lifeless.
At the most inconvenient moment, Detective Houlihan arrives, seeking Ian based on her mother's advice. Eva, adept at deception, feigns ignorance of his whereabouts, and the detective departs unsatisfied. While Houlihan is out patrolling, she spots Ursula in Ian's car and interrogates her about Ian's whereabouts, but Ursula skillfully dodges her queries and speeds off.
Upon returning to the house, Houlihan is stunned to discover Ian's lifeless body swathed in blankets. Amidst their panic, the siblings realize that Ian Reilly is a figment of their imagination – Cormac Sweeney, the real person, is deceased, and they've never laid eyes on him. This revelation offers them a grim sense of relief as they devise a plan to dispose of the body at the cliffs, with Angelica tasked with returning Ian's car to his residence, steering it through the night with a heavy heart.
Did Ian somehow manage to stay alive? They raced their way up to the towering cliffs, and, much to their astonishment, just as the opening scene of the first episode had unfolded, the trunk of the car sprang open unexpectedly. Frightened, they scattered in all directions like startled birds. Upon returning to the car, they found the body mysteriously absent.
Ian, having stepped out of the vehicle, was still breathing—at least, for the moment. He stumbled around blindly, his movements unsteady, and ultimately tumbled over the precipice's edge. The Garveys feared they had sealed their fate, but when they cautiously peered over the side, they were astounded to discover that Ian had somehow endured even that perilous plummet.
There seemed to be no escaping this harrowing ordeal now. Ian was swathed in Becka's robe, her name meticulously stitching its way into the fabric. However, Eva had reached her limit. She dialed for an ambulance anonymously, her resolve unwavering, and they sped away to confront their uncertain destiny—unaware whether Ian's pulse would continue to beat or fade into silence.
Does Houlihan betray the Garveys? The following morning, Houlihan confronts the Garveys head-on after apprehending Angelica, who has spilled the beans on everything. Angelica pleads with Houlihan to spare the Garveys and to pursue only her, but Eva cuts her off with a shout, revealing that Ian is still alive.
Houlihan begins probing into the true sequence of events, but the women are initially vague and elusive. When they discover that Houlihan is privy to Ian's true identity, they accuse her of keeping quiet to shield a fellow officer, unaware of her internal conflict with corruption among the guards. The accusation stings Houlihan, who has been wrestling with the corruption issue.
When pressed about why she hasn't turned them in already, Houlihan replies that she genuinely wants to assist them. Upon learning that Ian is still alive, she reaches out to Loftus for assistance. They visit Ian at the hospital, where he alleges that the Garveys attempted to kill him. In response, they warn him that they know all about his deeds and can make his life miserable if he doesn't repay Blanaid's money or step out of line again. It seems that Ian, alias Cormac, intends to comply with their demands.
Afterward, Houlihan confesses to Loftus that she's contemplating leaving the force. However, Loftus insists that she is one of the good ones, someone who makes the department a better place.
How does the gripping narrative of "Bad Sisters" Season 2 conclude? Angelica, seeking refuge from Roger's probing inquiries, retreats to the sanctuary of her home. She reassuringly informs him that his assistance has been more than sufficient, dismissing his concerns with a simple statement that she spent time with the Garveys, whom she describes as "wonderful women."
The episode draws to a close with a heartwarming scene of the Garvey family embarking on a leisurely stroll, their bond unbreakable. Becka and Joe have welcomed their newborn into the world, while Nora and Bibi eagerly await the arrival of their own bundle of joy. Amidst this joyful backdrop, Blanaid engages in a poignant conversation with Eva, acknowledging the subtle hints of secrecy that have permeated her aunts' behavior. She is acutely aware of the underlying tensions—such as her father's flawed character. Yet, Blanaid finds solace in the unwavering goodness of her mother, an image she holds dear in her heart.
In a poignant ritual, they all gather to create a wreath, a symbol of their love and memories of Grace. With a sense of unity and peace, they release it into the ocean, letting it drift away on the tides, carrying their respects and remembrance to their beloved Grace.
