Episode 4 of "Cassandra" delves into the tumultuous aftermath of the previous episode's classroom drama, where Juno discharged a firearm, narrowly escaping any casualties but prompting an immediate investigation. When grilled by authorities, Juno alleges she discovered the gun tucked away under Samira's bed. To everyone's astonishment, the police subsequently uncover an arsenal of loaded firearms concealed beneath the floorboards of Samira's room.
At the school, an urgent assembly convenes to deliberate Juno's potential expulsion. During this gathering, a haunting revelation unfolds: Samira's sister, who had temporarily resided with them amidst a mental health crisis, once lashed out at Juno with a blade. In response, David implored Samira to institutionalize her sister. Tragically, the sister, having eavesdropped on their confidential conversation, is implied to have subsequently taken her own life. It transpires that Juno was the one who stumbled upon the aunt's lifeless body, prompting Samira to passionately advocate for Juno's continued education before the assembled parents.
Meanwhile, Cassandra's manipulative prowess comes into stark relief as she dupes Juno into believing the gun was harmless, qualifying her assurance with the chilling caveat, "as long as no one pulls the trigger." When Samira confronts Juno about Cassandra's role in leading her to the cache of weapons, Juno remains tight-lipped. Seizing the moment, Cassandra subtly fans the flames of discord, casting aspersions on Samira's mental stability and her growing animosity towards Juno. Feigning victimhood, Cassandra retreats into a self-imposed exile, cleverly preserving her endearing image within the family. Frustration boiling over, Samira vents her anger by smashing Cassandra's power switch.
Flashing back to the 1970s, we witness Cassandra's yearning for a second child. When pregnancy befalls her once more, her husband, fixated on bearing another son, insists on conducting a gender test at his laboratory. Cassandra senses an underlying unease but complies nonetheless. However, when the test fails to reveal the baby's sex, her husband's disappointment is palpable.Later on, Cassandra's pregnancy takes a turn for the worse, complicated by unforeseen health issues. Her husband, in a desperate rush to get her to safety at the hospital, finds their path impeded by an unexpected roadblock. The fate of their unborn child hangs precariously in the balance, adding to the myriad of unsolved mysteries that propel the narrative forward with intensity.
After the shooting incident, Juno finds herself shunned by her peers at school. Recognizing her plight, Samira and David orchestrate a playdate with Emily, whose mother, the owner of a quaint bookstore, eagerly welcomes David, a renowned writer, into her home. In kind, she readily agrees to foster a friendship between Emily and Juno.
During an exhilarating game of hide-and-seek, Juno catches a fleeting glimpse of Cassandra's phone screen illuminating momentarily. Meanwhile, Emily makes a peculiar choice, deciding to conceal herself inside an oven. As Samira tracks down Emily's hiding spot, the oven mysteriously powers on of its own accord. Samira frantically tries to wrench the door open, but it remains stubbornly shut. The tension mounts, thickening the air with suspense, until Juno, with a burst of determination, manages to prize the door open. Yet, by then, Emily has already sustained second-degree burns.
The aftermath of this harrowing incident leads to Samira's admission into a psychiatric hospital, marking her permanent absence from their lives. With Samira now sidelined, Cassandra sheds her mask, revealing her true, sinister nature. She confines David, Juno, and Fynn within the confines of their house, the walls closing in on them with ominous finality.
