The episode of "Dying For Sex" unfolds in the month of November, where Dr. Pankowitz, portrayed by David Rasche, encounters Molly (Michelle Williams), Sonya (Esco Jouley), and Nikki celebrating the somber milestone of Molly's metastatic cancer's first birthday. He delivers a glimmer of hope, informing Molly that the recent scan revealed no fresh cancerous spreads. Sonya mentions her partners' plans to whip up a feast for Thanksgiving, adding a touch of normalcy to their lives.
Later, Nikki (Jenny Slate) stumbles upon a surprising scene: Molly meticulously sterilizing an assortment of butt plugs. Guy, expressing curiosity, had suggested giving it a try, prompting Nikki to gently request that Molly refrain from their couch, now her temporary sanctuary. As Guy arrives, Nikki excuses herself, only to encounter him in the hallway where she confides in him about her struggles to find an apartment sans income or savings. She candidly admits that Guy brings joy into Molly's life, unaware of the turmoil soon to unfold.
Molly subjects Guy to humiliation and a swift kick, yet later confides in him about her traumatic childhood and her lifelong struggle to achieve orgasm with anyone. Emboldened by this vulnerable revelation, Molly shares it during her subsequent group session with Sonya and the others, hinting at her desire to reclaim some semblance of normalcy by Christmas. Nikki, sans better plans, finds herself present amidst this candid discussion.
Sonya initiates an introspective exercise, asking everyone to articulate or depict their deepest fears. Molly, engrossed in her task at home, is joined by Nikki, who senses something awry. Molly recounts a therapeutic advice from Steve's therapist—to repeatedly narrate her trauma until she overcomes it. However, she hesitates to confront Steve with her story. Nikki, already privy to it, encourages Molly to recount her ordeal anew.
Through Molly's narrative, we revisit a haunting memory: during a pre-Florida trip stay at a man's apartment, Molly witnesses him tampering with orange juice intended for Gail. Gail succumbs to faintness shortly after, while the man subjects Molly to distressing oral sex games, punctuated by professions of love. Repelled, Molly lashes out with a brush, longing for escape, only to return later, apologizing for her reaction.
Molly ponders aloud if voicing her trauma aloud signifies healing. Nikki suggests seeking professional help, proposing they contact Sonya for a therapist's guidance. As December progresses, Guy and Molly's unconventional encounters resume, with Guy complying to Molly's directives, exploring her body as she directs. Concurrently, the women bond over their deepest fears.
Nikki spends quality time with her sister (Tracee Chimo), who emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries with Molly. Nikki, unburdening her feelings, prepares to celebrate Hanukkah with her sister. Guy, seeking closer intimacy, asks Molly for renewed permission to touch her, to which she replies by inviting him to explore her most intimate areas. Guy, caught in a whirlwind of emotions, confesses his love, questioning the timing's appropriateness. Molly, panicking, flees from him.
It's Molly's turn to share during the session, revealing that her mother's boyfriend, the first man to profess love to her, compelled her to repeat those words. A keen-eyed Sonya and Nikki notice Molly's swollen leg, prompting concern. Dr. Pankowitz confirms deep vein thrombosis, emphasizing the urgency to prevent potentially life-threatening blood clots from traveling to her lungs.
He prescribed her potent blood thinners, necessitating her confinement to the hospital for several weeks. Molly's spirits flagged, but Nikki was there, determined to lift her friend's mood. Calls from Guy came unanswered as Molly and Nikki spent Christmas amidst the sterile environment of the hospital. As New Year's Eve approached, Nikki made an effort to bring a touch of festivity to Molly's hospital room.
Determined to reclaim a semblance of normalcy, Molly insisted on discharging herself, driven by the desire to meet Dante. Nikki, puzzled by Molly's yearning for someone other than the one she professed to love, found herself in a heated debate about sacrifices and abandoned dreams. Molly, defensive, insisted she hadn't solicited this life and openly professed her aversion to happiness.
Despite her declarations, Molly pursued Dante, nursing him diligently until the sensation in her hand waned, prompting her to halt. The realization that the act left her with a hollow feeling compelled her to abandon Dante and return home. Confronted by Nikki, Molly conceded that the experience had been draining, her eyes brimming with tears as she finally allowed herself to mourn the hurt inflicted by Dante. Her heartache spilled over as she recounted his rejection, how he discouraged her simple gesture of holding his hand, dismissing it as childish.
In a bid to escape her sorrow, Molly danced, losing herself in the rhythm, only to encounter Guy unexpectedly on the street during daylight hours—a sight she'd never witnessed before. Her attempt to keep pace with him ended in a fall. In a moment of vulnerability, Molly confessed her love for Guy and proposed a return to their mutual affection. Alarmed by her frail state, Guy summoned an ambulance.
In this poignant tableau, emotions ran high, painting a vivid picture of Molly's turmoil and her desperate search for solace amidst the chaos of her broken heart.
