The opening episode of "Fool Me Once" plunges us into a mysterious flashback to 1996, where a circle of high school teenagers engage in an enigmatic ritual. Among them, a boy is seated, securely bound to a chair, while his peers chant and gyrate around a crackling campfire, casting an eerie glow over the scene.
Then, the narrative shifts to the present, introducing us to Maya Stern, a woman in mourning at her husband's funeral. As the priest solemnly leads the service, Maya's mind drifts back to the fateful charity gala where she first encountered Joe Burkett, her husband. Their instant connection led to a whirlwind romance, culminating in a blissful wedding and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
Following the funeral, Maya discovers that her mother-in-law, Judith Burkett, has invited Detective Kierce, the officer in charge of Joe's unsolved murder case, to the ceremony. Maya's discomfort is palpable as she confronts Judith, apparently resentful that the police are still no closer to finding Joe's killer.
Judith insists that she wants Detective Kierce to understand the essence of Joe and his significance, hinting subtly that Maya might be grappling with more than just grief. It is then revealed that Maya's sister, Claire, had perished mere months ago, adding another layer of tragedy to Maya's already fractured world. Judith argues that Maya needs to seek support for her loss, not only for the murder of her husband but also for the demise of her sister and the challenges she faces in her military career. The emotional weight of these revelations hangs heavily over the scene, setting the tone for a thriller that promises to be both heartbreaking and thrilling.
Later on, Maya returned to her cozy abode accompanied by her dear friend, Eva. As a token of her affection, Eva presented Maya with a digital picture frame, concealing a secret nanny camera within its sleek design. Eva suggested, with a hint of concern, that Maya might find it useful to keep a discreet eye on her darling daughter, Lily, during her absences. Maya, however, doubted the necessity, reassured by the impeccable care provided by her nanny, Izabella. Nevertheless, Eva gently placed the frame in Lily's playroom, a subtle addition to the child's cheerful surroundings.
Days passed, and Maya resumed her work routine. Amidst the hustle and bustle, her friend Shane expressed concern over her well-being, wondering if she was truly coping with her grief. He proposed a casual gathering at her home, a small drinking session with a few close friends to help ease the tension. As the sun set, Maya returned to the warmth of her home, finding Lily safe and content, having spent a joyful afternoon with Izabella, crafting angels together.
Yet, as Maya carried on with her daily routine, she found herself constantly haunted by flashbacks of her military days, struggling to find a peaceful night's sleep. The memories seemed to cling to her, refusing to let go.
The following morning dawned bright and fresh, and Maya busied herself preparing Lily's breakfast. Suddenly, her phone rang, breaking the morning's serenity. It was Judith, inviting them over for a weekend visit. Maya politely declined, her mind still clouded by the previous night's unrest.
Curiosity got the better of her, and Maya couldn't help but check the nanny camera. What she saw left her stunned - her beloved, deceased husband Joe, hugging their precious child. Shocked and bewildered, Maya rushed to Lily's side, trying to piece together the puzzling scene. But the innocent child could offer no explanation, her big eyes filled with confusion.
Maya's heart raced as she dashed to her bedroom, realizing with horror that the clothes Joe wore in the footage were missing. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks, and she felt a chill run down her spine. Just then, Izabella arrived for work, and Maya, unable to contain her agitation, showed her the footage.
Izabella's face remained impassive, denying any knowledge of Joe's appearance. She accused Maya of losing her mind, her tone cold and unsympathetic. Maya, seething with anger and frustration, grabbed Izabella's arm and tried to shove her towards the computer screen. The commotion startled Lily, and she called out to her mother in a frightened voice.
Maya's anger dissipated in an instant, and she turned to comfort her daughter. Izabella seized the opportunity, taking advantage of Maya's distraction. She lunged forward and pepper-sprayed Maya in the face, leaving her blinded and disoriented. By the time Maya managed to regain her senses, Izabella had fled, leaving behind a trail of confusion and dread.
Later on, Detective Kierce made a courtesy visit to Maya, deeply concerned about her fragile condition. She recounted the mysterious footage captured by the nanny camera, her voice trembling as she revealed that Izabelle had mysteriously taken the SD card. Kierce, however, seemed more inclined to chalk it up to Maya's hallucinations, a byproduct of her grief. He probed her memories of the fateful night, seeking clarity.
Maya recounted the harrowing tale of how she and her husband, Joe, were ambushed by two motorcycle-riding assailants in a secluded park. The men's intention was clear - they were robbers. But the couple fought back valiantly. Things escalated quickly, and before she knew it, Joe had collapsed, struck by three bullets to his chest. Kierce's eyebrows furrowed as he inquired about Maya's gun, taking her Glock to the lab for testing since Joe had been fatally shot with a similar weapon.
Before bidding Maya farewell, Kierce advised her to take it easy, his voice softened by compassion. But on his way back to the precinct, disaster struck. Kierce lost control of his vehicle, crashing into a fence with a thud. He seemed to have blacked out momentarily. Frantically, he texted someone, muttering, "It happened again," hinting at this not being the first such incident.
Later, he concocted a tale for his boss, claiming he'd swerved to avoid hitting a cat. His boss, however, was skeptical, wondering if Kierce had relapsed into his old drinking habits. Kierce vehemently denied it, insisting he was sober and demanding a replacement car. His boss grudgingly agreed, but only on the condition that Kierce be partnered with a younger detective, Marty McGregor. Kierce was less than thrilled with the arrangement, but he had no choice.
Marty soon became embroiled in the case, eagerly joining Kierce in the investigation. Together, they returned to the park, attempting to reconstruct Maya's harrowing account. Kierce shared his suspicions that Maya might be unraveling under the weight of her recent losses, having lost her sister just four months prior. He also voiced his doubts about whether Maya herself could have been involved in her husband's murder. Kierce and Marty scoured for possible motives while the lab worked diligently on Maya's gun and prepared a ballistic report.
Meanwhile, Judith received an unexpected call from Maya, inquiring about Joe's lifeless body. Maya had never laid eyes on his corpse and was eager to know what Joe's final moments looked like. Judith found the question perplexing but nonetheless, she obliged with an answer. She gently advised Maya to seek professional help as her state of mind seemed increasingly unsteady. However, Maya was undeterred and persisted in her efforts to reach Izabella.
When the nanny repeatedly ignored her calls, Maya took matters into her own hands and made her way to her sister's home. There, she found her nephew and niece, and to her dismay, also her brother-in-law Eddie, still deeply grieving the loss of his wife, Claire. His reliance on alcohol to numb the pain was evident, and Maya attempted to engage him in conversation, hoping to offer some solace. But Eddie was closed off, refusing to entertain any suggestions, particularly those pertaining to the boxes filled with Claire's belongings that littered the house.
After her confrontation with Eddie, Maya returned to Judith's place, only to find Detective Kierce unexpectedly present. He claimed to be there to update Judith on the progress of the case. Maya seized the opportunity to bring up the nanny cam and Izabella's suspicious behavior, including the theft of the SD card. She expressed her bewilderment over the nanny's consistent avoidance and Detective Kierce offered to accompany her on a confrontation with Izabella. However, Maya stubbornly refused his assistance and went alone, only to be turned away by an unyielding Izabella.
Elsewhere, Detective Kierce accompanied his pregnant fiancée to their dance lessons. With their wedding looming just four weeks away, they were still struggling to master the steps of their dance. After a session filled with laughter and a few awkward stumbles, they retired for a romantic dinner. However, Kierce couldn't help but groan about his new, youthful partner who seemed to irritate him at every turn.
Meanwhile, Maya's attempts to reach Izabella were met with silence. Feeling helpless, she sought solace at her niece's football practice, where Joe's presence seemed to loom at every corner. Frustrated and angry, Maya found herself in a heated altercation with the coach, who she accused of being rude. In a moment of impulse, she yanked down his pants, exposing him to the horrified gaze of the spectators. This outrageous act prompted Eddie to demand that Maya keep her distance from the children, blaming her for the string of deaths that seemed to follow her wherever she went. Maya tried to reason with him, but it was a lost cause; Eddie's mind was made up.
As the weekend drew to a close, Maya invited a few friends over to her home. She confided in Shane, revealing her suspicion that she was being followed. She asked him to investigate the mysterious car that had been tailing her lately. Suddenly, her phone rang, interrupting their conversation. It was Judith, calling to inform her that Izabella had come to announce her resignation. Maya frantically begged Judith to keep Izabella there until she could arrive, but Judith refused, leaving Maya with no choice but to pursue the fleeing nanny herself.
In a thrilling chase that sent them flying through the countryside, Maya finally cornered Izabella. But before she could grab hold of her, Izabella's boyfriend intervened, distracting Maya long enough for the nanny to flee into the woods. Fury filled Maya as she confronted Judith, accusing her of placing her trust in the wrong person. She demanded answers about the footage captured on the nanny cam, but Judith dismissed it as Maya's hallucinations. She insisted that Joe was dead and questioned Maya's stability, wondering if she was fit to raise Lily. Maya's anger boiled over, warning Judith not to cross her.
The feud between Judith and Maya intensifies as Judith casts doubt on Maya's love for Joe. Maya retorts vehemently, claiming her deep affection for him, yet Judith's prejudice persists, refusing to acknowledge Maya's worthiness for her son. Maya, fraught with emotions, returns home to a surprise encounter with Detective Kierce and Marty, who reveal the chilling ballistics report. It transpires that Joe and Claire's lives were taken by the same lethal weapon, yet Maya was stationed away on military duty at the time of Claire's demise.
Meanwhile, a mysterious figure stealthily places a bouquet of sunflowers and a perplexing note on Claire's tombstone, leaving an air of intrigue hanging over the solemn scene. Shane, eyes narrowed in suspicion, keeps a watchful eye on Lily and the football coach as he hurriedly conceals bloodstains in his van. Izabella pores over the footage, catching a glimpse of Joe's figure, while Judith pays a sorrowful visit to her sons' graves.
The episode draws to a close with a haunting flashback to the bizarre ritual that took place in 1996. Something sinister and unnatural unfolded that fateful day, leaving a trail of unanswered questions and a deep sense of foreboding in its wake. What exactly went wrong that day? The mystery deepens, leaving viewers eager for the next chapter to unfold.
