Episode 2 of "Imperfect Women" opens with Ellie and Robert attending a ballet performance together. Their past connection is revisited, and Ellie sounds resentful that she introduced Nancy to him. As they sit together, Ellie's hand slowly inches closer to Robert's. However, they're jolted out of their nostalgic reverie when a picture of Nancy and Davide together is sent to Robert. Robert is visibly angry, but as they discuss it, he admits that he still loves her.
Robert drops Ellie off at her place and thanks her for joining him. When Ellie enters, she finds Jordan waiting for her. He's not happy about her spending time with Robert and brings up the time delay on the night of Nancy's murder. It turns out that Ellie is actually missing three hours of her night.
In the morning, Ellie goes for a run and notices the same black car that was at the ballet parked nearby, watching her. Later in the episode, we learn that this guy works for Donovan, who happens to be Ellie's brother. He also brings up her connection with Robert and the "blind spot" she has for him.
Ellie heads over to see Mary next, where the family is in chaos. However, amidst the mess, Ellie notices police reports detailing Davide's arrest. Mary explains that something doesn't feel right for her and she wants to figure out what it is.
Meanwhile, Robert is in a bind because Cora's birthday is coming up and Kit has asked what he's doing for it. He's completely forgotten about it and feels like he's losing everything. Ellie pities him and promises to help out. However, Detective Ganz confronts Ellie outside, wanting to know what Nancy, a Pasadena socialite, was doing with someone like Davide. This is when we learn that apparently Nancy had an alcoholic mother, an abusive stepfather, and a tough trailer park upbringing.
Ellie has suspicions that there may be more going on here than meets the eye, given the Detective's evasive answers to her questions. But Ganz doesn't divulge what she knows.
That late night, as the police arrived in force, Robert summoned Ellie to his side. The place was being meticulously investigated, with a warrant to sift through everything he possessed to uncover any connection Robert might have had to Nancy's demise. The following day, Davide was released from custody, while Ellie discovered that Mary had been relentlessly harassing the officers at the station, submitting 20 public records requests in an attempt to unravel the mystery. Ellie shared Mary's frustration but, as they spoke, a hint emerged that Mary had a history with substance abuse or, perhaps, an underlying issue with substances. It wasn't immediately clear.
That night, over takeout, Mary revealed that she had done some digging and discovered an address for Davide. Ellie was hesitant, but Mary was fed up with being a spectator and waiting for the detectives to make progress. They arrived at Davide's gallery, where he recounted how Nancy had seen his work at a collector's and reached out. He spoke of their intimate bond through art and how Nancy had wanted him to paint her, even the scars she had caused in an accident. Davide couldn't remember the picture from the party but did mention that the man who brought Nancy there wasn't having a good time. Besides his race, he couldn't recall much about him. He did lash out at Ellie and Mary for not doing enough to help their friend.
Back at Nancy and Robert's house, Ellie witnessed Robert in a downward spiral. It turned out that his family had hired a crisis PR firm to pressure the police. They were the ones who leaked the photo and were responsible for Davide Boyette's arrest. As they shared their grief, the two ended up kissing and eventually having sex.
Afterward, Ellie went through her belongings and found a note from Robert addressed to Nancy. Apparently, he was aware of the affair and within the letter, he apologized to Nancy for his overreaction and frightening her.
