Episode 8 of Inventing Anna kicks off with Vivian lying in a hospital bed, fresh from childbirth, yet her joy of being a new mother is overshadowed by her obsession with her article. Hardly had she recovered, Vivian made her way to Rikers to confront Anna. Disappointed with Vivian's piece, Anna dismissed her as a subpar journalist. "Hundreds of hours, yet you still know nothing about me," she sneered, as their time expired and Anna retreated to her cell.
Months flew by, yet Vivian remained mired in her article's shortcomings. Despite igniting the internet, she felt she had missed the mark. Unsurprisingly, she delved deeper into the story, even leaving her two-month-old baby behind and jetting off to Germany, justifying her actions as a journalist's duty. Perhaps a true journalist would have delved into Anna's past and upbringing before publishing a blockbuster?
Flashbacks reveal Anna on the lam in LA, ignoring calls from Rachel, Neff, and her creditors. Instead, she drowned her sorrows in alcohol and Xanax, waking up in a hospital bed.
Vivian, meanwhile, arrived in Germany and met her translator, Mira. After a brief fangirling session, the two got down to business. Vivian discovered that Anna's father, Vadim, ran a trucking and cooling business, which Vivian speculated stemmed from the Soviet Union's collapse, where criminals found lucrative avenues in small-scale businesses.
Flashing back to Anna's childhood, Vivian witnessed Vadim and young Anna speaking English, a bit of a letdown. It would've been more impactful in Russian. However, Vivian deduced that Anna had been working for her father, smuggling money. Locals claimed that Anna quickly established herself as the school's "fashion police," belittling her peers for their attire. Rumors swirled about her father's gangster connections, but what was the truth behind the myths?
According to Anna's narrative, her father's losses propelled him into a downward spiral of alcoholism, transforming him from a robust, self-assured figure into a raging, diminished shell. Consequently, Anna sought refuge in magazines and the allure of American culture, yearning to escape the reality that encompassed her—including her father's transformation.
Amma's path ultimately led her to rehab, where Rachel, her former adversary, surprisingly reached out, offering a truce and requesting a meeting. However, upon Anna's arrival, she was immediately apprehended by officers who had been anticipating her arrival. She was promptly escorted back to New York and taken into custody, a gratifying revenge for Rachel, whose smug grin was difficult to conceal as she recounted the tale to Kacy and Neff.
In Germany, Vivian interviewed Vadim, who seemed to validate some aspects of Anna's narrative. But the deeper truth revealed itself—Anna's nature had always been fraught with icy anger and resentment, fueling her ambitions. Disillusioned, Vivian chose to return home.
Upon her arrival, Vivian received medical records from her hospital stay in LA, a stark reminder of Anna's manipulations. Realizing that Anna had merely been buying time, Vivian vowed to remain supportive but firm. She urged Anna to abandon her deceit and seek a plea bargain, offering her a chance to return to Germany. Anna, however, remained obstinate, retreating back into her cell.
