The premiere of Nine Perfect Strangers' second season kicks off with Masha being summoned to the stage, her psychedelic therapy under Tranquillum having soared into mainstream acclaim. As season one concluded, we witnessed her depart in a scene evoking the intrigue of Cruel Intentions, her tome, Nine Perfect Strangers, prominently displayed on the dashboard.
Masha regales the audience with playful comments about the myriad federal allegations levied against her, neither dodging nor denigrating her controversial figure. She openly discusses her endeavors, revealing her collaboration with Silicon Valley elites to devise a novel psychedelic delivery system designed to enable patients to revisit precise memories. This groundbreaking innovation has undergone trials on rats and personally on her, yet it remains confined to experimental stages, awaiting public scrutiny.
Amidst her tales, Masha weaves a lie, asserting that she has severed ties with her daughter, despite the evident truth that Tatiana haunts her periphery, her dreams marred by nightmarish visions. Her mental landscape remains uneven, with Tatiana's presence lingering and subpoenas piling up, leaving her precariously balancing on the edge.
Despite her triumphs across America, Masha craves escape. Enter Martin, the head of Research and Protocol, who extends an invitation for her to helm a new wellness retreat nestled in the Alps—Zauberwald.
This locale holds profound significance within Masha's backstory, a narrative thread that will unfold in episode 2. For the time being, we discover that Helena is the one pulling the strings, the very individual who introduced Masha to the psychedelic therapy that initially revealed Tatiana to her. A set of foundational rules is established, and it's evident that no one here wishes to relive the debacle that transpired at Tranquillum. Similar to the first season, we encounter an eclectic mix of individuals who have come here for a transformative experience.
Despite Masha and her psychedelic remedies being renowned, there seems to be no room for unexpected revelations—or so we are led to think! Masha strategically places hidden cameras and microphones throughout the premises. She also exercises considerable control over the guests, even permitting them to keep their phones on despite the abysmal cell reception in the mountains. Masha has meticulously assembled this group for the retreat, each member harboring unique desires and healing needs.
Among them is Brian, a man as accident-prone as he is irritable, struggling to manage his luggage. He bumps into Sister Agnes, who stands mesmerized by the horizon, mistaking her for a porter. In reality, she is a former nun who guards her secrets closely, making it unclear why she has embarked on this journey.
Imogen, who flaunts her intellect and relentlessly questions Martin about the project, is another guest. She overthinks everything and is here to mend her strained relationship with her mother, Victoria. Unfortunately, Victoria is preoccupied with her new lover, Matteo. We also learn that Victoria has been divorced multiple times, hinting at her commitment issues. However, according to Masha and Helena, Matteo is part of their grand "scheme."
Arriving with a certain air of turbulence is the duo of Tina and Wolfie, whose relationship seems shrouded by unseen demons. Both talented musicians, Tina, however, finds herself devoid of the spark that once ignited her passion for the piano. Her mood darkens further when she discovers Wolfie's unexpected plot to send her on this transformative retreat, which she had mistakenly believed to be a much-needed vacation. Their misunderstanding casts a shadow over their arrival.
Then enters Peter, whose playful exchanges with Imogen at the bar lighten the atmosphere momentarily. Unbeknownst to many, he is here to reconcile with his estranged father, the eccentric billionaire David Sharpe, a man who consistently prioritizes his work over family ties.
As the guests navigate the delicate balance between vulnerability and guardedness, Imogen boldly propositions Peter at the bar, suggesting they share his room for the night. Meanwhile, Brian, grappling with significant mental strife, finds himself in a desperate plight to retrieve his seemingly lost luggage.
As the episode draws to a close, we catch our first glimpse of David Sharpe, whose curiosity is piqued by the notion of these drugs potentially "molding him into a better person." Yet, skepticism lingers in his mind, questioning the efficacy of such a remarkable transformation.
