The fourth chapter of Season 2 of "Nine Perfect Strangers" unfolds with Tina in the midst of preparing for a pivotal performance in her dreams. However, this dreamscape swiftly metamorphoses into a harrowing nightmare as she suffers a stage failure, her hands inexplicably spurting blood across the stage.
As dawn breaks, Wolfe stands beside Tina, but a commotion outside prompts her to glance out the window. Her eyes widen in astonishment as Martin oversees the arrival of an assortment of musical instruments. Tina's anger ignites, accusing Wolfe of orchestrating her downfall.
Below, David's suspicions begin to fester, prompting him to search for hidden cameras. Still reeling from the previous night's "ritual humiliation" orchestrated by Peter, he's on tenterhooks. When Masha catches up with him, he confronts her about his growing belief that he's being manipulated.
David's conviction deepens that he's been set up, citing his substantial wealth and the dwindling fortunes of the company under Masha's stewardship. Aware that the family trust is burdened by numerous loans, pushing it into debt, David is convinced that his presence here is merely a pretext to drain his finances. Unbeknownst to him, Masha harbors a different agenda, aiming to deliver a poignant reckoning. She resents him as "the only one allowed to move forward," a revelation poised to explode at the episode's climax!
For the moment, however, David is not alone in his agitation; Martin, too, is seething over the setup from the previous episode that left him solely responsible for overseeing all the residents. Masha dismisses his ire, convinced that he could manage, yet the underlying tension is palpable.
At breakfast, the atmosphere shifts awkwardly as Victoria arrives tardy, accompanied by her toyboy, having supposedly engaged in "morning exercise" that left her breathless. Imogen, visibly embarrassed by her mother's antics, excuses herself to step outside, venting her frustrations about their familial woes with Peter.
Simultaneously, Agnes and Brian also find themselves in a trippy haze, spotting a rabbit-shaped cloud and confronting their inner demons. Brian, in particular, is grappling with visions, still seeing his imaginary puppet friend lurking around.
As the group, now in their drug-induced stupor, lingers in the main hall awaiting Tina's performance, it becomes evident that she cannot proceed and flees, prompting Martin to suggest a group "free exploration," which escalates into more drug-induced dancing and eccentric movements.
Outside, Masha engages in a heartfelt conversation with Tina, who has consulted numerous specialists but remains undiagnosed. Tina harbors resentment towards Wolfe, viewing her more as a caretaker than a romantic partner. This resentment stems from unresolved family issues with her mother, which isn't a solid foundation for their relationship.
Eventually, Tina and Wolfe confront each other, with Tina confessing that she never truly wanted to play the piano but was prodded into it by her mother due to her exceptional talent. The piano has dominated her life to the point where she even lost her virginity to a piano tutor. Now, she feels like she has no control over her life choices.
Tina is convinced that should she stray from her current path and seek alternative ventures, Wolfe's affection for her would dwindle. She practically confesses as much, her frustration spilling over as she tells Tina that if this girl—the one whose music ignited Wolfe's love—were to fade away, her own presence here might become uncertain.
Elsewhere, Imogen, still reeling from another round of bitter disappointment with her mother, despite hoping for a breakthrough during their drug-induced conversations, catches up with Tina downstairs. They delve into the dynamics of power in relationships, where Imogen confesses her deep admiration for her mother, Victoria, who, however, fails to reciprocate the sentiment.
As the episode draws to a close, Masha appears poised to plunge into despair once again. She waits for David at the cabin, engaging in conversation with Tatiana, and reveals that tonight, Tatiana will finally meet her father.
