Episode 6 of Season 2 of "Nine Perfect Strangers" kicks off with Helena immersed in worry, convinced that David is toying with Masha's delicate emotions. Masha,脆弱不堪, particularly when she witnesses David with his family, harbors a complex mix of affection and resentment towards him. Unbeknownst to others, her actions are a calculated maneuver to coax David into investing in their business, serving as a lifeline to extricate them from their dire financial straits. Helena's gentle proposal of forgiveness is met with a stone-cold refusal; instead, Masha advocates for targeting Peter next in their quest.
Elsewhere, Imogen awakens in the music room, Tina by her side, while Matteo's heart races at the sight of planes soaring overhead, hinting at an impending revelation. Beneath Victoria's veneer of a carefree, devil-may-care spirit lies a disturbing truth. Bedridden and progressively weakening, she is surrounded by bottles of pills, her condition a closely guarded secret from Imogen. Matteo, more than just her lover, wears the dual hats of boyfriend and caregiver. Victoria struggles to find the right moment to confide in Imogen that she is terminally ill, while Matteo's concern for her grows ever deeper.
Meanwhile, Brian rouses Agnes from slumber with a marionette puppet, their religious symbolism in full bloom as one embodies the angel and the other, the devil. They embrace this duality, infusing a touch of humor into an otherwise bleak season.
When David approaches Peter in the morning to discuss Masha's narrative, Peter harbors reservations. He fears David might be duped once again, recalling past traumas where he was similarly exploited. However, Peter's skepticism takes a dark turn as he begins to hallucinate under Masha's influence. He bursts into the dining room, his words a stream of rambling, until Masha arrives to intervene. She clarifies that his experience is part of the therapy, designed to provoke deep-seated trauma through prompts, enabling them to explore and reframe those memories with newfound responses, aided by medication.
With Peter wandering off in a trance and Masha revealing that David stands "on the opposite shore," Peter eventually tracks down his father. Sensing a prime opportunity, David concocts a plan to forge an alliance with Peter, envisioning them turning this venture into their own.
Masha, meantime, proposes that Matteo and Imogen undergo the treatment next, while Victoria, curiously, expresses reluctance to ingest the hallucinogens. The reason for her hesitation becomes apparent (despite her willingness to partake in mushroom-induced trips three episodes prior), as it could compromise her ongoing medical treatment.
Matteo, who lost both parents in a drone strike while they were teaching abroad, emerges as a pivotal figure. Sister Agnes was also present, offering solace to the orphaned children. Ironically, the same drones were developed by Victoria's husband. The intricate web of connections unravels, clarifying why Matteo figures prominently in Masha's scheme, as fleeting visions of Victoria glued to the news attest.
Remarkably, Matteo refuses to hide from his pain. Although he misses his loved ones every day, he knows there is more to life than that. Masha, deeply touched by his words, decides to halt his "treatment."
On the other hand, Imogen awakens to a dire scene: Victoria suffering from cardiac arrest due to an adverse reaction to medication not tailored for her. Given her fragile state, it remains uncertain whether she possesses the resilience to overcome its effects.
Upon discovering that Matteo is actually her caregiver, Imogen is taken aback. Elsewhere, Helena lambasts Masha for neglecting her duties regarding the project, demanding that the mess be rectified and the retreat completed. However, Masha stands her ground. It is at this juncture that a startling revelation unfolds: Helena is a figment of the past, having passed away in 2022.
