Episode 3 of "The Better Sister" kicks off with a haunting flashback that plunges us into the Macintoshes' turmoil over Ethan's reckless decision to bring a gun to school. The scene toggles between Adam's stern reprimand and Ethan's anxious glances towards his concealed weapon throughout the school day. When a classmate catches a glimpse of the firearm and reports it, Adam resorts to a hush-money donation to silence the scandal.
In the present, Ethan's name continues to dominate the headlines, with paparazzi encamped outside their NYC apartment, relentless in their pursuit. Catherine's unexpected visit brings with it a bombshell: the board is pressuring Chloe to relinquish her position. She cunningly suggests leveraging their collective grief to solidify Chloe's standing, allegedly for the magazine's greater good. While Chloe wavers under the influence of this proposition, Nicky scorns Catherine's cold calculation.
Concerns for Ethan's wellbeing mount, particularly as Chloe begins to share Nicky's alarm when their lawyer, Michelle, mysteriously goes radio silent. Nancy, coming to their rescue, divulges Ethan's location, prompting Chloe and Nicky to rush to his side without delay.
Michelle is seen grilling Ethan about the gun, emphasizing the need for a robust defense, as the prosecution will portray him as a volatile individual capable of committing murder. Amidst the tension, Chloe's relentless phone calls interrupt their conversation, revealing her intense involvement. Ethan confides in Michelle, revealing he backed out of Kevin's drug deal on the night of the murder, fearing detection. As Michelle tenderly brings him food, Ethan is transported back to a poignant memory.
In a poignant flashback, Adam, Jake, and Ethan pause at a food truck. Adam's cruel fat-shaming directed at Ethan's food choice stands in stark contrast to Jake's supportive stance, defending his friend's dignity.
Returning to the present, law enforcement discovers that the blood found on the shoe belongs to Ethan, likely stemming from the cut on his wrist. They also reach out to an evasive Bill, who steadfastly maintains Gentry's innocence but refuses to share Adam's case files until legally compelled. Nancy, aware of Bill's deceptive tactics, is livid, knowing full well he will erase any incriminating evidence before it can be examined.
Matt harbors another intriguing hypothesis – that Jake received numerous calls from an undisclosed number on the fateful night of the murder. He attempts to steer the conversation towards the angle of a love triangle, only to be promptly quelled by Nancy. As they depart, Chloe stumbles upon Ethan's disposable phone. Mistaking it for Adam's, she asks Nicky to power it on while she continues driving. Nicky, discretion itself, catches a glimpse of an apology-laden message addressed to Kevin and promptly erases it, keeping its contents hidden. Meanwhile, Bill confirms that the peculiar taxi ride was intended for a client's NYC adventure, yet he conceals his ignorance of the scheduled meeting. He and Jake theorize about a rival company poaching Adam and Gentry, tasking Jake with gathering evidence at the beach house. Unbeknownst to Bill, Jake is betraying his trust too, disclosing Bill's alternative theory to an undisclosed party.
Elsewhere, Chloe, her patience wearing thin, succumbs to Nicky's playful provocation. Overwhelmed by her concerns for Ethan, she succumbs to tears, her faith in him wavering. Nicky, sensing her distress, offers solace, reassuring her of Ethan's innocence.
Elsewhere still, Jake crosses paths with Michelle, and together they pass judgment on the polygamous sisters. Michelle finds Ethan a puzzle she can't solve, while Jake comes to his defense. He expresses surprise at Nicky's presence in town and irritation at the couple's secrecy regarding her. Their conversation reveals that Jake and Adam were once close, both outsiders in NYC's elite circle, though Jake relished the lifestyle more than Adam ever did. Michelle also notices Jake's troubled demeanor, hinting at deeper, unspoken troubles.
In the precinct's parking lot, Nicky remains in the vehicle, subtly encouraging Chloe to embrace what seems like a prudent plan. While on a quest for a cigarette, Nicky stumbles upon a blood-stained knife, triggering a memory of its origin: their father's possession. A nostalgic flashback reveals a hunting expedition gone awry, where after bagging a rabbit, their dad compelled Nicky to end its life. Trembling with fear, Nicky stands frozen, until Chloe steps in to carry out the grim deed.
Elsewhere, Matt is engrossed in contemplation, realizing Adam did indeed set the alarm, yet someone had the means to deactivate it. He subtly suggests that Ethan isn't the sole custodian of the code, hinting at deeper conspiracies. Just then, Chloe bursts into the room, insisting they broaden their investigation to encompass the prepaid phone, the menacing threats, and the mysterious taxi. Nancy, listening, cannot conceal her disdain for such presumptuous demands.
Amidst this turmoil, Ethan's pretrial hearing is unexpectedly rescheduled for an earlier date. As he prepares to depart, Ethan confesses to Michelle his fears of the firearm at home, revealing his motive to rid themselves of it. Nicky stands steadfastly by Chloe's side, offering unwavering support as they make their way to the courthouse.
Inside, the prosecution presents a compelling case, playing on themes of race and socio-economic status to paint Ethan in a negative light. Additionally, his past infraction of being caught with marijuana, for which he had a friend take the blame, is brought to light. The prosecutor argues convincingly that Ethan possesses the resources to flee, convincing the judge to deny bail.
Nicky eventually reaches her breaking point and confronts Chloe for pretending to be unfazed. Despite Nicky's inclination to shoulder the blame, Michelle swiftly dismisses the notion. Compounding the situation, only Ethan's legal guardian is permitted to visit him. Regretful, Nicky implores Michelle to devise a way for Chloe to see Ethan. However, Michelle has alternative agendas in mind. She warns that the prosecution will scrutinize the family dynamics to assess Ethan's character, delving into incidents such as the restraining order involving Chloe, Nicky, Ethan, and Adam.
The scene shifts to the sisters making their way to the beach house. Chloe, distressed, goes for a run while Nicky begins the arduous task of scrubbing away the telltale traces of blood from the floor. A haunting flashback unveils Hank venting his frustrations to his wife, Sheila, about Nicky's skewed mental state. He labels Nicky as selfish and pig-headed. A young and vulnerable Nicky, eavesdropping, is deeply wounded by his father's words. In the present, Nicky's hands also busy themselves with cleaning a blood-stained knife.
As The Better Sister Episode 3 concludes, a vehicle appears to be trailing Chloe. She confronts Jake, accusing him of informing Michelle about the restraining order. Jake, filled with remorse, manages to diffuse her anger. Chloe admits she misses him, and he comfortingly embraces her.
