Episode 5 of "The Better Sister" kicks off with a nostalgic flashback, painting a vivid scene where Adam is engrossed in his studies at a quaint cafe, with Nicky, the charming waitress, attending to him. Seeking to lift his spirits, she playfully suggests a toast, but he adheres to a sense of propriety. Undeterred, Nicky takes a bold swig from the bottle and mischievously tosses it towards him.
Switching to the present, Nicky awakens in the serene pool house, while Chloe is consumed with regret over her scoop shared with Sid, who holds it tightly until the trial's conclusion. As she tidies up Nicky’s disheveled room, Chloe stumbles upon a pill bottle accompanied by a letter – an official approval to administer antidepressants to Ethan.
Elsewhere, Nicky finds herself drowning her sorrows at a dimly lit bar, weary of the haunting shadows from her past. She opens up to a random patron, venting her frustration about Adam's toxic behavior and expressing bewilderment over her father's actions. Grappling with the aftermath of her own poor decisions, she seeks solace. The patron offers a harsh but honest truth: one must bear the weight of their choices and stride forward.
In another corner, Chloe crosses paths with Kevin and confronts him for betraying Ethan's trust. Kevin's cowardice led Ethan to shoulder the blame for the weed scandal, fearing his mother's wrath. Chloe sternly reminds Kevin of Ethan's unwavering loyalty.
Meanwhile, Nancy dives deep into the investigation, finally tackling the angle of death threats. The lieutenant encourages her to testify at the trial, a proposition she accepts readily, considering Matt's prejudice against Ethan that could cloud his judgment.
As the episode progresses, Nicky attends her next AA meeting and finds a kindred spirit in Ken. Their connection is instant, and he generously gifts her his book, fostering a new sense of hope and camaraderie.
Upon returning home, Chloe finds herself spiraling into a heated online altercation with a troll, her emotions raw and exposed. Jake suddenly appears on the scene, uninvited and unnoticed until now, due to Chloe's deliberate distancing. She confronts him head-on about a misleading text message, accusing him of being Bill's eyes and ears, tasked with monitoring her every move. Jake defends himself, asserting that his words in the text were a fabrication. Meanwhile, Bill, having guessed at the nature of their bond due to Jake's slip of the tongue—a confession of love for Chloe—watches the exchange intently. Chloe, flustered yet intrigued, is interrupted by Nicky's arrival, prompting Jake to hastily depart.
Chloe concedes to the necessity of antidepressants but wishes Nicky would involve her in decision-making processes. They delve into discussions about the wake, and Chloe expresses her fear of an intoxicated Nicky, who confesses that the attention had overwhelmed her. All she truly desired was to bond with Chloe alone. As a gesture of reconciliation, Chloe offers to discuss Hank, but Nicky abruptly leaves, the moment lost.
Later, Chloe visits Ethan, pleased that he and Nicky are forming a connection yet astonished to learn they've been in contact for half a decade. Nicky had gifted Ethan a burner phone, which contained only conversations with Kevin. Chloe is disheartened by this revelation and evasive when Ethan inquiries about her drinking habits.
A flashback unveils Nicky's struggle with postnatal depression, a time when Adam's trust in her was shattered, and he vents his frustrations about her "lies" to Chloe. In the present, Chloe confronts Nicky, accusing her of deceit regarding the burner phone and suspecting further dishonesty about Hank. Frustrated, Chloe storms off.
At the precinct, Dom, the prosecutor, resists pursuing alternative leads. However, Nancy and Matt are determined to be thorough, regardless of whether the leads are directly tied to Ethan's case. Following this, Nancy encounters Nicky at a homeware store, attempting to discern the dynamics between the sisters. Nancy posits that Nicky has received the rawer deal in their relationship, a claim that irritates Nicky, prompting her to sneer at Nancy's marital status.
Chloe eventually crosses paths with FBI Agent Olivero, who stands firm in his refusal to offer her any assistance until she furnishes him with intelligence on Gentry. He subtly implies that Adam had been colluding with them behind closed doors. Coincidentally, Matt, who has been trailing Chloe, captures their encounter on camera.
Elsewhere, Nicky is distressed by the relentless online onslaught against Chloe. Seeking solace, she turns to Catherine, who harbors a deep disdain for women who prey on their fellow females. Nicky, resonating with Catherine's sentiment, expresses her desire to help rehabilitate Chloe's tarnished image. Catherine, ever the ally, readily agrees to lend a hand.
Armed with determination, Nicky heads to the beach house and switches out the bloodstained rug. Temptation strikes when she spots the minibar, prompting her to frantically call Ken for a distraction.
A flashback transpires, revealing Sheila's earnest plea for Chloe to reconcile with Nicky for her sake. In the present, Chloe discovers a troubled Nicky in the pool house. Their conversation takes a lighthearted turn as they discuss trial attire, with Chloe briefly mentioning the FBI's demands. A concerned Nicky offers her cautious advice.
Their camaraderie, however, is short-lived as Sid finally breaks the story, alleging that Chloe rescued Ethan from his addicted mother's clutches. The hearing commences with Arty and Kevin stepping forward as character witnesses. Unfortunately, Nancy and Ethan's headmistress undermine his case. Dom deals the final blow by asserting that Ethan was neglected. To add insult to injury, the death threats emanating from the company computer are traced back to Ethan. Some comments even express a desire for Adam's demise. In a poignant moment at the climax of The Better Sister Episode 5, Ethan confesses to the court that there were times when he did indeed wish Adam away.
