Episode 3 of The Curse kicks off with a heated auction, where Asher stands resolute, bidding for a vacant lot known as "Questa Lane." After a series of tense exchanges, he emerges victorious, sealing the deal at $62,500. Whitney's face betrays her disappointment with the price tag, but Asher's eyes spark with confidence, envisioning the lot's potential for their redevelopment project.
Later, in the cozy confines of their living room, Asher and Dougie settle in to watch a snippet from a focus group assembled by HGTV. It's a common practice among networks to gauge public opinion and get a firsthand feel for shows in the pipeline. However, the feedback is far from encouraging. Doubts and skepticism hover over the clip, particularly directed towards Asher, who's deemed by one participant as "neither funny nor good-looking." Even the design of the passive homes comes under scrutiny, with criticisms ranging from aesthetic flaws to practical concerns of recouping the investment in energy savings over centuries.
Dougie's doubts about the show's future are palpable, and Asher's concern mounts as their hopes hinge on its success. Meanwhile, Nala's story unfolds, with a glimpse of her sitting amidst whispers and snide remarks from her classmates, her race being a constant undercurrent. It's not overtly malicious, but the subtlety of these insults can be just as harmful to a young mind.
As if fate had its hand in it, the lot Nala's family occupies turns out to be Questa Lane. When Asher arrives to survey the land, Hani urges Nala to flee, sensing his approach. Upon spotting her, Asher's eyes brighten, and he promptly pulls out a crisp hundred-dollar bill. But Nala and her sister dart away, prompting Asher to give chase. Just as he catches up, a good Samaritan steps in, mistaking Asher's intentions as a threat. With the arrival of an officer, the misunderstanding is cleared up, but Asher retains the right to evict the family. However, weighed down by the lingering curse, he graciously allows them to stay, their fate intertwined with the lot that now belongs to him.
Whitney's face beamed with joy as she declared her intention to lend a helping hand to the family, perhaps even tackling minor repairs. Asher concurred, nodding in agreement. Their next destination was the clinic, where Dr. Brown awaited them. After Whitney received her injection, it became clear that conceiving a child was out of the question for the foreseeable future, and intimacy between the two was also prohibited.
Amidst this strange turn of events, Asher's phone rang, revealing Dougie's voice. He inquired if Asher was home, eager to spend time together. But Asher, mindful of Dougie's recent loneliness, chose to avoid him. The rejection caused Dougie's emotions to overflow, and he broke down in tears, nestled in his bed.
As they arrived at the plaza, Whitney's eyes widened upon seeing the "Coming Soon" sign adorning Barrier Coffee. She quickly urged Asher to call its owner, Jamie, who held the lease. However, Jamie reminded them that the contract did not mandate the cafe's operation beyond the show's production, leaving them with little recourse.
Later, Whitney dialed Fernando's number, the young man who had been promised a full-time job at Barrier in the previous episode. Wanting to ensure he felt no resentment, Whitney offered him a temporary position as the plaza's security guard. With that settled, they ventured to Questa Lane to assess the extent of repairs needed. Abshir, Hani's father, greeted them warmly, acknowledging that his family's well-being hinged on their satisfaction. His kindness stood in stark contrast to Hani's attitude.
Asher installs a formidable lock, impenetrable to picking or drilling. Meanwhile, Whitney engages the girls in conversation while they immerse themselves in TikTok videos. When the topic of curses arises, Nala nonchalantly mentions that she had cursed Asher, jesting that his beloved chicken spaghetti would be devoid of its main ingredient. Whitney brushes it off, but Asher is visibly rattled.
A comical moment arises as Asher struggles to disentangle a sweater that has somehow gotten tangled around Whitney's head. They erupt into laughter, and Whitney seizes the opportunity to film a reel, recreating the scene for Instagram. She hopes to showcase their charming bond, a move that could favorably influence their online presence.
However, the attempt falls flat. Unable to replicate the exact moment with the same sweater, the reel appears contrived, mirroring the falsified nature of much social media content. Whitney perseveres despite Asher's suspicions that Nala had rummaged through their trash that night, uncovering details of his dinner. Whitney dismisses his theory and admonishes him for making unwarranted assumptions about their family. This provokes a heated argument between the two, their words escalating into a fierce spat. The entire exchange is captured on the reel, which Whitney ultimately deletes in frustration.
The episode concludes with a fleeting glimpse of Fernando, vigilantly guarding the plaza with his rifle in hand.
