Episode 8 of The Curse kicks off with four affluent teenagers strolling into Iosheka Jeans. One of them boasts to her friends about her brother's recent theft of three pairs of jeans. Once inside, the teens embark on a rampage, leaving the store in shambles. The sole employee, resignedly noting down the items, charges the lot to Whitney's credit card, who remains unfazed.
The scene shifts to Fernando and his makeshift "militia" banging on Whitney and Asher's door, rifles in hand and anger in their eyes. Fernando fumes about the increasing thefts at the jeans store, claiming it's tainting his good name. The couple invites him in, and Whitney attempts to explain, but Fernando refuses to listen. He demands an immediate end to their antics, accusing them of trying to drag him into trouble. Asher, in an uncommon display of defiance, stands up to him, only to be laughed off by the enraged Fernando. Whitney's mockery of Asher for promising Fernando a job reveals her true, unpleasant nature, shocking Asher to silence.
Finally, Asher has a chance to vent his frustration on camera, much like Whitney had been doing to him. Dougie, sensing an opportunity, probes for intimate details from Asher's life. It emerges that Asher moved to Santa Fe for his ex-girlfriend, a revelation that clearly discomforts him. When Dougie delves deeper into a private conversation they had, it strikes a blow to Asher's masculinity, the most painful of all. Yet, Asher maintains his composure and continues with the shoot. Surprisingly, after the wrap-up, Asher buys Dougie dinner and engages him in conversation, almost like a friend. Asher apologizes for not prioritizing their friendship earlier.
Whitney calls her "friend" Cara, who reluctantly answers and listens to Whitney's ramblings about the incident. Cara is solely interested in the financial gain as a consultant and wishes to keep her relationship with Whitney strictly professional. However, as she's nearby, Whitney invites herself to Cara's lunch with her friend, Brett. They mock Whitney and her ilk, particularly the whites who are overly cautious about offending the "Natives." Brett scoffs at Whitney while Cara struggles to contain her laughter. Seizing the moment, he invites himself to a soirée at a collector's (Vivi) place, adding another layer of complexity to the already tangled web of relationships.
As it transpired, Vivi is indeed a military contractor, a fact that later complicates Whitney's day. She is agitated when Dougie sends a haphazardly prepared crew to Vivi's residence for a supposed "B-roll" shoot. But the more intriguing scene unfolds at Dougie's and Asher's dinner table.
The two men engage in candid conversation, delving into the cursed subject matter. Towards the end of the meal, Dougie pushes to get them both intoxicated and insists on "driving" them home. Along the route, they halt at a convenience store to purchase batteries, following a text Asher received from Abshir, notifying him of a faulty smoke alarm. Dougie pulls another mischievous prank, purchasing a gay porn magazine for Asher, much to his dismay.
Asher's anxiety deepens as Dougie persists in broaching the curse, even approaching Nala in her room and pleading with her to curse him. Nala's response is a serious and quiet one, causing Dougie to panic and flee. Upon returning to the car, it becomes apparent that Dougie had no extra batteries. He had merely pretended that his Kleenex tissues were batteries, and Asher played along, a subtle nod to the truth that even he is "cosplaying the role of a good man." Asher wanted Nala's curse on Dougie to validate their theory.
Amidst the accusations, Asher retaliates by bringing up Dougie's accident that led to his wife's death. He remains silent for the rest of the ride. As he drops Asher off, Dougie mutters, "I curse you," and departs.
Meanwhile, Whitney continues her self-filming tour of Vivi's home, pretending to admire the artwork. Along the way, she encounters a stranger who seems to take a liking to her. They even enter a bathroom alone for a brief moment, though he misleadingly refers to it as an elevator. Later, Whitney coerces Cara into a camera-facing conversation, forcing her to praise Whitney's "artistry" and the beauty of her home. Cara's expressions shift as the conversation progresses, revealing her desire for it to end and her frustration with the treatment.
The episode culminates in Cara's revenge on Whitney, as she discards the art sculpture from the mini golf course, leaving Whitney's pretense in tatters.
