Episode 7 of "The Girl from Plainville" opens with a tepid apology from Conrad to Michelle, acknowledging his role in fostering the misconception of his suicide. She ponders what further she could offer, but his words dismiss her efforts, hinting at a never-ending hunger for more.
The courtroom drama unfolds as Dr. Peter Breggin ascends the witness stand, weaving a tale of how Michelle's prescribed medications might have clouded her reasoning, casting a shadow of doubt on her actions. He delves deeper, positing that Conrad's own medication cocktail could have inadvertently tilted the scales towards suicidal tendencies.
Flashing back to 2014, Conrad's soul-searching confession to Michelle reveals a tormented mind grappling with the notion of selfishness in contemplating his own demise. His fear of repeating past failures echoes through the chamber, countered by Michelle's steadfast belief that his lingering terror speaks volumes about his innate desire to live. She harbors a secret wish—for him to embrace failure, as a catalyst for seeking the help he desperately needs.
Conrad's casual mention of a half-hearted suicide attempt ignites a firestorm of emotions within Michelle, her anger boiling over at his omission. He reveals a bleak truth: nothing and no one holds the key to reigniting his will to survive.
Michelle finds solace in confiding her burdens to Natalie, her trust implicit as she implores her friend to guard Conrad's struggle with secrecy.
Back in the courtroom, Dr. Breggin's testimony illuminates a pivotal moment, eleven days prior to Conrad's tragic end. He speaks of a profound transformation in Michelle's demeanor, attributing it to the unintended consequences of her medication. July 2nd, he claims, marked the day she transformed, her mind fixated on a misguided quest to usher Conrad towards the afterlife. The drama unfolds, painting a vivid portrait of a young woman caught in the maelstrom of fate and unintended consequences.
On the fateful day of July 2, 2014, Conrad's confession to Michelle echoed with a chilling sincerity: he harbored no desire to embark on the fiery journey to hell. In a tender moment, she vowed to him that he would find his way to the celestial realm, and he, in turn, implored her assistance in charting his course. With renewed determination, he pledged to try again the following dawn. Her sole request was a heartfelt farewell before he embarked on his final journey.
The very next day, amidst the tense atmosphere of the ongoing trial, Rayburn rose to challenge Dr. Breggin's testimony, meticulously dismantling his assertions. She exposed the flimsy foundation of his claims, revealing that they were largely constructed upon Michelle's own contradictory messages. Alarmingly, he had never engaged in direct conversation with Michelle to substantiate his diagnosis. Even more damning, she presented evidence that disproved his observation of a sudden shift in Michelle's behavior on July 2, as she had already been sending messages urging Conrad towards self-destruction prior to that pivotal date.
Flashing back to 2014, Michelle's morning was shrouded in a misery born of a "goodbye" text from Conrad. Her heart heavy with grief, she assumed the worst, only to be jolted back to reality by a subsequent apology. Conrad's explanation—a mix-up due to an accidental overdose of sleeping pills that had sent him into a deep slumber—left Michelle seething with anger. She felt betrayed, believing he had orchestrated this entire charade, toying with her emotions. With a steely resolve, she accused him of deceit and demanded proof that would dismantle her doubts.
Conrad adamantly asserts his intention, but fate takes an unexpected turn as Michelle hastily sends a text to Natalie, preemptively alerting her that Conrad has vanished. The courtroom drama concludes with the final words of the prosecution, Rayburn firmly stating that they have incontrovertibly established Michelle's deliberate actions. She pleads to the judge, urging him not to solely contemplate Conrad's past and mental frailties but to delve into Michelle's own deeds, acknowledging her knowledge of Conrad's vulnerabilities and her subsequent exploitation of them.
For the moment, Michelle walks free, her fate hanging precariously in the balance until the judge's verdict echoes through the chambers. Escaping the tension, she finds solace in attending her sister Hayden's choir concert, accompanied by her father. Seated in the car, the quietude is broken as her father gently inquires if Dr. Breggin's assessment holds true—if she had indeed succumbed to a moment of oblivion, urging Conrad towards self-destruction.
Michelle remains silent, her thoughts a tumultuous sea, but her father's love is a steadfast anchor. He vows to cherish her unwaveringly, regardless of the truth. As Hayden's voice rises in song, Michelle's mind drifts, conjuring a fantastical scenario where Hayden beckons her to the stage, enveloped by a chorus of classmates, all united in a heartfelt rendition of "Teenage Dirtbag," a melody that echoes the complexities of adolescence and the yearning for belonging.
