Episode 3 of "The Perfect Couple" unfurls with a poignant flashback, casting us back a year in time where revelry filled the air. As the festivities swirled around her, Merritt received a jarring call from her stepfather, beseeching funds. She discreetly retreated from the fray, and Tag, observing her intently, offered her a joint in solace. Amelia, from afar, watched this exchange with a keen eye.
Presently, the investigation deepens as the police inquire if Amelia is certain that Tag is the father of Merritt's child. Her revelation stuns: amidst Merritt's facade as a carefree partygoer, she had remained chaste, her heart untouched by any lover's embrace. Thus, her intimacy with Tag must stem from depths of affection verging on love.
That very evening, Amelia returns home to find Tag frantically rummaging through his office, a hint of desperation etched on his face. He appears to be on a desperate quest for the elusive receipt of a bracelet, his actions betraying a hidden anxiety. As slumber claims the household, Amelia, driven by curiosity, ventures into his sanctuary undetected, only to be caught in the act by Greer. With a gentle yet stern reprimand, Greer counsels Amelia to ask for what she seeks, subtly admonishing her for her clandestine foray.
At breakfast, the bustling preparations for Greer's book launch and the couple's upcoming interview fill the air with a false sense of harmony. Amelia finds the chaos jarring, while Greer feigns diplomacy, insisting that canceling the launch is impossible, as guests have already embarked on flights from the bustling metropolis of New York.
Amidst the commotion, Will steals a moment, slipping into Chloe's room undetected. Carter's discovery of this intrusion ignites a fiery confrontation, as he angrily expels Will from the premises. His gaze falls upon Will's bandaged hand, triggering a memory flashback. In this reverie, we witness Will forging a bond with Chloe during the rehearsal dinner's aftermath, leading her to a secluded beachside haven where they indulge in alcohol and laughter. As Will momentarily abandons Chloe, entranced by the sight of Merritt on the shore, Chloe succumbs to slumber. Upon awakening, she's confronted with the sobering sight of Will's injured hand, a testament to the unspoken events of the night.
Amelia and Abby, nestled by the shimmering poolside, found themselves embroiled in a conversation that delved into the realm of NDAs. Abby casually dismissed it as a mere formality, yet her inadvertent mention of Mae Pratt's disappearance, Will's erstwhile French tutor, sparked Amelia's curiosity. Inevitably, Amelia sought Benji's insight, only to be met with a stern admonition to let it be.
Elsewhere, on the sprawling grounds, the buzz of anticipation filled the air as People Magazine conducted an interview with Greer and Tag, the golden couple promoting Greer's upcoming book. The focus was on their heartwarming bond, but Tag's excessive singing and lewd humor marred the moment, leaving Greer visibly displeased. In a fleeting moment of vulnerability, Greer revealed that her fictional protagonist was inspired by an aunt, hinting at a veil of secrecy surrounding her own family. As the heavens opened up, drenching the scene, the interview was hastily relocated indoors.
Greer's frustration mounted over the rained-out setting and Tag's hijacking of the spotlight. Amidst the chaos, Tag professed his love and attempted to shed his public persona with a kiss, but Greer recoiled, retreating into the storm. Her path crossed with Amelia, who was clad in casual sweats, inadvertently becoming the target of Greer's pent-up anger. Greer scolded Amelia for her lack of effort on Benji's behalf and sent her scurrying back to change for the all-important interview photo.
Secluded in Benji's sanctuary, Amelia's fingers traced through his desk, uncovering photographs of Merritt intertwined with sketches that whispered of the sea's embrace. Meanwhile, detectives delved into Merritt's phone records, uncovering a pattern of missed calls from Benji and a cryptic voice message urging her to conceal something from Amelia.
The interrogation room echoed with questions about Shooter, the enigmatic figure. Abby painted him as Greer's confidant, while Gosia cast doubts on their association. The authorities, devoid of concrete evidence, reluctantly released Shooter but imposed a restriction: he was not to leave the island's confines. As soon as Shooter stepped foot on the estate's threshold, he whispered to Greer a secret—one about undisclosed funds he had withheld from the police's prying eyes.
Meanwhile, Henry cunningly leads Isabel into a state of inebriation, uncovering the intricate web of the Winbury fortune locked away in trusts. The young heirs' access to this vast wealth is delayed by years, with Tag scraping by on meager investments, whereas Greer wields influence, managing affairs with her own earnings. Benji's teenage years were marred by fiery tempers, contrasting sharply with Will's nervous disposition and strained relationship with Tag.
During the familial feast, where idle chatter fills the air, Amelia's sudden inquisition about NDAs and Mae's involvement throws the Winburys into a flurry. Their attempts to silence her are futile as Thomas finds amusement in Will's oblivion. Playing cat and mouse with his brother, Thomas ultimately exposes Mae's affair with Tag, her suicide attempt, and their subsequent payoff to silence her. Will, devastated, storms out, while Benji professes ignorance to Amelia.
As the police uncover damning evidence - Will and Merritt's blood on the shore, his fingerprints etched on the oyster shucker - tensions rise. Video footage from the rehearsal dinner captures the duo in a heated exchange. Will vanishes, yet Tag remains unperturbed, provoking Greer's ire as they embark on a frantic search.
Unbeknownst to them, Will and Chloe huddle near the canoe, Will determined to flee. His heart heavy with the belief that his affections for Mae pushed her away, he resists Chloe's efforts to dissuade him. Torn, she decides to accompany him.
Consumed by guilt, Amelia joins the quest to locate Will. Her path leads her to his secret sanctuary on the beach, where she stumbles upon Merritt's bracelet. In a poignant moment at the climax of The Perfect Couple's third episode, Amelia entrusts the bracelet to Henry, declaring that Will had hidden it, deepening the mystery surrounding his disappearance.
