The premiere episode swiftly suggested a potentially strained bond between Sloane and her mother, and indeed, we witness this tension unfold in this installment. The narrative kicks off with a nostalgic flashback to Sloane's childhood, depicting her as an overweight young girl joyfully dancing in her bedroom. Her mother, Diana, enters the scene and delivers a devastating blow: "Big girls don't become dancers."
The story then transitions to Sloane post-workout, where she briefly crosses paths with Gia for the very first time. This fleeting encounter subtly hints at the profound importance Sloane places on maintaining her physique. Subsequently, she meets her mother for a meal, and the conversation is laced with Diana's harsh criticism and unapproachable demeanor.
Following this tense dinner, Sloane encounters Will, a man she is undeniably drawn to. He offers her a piece of advice, suggesting she switch her flower vendor for her business. This leads Sloane to Lily, Will's girlfriend and the same woman who had previously assisted Sloane in extracting her heel from the pavement. An immediate bond forms between the two, suggesting a promising friendship on the horizon.
However, a major obstacle arises: Sloane harbors romantic feelings for Will, who is already in a relationship with Lily. Despite her attraction to Lily as a person, Sloane finds herself unable to resist her desire for Will. In a moment of vulnerability, she even broaches the subject with her husband, Richard, suggesting they invite Will into their bedroom for a threesome. But Richard, uncomfortable with the idea, rejects her proposal.
Instead, Richard orchestrates a lively evening with another couple, arranging a partner swap for the night. But disaster strikes when Sloane's temporary partner fails to wear a condom. The joyful atmosphere is abruptly shattered, and the couple is asked to leave in disgrace. This incident sparks a heated argument between Sloane and Richard, exposing the complexities and challenges of their open relationship dynamic.
As Sloane and her family convene, it becomes unmistakably evident that her mother holds the title of her harshest critic. Her father and brother also gang up on her, joining in the chorus, albeit wrapped in the guise of humor. They insinuate that Sloane's success and newfound discipline are solely attributable to her association with Richard. Despite her years of relentless effort, her accomplishments are overshadowed by their perceptions. Or, at the very least, they fail to acknowledge her industrious endeavors with the credit she deserves.
Sloane, rightfully incensed, seeks solace in a decadent dessert, hoping to drown her sorrows in its sweet embrace. However, her emotional turmoil leads her to purge the indulgence later, a reminder of her childhood struggles with weight. Evidently, her mother's words still linger as a poisonous thorn in herself, piercing her confidence even in adulthood. In search of comfort, she flees to Will, from whom she finds inexplicably drawn. He confesses that he too is consumed by thoughts of her, fueling their mutual attraction.
Technically, their interaction remains platonic, devoid of physical contact. Yet, Will finds release in Sloane's gaze, as she takes charge, dictating the terms of his moment of vulnerability. This secret exchange undeniably breaches the boundaries she shares with Richard. Later, she fabricates a tale of a chance encounter with Will, asserting that nothing untoward transpired, but Richard senses a discord in her narrative. With Will and his girlfriend Lily now entangled in this complex web, it seems inevitable that this situation will soon spiral into a tangled mess of emotions and deceit.
