"Why Women Kill" has indubitably become a secret indulgence of mine this year, and this particular episode has epitomized the captivating essence of the show. As the comedic veneer gradually gives way to a more profound, melodramatic tone, the series pulls out all the stops to deliver a masterpiece. Just like previous episodes, we're ushered into the narrative with a succinct prologue, this time narrated by deceased loved ones spanning three distinct time periods.
In 1963, Beth Ann chauffeurs April to the doctor's office, subtly planting seeds of suspicion about Rob in her mind. After much deliberation, Beth Ann decides to gather her belongings and depart. As she neatly folds clothes into her suitcase, we are transported back in time to witness the heart-wrenching moment when Emily is struck, igniting a chain of events. April inquiries about her future with Rob in the context of the impending baby, and in the process, Rob reveals Beth Ann's unfulfilled dream of becoming a concert pianist. While April ponders her next move, Beth Ann arrives at Rob's workplace, intent on ending their relationship for real. It transpires that Rob has been unfaithful for years, and Claire, his secretary, left the gate ajar. Tragically, Beth Ann is not culpable for Emily's death—Claire is. To compound the misery, Rob knew the truth yet blamed Beth Ann, condemning her to a life of remorse.
In 1984, Simone and Karl's club membership is revoked after Naomi exposes their affair and Karl's homosexuality. Adding insult to injury, Naomi arrives at their home shortly after, vowing to make Simone's life miserable. Amy returns home and informs Karl that she knows the truth about his AIDS. Facing the prospect of a wedding with dwindling guests, the only way to salvage the occasion is to ensure Karl doesn't show up. Despite Simone's objections, Karl agrees to stay behind, prompting Simone to stand by his side.
The following day, as Karl and Simone step outside, they discover someone has graffitied "die aids faggot" on the wall. As Karl faints, everyone refuses to lend a hand until Julio, one of the estate's workers, rushes to his aid and helps him to the car. At the hospital, they learn that Karl's condition is dire, and there's a possibility he may not survive. In the hallway, Simone encounters Naomi and begs her to leave Karl out of it and go straight for her—a stark contrast to her earlier selfishness and a testament to how far Simone's character has evolved over the weeks."
Tommy dresses with haste, his anger boiling as he lambasts his mother for her deeds. He shuns her coldly, declaring to Naomi that she is no longer his mother, and forcibly ejects her from the room. As 2019 unfolds, Jade cunningly spins her web of deceit, while Eli prepares for a fateful encounter with Scorsese. But upon reaching the office, it transpires to be a meeting with Taylor, who shatters Eli's illusion, revealing Jade's true identity as Irene. He denies the truth, walks out, and yet, deep within, Jade/Irene's influence still holds sway.
After picking him up from the office, Eli, now harboring doubts, confronts Irene about the truth. It's at this moment that he realizes all he's been told is indeed genuine, as Irene frantically questions how he discovered the truth before crashing their car. Taylor rushes to the hospital, finding Eli with fractured ribs, unconscious. Before the sedation took effect, he left her a note with a single word - rehab.
Meanwhile, Irene, having nowhere else to go, retreats to Duke's. She confronts him, demanding to know who betrayed her. Duke confesses to revealing the truth to Taylor. The two engage in a fierce struggle, culminating in Irene stabbing Duke repeatedly. As the episode draws to a close, Naomi speeds her car towards Simone, while Beth Ann purchases a gun, leaving the stage set for an explosive season finale.
This episode is a whirlwind of events, seamlessly paced and imbued with captivating writing and unexpected twists. Unveiling Beth Ann's sordid past is a gut-wrenching moment, while the revelation of Irene's (Jade's) murderous nature injects a thrilling edge into the 2019 narrative. However, for me, the 1984 storyline stands out as the most intriguing and tonally diverse.
Lucy Liu and Jack Davenport exhibit electrifying chemistry as Simone and Karl, their characters rich with depth and complexity. Their story arc, ranging from witty repartee to heartfelt drama, serves as the backbone of this season. What awaits in the finale remains a mystery, and whether our trio of husbands will meet their predetermined fate is still up for speculation. One thing is certain, it's going to be a thrilling conclusion!
