‘Mare of Easttown’ recap: Episode 2 – “Fathers”

Mare of Easttown debut last week to rave reviews and praise from all corners. This limited series which stars Emmy and Oscar winner Kate Winslet focuses on the impact a murder has on a small town outside of Philadelphia and the detective who will stop at nothing to find the truth. The first episode was terrific and hooked many people, but that’s nothing compared to what unfolded tonight. Let’s all take a second, relax, and break down those top 5 moments from a taut-second episode.

5. Welcome Detective Zabel

Evan Peters enters the show in the 2nd episode and is playing Detective Zabel, and Detective Sheehan (Winslet) is far from pleased. She sees his presence as a slight to the work that has already gone into cracking the cold case and her ability to solve who killed Erin. Zabel comes with some great credentials. The Chief tells Mare that he had single handly help crack a cold case in a neighboring county. He’s into Mare from the first moment they connected but will that transpire into anything?

4. Interesting

Mare had to tell Erin’s dad about her death, and his reaction was what anyone would expect but what stood out to me was this moment. What does this look like? Some who is mourning? Perhaps, it’s the look of someone who is finally realizing what occurred the previous night. Remember that at the end of the first episode, he comes in late. We know that he has an alcohol issue. Could he have done something he now regrets? Now, I realize at the end of the episode that it sure seems like he’s convinced someone else killed his daughter but if there’s one thing we’ve learned so far is that everyone has something to hide.

3. The Zabel Effect

Mare goes hard after Erin’s ex-boyfriend as she’s convinced that he had something to do with it. We immediately just how unconventional her approach is, and Zabel likes to do things by the book. Sheehan and Zabel are already at odds, and it just raises the electricity these two have when they are on-screen. Could a romance be in the future?

2. Mare’s ex-husband

Mare’s ex-husband is trying really hard to atone for his past, but all we know is that Frank and Mare split up. Could there be something that he’s trying to hide? At this point, there’s not much to go on, but did anyone notice that while he will talk about the past, he rarely will get into specifics. Interesting! What do you guys think?

1. Complications

Carrie returns and has intentions of asking the court for custody of her son (Mare’s grandson). She’s been rehab up to this point, and just her mere presence brings back bad memories for Mare. While she makes her intentions clear to Helen (Mare’s mother), they neglect to let Mare know, which will cause complications down the road. Could losing her grandson cause Mare to snap?