Some complaints about the pilot episode of Ringer stemmed from the fact that the episode packed a lot of information and exposition into about 40 total minutes of airtime. The producers promised that things would slow down in the second episode and they were right. Episode 2 was primarily focused on Bridget trying to cover up the fact that she killed a hitman at the end of the pilot.
Episode 2 opened seconds after the close of the previous episode. Bridget, realizing what she had done, was desperately trying to figure out a way to hide the body. This became a running theme throughout the episode, as did the fact that she got interrupted every time she tried. First it was by Gemma, who stopped by the loft to say she confronted the lesbian nanny about sleeping with her husband (which obviously didn't end with the answers she had been hoping for). Then it was by Victor, who has decided to stick around New York, convinced that "Siobhan" was hiding something from him about Bridget.
Bridget, desperate for at least one friend that she could be honest with, told Malcolm the truth about everything. He suggested she escape New York and meet him. She even emptied out Siobhan's emergency bank account to have access to cash, but every time she tried to leave (like with the body), she kept getting interrupted. The big reason was Andrew's client party, which had to be changed to the empty loft at the last minute. This, of course, resulted in Bridget rushing back to find a better place to hide the body - inside of a decorative trunk brought in for the party.
The party, while lovely, was a personal disaster. Bridget's on edge, trying to ensure the body remains hidden, even as Victor crashes the party. Gemma gets drunk and starts slapping women, accusing them of sleeping with her husband. Henry continues to stalk around Bridget, trying to convince her to restart the affair. And Andrew's business party snidely tells Bridget that she clearly got pregnant (or, that Siobhan did) just to hang onto Andrew.
After the party, Bridget made one last attempt to leave, but seeing Juliet drugged out and throwing up convinced her to stay. After all, throughout flashbacks in the episode we saw a younger version of both Bridget and Siobhan and learned that Siobhan got fed up with cleaning up all of her sister's messes when they were younger. Bridget couldn't leave Siobhan's family when they needed her. This was her chance to repay her sister and be there for other people.
Although, Siobhan likely doesn't care that Bridget's trying to be nice. Because when she attempted to withdraw the money from her emergency account in Paris, she was angry to learn that Bridget closed it the day before. So she called a mysterious person to say that Bridget is ruining everything and "It has to get done. Sooner rather than later".
Cut back to New York, where Bridget headed back to the empty loft to try and dispose of the body once again, only to discover that it's gone. Could it have something to do with the mysterious man who was staring at her at the party? We think so.
Overall, this was a solid episode. We learned some of the twins' backstory, the characters are all being flushed out gradually, and the episode wasn't packed full of exposition. But I have a few questions:
- How long until Gemma learns that Siobhan was having the affair with Henry? After he tried to convince her that he wasn't seeing anyone else, she pulled out her trump card: the drycleaner found a hotel key in his jacket. DRAMA!
- What, exactly, is Siobhan up to? Is she trying to hurt Bridget?
- How will Bridget fake a pregnancy? Will Andrew get suspicious or will she find a way out?
- Will Malcolm make it back to Bridget somehow? We saw that he is still being followed by the crazy killer and would have been killed tonight if not for a last-minute appearance by a student.
- How much longer can Bridget keep up the ruse with Victor?
A new episode of Ringer will be airing next week on September 27. View photos for the episode here.
Diana, unfortunately, Ringer and Buffy are two entirely different shows. The likelihood of it being linked back to Buffy (except, perhaps, some inside jokes because of Sarah Michelle Gellar), is completely unlikely. The producers and actors all spelled out the way that Ringer is meant to be different from Buffy, even with Gellar in the role.
Season 8 of Buffy played out in comics. I think they may even be doing a season 9 in comic form, but I admit I'm not up to date on those developments.
Wonderful review, I also thoroughly enjoyed episode 2 and am anxious to know where this show will take the storylines.
I don't understand Diana's incessant comments about the show being an extension of Buffy. I was a huge fan of Buffy, and consequently Sarah Michelle Gellar, but anyone can see that this is an entirely different show. New characters, new plot, new everything… we should just be thankful that SMG is back!