‘Dead Ringers’ Recap: ‘Three’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Dead Ringers’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
One particular belief that we all share in regarding our dream jobs or dream projects, is that when the project is ready and/or the dream achieved, that life will become quite easy and lovely in nature. Because we finally have what we want in life, and everything we will ever need. So, there’s no longer a need to worry about money or anything really. Because we’ve made it. But it doesn’t take long for us to learn when we reach the top, that such thoughts are woefully wrong. For problems that existed before we hit it big don’t magically go away, nor do underlying issues that we need to handle within our psyche, and well… if we don’t resolve the underlying stuff, trouble can and will come, as evidenced by the next episode of Dead Ringers on Prime Video.
​
For this particular tale offered up a time jump, wherein the Mantle twins finally had the birthing center they had dreamed of and well, it was everything they hoped for and more. After all, it was indeed state of the art and comfortable and it even made childbirth respectful and less of a product. To the point where some received a catered and personal birthing experience, and of course… it was a hit with the investors. Which meant… the Mantle’s dreams had indeed come true. They had created a perfect birthing center, and as added bonus, the research facility they craved was available to them as well and that should have indeed made for joyous moments and peace, since both Beverly and Elliot were in a mental space, we have not seen them occupy in this story. 

But that was merely designed to reaffirm the lie that we tell ourselves regarding what should happen when we dream big, and grab hold of it. Because sadly, there was a lot that Elliot wasn’t working on from a personal standpoint. Such as her unhealthy attachment to Beverly, and the belief that she had to be always near her twin in any capacity. Or that they should share in everything from a physical standpoint since she once again asked if by chance if she could be intimate with Genevieve and well… that brought forth immediate friction in the Mantle household. Because Beverly, was falling deeply in love with Genevieve, to the point where they were talking about having a family together and they even escaped for a weekend getaway, and she wanted that time away and wanted to follow her own heart.

But while she was gone, the real problems in Elliot’s mind were exposed and they were scary. Since she basically slipped into a deep depression while Beverly was out of the house, exposing some severe co-dependency issues, the kind that led to paranoid delusions. Wherein she dreamed of being the life of the party and an object of desire, and a murderer. Since she truly thought for a moment that she had managed to take a life in anger when nothing of the sort occurred. Which of course, led to her lowest moment and prompted Beverly to rush back home and save her and well… all of this… spoke to the central theme. Since there were deep rooted issues here that were never resolved or addressed, because the dream was the focus and the status quo brought comfort and having that interrupted with success… brought it all out. 

However, what made this journey so impactful and so downright terrifying, is the sheer fact that it would seem that darker days are ahead for this duo. Because Elliot is clearly at a low point and rocked terribly at the prospect of losing her sister and Beverly is at a crossroads as well and that divergence is going to lead to trouble, and suffering. But while we wait to see what kind of trouble arises and how ugly it might be, we can in the meantime… applaud a brave tale. One that opted to get into horrors of the mind and the power of co-dependency… and making it clear that Elliot’s mental health issues run deep and need to be addressed quickly, is a bold way to set up the final three episodes of this season. For that informs us that this series is about to expand into new territory, that of the human mind, and it will be fascinating to see what this show has to say about mental health now that it is becoming the centerpiece of this journey. Until next time.

---

Powered by JustWatch