‘Bad Sisters’ Recap: ‘Eye for an Eye’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Bad Sisters’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Most television shows that take the time to explore the origins of an important act that involved a group of people… simplify the reasons why those characters took the time to commit that act. A move that is likely designed to move the story along at a brisk pace so the fallout of the act can be explored and well, while that does indeed keep things moving and keep things entertaining, there’s nothing wrong with taking the time to really explore the genesis and motivations that go into group efforts. Because everyone has something different that they want out of life and they would commit to something important for vastly different reasons than someone else, and one particular show that is breaking that mold and showing all of us that you can in fact, explore every detail and motivation of a character that does something supremely important with others, and keep it engaging… is Bad Sisters on Apple TV+.
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For every single episode has taken the time to explain why the Garvey sisters had reason to commit murder against John Paul, minus Grace of course. Because he was in fact, a rotten bastard to all of them and put them through their own special emotional hell. Which in turn brought about thoughts on how to kill a man and the next episode in this fascinating series continued to follow that slow burning and explorative edict. Because it was Bibi’s turn to explain to all of us why she wanted John Paul dead. But not before an important moment took place in this story. For ‘Eye for an Eye’ also took the time to explore why Thomas was so hell bent on solving this claim in such an unethical manner, and sadly… it related to an embarrassing final act from their father. One that involved never filing the John Paul claim to begin with because he pocketed the money, adding new stakes to their mission since such a revelation… makes Thomas dangerous now, since a payout will truly cost him everything.

But once that revelation was complete, it was off to the past, wherein we came to learn… that Bibi lost her eye because of John Paul. For a simple ride home one night, ended in disaster when the two of them were involved in a collision that was brought on by John Paul’s boorish nature. Which of course, changed the course of Bibi’s live irrevocably. Because she was once a champion archer, courtesy of an aim that could not be beat. But without that second eye, that career was brought to a standstill, and she could not reconcile that in the slightest. If anything, the truth about her and John Paul’s sorted past, not only spoke volumes as to why she was quick to be the first to suggest murder, but also how that ugly day had infected her soul with notions of revenge. The kind so strong and so overwhelming that she thought she was ready to do anything to satiate it.

Which is why she started to train once again, to perfect her aim for one hell of a plan. Wherein a birthday celebration for John Paul, one that would be hosted at a paintball range, could end in his end. For there was a soft spot on the back of his skull as a result of the crash and Bibi could easily penetrate that with a frozen paintball with her groove back, and well, she got her aim back after all and was fully prepared to go through with the plan, until she wasn’t. For in that moment, the reality of what murder entails and the realization that the anger and fury wouldn’t fade away with his end, prompted her to hesitate and as if often the case in life, hesitation led to a grand mistake. One that saw the weapon discharge and remove the eye of the head of this paintball park. A move that truly hammered home all of Bibi’s concerns and worries and also broke her in the closing moments of this tale. 

A moment that leaves us wondering, if by chance Bibi will have her fill of the revenge plot going forward since its dangers have become apparent to her now and of course, we still don’t know if the Garvey sisters committed a crime in the first place. Since their attempts continue to fail. But alas, that’s part of the fun and it is of little concern, simply because what we are getting before that grand answer is just fascinating. For this is at its core, a solid character study through and through. One that is defying norms by showing us every single person’s motivation for potentially harming John Paul. And it does so in a manner so compelling and so powerful, that we think little of the act and more of the impact he had upon these women and how broken they are by his abuse and truly, it will be fascinating to see where this series takes us next as season one of this grand mystery continues along. Until next time.

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