‘Big Sky’ Recap: ‘Dead Man’s Float’

Written by Emily Auskaps

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 214 of ‘Big Sky’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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This episode of Big Sky provides clarity into why the Bhullars are moving their operations to Montana from Canada. Rifts and loyalties amongst the parties are also coming into sharper focus as the plot rockets forward.
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Jenny’s trust in Travis is pushed to the limit when he reveals Bob’s dead body to her lying in the bed of his truck. Jenny is mystified as to why he would expect her to simply turn a blind eye to yet another murder at the hands of the Bhullars. One can only imagine her reaction if she knew it was Travis that stabbed Bob.

Travis, aka Stone, is not on the receiving end of a lot of trust from Ren’s camp either. Donno confronts Travis upon his return to ranch, grabbing Travis’s hands to check his nails for dirt, proof he actually did bury Bob in the woods. Donno then shows Travis a video recording of Travis stabbing Bob and promises to kill Travis himself should he betray Ren.

Veer Bhullar is forced to finally tell his children more about the move to Helena after they discover him outside in the dark reciting poetry, which is apparently wildly out of character for him. Veer and Alicia sit down with Ren and Jag for as close to a heart to heart as this family will likely ever get. Concern is apparent on their faces as their father very hesitantly tells them that he has been betrayed by one of his own men back in Toronto, and that it was Alicia who discovered that he had drained several of their accounts. Veer tried to kill this man, but was unsuccessful, and the man escaped.

Veer’s vague account only raises more questions for his children. He angrily shuts down Jag’s question regarding their monetary solvency as disrespectful. When Ren asks if people will be coming after them, her father is again unsatisfyingly vague in his answer, essentially giving none.

Despite his dim affect, Donno is quite perceptive to the inner workings of the Bhullar cartel. Tonya forces him to spill the beans to her when she finds him cooking with a furrowed brow and look of worry painted across his face. Donno tells her that he believes trouble is coming and professes his loyalty to “Team Ren.” He tells Tonya that Ren’s father is dangerous and unpredictable, and that he doesn’t trust Stone. Donno reminds Tonya that Ren believes in her, and questions Tonya’s level of loyalty. Tonya assures him of her allegiance to Ren, then asks him to clarify. Donno tells her she may just need to kill for Ren in the not-too-distant future.

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Ren encounters Alicia the next day and takes the opportunity to try to learn more about what exactly is happening. Alicia says that Veer is worried that someone will try to take him out and was hoping that Montana is far enough away to deter this. Alicia thinks Veer needs to retire before he gets taken out, but that someone would have to take over for him. Ren scoffs that her father will never retire to which Alicia agrees. She insinuates Veer might be persuaded to hand things over if someone were to show him that things are in capable hands, and that she thinks Ren is a far better candidate for it than Jag.
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Meanwhile, Jenny is investigating the overdose death of a local boy, Mason Ford. The pills found in his possession turn out to be tainted with a yet unidentified substance. Jenny has no doubt that the trail leads directly back to the Bhullars and drives out alone to confront Ren. Ren is immensely annoyed to see Jenny on her property again but puts on a pleasant façade. Jenny tells Ren that she’s killed a boy to which Ren plays dumb. Jenny tells Ren that she’s pushing tainted drugs which were responsible for the boy’s death. Travis intervenes just as this situation begins to escalate, reminding Jenny she has no authority on private property without a warrant. Jenny storms off after giving Travis a look that could peel paint.

It is immediately obvious that this is a complete shock to Ren. She is livid that somehow her pills have been cut with some foreign substance, as the last thing they need is a reputation for tainted drugs. She enlists Donno and Travis to dig in and get to the bottom of this, using any means necessary.

Jenny has not yet left the property when she notices a truck parked next to a wooden cellar door. She foolishly decides to check inside. Gun drawn, she finds herself inside an immaculate laboratory, which she slowly checks out. After careful inspection, she holsters her gun, deciding she’s alone. As she examines a large glass container full of white pills, Dhruv ambushes her, knocking her to the floor. She attempts to draw her gun, but he deftly knocks it away. Jenny is at his mercy.

Things are as dire as can be for Jenny; it is possible no one even knew she went to the Bhullar ranch that night. Travis’ two lives are about to collide with an intense test of where exactly his loyalties lie. Ren’s problems are mounting almost too quickly to count as she endures the increased scrutiny likely to come with her father’s presence, though it is clear she can count on Donno’s undying loyalty.

Will the widening rifts tear the Bhullar cartel apart? Can loyalties triumph over betrayals? No one seems to totally trust anyone at this point, but they are bound together for now, as long as interests align. Additionally, the possibility that trouble will follow the Bhullars from Canada looms. Only time will tell how this story unfolds.

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