‘Shining Girls’ Recap: ‘Offset’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Shining Girls’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Whenever someone we genuinely love finds themselves in a severe time of strife, we immediately drop everything to support them and help them and rightfully so. Because that’s what people do when those that mean the world to them are suffering, so that the suffering, in question… doesn’t last any longer than it needs to. Because love and support and the comfort of a safety net, really does help people heal through and through and oddly enough, it also enriches the bond we share with that person. Because nothing brings people together like sharing in a powerful emotional experience, one where both parts come out the other side… stronger and informed.
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But while it is wonderful to know, that we and others out there have no problem making emotional and time-related sacrifices for those that matter the most to us, what we and others sometimes forget… is how to approach that support in the right manner. Because believe it or not, it is possible to mess up being there for someone. Because different people need different types of support and being overly positive or making decisions for them… might be the opposite of what they require to heal in that moment. Which means that to properly support those we love, we need to dig deep and ask that person how we can best support them. So, we don’t impose and potentially, cause trouble.

The kind that it just so happens, was put on display in the next episode of Shining Girls on Apple TV+. For when we catch up with Kirby and Dan in ‘Offset’, they’re busy digging and discovering clues about Klara and Harper and their origins and place in the timeline and while they are doing that… Marcus is doing something of grave concern. For he’s back at the office… speaking with the boss about how Kirby is falling apart mentally. Not because he’s malicious or has turned upon her, but because… he thinks he knows how to best support her. Which in his eyes, involves Kirby stepping away from the paper and the important work she’s doing and sadly, he gets his wish. For she is indeed suspended and cast aside and well, that hammers the point home.

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Because it is not up to Marcus or anyone in this life to decide how we heal or what process we take to do so. That’s up to the person that is going through the wringer, emotionally. For only they know what they need and how they heal and at what pace for that matter as well. And unless they explicitly ask for a kick in the pants or guidance, our job is to be there. To listen, to offer advice when prompted and to just help them not feel alone and well, it was brilliant to see this commentary on display in this series. Since this is a topic, we don’t discuss enough, if it all, regarding the healing process and once again, this series deserves our appreciation and our awe for bringing it up at a time when we are just now learning how to support others, when it comes to the trauma that life sometimes sends our way. 
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But while it was amazing to once again be educated by this series on the human condition and how we come back from trauma, we’d be foolish to not point out that the plot here, also took the time to wow us as well. Since this is a story that also featured a heartbreaking departure and newfound hope that Harper might finally pay the piper for his crimes. A pair of feats this story accomplished, by having Harper put an end to Dan when it seemed as though the truth was about to hit the front page, but in doing so… he may have inadvertently empowered Jin-Sook and Kirby to be able to hunt him down with impunity. Since Dan’s passing once again changed the timeline and saved Jin-Sook’s life in the process and basically freed them completely from the restrictions of the prior timeline. 

If anything, this was just, a masterclass episode in screenwriting and storytelling. Since it not only offered us a plot that progressed nicely, but it was filled to the brim with fascinating and powerful commentary on how we heal, all while staying true to its core exploration of the nature of trauma and how it impacts us. But most important of all, it set the stage for a powerhouse season finale. Because clearly, Kirby has had enough of being pushed around and toyed with by Harper, and with a new ally at her side, it is only a matter of time before this duo come for Harper and make him pay for every awful thing he’s ever done and well… we are all most definitely here for it. Until next time.  

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