‘Sweetpea’ Recap: ‘Everybody Loves Julia’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Ella Purnell as Rhiannon in Episode 104 of ‘Sweetpea’ – ‘Everybody Loves Julia’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Sweetpea’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particularly dark truth that we don’t like to admit to all that often… is that we are sometimes inspired to excel in life, through spite. And we hate admitting to that, because that feels quite toxic in nature. For we are taught that we are to find inspiration in positive elements and people that we admire. So, we can become the best version of ourselves possible. But along the way, we learn, that revenge is sometimes a dish that is best served cold, and there is nothing colder than taking the disdain we have for someone and using that as motivation to become more, and well… that does make us feel a little dirty. 

But it shouldn’t, how we find inspiration is how we find inspiration, and if proving someone wrong is the way to do that, so be it. All that matters is that it pushes us, and we leave toxic behaviors out of it. Because that is when this becomes something ugly, something terrifying, and well… that is likely why the next episode of Sweetpea on STARZ explored what it looks like when we try to get ahead through the harm of others. So, it can serve as a cautionary tale. Which ‘Everybody Loves Julia’ accomplished by informing us… that Rhiannon didn’t kill her nemesis. No instead, she wanted to enjoy the kill and break Julia before doing her in and well… that proved to be difficult. Because she clapped back and knew what buttons to push, and that in turn, pushed Rhiannon to new heights for all the wrong reasons.

Which was why she demanded she get to write the story about Julia missing. In part, to be the one to break bad news about the person she hated to the world but to also… find dirt to break her with. But alas, that too was a tough task. Because her friends said nothing but nice things, and even her beloved spoke to some measure of wonder in their relationship. Making it seem as though, other avenues would need to happen to bring Julia to her lowest. But that didn’t stop Rhiannon from finding joy in being spiteful in this manner. Since she found a real thrill in pubslishing her first story and in exerting power over Craig. For she felt as though she was in charge of her destiny at last. In fact, she even stood up to her sister, and well… if she didn’t have Julia tied up in the garage of her home, this might have been inspiring.

But it really did showcase how we can be at our worst when we use that motivation to hurt over heal and going this route only made Rhiannon a tragically dark character that found herself in an odd place when she finally got the dirt she wanted. In that, Julia’s relationship was not a wondrous and magical coupling. It was ugly, and she was trapped and that put some humility into Rhiannon’s soul and helped her to realize, that she was doing the wrong things, and this was more about her demons and her skeletons over anything else. But alas, there may not be much time for her to really ponder upon that. Since the article coming out, combined with Marina’s fine work on the case, has put this mess at a crossroads. Because the police might be onto Rhiannon now, and that will up the pressure like never before.

But while we wait to see what lie ahead regarding that, we can celebrate one twisted cautionary tale. For this one really did inform us to, yes, use a little fire to push us to the top, but never let it consume us. Or we become what we saw here, a vengeful and angry person that will stop at nothing to inflict pain over celebrating the wins. Because Rhiannon’s bloodlust and need for revenge truly clouded her vision to the fact that she was a reporter now, and that men were interested in her and her sister was listening to her. All of which she’s wanted for some time. Which only adds to the tragedy, one that is barreling toward a powerful conclusion. Because it really is only a matter of time before the police connect the dots, and that compels us to continue the journey. To see if any measure of redemption can be found for Rhiannon… or if she is truly lost. Until next time.

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