Nine Perfect Strangers – Season 2 Episode 5 Recap & Review
Prague
Episode 5 of Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 starts with Masha showing up to see David. She wants to take him on an advanced psychedelic journey with her. She questions his motives and fears, before he agrees to Masha's treatment. Now, she intends to let him relive specific memories as if it's the first time, powerless to Masha's influence. All the while, they repeat the mantra 'this feeling is totally normal'.
Masha decides to tell him a story, jumping back to Prague in 2001. This is where our flashback begins, as Masha happens to work backstage, getting David ready for a big speech. She's not phased by his influence or wealth, explaining that they get wealthy business from the West pontificating about freedom and truth on a weekly basis here in the Motherland.
David catches Masha's attention during his interview though, showing some humility and understanding of the wider political ramifications of what he's doing.
After the interview, David wants to take Masha out for dinner. She instead takes him to a rowdy bar. Whilst there, they talk about Masha's interest in being a journalist, before dancing a bit. Contrasting this rowdiness is what happens next. David brings Masha to his hotel room; a swanky, rich locale with all the bells and whistles that go with that.
At this point in time, Peter is 11 and David makes a point of ringing him every day to say goodnight. He doesn't speak of Peter's mother, but the pair do end up sleeping together.
More visions are stitched together, with Masha giving birth to Tatiana and deciding, at the hospital, that there is no father. David was never aware of Masha's pregnancy, and she was convinced he wouldn't want to be the father of a one-night stand baby anyway. Masha wanted to raise Tatiana to stand on her own but the rest, as they say, is history.
As for Masha, she became obsessed and found out David was back in Russia several years later after their one night stand. He walked past her and didn't bat an eyelid, which she took as a sleight. Interestingly, the man he's speaking to on the way happens to be a military contractor by the name of Sergei Ivanvov. Masha was determined to keep writing and trying to expose whatever was going on involving drones, but that just made her a target to dangerous men.
Masha was punished for meddling and she actually reached out to David at this time. She threatened him with exposure but David received nothing. She believed it was him snubbing her but in reality, it seems like David's associates kept him from getting the messages. This then coincided with Tatiana's hit and run, caused by the Russian military contractors getting revenge.
As Masha breaks down crying, David comforts her and in the morning, post-hallucinatory experience, he explains that he actually experienced the same emotions she did. David sees a market for this, believing the whole experience has been eye-opening and he wants to help her.
However, it turns out Martin has been listening this whole time, and he does not look happy.
The Episode Review
Nine Perfect Strangers dives back in time and gives us some back story for Tatiana and how Masha's daughter ties into David and what he's been doing with his business. We now understand exactly why Masha holds a grudge, and why she's so determined to make David experience what she has.
The problem is, all of this comes about in a season that completely misunderstands what made season 1 so endearing. Yes, it's good to see what happened to Tatiana but did we actually need to learn it's all one big conspiracy? The whole episode – like the season at large – feels dragged out and meanders on. There's also a distinct lack of comedy too, with these bites of levity in season 1 working well to offset some of the more mysterious and dramatic elements.
The biggest sin a TV show can commit is boredom and unfortunately, Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 is very content to be the poster child for this. Hopefully the episodes ahead can improve.
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