Bring tissues and wine for this week’s installment of Nine Perfect Strangers.
After that cliffhanger at the end of Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 4, it seemed like David was Tatiana’s father. However, I never guessed his history with Masha or the explosive secrets their psychedelic journey would reveal.
While most of this season has focused on the ensemble cast, Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 5 only featured Masha and David’s story.
Nicole Kidman delivered some of her best emotional material in this installment, and Masha and Tatiana’s story was one of the few that carried over from Nine Perfect Strangers Season 1.
However, I’m unsure if that was the best decision since streaming shows get limited episodes, and we barely get to know these characters as they are.
Background Information Is Great, But Did We Need An Entire Episode Devoted to David and Masha?
We often beg for character arcs, so Masha and David’s centric was a double-edged sword. While it was essential to fill in the details about how they met and the night Tatiana was conceived, I’m unsure we needed so much time on their backstory.
Certain parts were important, like the callback to the blue pendant he bought her, and the realization that Masha didn’t fit in with the elite society.
But I would have preferred to check in on the other guests, too, even for a few minutes.
Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 has only eight episodes, so certain characters are already done or are fading into the background again, even though the show is supposed to have an ensemble cast.
This episode was also the most depressing since it featured Tatiana’s death again. While it’s an essential part of Masha, part of Nine Perfect Strangers’ charm was balancing drama and camp.
Tatiana Was the One Person Masha Loved, Making Her An Easy Target
No matter what you think of Masha, she was a devoted mother from the time Tatiana was born.
I’m unsure why that nurse pressured her, since many birth certificates in the United States have “unknown father” on them.
Maybe it’s different in the Czech Republic, but I admire her for teaching Tatiana how to be fiercely independent. Many single mothers deal with this.
The problem arose when Masha asked too many questions of one of David’s former co-workers, Sergai.
She suspected he was involved with the Russian military and weapons production, and since he wanted to shut her up, it made her an easy target.
There was no easier way to hurt a mother than to go after her child. Watching Tatiana’s death again was heartbreaking.
An innocent child died because of a vendetta.
It was even harder knowing that Masha and David felt partially responsible but had trouble turning to each other for comfort.
Kidman excelled in her emotional performance as Masha broke down, crying, and tried to find David to help them.
While they shared a child and some chemistry, in other ways, they were still strangers who hadn’t seen each other in 20 years.
David and Masha Were Sexy, But Their Trauma Bond Didn’t Work
I generally ship trauma-bonded couples, if you’ve read my other TV reviews.
While David and Masha possess sizzling chemistry, kissing was wrong after they connected and mourned their daughter.
I’m relieved that David had nothing to do with it, and hopefully, he has turned his back on his former work partners..
Whether they are playing games or genuinely care about each other, Masha would have been crushed if David had been involved in killing their daughter.
There was some connection, but I’m still deciphering what kind it was.
I’m sure being high on those psychedelic drugs lowered their inhibitions, but they couldn’t use that excuse years ago, and their chemistry was even hotter now.
Everyone At the Retreat Has An Agenda
Everyone at that retreat has an agenda. Masha brought David there for a reason.
I still think she wanted him to spend undivided attention with Peter since David had already lost one child, and she knew how precious that time was.
Even if he didn’t know Tatiana, she was his daughter. However, David thinks more with his checkbook than his heart, so he offered to save the retreat in honor of their daughter.
It was a sweet gesture, and I’m sure they needed help. But Masha and David seemed too eager to try this new remedy on other guests and transport them back to their memories.
That could be therapeutic or dangerous. Masha tried something similar with the Marconi’s in Nine Perfect Strangers Season 1, but she’s perfected her formula, and David was her test subject.
Unfortunately, Martin overheard. There are way too many cameras in that place. Martin does not trust Masha or David, so I suspect he’ll keep that information until he can use it to his advantage.
His goal has always been to run that place without Masha. If he could blackmail David with everything he heard, he would have a chance.
Over to you, Nine Perfect Strangers Fanatics. Did you enjoy learning more about David and Masha, or did you miss the other strangers?
What do you think Martin is up to?
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Watch Nine Perfect Strangers Online
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