Pink Dolphins – As the third episode of Apple Cider Vinegar begins, Hek (Phoenix Raei) speaks to the camera about this being a true story. He goes on a big rant while using drugs in the bathroom. Hek steps out of the bathroom and tells Belle (Kaitlyn Dever) how to handle the interview. In Santa Monica 2015, Hek and Belle make sure the other side is okay with the questions. Belle tells Anais (Amelie Mendoza) that she loves Women’s Weekly despite the circumstances. During the interview, Belle talks about not having a father although she had father figures who shaped her.
Melbourne 2012 – Belle works on The Whole Pantry. It seems she’s inspired by tech titans such as Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg. She speaks to someone at the skate park while working on her app at home. In the future, Sean (Richard Davies) and Justin (Mark Coles Smith) speak to the photographer Belle recruited for her app. Belle takes him back to HQ. Lenny (Thom Green) is introduced to Alex (Kaivu Suvarna). Belle says Christopher (Jordan Hocking-Toussaint) is cording Android. She says they’ll use Clive’s money for any special equipment they need. In the present, Lenny admits to Sean and Justin that he never saw a cent. He says Belle claims her brain cancer makes her forget things. He signed up because she was beguiling. Lenny tells them about Belle having a dream and explains why that’s important. In the past, Clive (Ashley Zukerman) holds the baby and watches as photos are taken of the dishes.
In another time period, Clive goes to the doctor with Belle who says it’s been three years since her diagnosis. Belle gets an ultrasound. There seems to be concerns. Aisling (Danni Millhouse) says she’ll pop out and get a doctor. The news is not good. The doctor tells them they can do a vaginal delivery or a C-section at 23 weeks. Dr. Walsh (Jeremy Stanford) recommends vaginal birth. Once she gives birth, the doctor takes pictures of them with the baby. Belle this is how nature does it if nature knows she’s not perfect. Aisling tells Belle about placenta jewelry made by Bellingen Births. She says her capsules get her iron back up.
Melbourne 2015 – Lucy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey) learns more about an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. She learns she’s going to have to have another surgery. Justin watches Belle speak about losing her baby. Lucy catches up with Justin and Sean at the pub. Justin asks if she’s heard anything about Belle Gibson’s supposed miscarriage. Once they leave, Lucy tells Justin about the required surgery. She begins complaining about the wig. They meet people they know. Belle and Clive return home. Clive leaves Belle briefly to speak to his mother. Belle checks Milla’s social media page. She finds out that Milla has purchased a house. Clive returns and says his mom was asking if she had any pain in the last couple of days. Belle begins complaining about Wi-Fi networks, EMF loads, and DNA damage. She mentions the mold in the kitchen. Belle tells Clive she wanted him to take care of them. Later, she gets up and begins working on The Whole Pantry. Belle begins thinking about Milla (Alycia Debnam-Carey) and those tech titans.
Then, she types that she was given six weeks to live. She says the doctors were only treating her disease and they didn’t care about her. Belle learned about the healing properties of lemons and the foods she’s putting in her body.
Gold Coast 2012 – Milla returns home and joins Arlo (Chai Hansen) and Tamara (Susie Porter). She finds Joe (Matt Nable) outside. Milla tells him they don’t know how to take care of a home yet so they’ll still need him. Joe reveals that Arlo asked for permission to marry Milla. She tells him what she intends to do with the property. Belle finds out that Milla is engaged. Joe hangs out with Tamara at a party. Chanelle (Aisha Dee) arrives a short time later. She goes inside where Milla is getting a coffee enema. They talk about Arlo. When they step outside, Milla tells Chanelle she really just wants the book to win. She says she wants to cure cancer and change the world. Chanelle tells her she should be leveraging the heck out of those numbers. She can help with that. Belle struggles with her writing. Clive checks in with her. He tells her that the app is ready. Belle goes to the dentist while her app becomes a hit.
At the store, a woman mentions the app and learns that Clive’s partner made it. She asks him to thank her for her. She explains that her dad has lymphoma and it’s really helping him.
Melbourne 2013 – Belle returns home with some shopping and says they need to do some entertaining. She finds an envelope from Blue Feather Publishing. Belle is upset to find out that they will not publish her book. She calls the publisher to see if she can get some feedback. Belle tells them she’s a friend of Milla Blake. Clive tries to cheer her up, but Belle is adamant that she wants the book. He urges her to let the app grow organically away from the personal story. Clive tells Belle about the woman from the grocery store. He thinks Belle should dial back the cancer part. Belle doesn’t want Milla to be the authority on how to beat this disease.
Sydney 2013 – Belle tries to meet Julie (Catherine McClements) at Penguin Lantern Publishing. The receptionist tells Belle it’s not on the schedule. Belle tries to use a sob story to get a meeting anyway. Although Julie doesn’t know her, she agrees to sit down with her anyway. Belle tells her about the brain cancer and that the recipes are her own. She believes good food can save you, but she’s out of her depth creating a cookbook. Belle admits she lied about having an appointment. When Belle leaves, she calls Clive to tell her she’s cooking with Julie Gibbs tonight. Later, Belle meets Julie and prepares to cook for her. Julie tries to dish. She asks Belle if she eats red meat because she’s going to order in. Julie knows Belle has been lying about her grandmother. Belle tries to cover her lies. Later, she asks Julie how it works with her authors. She would like to be able to control the aesthetics of the recipes. Julie says it’s a collaboration.
At one point, Belle begins crying before telling Julie about losing a baby. Julie says she lost one child and threw herself into another. She gives Belle advice and tells her she’s fought all her life. Meanwhile, Chanelle and Tamara go with Milla Blake to her Lifestyle and Wellness Conference. Tamara seems to be struggling. Chanelle asks Milla if they should work with the juice people. Milla says she hates the product because it has too much sugar. Chanelle reminds her they need posts for cash. Milla begins to worry about her mother. Chanelle mentions Belle’s app and suggests doing one too. A bit later, Tamara tells them she’s going to stay in tonight because she has that little pain again. She explains she feels clogged and a laxative chocolate didn’t work. Milla wants her to do a coffee enema. Once they do it, Tamara begins groaning. Milla says it shouldn’t hurt. Tamara’s condition worsens so Chanelle rushes for a phone to call for an ambulance.
Joe makes it to the hospital and checks on Tamara who says it just got a little stuck. The doctor tells them that the lower bowel has been impacted and there’s an obstruction. The biopsy has not come back yet. Milla says she’d like to try to shift the obstruction naturally again before any surgical interference. The doctor reminds her that coffee enemas are not medically recommended. He says he saw someone with a serious burn a few months ago. The doctor goes on to say there’s a risk of chronic proctocolitis, constant diarrhea, bleeding in the bowel, and sepsis. Milla says she has five a day. She tries to learn more about it at home.
Melbourne 2015 – Justin and Lucy have dinner with another couple. Justin talks to them about Belle’s statements and doctors refuting them. Lucy says Belle has some recipes she likes. She also doesn’t know why nutrition can’t be part of a treatment. She asks Toby (Jamie Timony) and Kelly (Sara Terry) about the kind of birth they’re going to have. Justin asks Lucy if she’s going to eat. She smokes a cigarette outside. When Lucy comes out, Justin apologizes to her. They talk about being unable to have kids. In a flashback, Justin tells Lucy he’s planning a trip to South America. In the present, Lucy tells him she wants to do the South American trip. Justin thinks they should book it after the next round. Lucy complains about him running around and fussing about a story. She says she’s done and doesn’t want to be messed around by any more doctors.
Lucy doesn’t have the time to sit around and wait for Justin to finish his work. She doesn’t think the treatment has worked. Justin says he doesn’t want her to die. Lucy argues that’s about him.
Melbourne 2013 – Milla attends the Cosmopolitan Fun and Fearless Female Awards. Chanelle helps her fix her dress. Belle gets ready and tells Clive there will be lots of cameras. Belle wins the award instead of Milla. Once Belle takes the stage, Milla remembers her. Belle talks about losing her baby at 24 weeks. She uses Julie’s words. Belle claims the Pantry was born out of a place of unimaginable grief and out of love. She says love powers her. Milla speaks to Belle after her speech. Chanelle asks her if Apple has been in touch about the app. Belle says they just started talking. She tells them about signing with Julie Gibbs. Milla says she needs to juice. Belle claims she tried Hirsch but couldn’t stick with it. She says she reeked all the time because of the enemas. Once Milla leaves, Chanelle tells Belle that her mom has just been diagnosed with bowel cancer. Milla angrily rushes back to her room to research Belle Gibson.
She finds Belle on a skate site claiming to have had a cardiac arrest. In the present, Lenny admits to Sean and Justin that he was ticked off that he never saw a cent. Then, she blocked him. Lenny says they met ten years prior and hooked up once. Milla reads about the cardiac arrest incident. Justin asks Lenny why he thinks the cancer part tracked. Lenny says his mother works in nursing homes. They have a smell of death and rotting. Lenny believes Belle has the same smell. He talks about how people act when they know they’re dying. Milla notices another tumor on her arm. Belle speaks to Anais in the present. Belle says she wants people to realize that she’s human. Anais admits they’ve spoken to her mom and dad about her life. Belle says Andrew is not her dad. Anais says they need all sides for a complete picture. Belle gets upset.
Apple Cider Vinegar Review
Through three episodes, Apple Cider Vinegar has pros and cons. The good thing is that the show may draw attention to the true story. Furthermore, there are some good performances here, especially from Matt Nable, Susie Porter, and a few others. On the other hand, viewers aren’t going to get the true story here.
Even if they watch this closely and carefully study each scene, they’ll never understand it and they’ll be fed lots of lies and misconceptions anyway. A bigger issue here is that the series doesn’t do anyone any favors whatsoever. It’s like the series forgot that it’s dealing with people who are dying and some who have indeed passed away.
Does the series show anyone in a good light? It’s turning into a catfight between two influencers to see which one is willing to sink lower than the other. The primary difference is that Belle’s lies were obviously much bigger and that’s why she had the biggest impact and got the most attention.
As a result, Milla wants to destroy her. All the while, Milla was leading people astray as well, including her own mother. As for Chanelle, she’s just flipping to whichever side will give her the biggest pop at any point. Many of the other storylines barely matter because they’re manufactured for whatever purpose. The story really could’ve been impactful and heart-wrenching if it had been executed more effectively.
Unfortunately, the scattered storytelling creates a frustrating experience that never should’ve happened. It’s not unique. It’s just a mess and makes the whole thing devoid of any emotion. Given the quality of the first three episodes, there’s a good chance that many viewers will quit before they ever finish this thing.
Not to mention, it makes little sense to waste six hours on this when a more truthful and less annoying 60 Minutes episode is out there. Joe’s one-liner about Milla doing an enema was funny. It was also funny to hear the doctor discuss the risks of coffee enemas with Milla.
This episode scores a 4 out of 10. Recaps of Apple Cider Vinegar can be found here. Find out how to support our independent work at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. Join the discussion here.
Jay Skelton is a fan of all television shows and movies. He tries his best to keep up with the latest foreign television shows and movies. Jay loves skinny dipping in the dark too.