Birthday – The show begins with twins, Leni (Michelle Monaghan) and Gina (Michelle Monaghan) celebrating their birthday. Leni practices her accent when she steps back into her life.

Mathilda “Mattie” Beck (Gable Swanlund) runs to Leni. Sheriff Louis Floss (Karen Robinson) asks what happened during the break-in at the stable office. Leni claims the culprits were wearing ski masks. Floss asks if she witnessed the actual break-in. Leni tells her that by the time she got to the scene, the culprits had already released the horses. Floss questions why the culprits would release the horses if their plan was to steal them. Jack Beck (Matt Bomer) assures her that she only wants to stop them.

Floss describes Leni’s actions to chase the horses into the woods as an “unusual impulse.” Leni explains how she woke up on the ground after a potential cottonmouth spooked her horse, Prince. When she claimed to have fallen on her right side, Floss points out that Prince’s left side was covered in blood.

In a flashback, teen Leni (Madison Abbott) and teen Gina (Victoria Abbott) talk to teen Jack (Patrick Nicks). He offers to show them around the high school since they’re freshmen. Gina assures Leni that Jack likes her. Back to the present, Jack informs her of the hoof prints on the trial. Leni sets her phone to record their conversation. He suggests there weren’t any horse thieves, only Prince casually leading the foal. She tells him that it was probably the culprit’s horse leading the foal. Raising his voice, he demands she tell the truth before accusing her of trying to run away. She asks what gave him that idea.

While transporting Mattie to school, Leni records a diary entry asking Gina what’s happened in her home. Mattie asks to utilize the flip phone in the glove compartment just in case she gets scared while at school. Leni checks the glove compartment to find the phone missing. As she prepares to leave, Leni encounters Meg (Alise Willis). Leni unsuccessfully tries to convince Meg to talk to her.

Leni records a diary to Gina, questioning Meg’s anger toward her. She pleads with her to call.

Callum (William Webber) helps Leni get a replacement for the flip phone with the same number. After reminding her of what she said about not waiting to achieve his dream life, he boasts of being promoted to shift manager. When she asks if the data can be transferred to the new phone, he tells her that he can print out data for the last 30 days. She asks if the phone has been used. He says not in the last three days.

Leni sees a missed call from Charlie Davenport (Daniel Sunjata) when Deputy Paula Martinez (Rosanny Zayas) approaches. After reminding her of the cold case involving the church fire that she previously looked into,  she says it’s also piqued Floss’ interest. Leni has a brief flashback of a burning church.

Leni records a diary entry about the church fire. As soon as she flips open the new phone, messages regarding a hookup pops up on the screen. A man answers her call, “Yo, so can you do like 30.” She asks the man to identify himself. He asks her a series of questions. She says, “Business.” They agree to meet at Bayner Park in Plattsville.

In the Tack Room, Leni puts vials of horse medicine in her pocket when Victor McCleary (Michael O’Neill) asks what she is doing. She tells him that Daphne Villers asked her to bring some ketamine to Riverton. He warns her about being dishonest before asking if it is for him. She denies having any idea of what he is talking about. He reminds her of how she’s been missing periodically before her disappearance. She promises to make it right. He pleads with her to convince Gina to come to his house for dinner to celebrate their birthday, tomorrow.

Leni enters the men’s bathroom to find Colten (Ryan Paynter) and Missy (Emi Curia) waiting on her. She asks for the name of the person responsible for hooking them up. Missy tells her there is a man who drives a red truck. Colten pays cash for the ketamine.

Leni dials a number from the billing hardcopy. The man who answers the phone appears to be relieved to hear her voice. They agree to meet at the Echo Echo Cafe parking lot. As Dylan James (Jonathan Tucker) approaches, Leni records a diary entry scolding Gina for inviting him back into her life. She offers him the money from the ketamine. He suggests they go for a ride. In a flashback, teen Leni and Gina are with teen Dylan James (Clayton Royal Johnson) heading to a pub on Route 16. Back to the present, he asks if her sister is still pretending to be Gina. She assures him that Leni knows nothing about them.

Dylan drives up a dirt road to a house. They are making out when he discovers she is lying about being Gina. She informs him that she’s been living as Gina in Los Angeles. He admits to knowing everything about their switching lives. She questions if he harmed Gina. He swears to love Gina. She claims Gina had a miscarriage and mental breakdown in high school. He tells her that she is going back to Mount Echo. As they prepare to walk out the door, she pretends to have forgotten her purse. She discovers a fake passport bearing the name Kira Davis and Gina’s photo. She stuffs a bag of cash in her purse before leaving.

At Riverside Inn, Leni records a diary entry reminding Gina of how she stopped Dylan from destroying their lives. She promises to protect them when Floss knocks on the door. Floss is persistent in seeing Gina. Leni ignores a call from Charles Davenport (Daniel Sunjata). Floss eventually leaves with the idea that Gina will get up with her later. Leni changes her hairstyle before calling Charles. After insulting her earrings, he asks if the Lake Tahoe trip is still on. She tells him that Leni needs her more. When the call ends, Charles places his finger on a map.

Leni meets Floss as Gina. Floss asks if Leni ever tried to borrow money from her. Leni assures her that she is too proud. Floss asks if her trip to Lake Tahoe. She claims it was her birthday gift to Leni.

Claudia (Ali Stroker) and Leni discuss dinner. Leni promises she will try to come. Claudia complains about having to deal with Gina through dinner. When Leni emerges from the house, she encounters Mattie and Jack. She tells him of her plan to convince Gina to come to dinner. He questions why the conversation couldn’t take place over the phone. She promises to be back soon.

Leni pretends to be Gina at dinner. Victor questions why she’s decided to leave tomorrow. She assures him it’s just time to go. Claudia reminds her of what Leni has just been through before accusing her of only thinking about herself. After informing Leni of his heart condition, he pleads with her to stay. She agrees.

Leni has a flashback of someone drowning in the bathtub while helping do dishes.

Jack asks Leni why she missed dinner with her father. She claims to have stayed at Riverside Inn. He tells her that he came onto Gina while he was drunk even though he knew it was her. When he suggests they may have fallen out of love, she professes to love him more now. She starts getting dressed. He accuses her of running away again. She tells him that they can’t work on their relationship until Gina is back in LA. He asks if their relationship is salvageable. She says they need to fix it. Before walking out the door, she asks if he ever thought he married the wrong sister. He says, “Never.”

In a diary entry, Leni curses Gina for destroying what they built for years. She visits the remnants of the church fire before returning to Riverside Inn. In a recorded diary entry, she pleads with Gina to return home. A burnt corpse and message, “You killed him. You lied to me. I know everything. Let me go” pops up on her computer screen as the episode comes to end.

 

Echoes Review

After switching identifies in Paris a year ago, Gina goes missing. Lina as been living as Gina in LA and Gina as Lina in Mount Echo. The missing sister is actually Gina while everyone believes both are in Mount Echo.

Leni’s investigation into what happened to Gina is progressing slowly. She now knows Dylan is back in Gina’s life and she has been peddling ketamine for cash. It appears as if the money is to be utilized for her and Dylan’s freedom. Something went down at the ranch that foiled her plan. The question still reminds what role Claudia and Jack play in her disappearance.

Not much has changed as far as cinematography, dialogue, flow, and editing. At times, the story seems to be stuck in limbo, with Gina being the bad sister, Jack feeling abandoned, and Claudia expressing animosity toward Gina. I find myself getting bored amid scenes. Cutting filler would’ve definitely helped, but unfortunately, this didn’t happen.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more Echoes recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.