The episode opens with Eric “Viking” Kinsella (Sam Keeley) trying to come to terms with the attempted murder charges. Learning from Donal Crehan (Paul Tylak) that he probably won’t get bail and there is a mountain of evidence against him doesn’t improve matters. The meeting does end on a good note, with Dolan promising to arrange a meeting with Nikita “Nikki” Murphy (Yasmin Seky). Newly sober and determined Eamon Cunningham (Ciaran Hinds) is shown marching toward some unidentified target at the ayahuasca retreat. From the raided and desolate dealership, Amanda Kinsella (Clare Dunne) calls Anthony Kinsella (Mark McKenna Jr) to update and warn him about what’s going on with the family. He doesn’t take the news of Dotser Reid’s (Neill Fleming) death well and rushes off the phone in tears. Just as the call ends, Amanda meets with her newly hired lawyer, Lauren Bridges (Sallay Garnett).

Con Doyle (Keith McErlean) and Glen Wright (Ben Carolan) torture and question a man about the whereabouts of the Kinsella drug stash while relaying the information to Eamon over the phone. Eamon tells them they don’t need anyone that’s not useful. Glen executes the man without giving it a second thought.

At home, Bridget “Birdy” Goggins (Maria Doyle Kennedy), tries to help Frank Kinsella (Aidan Gillen) come to terms with the death of Dotser. Michael Kinsella (Charlie Cox), who is also present, takes a call from a guard about the arrival of a social worker. Michael rushes off without explanation and leaves Frank and Birdy to discuss the potential of Eric getting locked up. Outside Michael receives an official summons from Monica Butler (Kate Stanley Brennan) warning him to stay away from Anna Areoye (Hannah Adeogun). Michael appears more submissive than upset and claims he only wanted to see his daughter. Monica says if he honestly cared for her, he would stay away so she didn’t get dragged into the madness of his family. Elsewhere, Anna voices her displeasure of being embarrassed when her grandmother, Winnie Areoye (Jennifer Ogedegbe), arrives to pick her up early at school.

Amanda learns that in a best-case scenario, she could get 6 to 10 years for money laundering, even with no prior criminal convictions. She later returns home to share that and the news of her new solicitor with the Kinsellas. Frank and Birdy are hesitant about the outside lawyer but Amanda makes it known she won’t have it any other way. Jimmy backs her as well. Frank then suggests the men go abroad while Birdy tries to use her history with Eamon to convince him to back off. Amanda doesn’t take the news well and says she needs a drink. Later, Michael reluctantly joins her on the patio where they share a discussion about him going abroad and leaving Anna.

At a meeting with Dolan, Frank learns that the authorities have a mountain of evidence against Eric. Despite that, Dolan suspects Eric’s freedom will come down to the credibility of the eyewitness. When Frank expresses his concern about Eric being unprotected inside, Dolan suggests he speak with Bren Kinsella (Francis Magee).

Birdy assures Nikki that she’ll be taken care of regardless of what happens to Eric or the nail salon. She does warn her that a life will Eric will be filled with these types of scenarios. She mentions that kids could provide a distraction. before asking if she and Eric have ever discussed it. Frank arrives to deliver Dolan’s bad news before she can answer.

Continuing to drink on the patio, Amanda remembers the last time she was on the patio was the night Jamie Kinsella (Cian Fitzsimons) died. This leads to her admitting that her biggest fear of being locked up is missing out on Anthony’s biggest moments in life. He attempts to comfort her by reminding her how smart she is and still has time to fix things. They share a kiss before Jimmy arrives with word that Frank wants them to visit their father tomorrow. Amanda attempts to leave with Michael but Jimmy requests a few minutes of her time to tell her that he doesn’t take her for granted. She remains silent as he says he loves her and appreciates everything she does for him.

The following morning, Eric is threatened and teased in his holding cell by an unseen inmate while Amanda wakes Jimmy to inquire about their finances. Using the information, she visits Jenny Lawlor (Denise McCormack) at work and tries to bribe her with $500,000. When Jenny turns down the offer, Amanda attempts to appeal to her maternal side by pointing out how much the money would improve her life. Amanda also admits that everything she has done or will do is to better her children.

Dolan provides Nikki with a rundown of the rules while escorting her to meet with Eric. Nikki gives him an update on everything that’s transpired outside before confessing her fears about him getting convicted. She says she always knew he could get locked up and loves him, but just as quickly expresses her frustration of dealing with him being locked up for 10 years. She doesn’t appear any less concerned when he points out that good behavior could knock years off the sentence. Before the conversation goes any further, Dolan returns to announce their visitation is up.

Con visits Anthony at school and tries to intimidate him into telling Amanda to return Eamon’s drugs. He uses the same threat that Jimmy used against his son (dousing him in gas and setting him on fire). While Anthony is left nearly in tears, Jenny attempts to convince Lauren that Noel (Stephen Jones) is solely responsible for the money laundering front. Lauren doesn’t believe it and ends up insulting Lauren when she mentions Jenny’s poor attire and Noel’s not finishing school. An argument ensues that is interrupted by an urgent call from Anthony, informing Amanda about Eamon’s threat. Amanda tells him to find and wait with a teacher until she arrives.

Jimmy and Frank are shown visiting the Castlewood Prison while Michael receives a surprise visit from Anna at home. She immediately realizes he’s trying to keep her at arm’s length and gets upset. The news of his plans to travel abroad and his claim that he’s trying to protect her only upset her more and she ends up storming off.

Frank and Jimmy’s meeting with Bren does not go as planned, as he accuses them of messing things up on the outside while he rots behind bars. Despite the bad start to the meeting, Frank still asks Bren to keep Eric safe while he’s inside. Bren claims that their name doesn’t carry any weight on the inside any more thanks to their meddling around outside. Bren continues to insult Frank until he’s so upset that he’s on his feet yelling at him, which gets him a stern warning from the guard. Frank pleads with Bren one final time to watch out for Eric on the inside but he refuses and leaves.

Birdy’s meeting with Eamon doesn’t any better as he holds her at gunpoint and tells her that all Kinsella’s are now fair game. Even attempting to make a deal to return the stolen drugs doesn’t help. Despite the threats and the gun to her head, she accuses him of not having the nerve to pull the trigger himself. He leaves without a response.

Anna narrowly escapes a kidnapping attempt thanks to a Good Samaritan who witnesses the attempt from his vehicle. She returns to Michael’s apartment where he has just learned from Birdy that Eamon isn’t interested in making any deal. He promises to get it sorted while embracing her. Elsewhere, Amanda and Anthony share a similar reunion, while she tries to pry details about the threat out of him. A frustrated Frank attacks an innocent man on his way out of the prison. Amanda returns home with Anthony to find Michael waiting in the driveway. Once Anthony is inside, he tells her about Anna’s near kidnapping. She tells him about Con’s threats to Anthony before suggesting they end the threat by “chopping the head off the snake.”

 

KIN Review

I am continually impressed by the series’ ability to build suspense and intrigue, despite the unoriginal plot lines and character development. It should mean something when you pretty much expect something to happen but still find yourself a bit shocked when it transpires. That is something this series does better than most contemporary shows these days.

Combine that with the actual acting talent and you’ve got a recipe for success. Of course, nothing is perfect. As I’ve said before, I’m not too enthused with the role Amanda is being pushed into with the family. I do not want to see her calling the shots, although she is clever. I could also do without the threats to Anna and Anthony but understand the need for them. In fact, my biggest complaint with this episode would have been the kidnapping. For that, I’d give had to rate episode 7 a 5.7 out of 10.

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