The episode starts with Nikita “Nikki” Murphy (Yasmin Seky) being booked and processed while Eric “Viking” Kinsella (Sam Keeley) races to the Furry Bug to strategize with Jimmy (Emmett J. Scanlan) and Bren Kinsella (Francis Magee). Viking suspects the only thing they could be charging her with is arranging the hit on the eyewitness that put Viking in prison. Bren says that the arrest coming right after the Isaac “Kem” Kemela (Ryan Lincoln) hit could only mean they have a rat. He suspects Jess Duggan (Shauna Higgins) as the most likely culprit and orders Jimmy to go pick her up.
An upset Amanda Kinsella (Clare Dunne) races to pull Anthony Kinsella (Mark McKenna Jr.) out of school to see how involved he was in Kem’s death. He initially denies being involved at all until she reveals that Bren told her. She appears to be a bit more relaxed once he explains that he had little to do with the hit and all the evidence was burnt.
At the compound, Nellie Wright (Deirdre Molloy) retrieves a hidden pistol and orders Glen Wright (Ben Carolan) to go after Michael Kinsella (Charlie Cox). Glen appears apprehensive and suggests going after another Kinsella because Michael is a bit cagey. She says that’s why the price on his head is the biggest and orders him to proceed.
Amanda and Anthony return home to find Michael waiting by their door. Once alone Michael and Amanda trade information about the Eddie Lucas (Aaron Katambay) meeting and Anthony’s involvement in Kem’s murder. Michael confirms Wayne Madigan (Jack Meade) as the Batuk’s main man. She agrees with his recommendation of striking first. It’s also suggested during their conversation that Hamza (Kenan Ece) is acting to eliminate the Kinsellas without Nuray Batuk’s (Oyku Karayel) knowledge. After Amanda goes inside, he is accosted by Anthony about Jimmy’s missing toiletries but only tells him they will discuss it as a family later.
Michael retreats to his apartment where he texts Molly (Danielle Galligan), requesting another date. Amanda meets with Lauren Bridges (Sallay Garnett) to learn that the cops could have been legally monitoring her banking accounts this entire time without her knowledge.
With Donal Crehan (Paul Tylak) by her side, Nikki shows signs of cracking as she is questioned by Detective Paul Breslin (David Herlihy). Although the detective treats her cordially enough, he presents overwhelming evidence of her involvement with the eyewitness murder.
Jimmy, Dan Murphy (Donncha Tynan), and Lee Reid (Matt Lenehan) make it to Jess’s apartment a step behind the cops and attempt to follow to see what they are up to.
While Michael meets with Molly and makes dinner plans, Anthony tries to learn more about Jimmy’s absence by going straight to Jimmy. This only results in Anothny becoming upset and prematurely ending the conversation.
Bridget “Birdy” Goggins (Maria Doyle Kennedy) visits Frank Kinsella (Aidan Gillen) to find him still in his bathrobe and passed out on the couch. She chides his behavior and the state of his house as she attempts to clean.
At the Furry Bog, Viking has to be ordered out of Bren’s office when Donal claims Nikki isn’t strong enough to make it in jail. Once alone, Donal stresses to Bren how “messy” the situation could become.
Seconds later, Bren apparently already has a strategy in mind as he joins Viking at the bar and orders him to retrieve Kem’s SIM card. On his way out, Viking orders Dan and Reid to join him.
Frank is now showered and dressed but mopes in the bathroom with a pistol in his hand. After Birdy knocks at the door, he stows the pistol under a pile of towels and joins her downstairs. Although he drops several not-so-subtle hints that he wants to be alone, they eventually share a laugh about him forcing her to return to Bren. Drinking and smoking proceed.
Amanda meets with Zehab Can (George Georgiou) to arrange for a shipment of Fenethylline.
Molly attempts to learn more about Michael. Although he shares a story of the day his mother left the family, it appears to be a sore topic. Continuing to drink and smoke, Frank becomes frustrated with Birdy’s questioning of his newfound religion. She says she understands his appetite for pills but doesn’t get the religion. Once she points out how dangerous giving confessions could be, he suspects Bren arranged the conversation. As the evening progresses he reveals he’s thought about leaving the family business and even had the money to live out the rest of his life. She expresses feeling “left out,” although she suspects Bren would never let either of them go.
With Glen’s attention on pinball, Clayton Finn (Kyle Bradley Donaldson) begins to suspect he doesn’t want to go through with killing Michael. Finn points out that he doesn’t necessarily need to hit Michael, despite what Nellie ordered.
Elsewhere, Viking is glued to his phone while Reid and Dan search through the trash for Kem’s SIM card. Reid finally retrieves it. Michael and Molly’s date has turned into a stroll outside where she jokes about his never using “Tender.” She initially appears apprehensive when he kisses her. Although she immediately claims that she won’t be spending the night with him, she caves merely seconds later.
When Viking returns to the pub with the SIM card, Glen is waiting in the shadows and attaches an electronic device under his vehicle. After Bren uses the card to make a threatening call to Jess, he returns it to Viking and tells him to order Dan and Reid to deal with her.
Amanda approaches Anthony once again to make sure he knows she doesn’t want him involved in the family business. When he harshly uses her involvement as a defense, she retires defeatedly to her room and considers phoning Michael.
The electronic device Glen planted is revealed to be a tracker when the Kinsellas are shown leaving the pub later that night. Bren asks Jimmy if he wants to crash at Birdys but he claims he’s going to see a “lady friend,” although he returns to an empty apartment. Elsewhere, Bren returns to an empty apartment and texts Anna Areoye (Hannah Adeogun), requesting her to stop by Birdy’s the following morning. He claims he has a present for her.
Glen and his crew track Viking back to his apartment but Glen foils the hit.
On her way to ask Michael to accompany her to a meeting, Amanda encounters Molly. She immediately knocks on Micahel’s door and admonishes him for being “careless.” Despite her snit, he agrees to accompany her to the meeting.
Elsewhere, Bren lures Anna inside Birdy’s apartment with the promise of a gift. Downstairs, he does give her a necklace but makes her extremely uncomfortable when he helps her put it on. He only makes it worse after he learns that her next stop is dance rehearsal and requests a dance. Even as she claims there is no music, he goes in search of a radio.
After their wild night, Birdy says goodbye to Frank and encourages him not to mention their discussion, especially not Bren.
Amanda does most of the talking at the Madigan meeting, as she explains how Fenethylline is made with the support of the Syrian government and has become one of country country’s biggest exports. She eventually tosses out the idea of a partnership, which he agrees to but only after meeting her contact.
Bren returns with the radio and quickly tunes into a station Anna can dance to. She appears to become more relaxed the longer she dances but the recital doesn’t last long thanks to the arrival of a modified Birdy. Anna shares her gift and Birdy ends up offering her a ride to dance practice after learning that is her next stop.
On their way home, Michael and Amanda rehash the meeting before she reveals that Jimmy has moved out. He doesn’t get much of a chance to react as a horrified Birdy flags them down. When Michael gets out, all she says is, “Bren is doing it again and this time it’s Anna.”
KIN Review
I had a feeling that Bren was a pedophile from the way Birdy was acting around him. Although he hasn’t been confirmed as a predator, this episode sure makes it seem near certain. I also feel that there is something shady going on with the Madigan. Surely the Kinsellas aren’t going to jump straight into a deal with him after discovering he’s been betraying them. Are they setting him up? Other than raising the questions, this was a very drab episode. KIN is starting to feel like every other Irish series I’ve watched, which is a true shame because it had major potential.
Even though I was expecting Bren as a pedophile, I will say the ending was still explosive. There might be some hope! A solid 5 out of 10.
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