Never Change – The episode opens in a therapy session, with Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman) telling her patients that each of them has a unique connection to David Sharpe (Mark Strong). A Signal News report about Brian Tumkin’s (Murray Bartlett) outburst airs on TV. In a psychedelic hallucinogenic state, David denies personally overseeing his news coverage. Masha accuses him of using his charities to keep his name clean. She says he terminated his music program when it could no longer be used as a tax write-off. Wolfie (Maisie Richardson-Sellers) and 19 other aspiring musicians were impacted. He denies any role in tax laws. She sarcastically suggests the system is to blame, not him. She reminds Agnes (Dolly De Leon) of Mother Irene’s (Irene Rindje) humanitarian hospitals, funded by Signal Op. Masha claims Mother Superior’s adherence to strict dogma resulted in preventable deaths. She says David’s satellite technology caused the injuries, and the hospitals he funded treated them. David brags about exposing Mother Irene and putting her away. She argues that he rushed to expose her corruption before a rival news station to protect himself from scandal. Agnes insists he knew all along. He assures them that any of them would have done the same thing. Masha explains how Matteo’s (Aras Aydin) family was killed by Signal Op’s “smart bomb.” In a flashback, young Matteo (Tugra Ozdemir) wakes in a crowded humanitarian hospital. He picks up a Jessie Bear lying on a bed. In the present, Victoria (Christine Baranski) insists on speaking with Masha in private. Masha leaves Brian in charge.
In a hallucinogenic state, Martin (Lucas Englader) has a visit with his mother, Helena (Lena Olin). Holding him, she says it is difficult to see him mistreat himself and praises him. As the drugs begin to wear off, he becomes more alert, and she is gone. Distraught, he stuffs his mouth full of psychedelic mushrooms and exits the laboratory. Elsewhere, Victoria tells Masha that Imogen Auclair (Annie Murphy) will realize why her father, Jonathan Auclair, took his own life. In another room, David offers to make The Crabapple Clubhouse show primetime and make Brian’s public outburst go away if he unties him. Brian points out that he isn’t restrained. Looking at his free hands, a drugged David tries to leave but sits back down. They see Martin sneaking down the hall. In another room, Victoria asks Masha not to tell Imogen about David extorting her father because she told her differently. Masha imagines seeing Tatiana (Emilie Paclova), who pleads with her to bring her father so they can be together. When Masha refuses, Tatiana calls her a bad mommy and repeatedly says she hates her. Tina (King Princess) confronts Masha and calls her therapy a “psychedelic witch trial.” Masha says she is there because of Wolfie. Confused, Wolfie thought she was there for Tina. Tina storms out of the room. Masha suggests it is necessary to punch their pain in the face. Tatiana listens from a nearby chair.
In a hallucinogenic state, Martin imagines Helena taunting him. He argues that she would never talk to him like that. He says he remembered her love, not her cruelty. He draws a gun on her. Laughing, she suggests he be angry at Masha and David for taking their property. He shoots a mirror. In her room, Tina hears muffled gunfire via her headphones. In another room, Masha tells her patients that David’s company has impacted them all. He insists on an opportunity to defend himself. Brian asks Wolfie to let David speak. David admits Signal Ops created the Smart Bombs but never started the war or pulled the trigger. He imagines hearing a distorted whisper. Masha accuses him of deflecting the blame. Tina urges Wolfie to leave but she refuses. Frustrated, David boasts of overcoming his traumatic childhood to become an amazing father. The others laugh. Peter (Henry Golding) says no one is buying it and criticizes Masha for making narcissist David the star of a morality play. He recalls David practicing to cry for a TV interview. David professes to love him with all his heart but doesn’t believe it. He asks them to kill him. Imogen asks if he knew Jonathan Auclair. He denies remembering him. She says sometimes she can’t either and punches him. Victoria embraces him. Agnes weeps. David comforts her and asks what he can do to stop her crying. Peter suggests he stop building bombs. David vows Signal Op will no longer fund weapon production and put the money in a charity. He rushes out to make the call. Masha goes after him. They are startled to see an armed Martin. Brian imagines Jessie the Bear beside him.
Outside, David can’t find a signal. Masha and Tatiana search for him. In pursuit, Martin imagines Helena urging him to shoot them. Masha urges him to go back with her. Martin announces he is reclaiming his family’s property. Not believing what he is seeing, David laughs. She warns that it is real. Helena tells Martin that David thinks he is a joke. David denies the accusation. Martin asks if he intends to buy his family’s property and turn it into a push club. In unison, Masha and Helena assure him it will be all right. Masha steps in front of David and places the barrel tip to her chest. Martin walks away. Helena taunts him. He turns and fires a shot at Masha but hits the railing instead. She falls over the railing to the ground below. He walks away. David races to get to Masha. Tatiana tells her to wake up. She sets up and embraces her. Masha’s body is still lying on the ground. She has flashbacks of her time with Tatiana. She lets her go for this life. Tatiana professes to love her and says goodbye. David kneels over her and grabs her hand.
An unconscious Masha is receiving treatment. Outside, Helmut (Eric Bouwer) and Elfriede (Silvina Buchbauer) promise to keep Wolfie updated. Masha wakes to find David at her bedside. She tells him that she will not see Tatiana again. He apologizes. She says it is meant to be. Martin enters and questions why no one called the police on him. She denies hating him and asks him to sit with her. She refuses to believe he intended to hurt her and discourages him from turning himself in because he has a family business to run. Laughing, he questions his ability to run it alone. She claims to believe in him. Later, David tells Masha that he believes in her and that she will change the world one day. He believes it is best to reconsider the risks. Claiming to understand, she recalls his promise leave the weapon industry. He laughs it off. He tells her that she is the same girl he met in Prague and urges her never to change. In another room, Brian tells Jessie Bear that he is better and believes it best for him to go it alone. Wolfie tells Tina that her flight is tonight. They embrace. Wolfie professes to love her. Sniffing, Brian reassures Jessie the Bear before putting it in its case. He leaves the bear for Masha and Tatiana.
Listening to Tina play the piano, Masha weeps. She says it is beautiful. Tina tells her that she and Wolfie are no longer together. She calls Masha nuts but effective. Masha claims Tatiana’s favorite Crabapple episode was the one she guest-starred on. She says Tatiana would be the same age as her and compliments the person she has grown into. They embrace. Tina wishes her good luck and leaves. Victoria asks for all the time Imogen can spare her. In a sky trial car, Brian and Agnes play with their devil and angel puppets. She suggests he entertain refugee and sick children. He grabs her hand. Elsewhere, Peter tells Imogen that he can’t imagine his life without her in it. Victoria promises Imogen will make herself available to him at any time but send the private jet. He kisses her. Upon leaving, David receives a text – “Never change”- from Masha. She sends the video of him promising to get out of the weapon industry to CNS News. At the airport, Wolfie sees the news report. Brian and Agnes laugh. Irate, David calls Masha and gives her a piece of his mind. He assures her that he will get out of it. She ends the call.
A month later, David meets Masha at a restaurant. He accuses her of costing him $1b. She says he still has $5b. He claims it is closer to $6b and places a nondisclosure agreement on the table. He offers her $100k to come work for his future psychedelic therapy business. She declines to sign it. He threatens to release Zauberwald CCTV footage of her patients under the influence of psychedelics. She accuses him of hacking her computer. He admits to buying it from Martin. Masha suggests he came to Zauberwald because she saw good in him and wants her to force him to be that person. She promises to make him regret her signing the nondisclosure agreement. She says they share a daughter and are stuck together. She kisses him and says I do.
Nine Perfect Strangers Review
A decent finale with an opening for a season three. The McDonald’s was obviously a paid advertisement which felt cheap. If Netflix’s viewership numbers aren’t flawed, there will most likely be a season three. Otherwise, the show ends on a good note. The finale deserves a 6 out of 10.
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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.