Garden – The episode begins with Rochelle Mason (Isis Hainsworth) dodging and weaving through traffic in the dark. She returns to a dark home, where her sisters, Nora and Clare are hiding inside a shelf. Frantic, the girls tell her that someone was in the garden when music starts to play upstairs. She orders them to go to the neighbor’s if she doesn’t come back before heading up the steps. While utilizing her phone to survey the bedroom, she is startled by something that jumps at her.

Rochelle places rosary necklaces around Nora and Clare’s. When they question why they are sleeping in their bedroom, she says because it is fun. She clicks on the Red Rose app to delete it.

Rochelle asks Vinny Mason (Samuel Anderson) if he believes ghosts are real. He says her mum, Gloria Mason (Ellie James) believed in ghosts and had her own demons. She asks him to explain. He describes Gloria’s demons as “problems” before offering to skip work to stay with her. She assures him it will be okay when a video bearing the message, “Welcome to the new you,” followed by a Red Rose message, “somebody wants to talk to you” pops up on her phone. When she selects “yes,” Gloria announces she is back to be with her.

While Wren Davis (Amelia Clarkson) refuses a call from Noah Royston (Harry Redding), she tells her mum, Rachel Davis) that she’s skipping work today. Rachel asks if she’d like to talk about it. Wren says Rochelle refuses to take her calls after she kissed Noah. Rachel assures her that everything will be okay.

Antony Longwell (Ellis Howard) catches up with Rochelle as she drops her sisters off at school. After saying everyone is confused about the kiss, Noah suggests it isn’t right of her to ignore their calls. She accuses them of ignoring her messages, including an apology text to Wren. He asks what’s happening. She promises to fix things with Wren before walking away.

Antony informs Wren that something is right with Rochelle. Wren says she refuses to work it out with Rochelle after she lied.

Noah and Tariq “Taz” Sadiq (Ali Khan) are playing a video game at Ashley’s parent’s restaurant. Ashley Banister (Natalie Blair) claims she isn’t paid to work there. Noah and Antony discuss Rochelle. Taz asks who developed the Dickheads group. Noah and Antony answer Rochelle simultaneously. Taz refers to Antony as “Minister of Entertainment” and Ashley as “Minister of Propaganda.”

Rochelle drops a letter in a letterbox.

After convincing his mum to take a walk, Noah drops a set of keys in a drawer.

Quiet Simon (Rod Hallett) introduces himself to Wren as Rachel’s date. Wren asks her aunt if she can go to Rochelle’s house. After giving her approval, she suggests they watch “Carrie” tonight.

Ashley jokes with her father, Dave Banister (Graeme Hawley) about losing a job that doesn’t pay her. While ringing up an order, Ashley sticks cash in a “Feeling Tipsy” jar.

Wren reads Rochelle’s letter in which she complains of being scared when Vinny answers the door. Rochelle tells her father that they are going for a walk. When Wren admits to being worried about the letter, Rochelle motions for her to be quiet. Rochelle becomes frantic when she realizes something is missing from her phone. After reminding her of what happened to Gloria, Wren suggests they talk to a priest. Rochelle warns that Red Rose follows her around. Wren accuses her of lying while tearing up the letter. A scuffle breaks out until Wren gets away. Rochelle asks why no one believes it is Red Rose.

A distraught Wren embraces her aunt.

Rochelle receives an alert that the video of her fight with Wren was posted. A female voice warns her that everyone believes she posted the video. She denies the allegations.

Rochelle embraces Vinny and her sisters prepare to leave. She heads to the cemetery to visit her mum’s gravesite. Via the Red Rose app, Gloria claims she can take her form. Rochelle dares her to do it.

Little Jenna (Silvie Furneaux) and Big Jenna (Hannah Griffiths) ask what’s happening with Rochelle and Wren. Taz describes it as a “coup” while Ashley says it’s “complicated.” Little Jenna says to tell Rochelle to call if she wants real friends.  Ashley suggests they do an intervention to get to the bottom of it.

Rochelle is performing an exorcism in a local church when her phone starts recording. A strange creature appears in the live stream. She dashes anointing oil on her phone as the creature transforms into Gloria. After pleads with her to stop, Gloria promises to be there for her. Frantic, Rochelle screams as her cellphone screen goes black.

Rochelle has a smile on her face while walking around outside. She returns home to take a bath.

Wren tells the others that Rochelle is taking her problems out of them. They all agree that Rochelle is not answering their calls. Noah accuses her of shoving her. She claims it was only to defend herself before informing them of Red Rose. Noah says Rochelle blamed Red Rose for having to kiss him. Wren tells them that her letter said the same thing, which she describes as “bullsh**.” Ashley says she mentioned seeing things on her cellphone when visited her at the shop. Antony tells them that she complained about not receiving any texts from them. Taz asks what happened to Rochelle’s mum. He says she committed suicide.

Rochelle is relaxing in the tub when loud music comes from her phone. The Dickheads run toward Rochelle’s house. They bang on the doors and windows to no avail. A neighbor gives them Vinny’s phone number. Rochelle sends them a text advertising for new friends. They all go home.

Vinny, Clare, and Nora return home to find Rochelle unconscious in the bathtub. He scoops her lifeless body into his arms.

Wren gradually approaches Rochelle’s casket. The priest (Tim Churchill) asks everyone to take a seat. Wren tells the congregation that Rochelle didn’t commit suicide.

At the cemetery, Rachel pleads with Wren to keep it to herself to protect Vinny. Wren looks over to see Rick Bennett (Adam Nagaitis) watching a short distance away. Rochelle’s casket is lowered into the ground.

Taz blames the Dickheads for what happened to Rochelle. Ashley reminds him that he didn’t know her. He tells her that she stood up to bullies, for him. Noah says Rochelle was a friend to them all. Wren assures them that she didn’t take her life when Rochelle sends her a message, “Roses are red, violets are blue, here in The Garden, I’m waiting for you.”  She installs the Red Rose app as the episode comes to an end.

 

Red Rose Review

Now that the actors have settled into their roles, the show is giving off a different vibe. The pilot episode was far from impressive while the second episode captured my attention.

It’s unclear if the Red Rose app is controlled by a human hacker or a diabolical force. It could be that Rochelle was inflicted by distress so severe that it altered her mental state. Was Rochelle chosen because her mom was a previous victim?

If the culprit is a hacker, it’s someone close to the group since Wren has become the next victim. Will Wren’s mentality be strong enough to endure what Rochelle couldn’t?

If it’s a hacker, who could it be? The group wasn’t shy about picking on Jaya. Rick had a bone to pick with Wren and Rachel. Little Jenna and Big Jenna don’t seem like the type. Is it the priest?

The episode deserves a 6. Get more Red Rose recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.