Manchester Innit – The episode begins in Bolton in 2013. Rita (Pamela Mayoss), Gloria Mason (Ellie James), Rachel Davis (Natalie Gavin), and several other women are playing on an Ouija board. Gloria agrees to be the volunteer. The seeker calls out to the spirits. A spirit named Tom responds. Gloria tells the others that her grandfather was named Tom. The seeker asks Tom if he wants to communicate with Gloria. An upside-down shot glass slides across the board to “yes.” When a loud noise spooks the women away, the seeker frantically says the gateway must be closed properly.

Back to the present, Gloria tells the Dickheads group that no one is at fault before they exit the vehicle.

Antony Longwell (Ellis Howard) says hearing Rochelle Mason (Isis Hainsworth) speak to Wren Davis (Amelia Clarkson) was frightening. Noah Royston (Harry Redding) asks what Rochelle said. Wren tells him that Rochelle said they’d meet in the garden. Tariz “Taz” Sadiq (Ali Khan) questions how Alyssa Penrose (Robyn Cara) is connected to it. Wren informs them that they’re going to meet someone in Manchester near the viaducts. Taz warns it would be an easy place for a stranger to dump bodies. Wren tells them that they don’t have to go. Noah assures her that they are all going with her.  An arrival delay plays over the loudspeaker just as everyone, excluding Wren, receives a notification on their phone. Big Jenna (Hannah Griffiths) posts a video, “Daughter Like Father” of Wren attacking her and Little Jenna (Silvia Furneaux).

Taz asks what Wren’s father did. Antony tells him that he was sentenced to prison for manslaughter. Taz refers to Wren as Rocky Bal-Noah for hitting Noah. Red Rose asks Wren if she’s on a day trip before demanding she not turn off her cellphone. Noah warns the others that they’re meeting with a stranger who might want them dead.

The group arrives at the viaducts to meet Jaya Mahajan (Ashna Rabheru). They ask if it is a joke as Wren turns to leave. Jaya admits to hearing them talking about Red Rose. Ashley Banister (Natalie Blaire) questions if she can be trusted. Wren agrees to speak with her but only if she tells them how she found out about the Red Rose. Jaya finds the app hidden on Wren’s phone. As Wren holds up her phone, Rochelle appears on the screen. Rochelle tells Wren that she is getting warmer as they follow her into the viaducts. Wren orders them stay there as she walks into the pitch dark. Rochelle angrily orders Wren to join when a train rushes past.

Douglas Sensei (Tom Rosenthal) welcomes them to CoderDojo. Wren asks Jaya why she contacted them. Jaya suggests Rochelle would’ve killed them when she was stressed over exams. She shows them a rose sketch by Jacob Taylor (Charlie Hiscock). She suggests Jacob’s suicide was linked to Red Rose. Wren asks why she brought them there. Noah assures her that Jaya is only trying to help. She reminds him of how Jaya hated Rochelle. Jaya admits she didn’t like her before telling Wren to switch off her phone. Wren reluctantly does as she asks.

Rachel answers a call from Wren’s number to hear static. She sends a message telling her to stop pranking. She receives a message that reads, “Just having some fun.”

Jaya informs the group that Red Rose has access to Wren’s videos, photos, texts, and personal life story. Taz asks why it is targeting Wren. Jaya invites them to join her on a visit to Jacob’s home.

Rachel is in the tub when Rick Bennett (Adam Nagaitis) knocks on the door. He claims Wren told him that she wanted him to stop by. She orders him to leave. They contact Wren simultaneously.

Mrs. Taylor (Emma Rydal) greets the group. She asks if they were Jacob’s classmates at St. Augustine. Antony says they got scholarships. Jaya asks if she still has Jacob’s things. She breaks down crying. Noah comforts her while Jaya claims she’s going to the loo. Wren follows Jaya to Jacob’s bedroom. Jaya discovers his scorched computer case. They discover a sketch of Alyssa and a novel, “War of the Rose” with a book of blueprints hidden inside. Jaya informs her that Jacob’s the creator of the Red Rose app. Mr. Taylor (Tony Hirst) asks why they are in Jacob’s bedroom. Jaya admits they want to know why Jacob committed suicide. He describes Jacob as not being a nice boy. She tells him that she needs Jacob’s book. He asks if it would do any good. Mrs. Taylor admits to being aware they didn’t know Jacob.

The group questions why the Red Rose app continued after Jacob died. Wren starts to delete it from her phone when she finds the message, “Jacob can’t help you. He’s in the garden with Roche.”

Rachel is at her vanity desk when she hears a weepy Wren apologizing. Quite Simon (Rod Hallett) calls to see if she would like some wine. She discovers the video of Wren in the graveyard playing on a laptop. Simon asks if she is okay. She begins laughing after discovering an article of clothing hanging on the closet door.

Noah tells the others that summer isn’t turning out as he imagined. Wren agrees with him before grabbing his hand.

Rachel is preparing the table when Rick knocks on the door. He plays the video of Wren fighting with Big Jenna and Little Jenna. She sarcastically says Wren wants her father to see what she learned from him. He tells her that wasn’t fair. She tells him goodbye and tries to shut the door, but he stops her. Simon asks if everything is okay. Rick says they are just talking about Wren.

Wren receives a Red Rose alert suggesting she rush home. She takes off running.

Simon and Rick get into a physical altercation when Wren arrives. Rick and Simon take off in a different direction. Rachel scolds Wren for getting involved with Rick and sending him the fight video. Wren denies sending it. Rachel locks her out of the house. Wren tosses her phone in the trash before heading to Noah’s. Shelley Royston (Nia Roberts) offers Wren to stay there for as long as she likes. After Noah professes to like Wren, they make out.

Jaya accepts a call from Jacob. He says, “I hope you found what you were looking for because Wren, her time is up” as the episode comes to an end.

 

Red Rose Review

It now seems Jacob developed Red Rose. The book of blueprints, burnt hard drive and rose sketches do point to him being Red Rose. Wren’s doing a great job sticking with her friends in hopes of not ending up like Rochelle and Alyssa. However, Red Rose is sly in that it’s targeting Rachel while still tormenting Wren on social media.

What role does CoderDojo play in Red Rose? The group does computer coding, but that is about the extent of what we know. There is no real explanation as to why the group appeared to be working underground.

My biggest qualm is still poor cinematography. On a good note, it doesn’t impact the show too much. When necessary, I utilize zoom to read messages and watch videos. I will say, the show is improving with each episode.

The episode deserves a 6.5. Get more Red Rose recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link.