Meanwhile, I’m still waiting for Ambrose and Kessell to have their breakout moments. Episode 2 doesn’t really offer that up for Ambrose, though she does have the chance to sing Jamiroquai karaoke. The episode does allow Kessell the opportunity to show new sides of Lottie, though, who is still a bit cuckoo but also serene in her way.
Lottie emerges, having left the temporary psychiatric hold she was put under after she tried to kill Shauna at her wellness retreat. Her arrival is a little cartoonish. She simply arrives with a suitcase at Shauna’s door, asking for a place to stay. But for as easy a solution as that is to getting everyone in the same place again, it yields some very fun material.
Callie, it turns out, wants Lottie to stay, figuring she can use her to get information about just what is going on with her parents. Shauna, foreseeing disaster but not making good decisions, decides to invite Misty to make sure Lottie and Callie don’t get too close. (Poor Misty thinks she is finally getting an invitation from one of her old pals just to hang. Walter is correct: They never just want to chill with her.)
Callie has other plans, however, initiating a sleepover where she pours cocktails and starts a game of truth or dare. She drugs Misty and bonds with Lottie, who remains committed to her belief that the “wilderness” is asking for sacrifices. But she is also a nice hang who is down to watch reality TV and braid hair.
This fun side of Lottie has seemingly disappeared in the 1990s story. Younger Lottie (Courtney Eaton) is now entirely focused on her goal of getting Travis to communicate with the wilderness, pushing hallucinogens on him despite his trauma. (Can a guy who had to take a raw bite of his little brother’s heart last season maybe get some breathing room?) She convinces him to stay behind and do drugs while the rest of the group is out looking for Mari. Even though he loses his mind for a while and strangles her, she remains entirely focused on her goal.
On the subject of Mari: Mari, like Melissa, has transformed from a side character to a major player this season. Coach Ben hasn’t turned into a full monster — well, not exactly. After she falls into his pit, he instructs her on how to reset her broken leg and helps her climb out, But then he ties her up and brings her to his hiding spot, fearful that she’ll expose him. There, he hands her a steaming mug of hot chocolate from the stash he found.
