Ep 3. Having a Day

In Maniac season 1 episode 3, titled "Having a Day," the audience joins Annie, played by Emma Stone, for a surreal and dark trip through her mind as she explores her past relationships and personal struggles.

The episode begins with Annie participating in a pharmaceutical test by taking a pill that is meant to help her confront and conquer her fears. As she embarks on her journey, she begins to experience vivid and disturbing hallucinations.

Throughout the episode, Annie's past relationships and traumas are explored in detail. We see snippets of her broken relationship with her younger sister, Ellie, played by Julia Garner, and the heartbreaking moment when she must make the difficult decision to send Ellie away.

Annie also revisits her past relationships with ex-boyfriend Owen, played by Jonah Hill, and her abusive mother. Her mother, played by Sally Field, is a recurring character in the episode and provides insight into Annie's deep-rooted issues with trust and abandonment.

The episode is punctuated with moments of dark humor as Annie navigates a surreal world filled with unexpected obstacles, including a robot version of her therapist and a man-eating llama. Despite the absurdity, the themes of grief, trauma, and self-discovery remain at the forefront of the episode.

As the episode progresses, Annie begins to unravel the source of her fears and insecurities. She realizes that her relationships with her sister, mother, and ex-boyfriend are all connected, and that her fear of rejection and abandonment is a constant presence in her life.

In the climactic scene, Annie is forced to confront her fears head-on in a harrowing moment of physical and emotional vulnerability. The scene offers a glimpse into the inner workings of Annie's mind and culminates in a moment of hard-won victory.

Overall, "Having a Day" is a captivating and emotionally charged episode that showcases Emma Stone's range as an actress. The deep exploration of Annie's psyche and the surreal setting make for a uniquely compelling viewing experience.