Mare of Easttown Season 1 Episode 2 Fathers

Mare of Easttown's second episode, "Fathers," delves deeper into the bleak, gritty, and somewhat unhinged world that the show has created. Detective Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet) is investigating the murder of a young girl, which has already been complicated by the discovery of a local priest's suicide in the same area. Meanwhile, Mare's relationship with her ex-husband Frank (David Denman) is further explored as she tries to navigate her complicated personal life amidst the turmoil of a difficult and sensitive case.

The second episode starts with Mare and her ex-husband Frank outside their residence arguing about their son Kevin, who is missing. Mare is furious that Frank missed Kevin's basketball game – which he promised to attend – and kicked him out of the house for being drunk, contributing to Kevin's disappearance. In order to find Kevin, Mare enlists the help of her partner Colin Zabel (Evan Peters), sets up interviews at the police station, and starts digging deeper into the case. She is determined to solve the murder and bring the killer to justice.

As her investigation progresses, Mare becomes increasingly frustrated by dead ends and suspects that the whole town is turning against her. She is uncomfortable with being in charge of the case, as she lost her own son a year ago and is still grieving his death. The weight of her own personal demons and issues concerning her family and career are brought to light, as the possibility of Kevin never returning home looms darkly over her.

Meanwhile, Frank is shown trying to cope with the chaos happening around him. He is distraught over the disappearance of his son and is struggling to salvage his relationship with Mare. He spends a significant amount of time with his father, who is shown to live with him in their motel and is dealing with Alzheimer's disease. Frank struggles with the weight of his past mistakes and is trying to make amends with Mare and Kevin, in spite of the overwhelming odds.

One theme that stands out in "Fathers" is the notion of fatherhood. The episode explores the idea of fathers who are absent, either physically or emotionally, and examines their impact on the people around them. This is seen through Frank, who has been a neglectful and inconsistent father in the past, and is now trying to be there for Kevin during this traumatic moment. Additionally, it is evident in the character of Deacon Mark (James McArdle), who is dealing with the death of a young girl in the parish and is struggling to connect with the people he is meant to lead. His own fatherhood trajectory is shown through his faith and pastoral care, and his distress over the death of a young parishioner.

The episode also features other sub-plots that are seamlessly intertwined to create the immersive environment that the show is known for. The story of Dylan, a young man who was with the murdered girl on the night of her death, begins to unravel. His own estranged father is introduced, adding another dimension to an already complex narrative. Meanwhile, the strained relationship between Mare and her mother Helen (Jean Smart) shows cracks, as she reveals the family's secrets. In this episode, we learn more about the characters, their pasts, and how their intertwined fates will affect the future.

"Fathers" is an emotionally charged and suspenseful episode that sets the pace for the rest of the series. The central mystery is further complicated, as more layers are added to the characters, and their histories become integral to the story. It creates a character-driven show that is immersive and deeply satisfying.