Ep 2. Shield

As the second episode of the third season of UnREAL kicks off, we find Rachel (portrayed by Shiri Appleby) waking up to the sound of a text message from Quinn (Constance Zimmer) stating that it’s time to start production. It's early mornings again, and Rachel seems to be caught off guard and perhaps a bit tired from the previous late night. Upon arriving at work, Rachel trips and falls at the base of a steep hill. Fortunately, she’s intervened by August (Adam Demos), who makes a point to get her some ice for her ankle that inadvertently trips her. Things start getting a bit dicey from there, though. Throughout the day, Rachel struggles with dealing with the broken leg she's dealing with, creating a sense of vulnerability that viewers haven't seen before.

Meanwhile, Quinn and Chet (Craig Bierko) are fighting over getting their hands on the latest scripted drama that’s gotten a lot of buzz. They both have their sights set on being the one to produce it, but the fallout becomes clear as Quinn discovers she’s going to be ousted by her former boss, played by Michael Rady, just when she thinks she has the situation under control. Matters come to a head when male candidate August has a run-in with some duct tape, and he becomes an easy target for the female candidates to take aim at. From there, we watch as the women debate whether they should save August’s life or take advantage of the situation for their own gain.

As Rachel continues to work through the day, we see more of her struggle with her ankle and how it's impacted her moods, her productivity, and other aspects of her life. This creates interesting juxtapositions between Rachel's depiction of herself as a capable and strong woman and the reality of her current situation. Furthermore, we gain insight into some of Rachel's vulnerabilities, as the dialogue treads through some heavy emotional territory.

In the end, the second episode of UnREAL’s third season wraps up with a killer cliffhanger ending. The tension has been building all episode, but now all of the women are left to figure out what to do as the male contestants turn on each other in a brutal contest. The ending leaves viewers with a lot to ponder and sets the stage for a tense and dramatic third season. Overall, Shield is a strong, well-written episode with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers on the edge of their seat.