Evergreen
Kirby is overwhelmed by her birthday party and can’t seem to focus on anything. She’s worried about her mental health and what other surprises her subconscious has in store for her. Kirby is surrounded by people and struggles to put on a brave face.
Kirby heads to the journal to take a look at it and it seems that Marcus has written down all of the constants in her life. One of those constants is that he is her husband.
Dan visits Howard at the arcade, who eventually takes him back to the morgue. Howard shows off some debris from the site that could hold some clues. Namely, Radium Ore from Midway Chemical Company. Howard confirms that it’s very old and has been there since the 50’s.
Using his deductive powers, Howard shuts off the lights and realizes that the radium ore was actually inside Julia. It’s not now though. Either way, Kirby was right.
Dan needs verification that her story is true. Kirby reveals that she went through a similar experience in the past, and Dan is willing to provide that verification in exchange for her information.
Kirby visits her mother, Rachel, at the church singing when she finds her. She’s at the church singing when she finds her, but she does receive a warm welcome all the same. Kirby is after photographs and journals from the time after being attacked. Rachel is taken aback by Kirby getting involved, questioning just why she wants to be part of this.
Dan interviews Kirby’s father, who praises his daughter highly and says that she is a diamond. However, he also mentions how she seemed to be stalked, given that he had to walk her to her car numerous times. And the person who did this? Pawel Banik. Dan is confused and he’s warned not to build a case around “Sharon Leads”, which seems to have a connection to Kirby. It’s here we also learn that Kirby broke down after the attack and was admitted to hospital. ..
Dan returns to the precinct to find Kirby, who tells him that she was attacked from behind. Kirby says there were a lot of people around her when she was attacked, and that no one came back to take another statement. The only information we have is that Kirby was attacked from behind.
Kirby goes to Julia’s wake just as she is being attacked. She pretends to be her friend and starts poking around in her room, looking for clues that something untoward was happening. This gives Kirby a way into the house and she starts investigating.
Dan and Kirby head out to find Harper, but they’re quickly met with resistance. Harper claims he’s just trying to help, but it seems like he knows more than he’s letting on. The two of them eventually catch up to Harper and hand over the tape. They realize that this tape incriminates Harper, and they need to get him off the island before anyone else gets hurt.
When Abby finds out what’s happened, Kirby deduces that Julia hid this tape as she knew Harper was coming and couldn’t afford for the evidence to be destroyed. Kirby decides to work and get permission from the family for using this, while Abby sets to work informing the proper authorities. It’s a race against time.
The Episode Review
The second episode of Shining Girls is more slow-paced than the first, but it’s no less engaging. With the killer already known, what ensues instead is a meticulously crafted game of cat and mouse. There’s a definite thriller vibe to this now and the interesting ideas that are being woven in this work well to give Shining Girls a moody, eerie atmosphere.
The novel is slow to start but it’s worth the wait. The different characters and setting are well-drawn and allow the reader to really get to know them.
Shining Girls is a great show and with the next episode clocking in at just over an hour, it’ll be interesting to see how this week’s trio of episodes finish.
