Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Bloody Knuckles

The VHS tape does not appear to be the one drawback hurting Megan and Isabella. All their secrets and techniques are catching up with them, too.

With a physique within the lake, Sheriff Myer is beginning his spherical of interviews on Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 3.

The former BFFs are the highest two suspects, however a number of extra choices are thrown into the combo. It’s nonetheless early within the thriller, however we’re starting to see layers with extra depth.

“Bloody Knuckles” felt like a supporting chapter. After the powerhouse premiere on Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 1, the main focus was on constructing early theories and laying the groundwork for Megan and Isabella’s eventual friendship.

There was nothing too thrilling or stunning. Instead, it is a plot-heavy story to spherical out the characters, a lot wanted for the thriller.

We realized Isabella and Megan’s friendship begins in the summertime of 1999.

We obtained a number of hints of it throughout Cruel Summer Season 2 Episode 2, however Megan was largely frosty to her new roommate. Luke appeared extra open to Isabella than Megan did (we’ll get to this quickly).

This time, there was heat and a flicker of bonding between them. Between the rainfall bonfire and their chat within the trailer, Megan and Isabella truly began to really feel like pals. Connecting about their troubled mother and father was the proper bridge to rising one thing.

Even if Megan brushed it off, she will be able to’t deny that Isabella considerably pertains to her emotions.

We want extra of the story concerning the sophisticated previous between Debbie and Keith and Keith’s remedy of Megan and Lily.

Megan was proper to resent her deadbeat father. He deserted them, and I’ve a sense his coming again to hook up with Debbie wasn’t the primary time that kind of factor occurred.

Isabella: I’ve diplomatic immunity, so I might kill all of you and get away with it.
Luke: Okay, let’s possibly not take a look at that idea.

Her clarification to Isabella made it look like they’d been caught in a nasty loop. Keith both wants to remain away or resolve if he desires to be a father and husband.

For Debbie to show to Keith for assist in the summertime of 2000, the monetary state of affairs should’ve been horrible for the Landrys.

Hopefully, we are going to get some scenes of Megan and Keith collectively. With Debbie finally relationship Steve and Megan hating her father, there are many tales to discover, together with how desperately the Landrys wanted cash.

The different hurdle within the Isabella/Megan friendship was Luke and Isabella’s crush on one another. We know their crushes finally ended as a result of Megan and Luke obtained collectively, however the pair remains to be fairly flirty.

Their taking pictures apply within the woods was filled with chemistry.

Say what you’ll about Luke not noticing the plain that Megan likes him, however he certain is aware of find out how to flirt. He and Isabella would’ve been making out if the opposite pals weren’t there for the get together.

Chances are, they’re going to finish issues earlier than they hook up. The strongest risk is that Isabella will cease it when Megan comes clear about her emotions.

Megan cannot fake perpetually.

The taking pictures apply brings up one other level. Do you suppose the killer’s fingerprints are on the gun? Only Megan’s, Isabella’s, and Luke’s fingerprints have been discovered.

With the gun being the identical from taking pictures apply, it is simple to elucidate away how they obtained there. However, that is a very long time for fingerprints to remain on the gun alone; the apply was in the summertime of 1999, and Luke was grazed within the winter of 1999.

Sheriff Myer: The ballistics got here again from the gun that shot Luke. It’s registered to Steve Chambers.
Debbie: I don’t perceive. Why are you right here?
Sheriff Myer: Because there are three pairs of prints on the gun: Luke’s, Isabella’s, and Megan’s.

Either we’re a random fourth suspect who was carrying gloves, or using the gun is a purple herring.

Let’s not neglect that Luke’s reason for loss of life was drowning. Someone used the gun since a bullet was in a wall, however the two information do not have to attach.

If we realized something from Cruel Summer Season 1 Episode 10, it is to not take every part at face worth.

“Bloody Knuckles” additionally gave us extra data on two doable suspects. First, there’s the aspiring filmmaker, Jeff.

Come on, Megan; it was so apparent that Jeff favored you. The flirting was direct and never delicate within the least. Anyone might see that he was vibing along with her.

Plus, he introduced her favourite scary film to guys’ night time.

If that wasn’t a lifeless giveaway, he known as her cute. Megan ought to’ve advised Isabella she was in love with Luke at that time. The very last thing she wants is a clumsy chat with Jeff.

I wasn’t stunned by how trashy of an individual Jeff grew to become within the winter of 1999.

Did he change? No, he was all the time that man.

Megan rejecting him did not set off his change right into a jerk. She did not owe him something simply because he had emotions for her.

Jeff: So, mainly, it’s blackmail?
Megan: More like mutual destruction. Choose your individual journey, or don’t.

Jeff is salty. He did not get his means, and now his ego is wounded. It hurts. His little scene within the diner calling out Megan confirmed how petty and small he nonetheless was months later.

And one of the best half? Megan discovered Luke “cheated on her with Isabella,” and he or she STILL selected Luke over Jeff. She does not need you, Jeff!

What proof do you suppose Megan has over Jeff to blackmail him?

It should be one thing critical for him to be compelled into the deal. Also, his schemes should be worthwhile sufficient to make all that cash. Video cameras weren’t low cost in 1999.

Maybe it has to do with the drugs? Videotaping and blackmailing individuals on the town?

I’m leaning towards the previous. Access to drugs was teased on the pool get together, so it is a doable thread Cruel Summer Season 2 will discover within the coming chapters.

The different doable suspect was Brent. We nonetheless did not get a lot about him in 2000, however his 1999 plots have painted an unsightly image.

If you ever had any doubt about how Brent grew to become Brent, the scene within the sheriff’s station answered each query.

Isabella: Jeff is crushing on you. Hard.
Megan: No. No means. Those guys don’t consider me that means.
Isabella: Megan, you’re sensible, enjoyable, and sizzling. Come on, that’s the crush trifecta. Maybe you was one of many guys, however I feel these days are over.

Seriously, Steve Chambers dropped a number of rows within the character likability scale. He’s so low that he wants to sit and look forward to his quantity to be known as.

I would not be stunned if he is used his energy earlier than to maintain his son out of bother. How he spoke to Sheriff Myer felt snug and acquainted, like he is carried out that earlier than. He retains making excuses for his son; he ought to’ve had a critical chat about Brent illegally recording his hookups.

It’s solely a matter of time earlier than Brent does one thing he cannot worm his means free from.

We ought to all be nervous for Isabella. Brent is on the warpath to get his revenge.

Since Luke lied about who despatched the nameless videotapes, Brent wants a brand new goal for his wrath.

This bother could possibly be how issues get risky by the point Luke is murdered. Steve is indignant, Brent is livid, and Luke retains the key.

Brent is slowly turning into the damaging aspect within the combine. I’m not saying he was the one who induced Luke’s loss of life, however he might change into one of many large items through the climax.

The similar is feasible for why Isabella wants all that cash in her backpack. Could it have one thing to do with Luke’s loss of life and the bloody cabin?

Her bag was stashed away on the cabin, so there is a cause why it was stored there within the first place.

Like the purple herring idea concerning the gun, this piece could possibly be a diversion. What if she have been doing one thing unlawful to lift cash for Debbie since she was having money issues? Or possibly she was planning to run away?

A bag full of money seems to be like a smoking gun, nevertheless it’s not a literal gun. Isabella and Megan have their secrets and techniques; how they’re linked makes this a must-watch story.

Last Thoughts From The Archive:

• 
  If Megan did not drop off Luke after the get together, it throws her whole alibi into query.
  
   
• 
  Major kudos to Rebecca. You might really feel the drained frustration in her voice. She’s carried out with having to scrub up Isabella’s mess.
  
   
• 
  Brent and Megan have an attention-grabbing friendship, nearly like an enormous brother, youthful sister factor. Hopefully, this aspect will probably be explored extra because it offers them historical past and depth.
  
   
• 
  Steve revealing to Luke he knew it was him who dropped off the VHS tapes was the scariest second of “Bloody Knuckles.” It felt like all of the oxygen obtained sucked out of the room; Steve regarded that creepy.

Now, over to you, Cruel Summer followers.

What did you consider “Bloody Knuckles”?

Why does Isabella have all that money? What secret is Jeff holding? Does Brent ever discover out Luke gave the sheriff his intercourse tapes?

Share your ideas within the feedback beneath!

Edit Delete