Bad Sisters Season 2 Episode 5, “Boom,” brings the narrative to a head as the gals take Angelica out to spread Grace’s fake ashes to disastrous results. Meanwhile, Eva unwittingly leaks sensitive info to the guards, putting them on the Garveys’ scent. Oh, and Ian proves he’s a creep and undoubtedly worthy of suspicion. It’s the best episode of the season thus far, although still a bit weaker than Season 1. So far, Season 2 feels somewhat directionless. Despite that, the performances are top-tier, especially Sharon Horgan. Seriously, “Boom” should be her Emmy submission.
Do you think Angelica is dead? Is she really behind Grace’s death? Something tells me she’s a red herring.
RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Bad Sisters episode, “Person of Interest”
Bad Sisters, “Boom”
We open with Eva (Horgan) running with her menopause coach, Eileen (Justine Mitchell). Eva’s turning 50, and she doesn’t seem all that thrilled. She claims she’s putting off sex from here on out, too. But more importantly, Eva’s grief is tremendous. She misses Grace so profoundly. After Eileen gives Eva a pep talk, she informs the latter that she’s taken on Angelica as a client. Uh-oh.
Next, Eva calls her sisters, her “coven,” wondering where they’re at. They have planning to do. Detective Inspector Loftus (Barry Ward) and Detective Houlihan (Thaddea Graham) pay Eva an unexpected visit. They overheard Eva shouting about “killing the Wagon,” so naturally, they ask her to clarify that statement. Eva reveals it’s her birthday.
Different Stories
Loftus’s ex-wife calls him about sending their daughter to school in Australia. Houlihan takes over the questioning. She asks Eva about the 20,000 euro Grace withdrew on the day of her death. Eva claims she doesn’t know what the money was for, nor where it is. Before the detectives depart, Eva corrects Houlihan regarding how Grace and Ian met. They didn’t meet online, as Ian previously stated; it was at a bereavement group. Ian had just lost his sister.
RELATED: Bad Sisters Season 2 Trailer: The Garvey Sisters Have Blood on Their Hands … Again
At the car, Houlihan tells Loftus that Ian and Eva had different stories about Ian and Grace’s meeting. Loftus encourages Houlihan to drop off Grace’s effects as an excuse to further question Ian. Meanwhile, Eva gets a package from beyond the grave — Grace had already planned Eva’s birthday gift before she died. It’s a karaoke machine. In Eva’s birthday card, Grace instructs Eva to find a specific song to play. It’s sweet.
Next, Bibi (Sarah Greene), Ursula (Eva Birthistle) and Becka (Eve Hewson) arrive at Eva’s house. Eva informs her sisters about the guards dropping by. If they discover why Grace withdrew the cash and what it was for, they’re one step closer to discovering what the Garvey sisters did. They must cover their tracks.
Fake Ashes
As for Angelica the Wagon, Eva proposes they have her dump the ashes from her fireplace, not Grace’s actual ashes. Angelica calls Eva, urging the gang to meet her at high noon to discuss specifics. They find Angelica (Fiona Shaw) in her neck brace. She offers them tea. Becka apologizes for shoving her, breaking into her home and for the rabbit. Angelica reveals that her rabbit has been found safe. Praise be.
RELATED: What’s New on TV This Week (Dec 1 – Dec 7)
Angelica already has an itinerary for their ashes-dumping venture. Firstly, they’ll scatter Grace’s ashes at sea. Then, Angelica will whip up Grace’s famous flapjacks. They can even fill up the flask. Make a day of it! Angelica suggests that Eva stay out of it, citing that she should watch Blánaid instead. The Wagon mentions Ian and Eva’s decision to grow closer even though he was her late sister’s husband. Angelica’s nothing if not nosey.
Later, Houlihan delivers Grace’s effects to Ian (Owen McDonnell). She learns about his sister, who died two years ago in Canada. This compelled him to join the bereavement group, where he met Grace. He adds that they met online because the group started online. However, he tells Houlihan he won’t return to said group, which Angelica spearheads. According to Ian, she feeds off grief.
Sole Custody
Then, Houlihan asks about the money. Ian claims he didn’t know about the cash. He surmises it could’ve been for Blánaid but insists that Grace would’ve told him about it. Meanwhile, Loftus hangs out with his daughter, Jessie (Callie Weir). She cries about moving to Australia, telling Loftus she wants to stay in Ireland with him. This galvanizes him to fight for sole custody of Jessie.
RELATED: Apple TV+ Returns to the Office With Severance Season 2 Teaser
Later, Ian stops by Eva’s house with a birthday gift — new slippers. She learns that her sisters plan to throw her a party; unfortunately, it’s formal wear. She also discovers that Ian gave Angelica a stern talking-to the other night, which is why she’s terrified of him. Eva urges him to back off. The sisters can fight their own battles. Then, Blánaid (Saise Quinn) complains about Eva not having food in the house. Blame it on the Becka the Food Hoover.
As Blánaid prepares to leave with her camogie gear, Eva forbids her from visiting Angelica after school. Blánaid fires back that she can do what she wants. Eva refrains from calling her a “mean little b*tch” despite the overwhelming urge to do so. Ian comforts her. He’s getting a little too comfy-womfy with his late wife’s sister if you ask me…
When You’re Gone
Meanwhile, at the store, Bibi and Becka pick up an “urn” for Grace’s fake ashes. They chat about Bibi and Nora trying again for a baby. Becka offers to be the egg donor. They share a cute sisterly moment. I’ve decided this is my favorite Garvey pairing. Elsewhere, Loftus meets with his lawyer (I assume) to discuss getting custody of his daughter.
RELATED: Colin Farrell’s Sugar Renewed by Apple TV+ for Season 2
Later, Eva’s birthday party is officially underway. Roger (Michael Smiley) arrives with oysters for the attendees. He also decides to ask Eva out on a date. First Grace, then Ursula, now Eva. Roger’s all about the Garvey sisters. Eva politely rejects him, but she encourages him to stick around for karaoke. As it turns out, Roger is an avid karaoke fan.
After everyone heads home, the sisters have an impromptu karaoke session, belting out “When You’re Gone” by The Cranberries. It’s clearly cathartic for them as they grieve Grace together. Becka finally tells Ursula and Bibi that she’s pregnant.
A Day at Sea
The following morning, Bibi, Becka and Urs arrive at the dock. They plan to take Becka’s friend’s boat. He may or may not sell drugs and/or guns. Meanwhile, Blánaid rides her bike to Angelica’s as Eva frantically searches for her at home. Eva calls Ian to ask if he’s seen Blánaid.
RELATED: Apple TV+’s Next Best Things: 5 Shows You Can’t Miss
Suddenly, Eva gets a visit from a woman from child services. It’s abundantly clear that Angelica called child services on Eva. The woman spots the alcohol, which Eva explains as remnants of her birthday party the night before.
Houlihan expresses her disbelief that Grace died in a plain old road collision. She tells Loftus about her aunt, who was in an abusive marriage. Houlihan’s aunt would stash away money for when she would inevitably need to run. The lightbulb flicks on in Loftus’s head. He promises to look into it. Sure enough, he sneaks into Ian’s house after the latter leaves on a bike.
Look at the Turtles
When he finds nothing inside, he searches the outdoor pen, which houses Grace’s turtles. Under the bedding, Loftus finds a bag. Bingo. Eva knocks on Angelica’s door, calling for Blánaid. Speaking of Angelica, she arrives fashionably late for the ashes-dumping boat excursion. Bibi drives the boat a ways out until Angelica urges her to stop. There, Angelica scatters Grace’s fake ashes before saying a prayer.
RELATED: Dark Matter Renewed for Season 2 at Apple TV+
After this, Angelica asks Bibi, Becka and Ursula if they wish to say a few words. Urs makes something up, which starts awkwardly but ends lovingly. All three sisters get emotional. Meanwhile, Eva heads to the station to report Blánaid missing. Loftus spots Eva and vows to take care of it. However, he and Houlihan proceed to pester her with more questions.
A panicked Eva tells Loftus and Houlihan that it’s the people around Blánaid she can’t trust, i.e., Angelica. Angelica stalked and harassed Grace. Eva insists that, while Angelica didn’t literally drive Grace to her death, the Wagon wrangled money out of her. “Have you found it yet?” Eva asks.
Getting Too Close
Then, Ian calls Eva to share that Blánaid is safe. Eva apologizes to the detectives for her behavior, urging them to forget everything she said about Angelica and the money. Back at home, Eva reunites with Blánaid. Ian reveals that she was shopping with cash Angelica gave her. Eva cracks down again on Blánaid spending time with Angelica, but the latter retorts that Eva’s not her mom or anyone’s mom, for that matter.
RELATED: 8 TV Shows You Should Watch if You Love Still Up
Ian sides with Blánaid here, insisting that Eva overreacted. He snaps that all the Garveys are drama magnets. Eva starts sobbing, claiming she can’t do this. Ian comforts her and seizes the opportunity to kiss her while she’s vulnerable and grieving. Ick. Shocked, Eva walks away, heading inside.
Meanwhile, after Angelica dumps the fake ashes, Bibi drives the boat back to the dock. Angelica falsely accuses Eva of making a play for John Paul, to which the sisters vehemently respond that JP raped Eva. The Wagon insists Eva is getting too close to Ian, who can’t be trusted. Ian’s not a good egg. Before she can share what she knows about Ian, though, a beam on the boat swings forward and cracks her in the head, knocking her into the ocean.
Overboard
Bibi takes control of the situation. She orders Ursula to point where Angelica fell into the water. Then, she urges Becka to call the coast guard. When that doesn’t pan out, she asks Becka to find a flare. Instead, Becka rebels against her sister’s wishes and dives in to find Angelica herself. Naturally, Urs and Bibi are worried because Becka is pregnant. Becka believes she sees Angelica, but it turns out to be a barrel.
She calls out for Angelica. Angelica’s nowhere to be found.
RELATED: Read our Bad Sisters recaps
Bad Sisters drops new episodes every Wednesday on Apple TV+.
Apple Renews CRIMINAL RECORD for Season 2
[email protected]
What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events.
Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet.
Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium.
Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
- OUTLANDER Season Finale Recap: (S07E16) A Hundred Thousand Angels - January 17, 2025
- SILO Season Finale Recap: (S02E10) Into the Fire - January 17, 2025
- GGA’s Favorite Quotes From ANIMAL CONTROL’s ‘Goats, Snakes, and Dogs’ - January 16, 2025
