DISCLAIMER: This recap of the Undone season premiere “The Cave” has spoilers. Proceed at your peril.
Welcome, time travelers! Undone is back after almost three (torturous) years. In true Undone fashion, “The Cave” is a poignant, profound and visually ethereal episode, mining the depths of identity and pushing the boundaries of reality. I adore rotoscope animation, and this series utilizes it perfectly.
Undone has always been about healing intergenerational trauma, but I think Season 2 will take this a bit further as Alma and Becca dive into the “what” and “why” behind Camila’s strange behavior while unearthing familial pain along the way.
Ready to dig deep into “The Cave”? Let’s get to it.
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We open with Alma (Rosa Salazar) sitting before the cave entrance in Mexico, waiting for her dad to emerge. Becca (Angelique Cabral) calls Camila (Constance Marie) to tell her Alma is okay. Camila is with Sam (Siddharth Dhananjay), who expresses relief regarding Alma’s status. Becca also discloses that Alma’s willing to take her medication.
Meanwhile, Alma wanders into the cave, calling out for Jacob. However, she receives no reply, so she returns to her spot outside the cave, utterly distraught.
Rosario (Alma Martinez) encounters a weeping Alma, asking her if she’s alright. Alma explains that her sister is waiting in their mom’s car to take her home. However, Rosario notes she doesn’t see a vehicle parked anywhere nearby.
So, Alma calls Becca, who’s staying in Bora Bora with Reed (Kevin Bigley) for their honeymoon. Becca complains about the hour — it’s 3 am there. Alma grills Becca regarding their father’s location, and Becca confirms he’s alive, much to Alma’s delight.
Alma returns home to find Camila crying in the kitchen. Then, she discovers Jacob (Bob Odenkirk) as he sits in his study. Once Alma reveals that she’s his Alma, the pair have a tearful, heartfelt reunion. Of course, Jacob looks significantly older since he merged with the Jacob from 17 years ago.
Next, Alma slowly gains the memories of the Alma residing in the current timeline. Jacob reveals he waited a long time for her arrival, whereas to Alma, it felt like only a day passed.
Then, Jacob informs Alma that she’s a professor at the university where he works, and they’re about to be late. Alma waltzes into her class, completely clueless as to what she teaches. However, the other Alma’s knowledge quickly takes hold, and she teaches her students like a seasoned pro.
Later, Jacob reveals he encouraged Camila to speak Spanish while Alma and Becca were growing up, so now Alma knows Spanish. And the piano!
After a day of teaching, Jacob also tells Alma that she’s aiming to become a tenured professor, and he vows to help her write her dissertation. Alma asks him if he’s still pursuing his time travel studies, but Jacob gave that up when he got a second chance at life. Alma encourages him to utilize their gifts to change lives. Perhaps they can assist Jacob’s mother.
Alma attempts to use her abilities, but it doesn’t quite pan out for her. She flies through thick fog, with no discernible destination in sight. Jacob notes this Alma doesn’t understand her gifts yet.
Later, Alma arrives at her home. She gazes in awe at the life other Alma built for herself. Alma sits at the piano and her fingers mindlessly glide across the ivories as if she’s done it countless times before.
What transpires next is a montage similar to the one in Season 1, wherein Alma becomes enmeshed in a daily routine. Despite the coziness and security her newfound job brings, Alma craves adventure. While driving one day, Alma witnesses a potentially fatal accident as one woman is struck by a vehicle.
Then, Alma has dinner with Jacob, Camila, Becca and Reed. Alma addresses the incident she witnessed that day, but everyone glosses over it. Camila accepts a phone call during the meal, throwing Alma for a loop. Alma watches while her mother argues with a mystery man in a car. We see she’s donning fine clothes when she exits the vehicle.
Camila seems to spot Alma, but Alma quickly returns to the family dinner. Even though it’s a step up from her first attempt at traveling, Alma still can’t shake the fog. We see Alma try to travel over and over again until she lands in her father’s office.
Jacob discourages Alma from continuing down this path, citing that he doesn’t want to squander his second chance at life. But Alma wants something more. Additionally, she mentions that something’s amiss with Camila, but Jacob refuses to dive into that.
Later, Alma pulls Becca aside and addresses the mom elephant in the room. Becca notices Camila’s peculiar behavior. She also mentions observing their mother exiting a car after an argument with a man. That’s when Alma discovers that her sister can travel, too. Alma was viewing the memory through Becca’s eyes.
Alma encourages Becca to join forces with her while they dive into their familial trauma. Sisterly powers, activate!
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It’s not often that a show exploring the confines of time allows its protagonist to deliberately change the past (look at Season 2 of Russian Doll). I wonder if Jacob’s second chance will stick, or if Alma will see the potential ramifications of their merged timeline experiment at a later date. That said, I wouldn’t mind if this isn’t addressed. How many of us wished we could turn back the clock and raise dearly departed loved ones from the dead? I’ll raise my hand to that.
“The Cave” is sharp, mind-bending and such a feast for the eyes. It thoughtfully explores real-world themes while experimenting in this multiversal playground, which grounds it. Rosa Salazar leads the charge with her witty and nuanced performance.
Do you think Becca will tag along on Alma’s mission? Is Camila and Jacob’s marriage falling apart as it was in the previous timeline? Join me while I recap Undone, only on Geek Girl Authority.
Undone Season 2 is now streaming on Prime Video.
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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.
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