Spoiler warning: We’re discussing Norman’s FBI connections, Kimmie and Horace, Olivia’s jail problems, Charles, and everything that goes left by the end.
Baby, Episode 3 is called “Throne of Blood,” and these Bellaries continue proving that having money does not automatically come with emotional stability.
Norman is pulling strings from jail.
Olivia is realizing her enemies can reach her even behind bars.
Kimmie is trying to figure out what exactly her marriage to Horace means.
And Charles?
Charles is barely holding himself together.
This family needs several therapists.
Preferably therapists with security.
Norman Has Friends in Very High Places
Norman may be sitting in federal custody, but this man is acting like he accidentally stopped by the wrong hotel.
He gets pulled out of his cell to meet Agent Ray, somebody Norman clearly has history with.
And by history, I mean Norman has enough compromising information on this man to make him very cooperative.
Norman wants the case against him handled.
Ray starts talking about procedures and needing to look into things.
Norman reminds him that he has photographs Ray definitely does not want becoming public.
Suddenly?
Everybody is motivated.
That is the Bellarie family way.
Why hire a good attorney when blackmail is apparently available?
Norman even gets a chance to walk past Olivia, who immediately realizes he might actually be getting out.
She begs him to help her too.
Norman basically lets her know she has much bigger problems.
Cold.
But Olivia has spent enough time being horrible to everybody that her emergency-contact list is getting very short.
Roy Is Falling Apart
Roy’s withdrawal continues getting worse.
He is sweating, sick and desperate enough to beg Norman for drugs.
Norman previously used that desperation to get information out of him, and now Roy is realizing Uncle Norman never planned to become his personal pharmacy.
Eventually Jules has to push the guards to get Roy medical attention.
Imagine Jules being the responsible one in the room.
That’s how bad things have gotten.
Roy is already struggling with jail.
Now add withdrawal, family betrayal and federal charges?
That man is unraveling fast.
Kimmie Tries to Make This Marriage Real
Over at the mansion, Kimmie decides she wants to talk to Horace about their relationship.
And by “talk,” apparently she means showing up dressed for a VERY different kind of conversation.
Kimmie climbs into bed with him and basically asks why they can’t start acting like an actual married couple.
Horace shuts that down.
Immediately.
He reminds her that the marriage was originally an arrangement he created when he thought he was dying and wanted to go after his family.
Now that his situation has changed, Horace has no interest in playing husband and wife.
Kimmie is hurt because she believes their relationship has changed.
After everything he has done for her—and after what happened between them—she thought there might actually be something there.
Then Horace tells her their previous encounter was basically him proving a point.
Oh.
Sir.
Wrong answer.
Kimmie realizes Horace has been playing with her emotions just like he plays with everybody else.
And when he asks whether she’s in love with him?
Her answer is basically:
Absolutely not.
But that woman walked out of the room HURT.
There is a difference between not being in love and realizing somebody just made you feel foolish.
Angel Is Still Trying to Get Back in Horace’s Good Graces
Angel sees Kimmie leaving Horace’s room and immediately wants details.
Mind your business, Angel.
He has his own problems.
Horace confronts him over how much money he has been spending, and Angel tries apologizing again.
Horace eventually tells him to get out.
Angel is terrified of losing everything Horace has given him, which keeps making their relationship more uncomfortable.
Money gives Horace control over almost everybody around him.
And he knows exactly how to use it.
Olivia Discovers Jail Is Not Protecting Her
Olivia thought being in federal custody might at least keep Gina’s people away from her.
Incorrect.
Women inside the jail know exactly who she is and exactly how much money she owes.
One of them makes it clear that Gina’s deadline is still coming whether Olivia is locked up or not.
Then Olivia recognizes one of the agents as a cab driver she had encountered before.
Turns out he had been undercover and watching her for years.
Now Olivia suddenly wants his help.
Of course she does.
Five minutes ago she probably wouldn’t have remembered that man’s name.
Now she’s practically asking him to adopt her.
That Gina situation has Olivia SCARED.
Rain Is Enjoying Being the Boss
Meanwhile, Rain is making money at the newly renamed club and enjoying every second of being in charge.
Maybe a little too much.
She’s already reminding employees that they are not equals and making it very clear whose club it is now.
Alex warns her that dangerous people are circling them, including Trackson and Gina.
Rain’s response?
Let them come.
Rain.
Please.
Confidence is wonderful.
Knowing when somebody is trying to kill you is also useful.
Rain also learns that Sylvie is struggling with guilt over Glen’s death and wants to tell the truth.
That is NOT something Rain wants to hear.
Kimmie promises she’ll get Sylvie away before she talks.
But Sylvie’s guilt is becoming a problem they cannot keep shoving into another room.
Charles Hits Rock Bottom
The heaviest storyline belongs to Charles.
Varney and Evan find Charles after he has tried to hang himself and manage to save him.
Charles refuses to go to the hospital.
Mallory arrives and, in typical Mallory fashion, manages to be concerned and rude at the same time.
Then Horace shows up.
And instead of showing his son compassion after a suicide attempt, Horace becomes cruel.
Very cruel.
He humiliates Charles, mocks him for surviving and even hands him a gun while daring him to finish what he started.
That scene was hard to watch.
Charles doesn’t pull the trigger.
But Horace makes it painfully clear why Charles feels like nobody in his family truly cares whether he lives or dies.
And suddenly Charles saying “nobody loves me” earlier hits a whole lot harder.
My Take
“Throne of Blood” was more emotional than the first two episodes.
Norman’s blackmail storyline was pure Bellarie foolishness, and Olivia discovering that Gina can reach her inside federal jail definitely raised the stakes.
But Charles was the storyline that stayed with me.
Horace’s reaction was vicious.
Whatever mistakes Charles has made, watching your child survive a suicide attempt and then encouraging him to try again?
There is no funny explanation for that.
Kimmie also learned something important this episode.
She may have Horace’s last name, his money and a seat beside him…
but that does not mean she has his heart.
And judging by that look on her face when she left his room?
Kimmie will remember that.
SoulNeekTV Rating: 4 out of 5 Tea Cups ☕☕☕☕
A strong episode with less action but much more character drama.
Norman is pulling strings, Olivia is running out of options, Charles is breaking down, and Kimmie just discovered that being Mrs. Bellarie does not mean she knows what game Horace is playing.
That marriage is about to get interesting.