'Cheat' Episode 2 is a downward spiral into Rose Vaughn's elaborately thought-out evil masterplan
Major spoilers for Episode 2 of 'Cheat'
After last week's episode, it is evident who the bad guy in 'Cheat' is. But let's not get there yet for we are all mere pawns in Rose Vaughn's (Molly Windsor) game.
Upon losing her beloved pet Betsie, Leah (Katherine Kelly) is beside herself. Episode 2 sees her resort to more extreme measures to expose Rose as tensions flare between Leah and her husband, Adam (Tom Goodman-Hill).
Rose is really good at playing mind games — a dangerous characteristic in a person. What she is doing right now is getting under Leah's skin, which is basically a long con featuring kidnapped pets (we miss you, Betsie!). At the same time, she is also manipulating Adam into trusting her.
So as Leah's doubts against Rose continue stacking up, Adam's confidence in her grows. As Rose outright defies Leah with what looks like a thoroughly planned-out sinister masterplan, she begins to work her charm on Adam, a man blinded by the false sense of masculinity that Rose lets him have and that Leah doesn't pretend to play around.
Episode 2 tells a lot about the dwindling trusts on the show. As Leah gets sucked deeper into Rose's devilishly manipulative game, so does Adam. However, the only difference is that Leah (rightly) feels like she is losing control while Adam is under the (dis)illusion that he is under complete control, convincing Leah time and again that her doubts regarding Rose are unfounded and baseless. That is imagining the worst in people owing to complete paranoia.
We also see, for the first time, the disturbing relationship that Rose shares with her father — a midday rendezvous that mirrors their disconnections. Her father is frightful of her, but there is also a tinge of disgust in his eyes in the way he looks at her. This hints at a past that is riddled with hurt, unfulfilled hopes and expectations.
Episode 1 and 2 of 'Cheat' are currently streaming on AMC Networks' streaming service, Sundance Now. Episode 3 will be out on December 5, 2019.
