'I Know This Much Is True' Episode 2: Even with Thomas missing, fans say it's triggering with Dominick in focus
Spoiler for 'I Know This Much Is True' Episode 2
'I Know This Much Is True' Episode 2 took us to the earlier life of the Birdsey brothers (both played by Mark Ruffalo) where we get a better look into how Thomas had been affecting Dominick's psyche. Even though Dominick has been taking care of Thomas for 40 years, he breaks in the episode. Not to mention, the events that Dominick been through in his life may not excuse his rude and anger-driven behavior in this episode, but it certainly gives it reason.
This episode does not show adult Thomas, except when the twins were kids. The present brings Dominick as an adult to the forefront. We find out how being a paranoid schizophrenic may be out of Thomas's hands, but his activities, to no fault of his own, have dramatic consequences and worse implications on his brother, Dominick.
“I know this much is true” is so triggering for a sibling of a schizophrenic. @MarkRuffalo nailed it! Thanks @HBO for telling a side of this story that’s never been told before #IKTMIT," said a Twitter user.
"#IKTMIT SPOILERS!!!! I just realized we didn’t get to see Thomas in this episode," tweeted another user.
The episode played like a mirror to Dominick's feelings. Even though you don't see Thomas, he is still the center of the narrative because he always "anchors" Dominick down. The twins never knew their biological father while their stepfather was abusive, so Dominick had to protect his brother. He also had to deal with losing a baby with his wife, Dessa Constantine (Kathryn Hahn). The couple couldn't get past the pain of losing their child and became recluses. They lasted a year or so and then divorced.
The part where we see how deeply Dominick is "lost" as well as when he meets Dr Patel, Thomas's new court-assigned doctor, is emotional. She plays Dominick a recording of the conversation she had with Thomas. Thomas accuses their stepfather of raping their mother and worse things. Dominick admits that their stepfather was a cruel man, but that Thomas was exaggerating. And the viewers don't know who may be telling the truth. Dominick tries to step away from his past, but it seems that coming to terms with it could not only help his brother but it could also heal him.
"#IKTMIT SPOILER Dominic needs to realize that maybe Thomas is RIGHT! When he was hearing the recording he was making me mad!!!," tweeted a viewer. Does Dominick have PTSD, is he in denial, was he ina fugue state?
While the episode had enough triggering content plastered to an extremely sad narrative, you can't help but want for more. It seems the next episode will take us deeper into the brothers and their complicated life. Fans also enjoyed seeing Mark Ruffalo in the shower. "#IKTMIT SPOILER Imma need to watch that scene in the shower a few times brb ," tweeted an excited fan. It may have been a fight scene between Dominick and his girlfriend, Joy Hanks (Imogen Poots), but fans were more focused on the actor's body. "Heading to HBO GO for the free censorship episode #IKnowThisMuchIsTrue #IKTMIT," tweeted another user.
'I Know This Much Is True' airs on Sundays at 9 pm EST on HBO.