'Lady in the Lake' Episode 3 Takeaway: Cleo Johnson's closest ally may turn the tables on her
Contains spoilers for 'Lady in the Lake' Episode 3
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: 'Lady in the Lake' is getting intense, and Episode 3 proves just that. In this pivotal episode, Maddie Schwartz's (Natalie Portman) determination to establish herself as a journalist takes center stage.
Maddie is driven by a relentless pursuit of truth and justice, which propels her into the heart of the investigation surrounding Tessie Durst’s (Bianca Belle) murder. She also wants to make some money to live independently, without relying on her husband’s support.
Cleo Johnson (Moses Ingram) also faces a series of mounting challenges due to her unwitting involvement in an assassination attempt on Myrtle Summer (Angela Robinson), which unfolded in 'Lady in the Lake' Episode 2.
This involvement places Cleo in a dangerous and vulnerable position, as she finds herself entangled in a web of deceit and danger in 'Lady in the Lake' Episode 3.
Will Reggie Robinson kill Cleo Johnson?
In Episode 2, Reggie Robinson (Josiah Cross) tasks Cleo with delivering an envelope containing money to a man. Cleo and Reggie are friends, so she agrees to take on the job.
However, the man forces Cleo to drive to Myrtle’s location with the intention of using her as an unwitting accomplice in an assassination attempt.
In 'Lady in the Lake' Episode 3, it is revealed that Myrtle is only injured rather than killed. As a result of this botched operation, the police launch a thorough investigation into the attempted murder. Cleo, having been an inadvertent participant in the crime, now finds herself at significant risk.
The officers manage to physically apprehend one of the assailants involved in the assassination plot. Officer Ferdie Platt (Y'lan Noel) decides to visit Cleo and pressures her to reveal the details of the operation she was involved in.
Cleo provides the license plate number of the car used by the gangsters but remains silent about Shell Gordon’s (Wood Harris) involvement.
This situation could have significant repercussions for Cleo. Gordon, being a prominent figure with connections to the police, might be able to secure his safety despite the investigation. However, Cleo's safety is more precarious.
If the officers gather evidence proving her involvement in the assassination attempt, she could face severe consequences, leaving her vulnerable and at risk.
However, Reggie also poses a significant problem for Cleo. Although Gordon asked Reggie to deliver an envelope to the man involved, Reggie instead had Cleo carry out the task.
Gordon is unaware that Cleo was involved in the assassination attempt, and Reggie, eager to remain in Gordon's good graces, is unlikely to reveal the truth.
Reggie might also resort to trying to kill Cleo to protect his secret and maintain his standing with Gordon.
Cleo also plants a troubling idea in Dora Carter's (Jennifer Mogbock) mind, suggesting that if she ever goes missing, Dora should report Reggie to the authorities. Cleo also believes she is in danger; otherwise, she wouldn’t have suggested such a thing to Dora.
Did Reggie Robinson kill Tessie Durst?
In 'Lady in the Lake' Episode 3, Maddie learns from the doctor that, in addition to gravel, Tessie had skin cells under her nails, indicating she fought off her attacker. Since Stephen Zawadzkie (Dylan Arnold) had no scratch marks on his body, it’s possible he isn’t the killer.
This raises the possibility that Reggie might be the real culprit. Reggie must have asked Cleo to deliver an envelope to avoid drawing attention from the police.
Reggie could have killed Tessie and framed Zawadzkie for the crime, intending to lay low for a while until the public forgets about the case.
If Reggie is indeed the killer, he might also attempt to eliminate Cleo to protect his secret and avoid being exposed. Since Cleo inadvertently became involved in the assassination attempt and knows potentially incriminating information, Reggie would see her as a significant threat.
'Lady in the Lake' Episode 3 is now streaming on Apple TV+