'Little Voice' Episode 9 Preview: Bess might confront her mother about leaving, Samuel's path may be clear
Episode 8 of Apple TV+’s ‘Little Voice’, titled ‘Sea Change’ saw something important happening. In the previous episode, Bess (Brittany O’Grady) ran into her father Percy (Chuck Cooper) when the latter was very drunk. In a drunken haze, Percy, unable to recognize Bess, shouts at her and takes off. Following that, Samuel (Colton Ryan) took Bess to his home and comforted her throughout the night.
While nothing happened between them, episode 8 saw Bess experience a certain amount of regret, perhaps because she did not want to be more vulnerable in front of Samuel, who had seen her in a bad state a few times now. But more importantly, Bess had other things on her mind, like finding her father although she couldn’t. And she had no idea how to break the news to her elder brother Louie (Kevin Valdez). Louie was on the spectrum and he did not take to changes well. Add to that, both Bess and Louie already had gone through the trauma of losing a parent when their mother left them.
But before Bess had a chance to explain, they received a surprise visit from their estranged mother. This, predictably, led Bess to experience a complex mix of emotions -- shock and residual anger. So, what does the finale of the first season of the musical drama series hold for us?
For one, we are likely to see more of Bess’ mother. That she is back after so many years is a big thing. But big does not translate to good. Bess has maintained her composure in front of her so far. But how long will that last? Especially now, when she has been lashing out at all her loved ones without provocation. The finale will likely see Bess confronting her mother over why she left. It’s a different matter altogether if that conversation will lead to some catharsis.
Then what of the Bess-Samuel-Ethan love triangle? Bess has been madly in love with Ethan for a while and she had her heart broken when Ethan told her that they couldn’t be together because he was already with someone else. But in episode 8, we saw Ethan telling Bess that he had left his girlfriend for her and that he wanted to be with her as well. Bess, unable to deal with the toxic mix of feelings inside her, asks him to leave angrily. So, does that clear the way out for Samuel?
Fans have been wanting Bess and Samuel to fall in love for a bit now. And Samuel seems like the right person for her. He’s always been there for her, tells her the truth, cares and understands her. But does Bess see him that way? Her hasty exit from his place in episode 8 would suggest otherwise. But with Ethan out of the way, perhaps, Samuel can be the shoulder for her to cry on.
Additionally, in episode 8, we saw Prisha (Shalini Bathina) admit to the man her parents were trying to set her up with that she was gay. Sundeep (Gopal Divan) was more than understanding and empathetic to her situation. He too, after all, was in love with someone else. Prisha felt good after opening up. But will this give her the push to finally come clean to her parents?
Hopefully, the season finale, ‘Sing What I Can’t Say’, will have all the answers. New episodes of ‘Little Voice’ drop every Friday, only on Apple TV+.