'Prodigal Son': Fans are losing it after episode 3 cliffhanger and Malcolm Bright's night terrors seem to rise
Spoilers ahead for Episode 3 'Fear Response' of 'Prodigal Son'
It has been quite a revealing episode. Especially the cliffhanger that had our hearts in our mouths!
This episode, Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) gets his dream interview opportunity when the NYPD zeroes in on one of his and his serial killing father Dr Martin Whitly's (Michael Sheen) favourite psychologists Dr Elaine Brown (guest star Sakina Jaffrey). What brings Bright to Dr Brown is her possible involvement in a homicide linked to an LSD-laced psychology trial. But even during the investigation, we can see his mental health worsening as his night terrors continue to evolve. He even checks in with his trusted childhood therapist to discuss new theories on what exactly he witnessed as a child and his repressed memories. She warns him of the consequences of his visits to The Surgeon and how the only way to escape them is for him to keep his distance.
But Bright is hot on the trail of the girl in the box. And to dig deeper, he uses chloroform - the same chemical he suspects his father used to silence him those many years ago.
This leads him to the discovery that his mother Jessica (Bellamy Young) is not all that she lets on. In his half-dazed state, he watches himself nearing the box, reaching out to open it, but is suddenly held back by his mother Jessica, who yanks him behind telling him how his father's things are "off-limits." She tells him to never speak of the girl in the box again, warning him that he has no idea what his father is capable of.
This revelation came as a surprise to fans since all this while, Jessica was shown as someone who is protecting her children Bright and Ainsley (Halston Sage) from The Surgeon. Over the last two episodes, her warnings reiterating The Surgeon's dangerous behavior could have been a testament to her motherly instincts, but 'Fear Response' proved that she has always known more.
And fans are here for the sudden turn of events!
"Martin Whitly is NOT a monster but Jessica Whitly sure is", said a fan.
We have said it before: Jessica has always been aware of The Surgeon's actions. If she had not been fully involved, she at least had an inkling. But the conversation between The Surgeon and Jessica this episode (along with the cliffhanger) only points to the fact that somewhere she knew more than the fact that he is just dangerous.
"It was so amazing to see the parallels between Jessica and Whitly, and how easily they both manipulated each other. Makes Bright's revelation even more intense. That woman is not as innocent or stupid as she acts", points out a fan. "Don't trust the mom. She seems more crazy than dad and son," warned another fan. And other fans have some serious theories: "So I have this pet theory that Bellamy Young and Michael Sheen were serial killing partners."
We have to wait until next Monday to see where this goes. If we are to pick sides though, we are saying that Jessica is probably the lesser evil on 'Prodigal Son.'
'Prodigal Son' airs on Mondays at 9 PM ET/PT.