“Why Women Kill” Season 2, Episode 8, “The Woman in Question,” culminates in Alma Fillcot’s chilling transformation from meek housewife to calculated killer. The episode solidifies her descent into sociopathy as she systematically eliminates obstacles in her pursuit of social dominance, revealing a ruthlessness that was previously hidden beneath a facade of naivety.
Alma’s Final Gambit
This episode is a masterclass in escalating tension. Alma, driven by her burning ambition to join the Elysian Park Garden Club and attain ultimate social status, finds herself cornered by the increasingly suspicious and manipulative Rita Castillo. Having dispatched Bertram, her serial-killing husband, she now faces the threat of exposure, not for murder (directly), but for her involvement in Bertram’s activities.
The episode’s brilliance lies in its slow burn. We witness Alma meticulously planning her next move, her initial panic gradually replaced by a chilling resolve. The viewer is kept on edge, unsure whether Alma will succeed in her desperate gamble or succumb to the pressure and confess.
Confrontation and Control
The central conflict revolves around Rita’s blackmail. Rita, empowered by knowing Bertram’s secret life and Alma’s complicity (albeit through willful ignorance initially), attempts to leverage this information to secure a divorce settlement from Carlo, and ensure Alma remains forever under her thumb.
Alma initially tries to reason with Rita, even appealing to a sense of female solidarity. However, Rita’s insatiable greed and penchant for power renders her immune to such appeals. The confrontation between the two women is a highlight of the episode, showcasing the incredible performances of Allison Tolman and Lana Parrilla.
The Deadly Dinner
The pivotal scene takes place at a supposedly innocent dinner party hosted by Alma. Ostensibly, this gathering is to celebrate the garden club’s latest achievement. However, it serves as a carefully orchestrated stage for Alma to execute her final plan.
Alma subtly poisons Rita’s dessert, using a substance similar to the one Bertram used on his victims. The execution is flawless, emphasizing Alma’s newfound confidence and control. The subsequent collapse of Rita, witnessed by the other garden club members, is both shocking and darkly satisfying.
Echoes of Bertram
Throughout the episode, there are subtle but significant echoes of Bertram’s methods. Alma’s calmness, her calculated deception, and her willingness to kill to achieve her goals are all traits she absorbed from her husband. This highlights the insidious nature of Bertram’s influence and how it ultimately corrupted Alma’s soul. The final scene, where Alma cleans up the evidence with a disturbingly serene expression, underscores her complete transformation. She has become the very monster she once feared.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What was the poison Alma used on Rita?
Alma used a muscle relaxant similar to the one Bertram used on his victims. While not explicitly named, it was implied to be a substance that caused paralysis and ultimately, death due to respiratory failure. The choice was deliberate, mirroring Bertram’s methods and highlighting her adoption of his murderous tendencies.
2. Why didn’t Alma just go to the police about Rita’s blackmail?
Alma’s primary concern wasn’t the blackmail itself, but the fact that Rita possessed information that could link her (however tangentially) to Bertram’s crimes. Revealing Rita’s blackmail would necessitate admitting her knowledge (or suspicious ignorance) of Bertram’s activities, potentially leading to police scrutiny and jeopardizing her social standing. Preservation of her reputation and social aspirations outweighed any legal considerations.
3. Did anyone suspect Alma of poisoning Rita?
While the episode leaves this ambiguous, there are hints that some of the garden club members may have harbored suspicions. Isabel in particular, known for her sharp intellect, seemed to observe Alma closely during and after Rita’s collapse. However, Alma’s carefully crafted facade and the shock of the situation likely prevented any immediate accusations.
4. How did Alma learn to be so manipulative?
Alma’s transformation wasn’t sudden; it was a gradual process. Living alongside Bertram, even while feigning ignorance of his dark deeds, exposed her to manipulative techniques. Additionally, her desire for social acceptance within the cutthroat world of the Elysian Park Garden Club forced her to develop her own manipulative skills. She learned to play the victim, to deceive with a smile, and to use others to her advantage.
5. What happened to Carlo after Rita’s death?
The fate of Carlo is not explicitly revealed in Episode 8. However, with Rita’s death, his motivation for remaining in the marriage likely vanishes. He’s free from Rita’s control, but the episode doesn’t depict his reaction to her demise or his subsequent actions.
6. Was Bertram truly in love with Alma, or was she just a convenient cover?
Bertram’s true feelings for Alma remain ambiguous. He likely appreciated her docility and her willingness to turn a blind eye to his activities. Whether this constituted genuine love is debatable. He may have seen her as a convenient shield, allowing him to pursue his dark desires without raising suspicion.
7. What does Alma’s transformation say about societal pressures on women?
Alma’s descent into darkness can be interpreted as a commentary on the suffocating societal pressures placed on women, particularly in the 1940s. Her desperation to achieve social acceptance within the Garden Club reflects the limited avenues available to women for achieving status and power. The pressure to conform and maintain a perfect image ultimately drives her to extreme measures.
8. How does this season compare to the first season of “Why Women Kill”?
While both seasons explore the theme of women driven to murder, they differ significantly in tone and style. Season 1 is a more playful and comedic exploration of infidelity and revenge across different time periods. Season 2 is darker, more psychologically complex, and focuses on the destructive power of ambition and social climbing. Both seasons, however, excel at creating compelling characters and intricate plots.
9. What were the key symbols used in Episode 8?
Several symbols were prominent in Episode 8. Roses, often associated with beauty and perfection, represent the facade maintained by the Garden Club members. The poison itself symbolizes the corrupting influence of ambition and the lengths to which people will go to achieve their desires. Mirrors reflect Alma’s changing identity and her gradual embrace of her darker self.
10. Is there any redemption for Alma after what she’s done?
The question of Alma’s redemption is left open-ended. Her actions are undeniably reprehensible, but the series explores the societal factors that contributed to her transformation. Whether she can ever truly atone for her sins remains to be seen. The episode’s ending suggests a hardened and unapologetic Alma, making redemption seem unlikely.
11. What role did the garden club play in Alma’s transformation?
The Elysian Park Garden Club served as both a catalyst and a crucible for Alma’s transformation. Her desire to be accepted by the club drove her to conform to their standards of beauty, wealth, and social standing. The club’s competitive and often ruthless environment fostered her ambition and pushed her to extreme measures to achieve her goals.
12. Will there be a season 3 of “Why Women Kill”?
As of the current date, “Why Women Kill” has not been renewed for a third season. While fans have expressed interest in seeing more stories from the show’s creators, no official announcement has been made regarding its future.