Mare of Easttown: 'Poor Sisyphus' and 'Illusions' Overview

'Mare of Easttown' is perfectly puzzled and compelling (after the first three episodes). Here we will discuss the fourth (Poor Sisyphus) and fifth (Illusions) episodes.

Read: Mare of Easttown First Three Episodes Recap

Poor Sisyphus

After the series is almost halfway, we now get to know that Mare's real name is Marianne! From that, you can tell how secretive and selective this show is.

Mare made an effort to open herself up in this episode. She confessed to Helen & Siobhan that she had planted drugs in Carrie's car and has been suspended. We also get to know that Mare's family has a history of mental illness. First, her father committed suicide, then her son (Kevin), now she is worried about his grandson (Drew). Mare's flashback reveals that she may not have been a perfect mother, but Kevin wasn't a good son either.

Now it is clear that neither Frank Sheehan nor Dylan Hinchey is DJ's (Erin's son) father. All the evidence is pointing to Deacon. Erin last spoke to him. He dumped Erin's bicycle into the river. His past tells the story of an allegation of having a relationship with a young girl. He is avoiding talking to Mare/Zabel.

The Ross brothers can't be the father of Erin's son because Kenny (Erin's father) is their cousin. They can be part of a human trafficking ring or kidnappings.

The third victim, Missy Sager (Sasha Frolova), is kidnapped by a strange guy. The van's driver must be an outsider or not be very familiar. All three victims (Katie, Erin, and Missy) were seeking easy money and had a connection with the sidedoor website. Although the case of Katie and Missy's kidnapping seems unrelated to the case of Erin's murder. Yes! Katie Bailey is still alive and held hostage in a closed bar (Bennie's Tavern).

The writer guy, Richard, can't be the murderer or the hoodie guy because he was with Mare that night. He may be just looking for an interesting story for his next book. 

The incident between Dawn Bailey and Freddie proves that Freddie can do anything to satisfy his addiction.

Mare's verbal encounter with her mother is something that you can call an absolute entertainment. I can't get enough of their drama.

Will there be a love triangle between Mare, Zabel, and Richard?

Illusions

The obscure plot appeared to be solved, as if the storm was suddenly abated. We were introduced to a mysterious kidnapper in the previous episode, and in this episode, we will see how Mare and Zabel catch him.

While Mare was held in abeyance, she embarked on the vigilante mission by herself. Yet she knows that she cannot solve the mystery without Zabel's help. So she nodded her head positively when Zabel asked for the date. On the other hand, Zabel has feelings for her. Zabel digs up the past and uncovers that he is not as great a detective as people say. 

Deacon finally decides to come clean and admits (to Father Dan Hastings) that he was with Erin the night she was killed, but he has nothing to do with her murder.

Brianna raised the question of Dylan's whereabouts on the murder night. Jess Riley is abruptly teamed up with her late best friend's abusive ex-boyfriend.

Why did Jess Riley lie to Mare?

Why did they burn Erin's journals?

What did Jess Riley find in the journal?

This episode is also focused on the Ross family. It gives a new possibility that Billy Ross (Robbie Tann) can be the father of Erin's son, or perhaps he is involved in the murder.

Tammy's tip leads Mare & Zabel to the kidnapper's door, and you know what happens next. Zabel gets shot in the head! Yes! The charming detective dies in this episode. The shootout scene was intense, but I didn't like the way the kidnapper turned out to be an unfamiliar character.

I don't know how it would feel like without Zabel in the next episode. The only mystery left unsolved is "who killed Erin McMenamin?".