My Brilliant Friend: Season 4 Episode 8 “Chapter 32: The Investigation” – Recap and Review

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Originally Aired	October 28, 2024
Network	HBO/ Max
Director(s)	Laura Bispuri
Writer(s)	Elena Ferrante, Francesco Piccolo, Laura Paolucci, Saverio Costanzo
Character	ACTOR’S NAME
Imma	Aurora Grimaldi
Tina	Maria Vittoria Miorin
Dede	Ludovica Rita Di Meglio
Elsa	Adriana Trotta
Elena	Alba Rohrwacher
Pietro	Pier Giorgio Bellocchio
Lila	Irene Maiorino
Gennaro	Alessio Galati
Marcelo	Lino Musella
Alfonso	Renato De Simone
Carmen	Lucia D’Ambra
Michele	Edoardo Pesce

Storyline Recap

The Forgotten Daughter – Imma, Tina, Dede, Elsa, Elena, Pietro, Lila, Gennaro

Imma often seems to be the odd one out. Dede and Elsa have a relationship, and while Elsa has been teasing Dede about a potential crush on Gennaro, which has consumed their relationship lately, they still have their thing. Meanwhile, Imma has to contend with Tina. She is the one who does everything Elena would want or expect from her daughter, and while Lila is kind, she isn’t presenting the idea they were swapped at birth, which makes Imma feel all the more isolated.

What doesn’t help is Pietro, when he comes to get his girls, showing pity on Imma, who is old enough to pick up on why adults do certain things. Granted, she doesn’t likely know why her father abandoned her, nor why her mother, too, can leave her behind for extended amounts of time easily, but at least, unlike Gennaro, she doesn’t have a serious issue just yet. Though, who knows, in time, maybe she will develop an addiction like her play cousin.

The Proxy War – Lila, Elena, Michele, Marcelo, Alfonso, Carmen

For as long as the three of them live, Lila will be at war with Michele and Marcelo, and with Alfonso becoming a casualty of that war, Elena is pushed to be a proxy. At times, she is a willing participant, as Lila pushes her to use her fame and power, but with a lawsuit coming from Carmen due to the content of her book and backed by the Solaras and Lila forcing Elena’s hand in hopes of gaining the upper hand in what could have been a major battle, Elena has all the reason to question is this fight worth it?

Not in the bigger sense, considering the authoritarian hold the Solaras hold over Naples, but in terms of the safety of her daughters. Considering how vulnerable they are at that age and even how Michele and Marcelo treat grown women, slapping them or how they are as partners, Elena doesn’t want that smoke. Luckily, though, Marcelo, who seems to be the commander, does more than give grace to his sister-in-law; he recognizes that her friendship and loyalty to Lila are what cause trouble. She isn’t actively trying to go against the family because she is just a proxy.

Review

Highlights

The Push and Pull Of Elena and Lila’s Relationship

What has long made Lila a brilliant character is that you can’t confidently say how she feels about Elena. Is she an asset to her, like a tool, a childhood friend with whom she has a complicated relationship or someone she trusts and loves but is disappointed by since she isn’t as bold as she is? Clearly, Lila is powerful in her own way. She is a woman running a local tech business, with enough money coming in for her to own a Mac, but she recognizes she is only a few degrees away from someone whose writing escapes their neighborhood and travels across Europe.

And at times, you get it. For all of Elena’s education and success, what has she done with it? Wasted it on Nino, if not losing herself to whatever man she is attached to? Submitting an old piece of work that may satisfy her publisher but isn’t work she can genuinely say she is proud of. In many ways, Lila may seem like she uses Elena, but it may just be she is the only one holding her accountable, who isn’t taken in by her celebrity and treating her like she deserves a pedestal, as shown by how she talks to Elena, even takes care of her children, she does love her. It is just that you can only watch someone make so many mistakes and not live up to their potential before that frustration affects your relationship.

Carving Out Time For Imma

Considering Imma is so young, it can feel like a slight surprise she is getting the focus she is. Granted, Dede and Elsa did get some when they were her age and far more lines, but I would submit between her absentee father and the comparisons to Tina, Imma’s struggle feels more notable. As we see her relationship with the television form, her only connection with her father, Tina not only has Lila’s love but wins Elena’s; you get the type of character who is far more than just someone’s child but someone you hope to see grow up.

I’d even say, out of all the children we’ve been introduced to, sans Lila and Elena, Imma might be the most interesting one yet to see become an adult, especially since they have dropped the ball on Gennaro.

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