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Episode 2 “Crush” Recap and Details
- Director(s): Nzingha Stewart
- Writer(s): Aaron Fullerton
- Public Release Date (Apple TV Plus): March 18, 2026
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- Images © of AppleTV+
Maybe In Another Life: Robert, Cora, Eleanor
The ballet wasn’t the start, but a continuance. From what Eleanor says, and we hear from her brother, Donovan, her feelings for Robert have existed for a long time. In fact, she mistakenly introduced Nancy to Robert, and when Nancy checked if Eleanor liked Robert, she lied to her face.
Fast forward almost 17 years later, Nancy is dead, Eleanor is trying to throw a birthday party for what could have been her daughter, and Eleanor may have men who fill her time but don’t make her personal life fulfilling. Hence, why, as both move beyond Nancy’s existence, they begin to explore what could have been.
But, as the episode comes to an end, it appears Eleanor has rose colored glasses regarding Robert, his temper, and innocence.
The Need For Answers: Mary, Eleanor, Robert, Donovan, Detective Ganz, Davide
Mary is aggressively pursuing answers regarding Nancy’s murder. She has done over 20 public records requests, has gotten on Detective Ganz’s nerves, and has even found Davide’s address. She also, when he gets released, and seemingly is no longer a prime suspect, she is at his door, Eleanor beside her, within a week.
To say she is spiraling is an understatement, but can you blame Mary? Detective Ganz is fishing for answers, perhaps hoping for an easy win with maybe Robert being the killer, or perhaps Eleanor? Davide, while Mary didn’t commit to the idea he was a suspect, is the only person who may know Nancy in an intimate way better, or differently, than Eleanor or herself – and he did. He knew about her sadness, some form of desperation that maybe was ignored.
Heck, even when it comes to Detective Ganz, it seems she is so stuck on what’s in front of her that acknowledging who Nancy was before Robert, when she was from the trailer parks, doesn’t cross her mind. Yet, here she is, annoyed by the rich who, despite her best efforts, might get away with murder.
Which, she isn’t wrong to think. Donovan, Eleanor’s older brother, peeps the game of Robert’s family. He accurately predicts that Robert’s family tried to pin the murder on Davide to buy them time, muddy the waters a bit. This is why, 20+ years ago, Donovan told Robert not to get with his sister. This is only found out decades later, but Eleanor is pissed.
But, from what it seems, one thing that bonds Eleanor and Robert is their wealthy, overbearing families. Kit and the rest of the family planted a seed that Robert wasn’t a murderer, but someone else. Then they hired a PR crisis management firm. Eleanor’s family? Donovan had her tracked, photographed, and he isn’t above noting her non-profit is paid for with family money, and the work he and their mother do to keep that money coming.
So to say Nancy and Robert were a case of opposites attract, and Eleanor and Robert were equally yoked, wouldn’t be too far off. Yet, Eleanor let her chance slip, multiple times, and Nancy? Whether it was love or opportunity, she snatched it and got to live a lavish, but deeply unhappy, life.
New Characters We’ve Noted
Donovan (Leslie Odom Jr.)
- Character Summary: Donovan is Eleanor’s older brother, who works with their mom in the family business, and is very protective of his little sister. Sometimes to the point of being overbearing.
Detective Bethany Ganz (Ana Ortiz)
- Character Summary: Detective Ganz is the lead detective on Nancy’s murder case, who has an appreciation for nice cars and maybe some suppressed animosity towards those involved with the case.
Review and Commentary
Highlights
Wishing We Could Get More Of Eleanor’s Family Dynamic [81/100]
Right now, the most interesting thing about Imperfect Women isn’t who may have killed Nancy, but Eleanor’s family dynamic. Seeing Black people who come from wealth, but aren’t of the Diahann Carroll on Dynasty style of it, doesn’t feel common.
Granted, seeing Donovan lounge by a pool, chat up what surely are women notably younger than him, it does give some level of familiarity. But his dynamic with Eleanor, him repurposing her stories and pushing that she didn’t just want to be on some board, shuffling papers, hosting galas, but be involved in the social work aspect? It is a wonderful depiction of using your privilege for good.
It helps you see why Eleanor’s character, despite this likely meant to appear as an ensemble show, feels like the lead, and characters like Mary are supporting characters. Sadly, though, while a piece of Imperfect Women, Eleanor’s personal life seems more focused on Robert than on family dynamics.
On The Fence
The Drama Feels Too Run Of The Mill [73/100]
The issue presented in episode 1 continues. What we see feels like the greatest hits from each recognizable actress. However, the writing isn’t as strong as what they’re known for. So as talented as they are, the stories don’t pop.
Eleanor’s storyline with Robert is a bore. The chemistry is at an absolute minimum, and while you do have to appreciate the attempts to complicate things with Eleanor meeting him first and how well matched they are, it still falls flat. Mind you, it could be because Nancy isn’t all that interesting or matches Eleanor’s likability, to make you feel torn. So, there isn’t much of a reaction to have.
Then, with Mary, I recognize that she is underestimated, and that is supposed to bleed into her portrayal. The problem is, she’s not underestimated with a sense of intrigue being there. I’ll admit, I’m curious as to what is going on with Marcus, but Marcus isn’t Mary. That’s her son, not her life.
Then, with Nancy, they can note she came from a trailer park, has a rags-to-riches story, and paint her family life as toxic. But again, there is nothing wrong with presenting the familiar, but that needs to be used to become something unique. You can present a housewife who wants something more, but you have to present reasons to get behind their pursuit. You can make a character messy like Eleanor, but the mess has to be intriguing.
Right now, Imperfect Women is so reliant on the reputation of its lead actresses that these characters can’t breathe.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [77/100]
Imperfect Women hasn’t necessarily found a way to define itself and stand on its own merits. It is still reliant on the familiarity you have with any actress involved, and it has created an almost Tom Cruise effect. You can’t get past who is in it and get lost in their character, so your investment remains firmly in the actor. Leaving you with something that, for a weekly release, is still something worth watching, but isn’t going to be the latest feather in any of the lead actresses’ caps.
What To Check Out Next
Visit our main TV shows page! There you’ll find other shows we’ve covered, or look below for more of our coverage for this series:
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Imperfect Women: Season 1 Episode 8 (Finale) – Recap and Review
Imperfect Women ends with an imperfect finale as Nancy’s killer is revealed and Eleanor’s mom finally shows up.
-
Imperfect Women: Season 1 Episode 7 – Recap and Review
In the penultimate episode of the season, we get a lukewarm buildup towards the finale.
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Imperfect Women: Season 1 Episode 6 – Recap and Review
So, did Mary drop the ball and make Nancy the silver lining of Imperfect Women, or did she arrive at center stage and hit it out of the park?
TV Shows We’re Covering This Season
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