This article contains spoilers for Apple TV’s Cape Fear Episode 3
The first two episodes of Apple TV’s Cape Fear did a good enough job of showing the Bowden family as much less than the image they would wish to portray. In “Phantom Sensations,” we learn a lot more about them, and the family’s shine is definitely off. Anger issues, drug issues, confusion, power plays, and mental struggles are just some of the things that plague the Bowdens.
Lurking in the shadows is Max Cady (Javier Bardem), who is seemingly everywhere, obviously up to no good, but as of yet, not fully playing his hand. The psychological warfare continues in all its forms, with a reveal at the end of the episode that was a wonderful surprise.
Tom (Patrick Wilson) has some issues. In fact, he has many issues. He has a drug problem he’s trying to hide, anger issues on display when he went to chase off a couple hanging out by his pool and brought a gun, and he’s playing kissyface with a work colleague. Of course, it looks like Max was behind the trespassers, more annoying prodigy than anything.
Regardless, Tom is juggling a lot and still trying to put on the happy-family face at home and at work. He’s a ticking time bomb, and that is something Max is going to exploit and use to his advantage, in regard to whatever he is planning.
Anna (Amy Adams) is on the warpath to find out what happened to her son, who had a toe amputated by an unknown assailant and was then forced to eat it, throwing up later at the hospital. She decides to clone his phone to track a woman he has been talking to — someone she thinks is Max, leading him on.
She meets up with Nevaeh (Malia Pyles), whom she’s sure has a hand in this. Nevaeh is excellent in this episode, also showing up at a pool party and taking time to seduce Anna’s daughter, Natalie (Lily Collias). Pyles has made Nevaeh an intriguing character so far, and it will be interesting to see where her antics take her and the several storylines she’s involved in.
Anna is forced to take a trip with Max to settle a lawsuit and secure a settlement for him. It is an ample opportunity for them to continue their cat-and-mouse routine, and it remains great to watch. Anna is not fooled by Max’s outwardly calm demeanor, his graciousness, and relaxed attitude. She can see through it all, and he can see through her mask as well.
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Anna and Tom are hiding something, something big, maybe more than one thing, and Max either knows what it is or senses something is off. The two are like caged animals, with their verbal back-and-forth serving as window dressing as each tries to find a weakness in the other. It’s fascinating to watch and hard to predict what will come next between them, though it’s most certainly nothing good.
Max Cady is, of course, at the center of everything, yet nothing can be proven. He’s stalking his prey, laying the groundwork for chaos to come, knowing that fear and terror can push people to do strange things and admit to things they have kept hidden for so long.
Animals showing up dead in the pool, what happened to Zack, strangers in their mix, and Max seemingly everywhere (now a neighbor) create tension that is just sitting there, waiting to explode. Speaking of exploding, Max gets a surprise delivery: a videotape featuring Juliette Lewis. The next song she sings enrages Max, who then destroys the TV and reveals to everyone what he is hiding beneath his ‘calm’ demeanor.
There are already a ridiculous number of things going on in this show. Not only with the four members of the Bowden family and Max, but with all the threads hanging out there that, if pulled, will reveal another possible bit of drama, lie, or secret. It’s kind of trashy television dressed up in a glossy finish, and up to this point, it’s actually working.
Cape Fear Episode 3, “Phantom Sensations,” is not perfect in any sense and leaves you with many, many more questions than answers. However, a creeping sense of unease is oozing into the show. Coupled with the relentless psychological warfare being waged between characters, it makes for compelling television.
New episodes of Cape Fear will premiere on Apple TV every Friday.
