Television

‘Why Women Kill’ season 2 ends on an explosive note

The twists and turns of the season two Why Women Kill finale.

July 31, 2021

Why Women Kill‘s second season finale had a lot to live up to, with every episode this season being near-perfect. The finale ended on an explosive note, tying up all plotlines — and some in very shocking ways.

As Alma’s character began to devolve into villainy, Rita began to arise as a bit more of a sympathetic character. Why Women Kill episode 10 picks up on that thread, with Alma and Rita at the hospital visiting their respective men. As Vern closes in on Alma and Bertram’s crimes, Alma begins to panic and devises a scheme to kill Vern to save herself. This is a plan Bertram is noticeably very against, not wanting to murder someone he considers family.

Rita plans to move to New York, starting anew — and she wants Scooter with her.

Alma tells Scooter about his child with Dee, leading to some great scenes with Scooter and Dee as they talk about his future as a father. Alma’s plan backfires, however, when Scooter isn’t angry with Vern or Dee for keeping the secret of her baby from him. Alma’s plans start to unravel further as Rita catches on to all the schemes she’s pulled on her, including the murder of Isabelle and framing her for Carlo’s murder.

The Garden Club inauguration scene is one for the books, as the show parallels its earliest episodes with the fall of Rita and rise of Alma. In the opening sequences of the first episode, Alma is dressed in brown as she watches a glamorous Rita walk the red carpet in a stunning red dress with a white shawl. Now, in the finale, Alma wears a nearly identical red gown to her inauguration as Rita stands in brown, watching from the outside.

Alma’s scenes with Dee illustrate this fall best when Dee begins to suspect her own mother of being capable of the crimes Vern believes. Instead of refuting the claims, Alma asks Dee why she hasn’t complimented her outfit yet, noting how hard she’s worked to get here and look as beautiful as she does. This calls the show’s opening scene into memory when Jack Davenport narrates how Alma wanted nothing more than to matter and be seen — but where has that quest gotten her?

Image Credit: CBS

Alma and Rita’s confrontation is a huge twist, featuring Alma killing Rita by stabbing her in the back quite literally. The symbolism of such an act is surely not lost on viewers here, as Alma continues to devolve into self-serving villainy. Meanwhile, Bertram comes clean about his crimes to Vern, taking responsibility for everything — even what Alma did.

Alma’s big moment gets ruined by her own actions when ongoing attendees of the Garden Club’s celebration notice her shawl is drenched in blood — and a worker announces there’s a dead body in the alley. The drama gets better as she returns home and Bertram confesses, proposing that the two of them commit suicide via lethal injection. As Bertram injects himself, Alma has a change of heart and decides she’ll claim Rita attacked her and she was merely defending herself.

Bertram’s final lines are a testament to the show’s writing as he says “everyone deserves a beautiful death — even us.” It’s moments like these that prove how good Why Women Kill is at being comedic and powerful at the same time, truly exploring its characters beyond comedic relief.

The season ends in a way everyone expected: Alma Fillcott’s downfall, and the woman who wanted nothing more than to be recognized was finally known, but only infamy. Cherry and company take this idea a step further by having Alma enjoy the spotlight no matter what it’s for, fantasizing that the screaming crowds cheering for her execution are actually adoring fans. This scene mirrors Rita’s introduction scene from the first episode, only now it has a much darker twist.

Why Women Kill Season 2 was an incredible journey of character drama, telling a dark story with a glib edge. This is a testament for Cherry’s work in the dark comedy genre, proving just how good he’s gotten at telling this sort of story. Each episode was tight, filled to the brim with comedy and enough twists and turns to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. The show knew what it wanted to say, including plenty of parallels and foreshadowing to keep those final moments as haunting as they were. Frankly, season three can’t come fast enough.

Why Women Kill S 2 E 10 Review: 'The Lady Confesses'

Why Women Kill Season 2 was an incredible journey of character drama, telling a dark story with a glib edge. This is a testament for Cherry's work in the dark comedy genre, proving just how good he's gotten at telling this sort of story. Each episode was tight, filled to the brim with comedy and enough twists and turns to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat. The show knew what it wanted to say, including plenty of parallels and foreshadowing to keep those final moments as haunting as they were. Frankly, season three can't come fast enough.

Reader Rating0 Votes

The parallels to the first episode are incredible

Dee and Vern get their happy ending, as they deserved

Bertram's final scenes are really poetic

Scooter's scenes with Dee are quite sweet

Each plot was wrapped up neatly and the story held a haunting message

Fantastic