The second season of Bad Sisters started on a promising note, hinting that the Garvey sisters might finally escape the chaos of their past. They were all trying to rebuild their lives, but trouble reappeared when Grace (Anne-Marie Duff) trusted yet another unworthy man.
Questions about Ian’s (Owen McDonnell) true intentions had been raised earlier, and this episode confirms it—he’s another toxic figure who has infiltrated their lives, dragging them into turmoil once more.
Eva’s Shocking Discovery
The episode opens with Eva (Sharon Horgan) receiving a text from Dublin City Bank during her morning run. It informs her of a completed transfer from Blanaid Williams’ Child Saver Account. This immediately connects to Ian’s actions from the previous episode, where he manipulated Eva into adding his name to the account.
Now, Eva realizes Ian has stolen all the money. Panicking, she tries to contact him, but he avoids her calls. When she visits his house, she discovers he has vanished, taking all his belongings with him.
Ian’s betrayal runs deeper—he anonymously delivers a flash drive to Detective Una Houlihan (Thaddea Graham). The drive contains video evidence of the Garvey sisters and Angelica boarding a boat, incriminating them. Ian has effectively turned them in to the authorities.
Arrests and Revelations
Eva checks on Blanaid to ensure her safety and then learns that her sisters have been arrested. At the police station, Houlihan interrogates Bibi (Sarah Greene), Ursula (Eva Birthistle), and Becka (Eve Hewson) individually. Despite the mounting pressure, none of them reveals Angelica’s (Fiona Shaw) location.
Frustrated, Houlihan’s investigation takes an unexpected turn when Detective Fergal Loftus (Barry Ward) interrupts to announce that Angelica has been found alive. He declares the case closed, releasing the sisters.
Eva, still reeling, confirms her fears at the bank—Ian has cleaned out Blanaid’s account, taking $100,000. Legally, the bank can’t intervene since Eva authorized Ian’s access. Devastated, she confesses everything to her sisters, admitting that Ian played her.
Worse still, they can’t report him to the police because he knows their secrets. Together, they piece together more of the puzzle. Eva suspects Grace also realized Ian was using her, and the money Grace withdrew wasn’t for Angelica as they assumed—it was to pay off Ian. Ursula decides to speak with Angelica to buy them more time.
Angelica’s Recovery and Fears
At the hospital, Angelica is recovering from severe injuries caused by the sailboat’s boom striking her in Episode 5. She has visible bruises and a gash on her forehead, but she survived three hours in the water before being rescued. When Ursula visits, Angelica is initially fearful.
Roger (Michael Smiley) explains that Angelica remembers boarding the boat but nothing afterward. Ursula recounts the accident and Becka’s near-drowning attempt to save her. However, Roger is skeptical about why the sisters didn’t report Angelica’s location earlier. Ursula reluctantly admits Ian convinced them to stay silent, claiming they’d be accused of murder.
Houlihan also visits Angelica, who reflects on her friendship with Grace, saying they bonded over shared grief. When asked about Ian’s story of losing a sister, Angelica reveals she never believed it was true. This adds more suspicion to Ian’s already questionable character.
Searching for Ian
Determined to confront Ian and recover Blanaid’s money, the sisters begin their search. Becka approaches Joe (Peter Claffey), Ian’s friend, for information. However, their conversation turns heated as unresolved feelings surface. Joe, hurt by Becka’s withdrawal and her secrecy about the pregnancy, refuses to help.
Despite their argument, Joe softens when Becka says she’s keeping the baby but insists she needs his help. He acknowledges the Garvey sisters’ poor judgment, saying, “You Garveys really know how to pick a prick.” While Joe storms off initially, he later provides the sisters with a critical clue—Ian is a gambler.
This information leads Bibi and Becka to Roger, who also enjoys gambling. They apologize for Angelica’s accident and convince him to assist. Roger recalls seeing Ian at the horse races and offers to help track him down, saying, “Girls, you had me at honor Grace.”
At the horse races, the sisters’ search proves challenging. Eva spots someone resembling Ian, but it’s a false lead. Roger eventually learns Ian’s real name is Cormac, and he’s from Tyrone. This revelation adds another layer to Ian’s deceit.
Houlihan’s Growing Suspicion
Despite Loftus’ insistence that the case is closed, Houlihan continues investigating. She searches for Ian’s name in police databases but finds no matches.
At Loftus’ retirement party, Houlihan confronts him about his past lies. Loftus defends his unethical actions, claiming he stole money to win custody of his daughter. Disgusted, Houlihan reluctantly congratulates him during her speech but privately resolves to uncover more.
Later, Ursula approaches Loftus for help locating Ian, but he refuses, claiming he’s retired. However, Loftus accidentally reveals he found the stolen money at Grace’s house, not her car as previously claimed. Ursula realizes his deception and leaves in anger.
Houlihan’s persistence uncovers Ian’s true identity. She learns Ian’s real name is Cormac Sweeney, a former police officer who stole the identity of a deceased man named Ian Reilly. His record includes embezzlement, fraud, and domestic abuse, further confirming his dangerous nature.
Eva Confronts Ian’s Double Life
Determined to find Ian, Eva recalls his lucky number, “5,” from the horse races. Using this to unlock Ian’s phone (found earlier in the season), she discovers his address. When Eva visits, a pregnant woman answers the door, claiming not to know Ian or Cormac.
Eva shows her a photo of Grace and mentions her death, but the woman denies involvement. After Eva leaves, the woman confronts Ian, revealing he’s been hiding with their children. She warns him to “sort this out” before the Garveys get closer.
Eva’s investigation aligns with Houlihan’s findings. The detective discovers Ian’s history of domestic abuse—including photos of his current partner’s injuries—and his deep involvement in fraudulent schemes.
The episode ends on a tense note when Eva goes to pick up Blanaid from school, only to learn Ian has already taken her. Arriving at Grace’s house, Eva is horrified to see Ian waiting for her.
What Lies Ahead?
With only one episode left, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Ian’s betrayal has left the Garveys vulnerable, and his dangerous nature poses an immediate threat. Will the sisters find a way to protect themselves and Blanaid, or will Ian’s deceit lead to more destruction? The tension continues to build, leaving viewers eager for the season finale.
