Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Stolen Girl episode 3I went into The Stolen Girl episode 3 optimistic about where Elisa (Denise Gough, Andor) and Selma’s (Ambika Mod, Netflix’s One Day) plotline could be headed. Therefore, it was surprising when my interest shifted to Rebecca’s story and a reveal that seemed to change the game. Like any engaged audience member should, I began questioning everything about the past two installments, even considering going back to ensure there were no hidden details I may have missed. It was a refreshing change of pace, as I was finally interested in the core mystery, rather than just how the main characters responded to it.
I had a list of theories ready to go until the last ten seconds of the episode brought us right back to the place I was so excited to leave. The ending twist felt like a cop-out, diverting from a compelling narrative it purposefully set the groundwork for. It changed my opinion on the entire installment, making it my least favorite of the batch. That’s not to say there weren’t entertaining moments, but it’s hard to focus on anything other than what wasn’t.
Elisa Could Have Been The Real Kidnapper All Along
Selma’s Suspicions Laid A Compelling Foundation
Since the pilot, Selma has maintained the belief that Elisa isn’t who she claims to be. I was curious where the story was headed, especially since it appeared so far removed from the main mystery. As soon as Rebecca (Holliday Grainger, Cinderella) displayed a childhood photo of Lucia’s birthmark, everything shifted. Could she really be Lucia’s mother? And, if so, how did Elisa and Fred gain custody of her, to begin with? The Stolen Girl suddenly felt rejuvenated, and I was excited about its new path.
It would require much explaining, but the show’s premise could’ve been cleverly subverted by making Elisa the real kidnapper of the story.
The plot would also make Fred’s scenes more interesting, as his screentime adds very little to the narrative, despite Jim Sturgess’ (Home Before Dark) solid performance. From her recently discovered past to Selma’s ongoing suspicions, there were plenty of ways to take Elisa’s plotline in an unexpected direction. Therefore, the episode’s final seconds came as a major disappointment.
Viewers first see Lucia’s birthmark in The Stolen Girl episode 2, and its emphasis makes it clear that it will come back into play down the line. Rather than changing the game, the birthmark is simply a tool Rebecca uses to convince Lucia that she’s her biological mother. Although we aren’t quite back to square one, the reveal that Lucia’s childhood photo was edited felt like a massive step backward for the miniseries.
The Stolen Girl Episode 3 Gives More Insight Into Rebecca’s Past
Her History May Not Be The Unique Reveal I Was Hoping For
From what can be pieced together, Rebecca was married with two daughters at some point in her life. While we can’t put too much stake into anything the kidnapper says, it feels safe to assume that she suffered two tragic losses. Rebecca’s story is a heartbreaking one, and considering the way she treats Lucia, her actions are likely a result of her grief. If this theory is correct, her past is believable, but not unique for a kidnapping story.
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The Stolen Girl Episode 2 Review: I’m Already Bored With One Storyline But Have Hope For Another
The Stolen Girl Episode 2 features solid performances from Denise Gough and Ambika Mod, who are currently carrying the miniseries’ emotional weight.
I’ve been begging The Stolen Girl to stand out among its predecessors, and for the duration of episode 3, I believed it was succeeding. I was excited in a way that I didn’t expect, and was even prepared to try and piece together the puzzle after the credits rolled. The psychological drama still has two more episodes to go, but now that I know it faked its best twist, I’m less excited about what’s to come.
The Stolen Girl is available to stream on Disney+ worldwide with new episodes airing Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
