(Courtesy of Peter Kramer/USA Network)
After four knockout episodes, USA Network starts the next half with Episode 5 of their gripping crime drama, The Sinner, starring Jessica Biel. In the limited miniseries event, audiences are introduced to a murder mystery that doesn’t ask the “who” or the “what” — but the “why.”
After discovering a dead body in the woods, detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) believes there is a connection to the drug dealer J.D. (Jacob Pitts). The tick is ticking faster because Captain Farmer (Joanna Adler) wants this case to be resolved. Farmer doesn’t believe Cora (Biel) just forgot about the murder that happened years ago.
Cora’s husband, Mason Tannetti (Christopher Abbott) is having his own problems at home. With the press covering this new dead body, the Tannetti is losing more business. J.D. takes it upon himself to hit Mason’s father with a baseball bat and send him to the hospital.
In the flashback, young Cora (Raegan.Millican) has now grown up to an adult age. Adult Phoebe (Nadia Alexander) is now 19 years old but still sick. Cora and Phoebe are thinking of running away together from their parents and moving to an apartment.
Detective Farmer is making her presence known. #TheSinner pic.twitter.com/DMWo5qAYRJ
— The Sinner (@TheSinnerUSA) August 31, 2017
Phoebe is pimping out her sister to lonely men on the internet. On the dates, Cora steals money from their wallets. Things start getting trickier when Phoebe sets up Cora on a date with a married man.
During his investigation, Harry discovers the woods lead to a secluded mansion. At this mansion, Harry walks down the stairs and sees a wallpaper design similar to Cora’s memories. Harry then discovers a former female employee was drugged and fired from her job. She promised in a court settlement not to reveal what happened in the basement.
Knowing Cora’s fingerprints are on the blanket, Farmer believes she is responsible for Maddie’s murder. Farmer manipulates Cora with a picture of her son and tries to convince her to accept the murder charges. Cora refuses to believe she’s responsible for another murder.
Hide and seek. #TheSinner pic.twitter.com/TCKelbPkJZ
— The Sinner (@TheSinnerUSA) August 31, 2017
Harry’s personal life takes a turn for the worst after his wife kicks him out of the house. He can’t even enjoy rough sex with his dominatrix. Hitting a low point, Harry sends the entire night talking to Cora, another lonely soul.
During group prayer with the other female inmates, Cora remembers hearing the masked man speaking to her. In the flashback, J.D. rescues Cora after the married man attempted to attack her. At this place, J.D. undresses Cora after revealing she’s a virgin. During their love-making, Cora doesn’t realize Phoebe has been calling her cell.
After seeing his father in the hospital, Mason takes matters into his own hands. Mason pulls out a gun just when he is about to enter J.D.’s home.
Laying down the law. #TheSinner pic.twitter.com/1RSI2CgZma
— The Sinner (@TheSinnerUSA) August 31, 2017
The Sinner airs Wednesdays at 10pm on USA Network.