With that said, this is an episode that does at least start to point to an impending reveal.
Purposely holding back information is a tricky game to play when youre engaged in episodic storytelling.
At the top of the episode though, Shelley Duvall uses misdirection beautifully.
Credit: Michael Desmond/SHOWTIME
The flashback makes it clear that this is near the end of Abbys time.
At first, this emotional reckoning is a good thing.
Before long, though, theres a shift.
Abby tells Ray that she doesnt want to treat the cancer anymore.
This is where it works to withhold some information.
Abbys plea is an emotional gut-punch after everything weve seen with her.
He quickly pivots away from talking about Maureen and instead asks Bridget about her new boyfriend.
She plays coy at first, but they eventually go visit Smitty in the hospital.
Then things get weird.
The mystery surrounding Abbys death deepens when Smitty runs into a young woman who remembers him from the hospital.
She says they were both prepared for the experimental surgery at the same time.
When Terry witnesses the interaction, he nearly breaks down.
He has a look on his face of complete devastation.
Ray Donovanisnt telling us just yet.
What we do know is that Terry seems to feel responsible for Abbys death.
Well have to wait and see, though, becauseRay Donovancontinues to drag this story out.
Did she order Tom to be killed?
Was it her weirdo son who did it?
All of that is promising ground to dig in; we just needRay Donovanto get the shovels moving.
