Summary
Hanna season 2, episode 5 presents the power of indoctrination as Hanna is persuaded to join The Meadows.
This recap of Amazon original series Hanna season 2, episode 5, “A Way To Grieve” contains significant spoilers.
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How does Hanna season 2, episode 5, “A Way To Grieve” open?
Episode 5 opens up with Hanna in her bedroom and she looks at the fake materials around her. Leo wants to talk and introduces her to Terri. Hanna tells Terri she doesn’t need a fake life. John tells Marissa that he knows everything she was doing with Hanna back in Paris, including arranging new identities. Marissa isn’t playing ball so John locks her back up. It’s strange how John has no inclination to murder Marissa, which suggests there’s a hierarchy that rules his decision making.
Your best chance at life
Terri tells Hanna about her new life and the history behind it; she tries changing aspects of the story to appease Hanna but she’s not in the mood and she’s angry. Terri tells Hanna that she will be hunted all her life and that this is her best chance to have a real life. Hanna season 2, episode 5, “A Way To Grieve” deepens that sinister approach by the people at The Meadows.
This could be real
At lunchtime, the girls go over Hanna’s identity excitedly. Clara joins the table and Hanna looks annoyed. Clara looks over Hanna’s identity. Hanna tells the girls what’s happened in her real life, including her mother and father. Hanna freaks out and Clara calms her down stating that what they are offering at the facility could be real. Hanna tells Clara that she isn’t the same person. It’s obvious that the story is built in such a way that institutionalizes these girls in an emotional entanglement so it is hard for them to refuse these new lives.
Capture the flag
The girls take part in a military exercise in the woods. They are split into two separate teams and it is like laser tag. Hanna sees the man who is helping Marissa at the gates. Leo and Terri markedly state that Hanna is a whole different level. Hanna wins the game by capturing the flag. Sandy gives Hanna the flag and calls her the winner. But Hanna doesn’t want it and walks off; “A Way To Grieve” shows she is not ready to embrace The Meadows yet.
Real to me
Terri tells John that they need to acknowledge Hanna’s past in order to move on. They send Sandy a message that one of her family members has died. Hanna leaves the room — Sandy tells her that the messages are real to her. Sandy is comforted by her friends outside in a small memorial and Hanna joins them. Clara thanks Hanna for helping. This scene is the first phase in bringing Hanna onboard by giving her a reason to emotionally bond with the girls. Hanna likes protecting people — she wants something close to a normal life.
The fight is over.
John shows Marissa a photo of Clara and Hanna hugging and says, “The fight is over” — he’s arranged transport for her and gives her the photo as a parting gift. Later in the night, Hanna gets a message from “Dad”. The indoctrination is starting to work as she replies, “I feel alone” — this is a much more tragic scene then it feels on the surface; Hanna understands none of this is real but the pure thought of having someone to message fulfills her in a little way.
I don’t want to go
Marissa asks a guard to get her a bottle of water and manages to escape. She aims the gun at Terri and asks if she has children before knocking her out. Marissa rings Hanna via her social media account. Hanna tells Marissa that she doesn’t want to leave and covers her camera. Marissa figures out where Hanna’s room is.
How does Hanna season 2, episode 5, “A Way To Grieve” end?
Marissa tells Hanna that she isn’t safe here and that she knows these people — “They are not on your side.” Hanna tells Marissa she’s tired of running and you can feel those words. Marissa states that her father isn’t speaking to her on social media, it’s an intelligent female operative. Meanwhile, the military has been alerted of Marissa’s escape. Marissa offers to look after Hanna and be her family.
Marissa and Hanna start leaving the compound. Hanna doesn’t want to leave without Clara but Clara sneaks up behind them and disarms Marissa. Marissa offers to help Clara find her mother. There’s a struggle between all three of them with a gun and Marissa is hurt. They are then surrounded and Clara tells John that Hanna shot her. The military arrest Marissa. John tells Hanna, “It’s okay, you’re with us now”. Hanna season 2, episode 5 presents the power of indoctrination as Hanna is persuaded to join The Meadows.
