Summary
Light on the scares, “The Two Danas” focuses more on the human element of the show. It’s a raw and powerful exploration of the teen patient’s hopes and fears, with poignancy and a surprising amount of humor as well. Horror fanatics may be disappointed, but fans of a good story will rejoice.
This recap of the Netflix series The Midnight Club season 1, episode 2, “The Two Danas,” contains spoilers.
The Midnight Club season 1, episode 1 effortlessly introduced the characters, setting, and premise of Mike Flanagan’s latest horror series. Now we have the chance to explore these elements in more detail. Episode 2, “The Two Danas,” centers mainly on Ilonka’s (Iman Benson) roommate Anya (Ruth Codd) and it is her turn to tell a scary story. Meanwhile, Ilonka explores more of the hospice’s grounds and digs a little deeper into Brightcliffe’s history.
The Midnight Club season 1, episode 2 recap
Anya wakes from a bad dream and Ilonka tries to comfort her. Both are having unsettling nightmares, possibly a side effect of their medicine or an ill feeling heightened by their twisted situation. Ilonka has always looked at her illness from a logical point of view and is now open to trying more unorthodox methods. She talks to Anya about an herbal tea she is trying. Anya is her usual sarcastic self, explaining that old roommate Rachel was also into these futile remedies and tried all of them before she died.
Ilonka meets with Dr. Stanton and is given a questionnaire to fill out about her funeral arrangements. The newbie ignores these morbid questions and probes the doctor about Julia Jayne and a cult called The Paragon. Dr. Stanton (Heather Langenkamp) downplays Julia’s miracle story, saying she was misdiagnosed, and then denies knowing anything about the cult. Call me suspicious, but I think the doctor is hiding something.
During group therapy, Anya brings up Ilonka’s obsession with Essiac tea and complains about the foul smells in her bedroom. It’s a powerful and raw scene, as the patients discuss the things they’ll miss when they’re gone. Whilst Anya lashes out, revealing her fragile state. Kevin (Igby Rigney) admits that Anya was also into the remedies and potions on her arrival to the hospice, but has grown bitter over the following months after watching those around her die. Flanagan really pushes the human aspect in this episode, which adds an emotional layer to proceedings.
Ilonka packs away her remedies and goes for a walk to get some fresh air. In the surrounding forests she meets a woman named Shasta (Samantha Sloyan), who lives close by. She too believes that the local area has some otherworldly, special power to it. They both collect the spring water, and Shasta talks of healing vortexes within the grounds. Later, Ilonka recalls of this encounter to her new friends and none of the Midnight Club seem aware of this strange woman’s existence. Adding to the mystery, Ilonka spies an unusual symbol upon a tree. This place holds many secrets I am sure will soon be uncovered.
On her return to the hospice, Ilonka finds the teens making paper cranes. Amesh explains that there is an ancient Japanese legend that whomever folds one thousand paper cranes will be offered a wish by the Gods. The teens joke about Amesh’s bucket list, making a dig about him hoping to lose his virginity. During this activity, Spencer (Chris Sumpter) cuts his finger and rushes off to the nurse. Anya informs Ilonka that Spence has an AIDS diagnosis and the new girl is truly shocked. Anya criticizes Ilonka for her pitying response and leaves the room. Kevin defends Anya, stating that she is just protective of the group and that she just needs time to adjust.
In another very human moment, Mark stitches up Spence’s wound, comforting the teen with a distracting story. He is understanding and accommodating. Dr. Stanton is just as down-to-earth, talking with Anya in the following scene. The doctor sees a toughness and fight within Anya that reminds her of herself. This episode may be light on the scares, but after Stanton has left, Anya witnesses a pair of red eyes in the dark.
The ending
It is Anya’s turn to spin a yarn. She calls her story, “The Two Danas”, which focuses on a perfect ballet dancer protégé, who yearns to live a more carefree, reckless existence. She is offered such a life by the devil no-less, when two versions of Dana are created. One is a commendable student and the other a party animal. The two versions feel and see what the other one does, but as expected, things fall apart. There’s self-harm, drug use and violence abound. The story ends with the doubles shooting one another and Anya reflecting that she doesn’t know who had the better life overall.
It’s all terribly apt, mirroring Anya’s own life in painful detail. Sandra thanks Anya for her openness, but is greeted with an obscenity in return. The episode ends with Ilonka walking back to her bedroom after the midnight meeting. She makes a detour and attempts to break into Dr. Stanton’s office. Kevin follows her and together they enter the room. Ilonka finds Julia’s file and then the two teens bolt when they hear voices approaching. Ilonka has another nightmare that involves opera music and a terrifying ghost. Are these visions of the past now mixed in with the premonitions of the future?
What did you think of The Midnight Club season 1, episode 2? Comment below.
You can watch this series with a subscription to Netflix.
