Summary
Steven Yeun’s standout performance makes this the best episode of Beef yet.
In Beef Episode 2, Amy and George decided to attend couples’ therapy, and in “I Am Inhabited By A Cry”, we see that process begin. Amy isn’t taking it remotely seriously, but it’s still fun to watch George lament that he hasn’t been able to touch anything vanilla flavored since Amy’s comment about his bedroom abilities.
Both Danny and Amy seek their own kind of therapy in this episode. While Amy nonetheless shares some personal truths in the therapy sessions, she’s really working through her issues by continuing to catfish Paul.
Danny, meanwhile, finds the lord. Sort of, anyway.
Beef Season 1 Episode 3 Recap
Why does Danny go to church?
The previous episode ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, with Danny heading to Amy’s house with a hammer. It’s unclear what he was planning to do, but he’s scared away by the security light. We see him following Amy’s car and attempting to set it alight. However, he stops at the last minute when he sees Junie in the back seat.
The experience panics Danny, who confides in Paul (“I almost set a baby on fire!”). Paul isn’t overly interested, though, as his “relationship” with “Kayla” is progressing, and he’s trying to clean up his act.
So, Danny heads to Veronica’s church, where he breaks down during the service, and Steven Yeun does an extraordinary job of selling this moment. Both Veronica and Edwin ask if he’ll be coming back, but while Danny makes his excuses, Edwin explains that the church needs a handyman for some repairs, giving him a reason to stick around.
Danny is looking for some meaning in his life. Whether that’s to be found in Veronica, helping the church, or God Himself, is anyone’s guess.
What happens with Paul and “Kayla”?
Things continue to decline between Amy and George, helped along by him dopily sending her a screenshot of Mia’s Instagram that he had saved on his phone.
So, Amy continues to essentially therapize herself by catfishing Paul as Kayla, but they develop what seems like a very authentic connection. The show’s editing makes it pretty clear too. When Paul asks if they can FaceTime Amy obviously declines, but they do talk on the phone, and Amy recognizes the bond forming.
Amy’s attempts at intimacy with George only worsen the situation. It’s a joke, and his openly speculating about what his life might have been like had they never met only rubs salt in the wound.
Toward the end of the episode, Paul arrives at Amy’s store looking for Kayla. She rushes him outside when he spots Mia, whose pictures she has been using to catfish him, but her confession doesn’t dissuade Paul, who kisses Amy.
Beef Season 1 Episode 3 Ending Explained
Danny has developed a scheme to con Veronica and Edwin’s church into a loan for renovations that he will ultimately pocket and use as a downpayment for a patch of land he’s trying to buy.
In the meantime, Danny “kindly” volunteers to do the repairs on the church pro bono, painting himself as a nice guy to better swindle them.
At the end of the episode, Danny plays guitar at the church and sings, enjoying a new sense of belonging – right before he presumably ruins it all for himself and everyone else.
You can stream Beef Season 1 Episode 3, “I Am Inhabited By A Cry” exclusively on Netflix.
