Summary
“Dress You Up” is a largely forgettable installment, interconnecting minor subplots and irrelevant tangents. Thankfully, the episode is saved by an emotive finale, as Sheila finally makes some progress with her recovery and facing her demons.
We recap the Apple TV+ series Physical Season 3 Episode 2, “Dress You Up,” which contains significant spoilers.
Continuing on from the opening episode, Sheila (Rose Byrne) capitalizes on her first-ever TV performance with a new weekly TV spot.
Whilst Greta (Dierdre Friel) convinces her to find a new look in “Dress You Up.” Elsewhere, Danny (Rory Scovel) tackles recycling, and John Breem (Paul Sparks) faces off against a neighborhood vandal.
Physical Season 3 Episode 2 Recap
What is Waking Up With Sheila?
Sheila has managed to lock in a weekly slot on Wake Up San Diego. Her new segment will be called Waking Up With Sheila, where she can show off her workout sessions and drum up further business on national TV. The fitness entrepreneur practices her soundbite for the show in the opening moments of the latest installment.
Later, Greta and assistant Fidelia talk Sheila through the competition. The local fitness scene is split into three main sections. There are bubbly blondes dominating the scene, spearheaded by the Trish Out of Water TV star Kelly Kilmartin.
There are also sultry sirens, those that teach a ballet-styled fitness routine, which Rita Bachmann is at the forefront of. And there are the tomboy masculine types as well.
Sheila doesn’t think that she fits into any of these categories. Greta suggests a photo shoot to help Sheila discover her true identity and a new look.
Why does Sheila stop the photo shoot?
Sheila agrees and the trio of girls head to the shops to find Sheila’s new look. She tries on many different outfits before deciding on a distinct, bad-ass look, which includes spiked-up hair and leather. During the photo shoot, the imaginary Kelly reappears, throwing out demeaning insults. This puts Sheila off her game and she scraps the entire shoot.
She decides to attend one of Rita’s classes for inspiration and research purposes. Rita’s style is quite aggressive and sexually-orientated, whilst utilizing the standard ballet practices.
During the routine, Sheila has disturbing visions of Kelly and her teenage abuser.
READ: Will there be a Physical Season 4?
In one of the other subplots, John’s Mormon community is agitated by a string of criminal acts. An unknown intruder is going around smashing windows at night.
John sets up a neighborhood watch rota to catch the vandal in the act.
The criminal turns out to be John’s very own wife, Maria. He asks her why she is doing these crimes. Maria says that she is miserable. She hates everything except for her baby, Grace.
John has chosen to ignore his wife so far since the birth and she has retaliated with these crimes, it’s a cry for help if anything.
Why did Sheila break down at Rita’s class?
After Sheila’s breakdown, she heads home and cooks a meal for her daughter. Then she attends her support group meeting to discuss the events at the ballet class. Sheila confesses she was molested as a teenager by her father’s friend. The abuser would ask her to perform her ballet moves before the abuse. Rita’s ballet class brought back these traumatic memories.
Sheila talks about how she dealt with this incident. She feels like she is finally starting to make some progress. Sheila wanted to binge eat but chose to help out her daughter and then discuss the problem in a group instead.
Physical Season 3 Episode 2 Ending Explained
This progression is evident at work as well. Sheila prepares for her TV spot on Wake Up San Diego, giving herself a pep talk. Kelly reappears, telling her to bury her feelings deep down. She shouldn’t show people her softer side, as they will take advantage of her. Sheila ignores Kelly’s advice and heads out for her TV appearance. She introduces her new TV segment, Waking Up With Sheila. It looks like she is going to try and ignore her demons after all, not letting them get in the way of her success.
What did you think of the Apple TV+ series Physical Season 3 Episode 2? Comment below.
