Freud Season 1, Episode 2 recap: Freud tries to help a catatonic Clara recover

The Szapárys Are Hiding Something

Episode 2 of Freud begins with a tense discussion between the Szaparys and Hungarian officials who want to negotiate peace. They’re not too happy with Sophia right now for her decision to desert her homeland. Fleur watches the confrontation from behind her bedroom door.

Freud eventually winds up confronting Fleur about Clara. He initially accuses her of being involved in Clara’s kidnapping and torture, although I don’t think he truly believes that. He does indicate that there was something different about hypnotizing her, as it was incredibly easy to do.

Even if Fleur had nothing to do with Clara, the same could not be said for the Szapárys. The Count and Countess are planning a fanciful Egyptian-themed night to enchant the crown prince of Hungaria, and they plan on Fleur being the main attraction.

Sophia emphasizes the importance of Fleur not finding out about Clara, but too late, Fleur was doing that pesky eavesdropping thing again, and now she knows something is up.

Not that it matters much since Sophia is some kind of Hungarian witch. At the end of the hour, she forces Fleur to tell her where she’s been. Fleur reveals her dalliance with Freud and the discovery of Leopold being the one who kidnapped Clara.

As a demonstration of Sophia’s powers, she simply tells Fleur to “stop breathing,” and she does. Fleur is a puppet that Sophia can do with what she pleases. As to what Sophia is or what her abilities are, we don’t yet know.

Sophia whispers instructions to Fleur about how her performance at the upcoming seancé with the Hungarian prince must go according to plan. If not, I imagine things won’t end well for Fleur.

Odds & Ends

• What was the deal with that random cake Freud ate after the two men left it behind?
• It looks like everyone gets a little family time this episode as Freud arrives at his mother’s for Kibbush. Things are a little tense between Freud and his father, even more so between Freud and his brother-in-law Eli, who owes him money for something. Cocaine? We learn that Martha, the woman Freud is in correspondence with via letters, is Eli’s sister.
• Georg appears to think he killed Steffi, regardless of what anyone else says. He finds a knife tucked into his wardrobe and throws into the fire before heavily contemplating suicide.
• Realizing I’m loving this show because it is a mix of Penny Dreadful and The Alienist.

What did you think of Episode 2 of Freud? What do you think is going on with Sophia and Fleur? Did Leopold kill Steffi or was it Georg? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The entire first season of Freud is currently streaming on Netflix.