Black Narcissus Season 1, Episode 3 recap: The nuns must confront their desires

In the third and final episode of Black Narcissus, the nuns must confront their desires, which leads to tragic consequences.

Not long after chasing Sister Ruth and Father Roberts into the forest, Sister Clodagh gives up on her search and returns to the palace, only to learn they’ve beaten her back. The chilling intro of Black Narcissus‘s third episode begins with Sister Adela subtly criticizing the Sister Superior. “It seems, Sister Clodagh, the good Father and I have arrived not a moment too soon to bring succor to the community of St. Faith.”

Either Ruth said something untoward about Clodagh while helping Adela and the Father to the palace, or Adela is not amused with their unpleasant welcome. Ruth looks like the cat that ate the canary as she leers at Clodagh.

Father Roberts and Clodagh have a meeting in which he reveals how “frank” Ruth was with him the night before. She told him she fears for Ruth, similar to how Clodagh shares concerns for her and her well-being. Clodagh asks Roberts to take her back to Darjeeling, and he rebukes her. “Enough, Sister Clodagh, love Sister Ruth.” He thinks Ruth is Clodagh’s “scourge”  and her “test.”

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Meanwhile, Ruth discovers the key to Srimati’s bedroom, gaining even more insight into the ghostly realm. Clodagh prays that she will not fail. “Don’t let me fail. I cannot fail.”

Mr. Dean arrives during a meal and announces that Roberts has left him a missive. Mr. Dean’s rough mannerisms do not amuse Adela. The other Sisters defend him, but she claims the Devil comes in many disguises.

She oversees the meeting between Clodagh and Mr. Dean afterward as he shares the news that Roberts has asked Dean to delegate the building of the chapel to another workman. He’s insulted by the dismissal, but Clodagh doesn’t argue the decision.

We pivot to Dilip and Kanchi, who have continued meeting in secret. Kanchi returns his copy of The Invisible Man, and they kiss, just as Adela enters. Kanchi quickly leaves, and Dilip comes up with an excuse for his presence. Clodagh arrives moments later and notices the book. She smells Dilip’s signature Black Narcissus and notices a handkerchief belonging to Kanchi.

She remembers hiding secrets in books for her lover in the past and puts two-and-two together, returning the book to Kanchi with a stern, knowing gaze. In her quarters, Clodagh burns herself on a candle as she remembers her past and hears the whisper of a man saying she should never cut her hair. Now we know why she keeps herself bald, to limit her desires.

During their next prayer session, Clodagh almost passes out. Briony believes it is the fasting taking its toll, and Clodagh asserts that it’s important because they all need to work harder to limit distraction. She says that moving forward, every Wednesday, they will remain in silence until Lent. Mr. Dean arrives on one such Wednesday to give Clodagh new plans for the chapel. He only sees Ruth, who takes a feather fallen from his cap and stores it in a secret box along with other feathers.

Black Narcissus Episode 3 recap: Dilip & Kanchi are discovered together.

Later, they’re interrupted by the sounds of an angry Angu beating Kanchi with a broom. She has discovered Kanchi and Dilip together and claims she knew the girl was no good. Of course, Angu doesn’t blame Dilip at all because she favors him. But it takes two to tango, Angu!

Clodagh is troubled by it. I think Kanchi reminds her of herself. She visits Angu that evening, and while unable to speak, she can’t help but start crying. Angu takes care of her, bathing her feet. “How are you meant to serve your Jesus Christ with feet cut up like this? You know this world, it is just a bubble of froth.”

Things get even worse at the convent when the General returns with Dilip in tow. Dilip apologizes to Clodagh and says he wishes to return to his schooling, but Clodagh doesn’t see how that will be possible. The General demands Kanchi be sent away because she is of the lowest caste. However, Clodagh refuses since they are supposed to take care of the motherless, and Kanchi has nowhere else to go.

The General only agrees to let this happen if Dilip strikes her three times. Clodagh firmly objects, but she’s powerless to stop it, although she does refuse to watch. She and Dean exchange terse words after, as Clodagh is upset, he refused to speak up. “For a man who likes so much to play the rebel, you seem exceedingly inclined to abide by the General’s rules. I suppose it helps he pays the wages that buy you your whisky.”

During an evening meal, things come a head with Ruth after she starts making awful comments about Sister Blanche’s desire to have a baby and raving about Clodagh wanting Mr. Dean and Srimati watching all of them. Briony finally puts an end to it by claiming Ruth is falling ill from the thin air and fasting. Her body can’t handle it.

She wrestles Ruth out of the room as she calls Clodagh a “dried-up old b—h” and shoves her down in bed. Briony tries to shove some sleeping powder down Ruth’s throat as she continues saying obscenities, channeling her inner-Reagan circa The Exorcist. “The devil is in you,” Briony says.

Well, things get even worse because dear Sister Blanche could not resist giving medicine to one of the local women in need due to her young baby dying. The baby dies anyway, and the locals turn against the convent,  just as Mr. Dean warned would happen. He gives Clodagh a gun on the off chance things get ugly. “I don’t think it’ll be necessary.” “Let’s hope not.” It also means the children will likely not return to school.

Clodagh believes she has completely failed. “My vocation is hollow.” She admits to Mr. Dean that she did not enter the order because she was called, but because of a boy. Clodagh tells him how he left her because he didn’t want her and wanted a wife, so he left for America. As a result, she joined the convent because she couldn’t handle it.

As is evident, Clodagh has become overfamiliar with Mr. Dean. Her feelings for him are evident, even though she tries to fight it. He promises her to keep watch in case anyone tries to attack the nuns. Ruth watches the entire interaction from afar, and in the evening, she returns to Srimati’s bedroom while the Sisters pray.

Black Narcissus Episode 3 recap: Clodagh and Ruth clash over Mr. Dean.

Well, things continue on a downward spiral as Ruth ditches her wimple and puts on one of Sirmati’s fancy dresses, jewelry, and bold red lip color. She goes to Mr. Dean’s bungalow, tells him she left the order, and tries to seduce him. She tells him she loves him and wants to be with him. He rejects her, and Ruth thinks it’s because he loves Clodagh.

Ruth’s only desired course of action next is to attack Clodagh and try to kill her by pushing her off the bell tower. They fight, and Ruth ultimately pushes herself off of the ledge, plummeting to her death right in front of Clodagh, in the same way as Srimati.

As a result of all the chaos and pain, the Sisters call it quits at the palace and prepare to return to Darjeeling. They say their goodbyes, particularly a heartfelt one to Kanchi, and slowly descend the mountain. Mr. Dean and Clodagh give their solemn goodbyes to one another. He thinks she might just forget about everything. Perhaps it would be less painful for her. “Mopu will live in me forever. Every moment of it.” She assures him that will never happen. As for where she’ll go next? It’s not yet clear. Clodagh remains intent on following God’s will, although she will no longer be Sister Superior.

“And if God’s will were for you to stay?” “Perhaps not in this life.” “The next then. A better one.” As a final parting gift, she lets Mr. Dean grasp her hand and confesses that her real name is Katherine.

Sadly, the sisters leave just as the monsoons come, fulfilling Mr. Dean’s original prediction that they wouldn’t make it beyond the break of the next rains, and in their wake, they’ve left another ghost for Angu to tend.

What did you think about Black Narcissus Episode 3? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!

All three episodes of Black Narcissus are now available to stream on Hulu.