Nine Perfect Strangers Season 1, Episode 7 recap: Wheels on the Bus

The penultimate episode of Hulu‘s Nine Perfect Strangers Episode 7 set us up for an eventful final episode, to say the least. While some relationships are healing (Jessica and Ben), others seem to be crumbling (Frances and Tony).

Though some guests are excited about what Masha is offering (the Marconis), others are spiraling (Carmel). And while some people are waiting to write about everything that’s going down (Lars), some are taking matters into their own hands (Delilah).

Read on to see what happened this week so you can prepare for next Wednesday’s finale.

Nine Perfect Strangers Episode 7 recap: Love is in the air…and on a cliff

While Jessica and Ben are in a better place than ever, unofficially renewing their vows, Frances and Tony aren’t having the honeymoon phase they may have expected. Plagued by strange visions of seeing Tony as one of the characters in her romance books, Frances is spooked by the prospect of love and afraid of getting hurt again. When she tells Tony as much, he’s heartbroken, as he’s been more vulnerable with her than anyone he’s ever met.

Letting Tony down sends Frances even further into a tailspin, and she finds herself sitting on the edge of a cliff. When a concerned Masha comes out to see her, Frances admits she’s afraid of everything and wishes she could go back to when she was younger and fearless. The two of them bond over their fear and the formative experience of losing their fathers when they were children.

Nine Perfect Strangers Episode 7 recap: And now I’m singing Xanadu

Last week, Frances warned Carmel that she seemed to be getting worse, and if what we saw this week is any indication, it looks like she’s right. Though Carmel has struggled with violence before, this week took it to a whole new level when she started confusing Masha for Lillian, her ex-husband’s new partner. Carmel beats Masha up, leading her to be strapped to a gurney. It’s clear her mind isn’t completely clear, as when Yao comes to give her some medication, she feels terrible that she hurt Masha.

Carmel’s mood quickly swings in the opposite direction, as later that night, she inexplicably starts singing “Xanadu” and dancing around her room. Realizing these rapid changes are dangerous, she packs her suitcase and tells Masha she will go to a real hospital. Masha encourages her to stay, promising that Tranquillum House can heal her, but Carmel assures her it’s not safe for Masha to be around her.

Nine Perfect Strangers Episode 7 recap: Alternate reality becomes a reality

After the shocking reveal that Heather’s negligence may have played a role in Zach’s death, the Marconis have been…struggling, to put it mildly. However, Masha has been adamant that she can fix everything in the form of an alternate reality. Although Heather and Napoleon are on board, Zoe is a bit more hesitant, and it takes quite a bit of convincing from Masha to get her to consider it.

Masha assures them she’s done this combination of drugs with another guest, and it was highly successful, though Lars calls into question whether that’s the whole truth. Aaron Connelly, the man who Masha tried it on first, did end up dying, though Masha assures him it was from a heart attack triggered by a pre-existing condition — not her methods. The Marconis, she promises, are in perfect health and won’t have that problem.

It becomes apparent that Masha’s reasons for wanting the Marconis to agree to the drugs are not completely selfless, as we learn that Masha’s daughter Tatiana died while riding her bike when she was a child. The pain was so great that Masha ended up leaving Russia. Masha reflects that motherhood was the only time she liked who she was.

When the Marconis start to get skittish and talk about backing out, Masha gets desperate, taking the drugs herself and saying she’ll guide them on the journey from the inside.

Nine Perfect Strangers Episode 7 recap: Delilah’s choice

Delilah doubles down on her efforts to leave Tranquillum House, desperately trying to get Yao out with her. Yao, however, is hesitant, saying it wouldn’t be safe for the guests to be alone with Masha. Fed up, Delilah leaves alone, driving straight through the fence when Masha refuses to open the gate for her to contact the authorities.

What did you think of this episode? And what do you think will happen in next week’s finale? Comment below!