As the second series of The Dry begins, Shiv Sheridan (Roisin Gallagher) looks at an old picture before writing “mom” on an envelope. Finbar wakes up Bernie Sheridan (Pom Boyd). Tom Sheridan (Ciaran Hinds) is shown sitting alone. A boy sneaks out of Caroline’s room. Max kisses his boyfriend and tells him that his dad is on his way. Shiv steps out of her room to find everyone arguing about the bathroom. She is told happy birthday. Next, Shiv goes to Carl’s gravesite. An older woman asks her if she lost someone close. Shiv admits she sometimes comes for peace. She thinks it’s a good reminder of how short life can be although she isn’t sure the woman needs reminding.
Shiv talks about choosing to be a better human. The old lady offers her a cigarette since it takes the edge off. Shiv attends a meeting with Bernie who says it’s her daughter’s birthday today. Bernie is surprised her daughter is 36. When she thinks of herself at that age, she already has four kids, a husband, a house, and a career. As for Shiv, she is doing it her way. Bernie says she grew up during a time when people didn’t talk about their feelings. Last year, her neighbor Pam was murdered by her husband. Bernie is going to be a witness during the trial. She is done being silent because she is ready to roar. Later, Shiv tells Karen that the speech really wasn’t about alcoholism. Karen (Janet Moran) claims it was about how society covertly silences and devalues women.
Shiv tells her mom that she did well for her first time. Bernie thinks she struck a chord with people. Billy and Therese want to take her to lunch. Shiv claims she didn’t want to join. Bernie is told she is on Wikipedia. Finbar speaks to Tom about putting a kitchen in the shed. He offers to help since he loves DIY. Shiv asks Karen if they were really fighting over Bernie. Karen knows it’s weird for Shiv. If she wants to do recovery with her mom, she needs to set some boundaries. When Shiv says she was there for moral support, Karen says she’s done it and doesn’t need to do it again. Alex (Sam Keeley) serves them. He learns about Shiv’s birthday party with her family. Alex says a mate has a gig on Vicar Street.
When Shiv turns him down, Alex tells her his mate is playing on Thursday as well. Shiv turns him down so Alex keeps saying other possible days. Alex gives them their order on the house. When they leave, Karen admits she doesn’t know why Shiv turned down Alex. Anthony tells his boss he is doing market research even though he has been looking at motels. His boss calls him out for looking up holidays to Crete. Anthony is warned they’re in a serious situation and his job is on the line. He is asked to do a leaflet drop. Shiv explains to Karen that it’s because of some guy every time she starts drinking. She hasn’t been sober for this long so she doesn’t want to mess up again.
Karen suggests they go somewhere else for coffee. Next, Shiv joins Bibi (Ruth Codd) who says there is another bursary for young, emerging artists. Bibi curses her coworker who gets locked out of her emails. Caroline visits Marion (Ann Marie Horan) to ask if Rory (Eoin Duffy) is around. Once Rory comes out, Caroline tells him that the sub-letters moved out so she did the end-of-tenancy clean. She gives him his stuff back and reminds him it isn’t good to mope around the house with his mother. He gets rid of her in a hurry. In the car, Caroline gets a call from Shane (Sean Doyle) and mentions he left in a hurry this morning. Bernie, Ant, and Max prepare for the party. Bernie asks Finbar not to say anything tonight. He asks her to trust him before Rita comes over.
Caroline and Shane are busy making out in the car outside. Aunty Ag (Marion O’Dwyer) knocks on the window. Caroline tells Shane he’ll have to come in now, but he needs to cool off first. Aunty Ag asks about the guy. Shiv and the others go inside. She tells Rita (Charlotte Bradley) about the meetings. Caroline reminds everyone that Rory broke up with her. She isn’t going to sit around and feel sorry for herself. Shane joins them moments later. Finbar tells Shiv he’d like to say a few words. He talks about getting sober and how the first six months were the hardest. He says he has so much admiration for Bernie. Finbar thinks they should make the house a booze-freeze zone. He takes all the booze. Shiv is reminded of the people who died at 36.
Ant and Max join Shane and Caroline in the bathroom with booze. They snort drugs as well. Shiv hears them laughing in the bathroom so she decides to see what’s going on. She invites them to play a board game but they’re ready to leave. She is left with Tom. Shiv decides to give her mom a present even though it’s her birthday. She says it’s given her strength to think about the way her mom has accepted things. They started another journey seven months ago. Finbar eventually opens the door and offers to give the gift to Bernie. Seconds later, Shiv realizes that Bernie didn’t hear anything she said. Shiv goes to the gig and contemplates leaving until Alex sees her. He offers to buy her a drink.
The Dry Review
The opening episode of The Dry’s second series was okay although it wasn’t funny and it felt a bit tedious even at thirty minutes. For a short series, there are likely too many characters to juggle. It’d be better if the writers had focused more on Shiv and her issues because it would get to the point.
On a high note, there was a tinge of bleakness scattered throughout this episode so that may become something more as the series develops. Roisin Gallagher is good here although The Lovers was stronger overall. There is no action here so the shaky camera work is unnecessary and out of place.
The episode scores a 5 out of 10. Recaps of The Dry are available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here.
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