As a result, Mare’s mode of questioning (and in Brianna’s case, apprehending) the subjects is often harsh and abrasive, as if she’s trying to overcompensate for her failures elsewhere.

However, the drama surrounding Erin’s murder isn’t the only thing going on in this episode. On top of the arrival of Colin Zabel (Evan Peters), the friendly and ever-so-keen county detective assigned to assist on the Erin case who finds himself on the wrong side of Mare’s blunt attitude, there’s the ongoing tension surrounding Katie’s disappearance and the attempts by Brianna’s father to intimidating Mare into letting his daughter walk free.

Alongside all her work as a detective, Mare’s dealing with family issues, too. Drew, her grandson who she is raising after her son Kevin (Drew’s father) died by suicide, is showing signs of the same tics his father did, which Mare fears could be a sign that Drew has inherited the issues which affected her son. And at the same time, Drew’s mother Carrie is applying for full custody – something Mare’s daughter Siobhan (Angourie Rice) assures her her mother is not willing to give.

Mare Of Easttown episode 2 recap: is Frank hiding a big secret?