Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 7 recap: Martin's meltdown and Masha's trap for David

Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2, Episode 7, titled 'Mergers and Acquisitions,' delivers major emotional revelations, power struggles, and a shocking trap that could ruin David forever. The penultimate episode ramps up the tension as secrets are revealed and loyalties shift. Martin's past comes back to haunt him, Victoria opens up to Imogen, and Masha sets a trap that could change everything.

In the previous episode of Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2, we saw how Imogen learned about Victoria's illness (ALS) when she saw her mother collapse during a drug-induced hallucinogenic episode. We also learned about Matteo's traumatic past—how he lost his parents to a drone attack during a war. Matteo also revealed that he's not just Victoria's boyfriend but also her caretaker.

However, what shocked viewers was that Helena was nothing but a figment of Masha's imagination, a side effect of long-term drug use. The camera panned to Helena's portrait in the hallway of the retreat, showing that she died in 2022.

In this episode of Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2, the viewers learn more about Dr. Helena von Falkenberg. Here's a recap of what happened in the penultimate episode of Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2.

Spoiler's ahead!

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Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 7: Martin is Helena's son

Martin, who has mostly stayed on the fringe of the retreat's drama so far, finally steps into the eye of the storm. The episode opens with a flashback showing a visibly sick Helena and her son Martin arguing, as Helena says,

"It is my wish that you both share the responsibilities of this place (the Alpine retreat). Make it work"

However, Martin does not seem to agree with his mother's wishes. As Martin utters,

"Mother, I don't like her. I don't trust her. If she fails, then we fail."

Helena appears confident as she assures him she won't. Yes, they were discussing Masha. In the next scene, we see Masha visiting a dying Helena at the retreat. As Helena pleads,

"I want you to have it. Zauberwald. I want it to be yours."

Helena saw potential in Masha's transformative work; however, Martin believed she was an opportunist. Naturally, Martin spirals further into self-doubt and rage.

In the present, when Sister Agnes offers him a spiritual ear, Martin admits to a growing crisis of faith and even questions whether he's capable of evil. This moment becomes a catalyst as Martin soon lashes out.

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Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 7: Martin warns the guests of Masha and David's plans

After Martin's brief emotional session with Sister Agnes, the other guests begin to ask about what happened to Victoria. Martin revealed that she was suffering from ALS, and Masha's psychedelic drugs triggered her condition. Before the guests could express their concern, Martin lashed out.

"What is going on is that Masha is running a madhouse, and she is putting me and all of you in danger."

Martin then lashes out at David, accusing him and Masha of planning to buy Zaubervald. Martin even calls Masha a 'lunatic', revealing details about her mental health history. In a desperate move, he retreats to the mushroom hut and overdoses, trying to communicate with his mother's ghost.

On the other hand, Peter warns Masha that his father's true goal is business, and he might leave once he secures the retreat.

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Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 7: Victoria and Imogen find common ground

While Martin falls apart, Imogen speaks to Matteo and asks him why her mother chose to hide the truth about her medical condition from her. Matteo, pointing out how distant she was from her mother, said,

"She wanted you to remember her like you always do."

After the heartfelt conversation with Matteo, Imogen spoke to her mother, Victoria. For much of the season, their relationship had seemed distant and strained. But this episode reveals a deeper, more tender connection between them. Victoria, now more clear-headed, discusses her ALS diagnosis with surprising calm. She admits she doesn’t know how many days she might have left, but she recognizes that her medical condition has affected her life and her attitude toward others.

Imogen, who lost her father to suicide when she was just a child, was naturally scared to lose her mother. As Imogen breaks down, Victoria comforts her by saying,

"There's so much of me right there, right there inside of you. Whether you like it or not, you're never gonna lose me. Darling, we do have sometime, let's make the most of it"

Elsewhere, Peter and Imogen also share a quiet night by the bonfire. They have a meaningful conversation, and it looks like they might have a future together beyond the retreat.

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Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 7: Masha sets a trap for David

Meanwhile, we see Masha planning and staging her reckoning. The lingering question of how much power David should have over the retreat comes to a head when Peter warns Masha that David is too self-centered and business-minded.

Even though Masha listens to him, he does not confront David. She invites David into a room and asks him to participate in a mushroom tea ritual to reconnect with their daughter Tatiana. As David takes the medicines, trusting Masha and her motives, he is soon proven wrong. When he wakes up, he finds himself in a hostage situation with his hands tied. One by one, the guests of the retreat begin losing their minds, and tensions start to rise. The episode ends with Masha calling everyone together with sirens and firecrackers for an emergency meeting to decide David's fate. The final episode of Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 will finally reveal the true intentions behind Masha's plan to let the guests decide David's fate.

To know what happens next, watch Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 8 next Wednesday on Hulu.

Also read: Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 Episode 6 recap: Victoria's hidden illness, Matteo's tragic past and the shocking truth about Helena

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