The third episode of "Bad Sisters," titled "Chopped Liver," delves deeper into the complex character of Ursula Garvey, portrayed by Eva Birthistle. As a nurse, mother, and secret photographer, Ursula embodies the practicality and stability of the Garvey sisters. However, her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself entangled in the dark plot to end JP's life.
Ursula's affair with her photography teacher, Ben, has been a secret for over a year, but JP's manipulative nature threatens to expose it. In a chilling act of control, JP replaces Ben's contact information in Ursula's phone with his own, tricking her into sending intimate texts during a family dinner. He then forwards these messages to her husband, Donal, under the guise of concern. This invasive act showcases JP's delight in causing discord within the Garvey family, a family he could be a part of but instead chooses to destroy .
The episode explores the depth of JP's cruelty and his attempts to replicate the family dynamics of his own broken childhood. His actions drive Ursula to contribute her medical expertise to the sisters' plan to poison JP. Despite her initial reluctance, Ursula's anger towards JP and fear for her family's future push her to provide Eva and Bibi with the means to induce a heart attack. The plan, however, is thwarted by an ill-timed phone call, echoing the failed attempt from the previous episode .
In the present timeline, Ursula, Bibi, and Eva gather for a late-night drink, highlighting the tension and the stakes of their actions. The worry that Becka might inadvertently reveal their secret adds another layer of suspense. Meanwhile, Thomas's persistence in his investigation leads to the exhumation of JP's body, bringing the sisters' world closer to crumbling .
The episode also provides insight into Becka's life, revealing her dreams of entrepreneurship and her struggle to achieve them. Her plans to ask JP for a loan hint at a potential motive for her involvement in the murder plot. The show's portrayal of the sisters' relationships and the patriarchal forces that shape them is a testament to its feminist underpinnings. It's not men the show despises, but the systemic misogyny that JP embodies .
"Chopped Liver" is a pivotal episode that tightens the narrative's grip on the viewer. It raises questions about the sisters' morality and the consequences of their actions. Will the truth of JP's death shatter the Garvey sisters' bond, or will it solidify their commitment to one another? As the series progresses, these questions linger, urging us to consider the true nature of familial love and the lengths one might go to protect it .