Saint X Season 1 Episode 2 Ending Explained, Recap, and Review
by A Maria | Updated Apr 26, 2023
Saint X
Saint X is a new American psychological drama TV series that premiered on Hulu on April 26, 2023. The show was developed by Leila Gerstein, and it is based on the novel of the same name by Alexis Schaitkin. The eight-episode series order was given by Hulu on January 24, 2022. Saint X is executive produced by Gerstein, Schaitkin, Dee Rees, Stephen Williams, David Levine, Zack Hayden, Aubrey "Drake" Graham, Adel "Future" Nur, Jason Shrier, and Steve Pearlman.
The series follows the story of Claire, a woman who returns to the Caribbean island where her sister Alison died years earlier. She becomes obsessed with the past and the people who knew her sister. As she gets closer to the truth, she discovers dark secrets about the island, her family, and herself. Saint X has been highly anticipated by fans of the novel and those who love a good psychological thriller.
Saint X Season 1 Episode 2 Ending Explained
In the final scene of the episode, the police discover Alison's body in the first timeline. A touring party discovers her corpse by the waterfall on the island of Faraway Cay, and her parents are shown breaking down in grief as her body is brought back to the beach. In the present-day timeline, Emily stalks Gogo through the streets of the city, following the suspect in an attempt to gather evidence.
The episode ends on a suspenseful note, with the discovery of Alison's body in the past timeline and Emily's pursuit of Gogo in the present day. Viewers are left wondering if Emily will be able to catch Gogo and uncover the truth about Alison's death, as well as what other twists and turns the show has in store.
Saint X Season 1 Episode 2 Review
"Saint X" is a Hulu series based on Alexis Schaitkin's acclaimed novel of the same name. The show attempts to challenge the standard narrative structure commonly found in similar stories by presenting a tale that alternates between two timelines. One timeline depicts the tragic events leading to the death of a young woman, while the other shows her surviving sister in the present day grappling with the aftermath of the tragedy.
The series revolves around Claire, who is now going by Emily, and her desire for answers following her sister's death, which was shrouded in mystery. The series delves into themes of grief, obsession, race, class, and wealth, particularly in how Alison's death affects those on both sides of the mystery. While the show's portrayal of Clive's perspective is especially poignant, the fragmented structure of the series is a hindrance as scenes jump back and forth between 2005 and 2023 without a clear sense of purpose.
The series also struggles to engage the audience or develop the thinly sketched characters in its first half. At its core, "Saint X" examines privilege and the futile attempts of well-meaning but privileged individuals to escape it. The show's attempt to stretch out the novel's compelling elements over six hours of drudgery falls short, leaving the audience waiting for answers that may or may not come.
While there are some glimmers of a more interesting narrative towards the end, it ultimately fails to stand out from other examples of the white-woman-in-peril narrative it's riffing on. Despite these shortcomings, the show still explores interesting themes and provides powerful performances, making it worth a watch for those interested in psychological dramas.
Saint X Season 1 Episode 2 Recap
Alison Thomas and her family visit Saint X island for a week-long vacation before she heads off to college. Everything seems to be going well for the family until Alison goes missing on the final day of their trip, and her body is discovered two days later near a waterfall in the forest. Twenty years later, her death remains unsolved.
Claire, now known as Emily, becomes fixated on uncovering the truth about her sister's death when she meets Clive Richardson, one of the young resort workers at the time of the incident. Both Clive and his childhood friend, Edwin, fall under suspicion in the investigation. Flashbacks reveal that Edwin and Alison had a flirtatious relationship, which Clive disapproved of and tried to warn Alison to avoid.
Meanwhile, Alison also showed an interest in Tyler, another vacationer at the resort. Despite the discovery of her body, the circumstances surrounding Alison's death remain a mystery. In the present day, Emily becomes determined to solve the puzzle of her sister's death and contacts Clive. Despite her friend's warning that her obsession with finding the truth may not lead to any answers, she begins to stalk Clive, hoping to gain his trust and learn his secrets.
After accidentally dropping her phone in his cab, she meets him again under the guise of retrieving it. Emily follows Clive around, eventually discovering where he lives and his regular haunts, planning to befriend him and uncover the truth about what happened to her sister.
Is Saint X Based on a True Story?
The Saint X movie is not a true story but instead an adaptation of a novel published in 2020. The plot revolves around the disappearance and death of 18-year-old Alison Thomas on the fictional island of Saint X in 1995, which was depicted in Alexis Schaitkin's 2020 novel of the same name. Although the story is fictional, it draws inspiration from real-life cases, such as the 2005 disappearance of Natalee Holloway in Aruba.
The Hulu series Saint X subverts the missing-girl genre by incorporating multiple timelines and emphasizing how the aftermath of Alison's death creates a chain of events that is traumatic, leading her surviving sister to embark on a dangerous quest for the truth. Although Saint X is not based on a true story, it explores important and poignant themes that reflect real-life experiences.
The show delves into the profound impact of grief, trauma, and the search for justice on individuals and communities. Although the series is fictional, it draws inspiration from actual cases, providing viewers with a compelling and emotional journey that explores the complex and far-reaching consequences of tragic loss.
About Saint X
Genre
Psychological drama
Based on
Saint X
by Alexis Schaitkin
Developed by
Leila Gerstein
Country of origin
United States
Original language
English
Original network
Hulu
Original release
April 26, 2023
SPECIFICATIONS
DETAILS
Saint X Season 1 Episode 2 Ending Explained - FAQs
"Saint X" is a new American psychological drama TV series that premiered on Hulu on April 26, 2023. It is based on the novel of the same name by Alexis Schaitkin.
The show was developed by Leila Gerstein.
There are eight episodes in "Saint X".
The series order for "Saint X" was given by Hulu on January 24, 2022.
"Saint X" is executive produced by Leila Gerstein, Alexis Schaitkin, Dee Rees, Stephen Williams, David Levine, Zack Hayden, Aubrey "Drake" Graham, Adel "Future" Nur, Jason Shrier, and Steve Pearlman.