Written by Joseph Cole Baken
Directed by Max Winkler
Bestie: "What's our rule?"
Shelby: "Face your fears."
Like the parent show, the current season of this spin off has fallen victim to the split season curse. Also for some reason, Hulu decided to drop the first four in one go.
Sticking with this spin-off's penchant for focusing on younger characters, this opening episode told a story about toxic friendships. Specifically the online ones, involving the type of Bestie everyone should avoid.
Unfortunately for lonely girl Shelby (Emma Halleen), she spent this episode making the wrong friends. Moving to a new home with her father (Seth Gabel), a new school and joining a choir saw Shelby becoming the target of some mean girls. Taking solace in a drag queen named Anna Rehxia (Amrou Al-Kadhi) led to Shelby interacting with a girl named Bestie (Jessica Barden).
Bestie isn't the girl's real name but it's not long before she goes from being a comfort to Shelby to being a complete nightmare. Shelby goes from some harmless things to crossing a line by triggering her choir teacher's Mr Nevens (Jeff Hiller) with a very inappropriate costume choice.
That and Bestie getting Shelby to break her own hand was enough for the latter to realise that she'd be better off with Bestie. Shelby went on a redemption arc of sorts, making amends with those she wrong. She got a seemingly nice boyfriend in fellow classmate, River (Allius Barnes).
However just when this episode seemed a bit too positive, there was a twist. Shelby should've followed her instincts but instead, she ended up being killed by River in a creepy house. River being under the influence of Bestie was certainly a way to end this episode.
- One of the longest episodes we've had from the series and with a new writer too.
- Shelby's mother died of pancreatic cancer, Mr Nevens and his wife lost a baby at nine months and River had his heart on the outside.
- I was wondering if there was something supernatural about Bestie but her deformation was a result of a drug addicted mother. The heart in the sky at the end was a nice touch.
- Chronology: Halloween factored into this one, but a 2023 setting.
Bestie was a decent start to the season. A solid story about toxic friendships with a bitter twist at the end. Good performances from the main cast and after last season on the main show, nice to see Jeff Hiller in a nicer role.
Rating: 7 out of 10
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