The Crowded Room | "Murder" | Episode 3 Recap & Review

*Spoilers ahead & Mature readers recommended*

The Crowded Room - Episode 3 "Murder" Review & Recap

In episode 3 of The Crowded Room, we dive deeper not into the surroundings of Danny's life but instead, we focuses on Danny's psyche. Unraveling the mysteries of Danny's world and all the unexpected experiences and surprises that await the viewers.

Scene recap: The Sketchbook and Ariana's past Aline

The episode begins with Rya and Danny’s sketchbook. Bringing the book home to show Matty, who we find out is a police officer that Rya knows. Inspecting the book Matty points out Ariana from a drawing, as the officer working on the Rockefeller incident, this raises further questions about Danny's involvement. Both run through the possibilities of the sketchbook's significance to Danny, conclud that every person in his book might be a victim. Hinting at the possibility that Danny is a serial killer. But is that something Danny Sullivan is capable of? Being a serial killer? We cut to Rya and Danny talking. This time Danny has begun to open up about Ariana's troubling past of sexual abuse which can relate to her current struggle with her emotions and how she shows them.

Scene Recap: The Danger from a Favor

After learning more about Ariana, her love life, her emotions, and why she does what she does, Danny opens up about Adam's trauma and how he had been sexually abused as well leading to his suicide. Seeing Ariana's low state Danny makes it his goal to "Give her a second chance to be happy", as he describes to Rya.

*Flashback* Danny then talks to Jonny about getting a meeting with Angelo their drug supplier with the purpose of obtaining a gun. The meeting with Angelo soon takes a turn for the worse as the situation gets dangerous. Just as it seems out of Danny's control, Jonny returns, saving Danny from Angelo just in time. In the middle of the confusion, Danny and Jonny escape but not before grabbing the gun and fleeing the scene.

Scene Recap: A Gift for a Friend

Danny returns to the boarding house to give Ariana his "gift" expecting her to be excited and feel safe. Instead, Ariana questions the gun and why it would make her feel safe. Playing around with it for no more than a couple of minutes before deciding she

doesn't want it and asks Danny to get rid of it.

Scene Recap: A Pleasent Unexpected Visitor

The next day Danny is woken up by Mike who knows about the events with Angelo that happened the day prior. Mike, messing with Danny, scolds him for a bit then reminds Danny that today Annabelle is coming over to see him. It's clear Annabelle has feeling for Danny and visa versa but there seems to be something underneath their relationship, something hidden that stops their relationship from going further.

After spending the day together Danny brings Annabelle back to the boarding house. They hang out in each other's embraces until Annabelle inspects Danny's Sketchbook. Danny shares with her his dream of becoming an Artist and their bond begins to grow stronger as Danny seems to be at peace for the first time in three episodes. Annabelle even promises to show Danny's sketches to an art professor at Baruch College.

Scene Recap: Angelo's Invasion Meet with Retaliation

Unexpected in the night, breaking the calm atmosphere, an unwelcome visitor breaks into the boarding house. Danny is startled awake by the sound of glass shattering. Danny tells Annabelle to hide in the closet, hopefully taking her out of harm's way. Angelo screams out to Danny, antagonizing him, threatening to hurt Danny for what he did to him. Backing into a dark empty room to hide, Danny is swiftly grabbed and pulled into the room by Yitzak who silences him.

As they both disappear from the frame Annabelle is heard and chased after by Angelo. As she screams frantically for Danny's help, the one who comes to the rescue is Yitzak. In his violent manner, Yitzak escalates the situation having Angelo run out of the house literally pissing himself. Danny approuches Annabelle afterwards but Annabelle is distant, frightened of him. Telling him to get away from her, as she runs out of the house as well. Leaving Danny with the mess to clean up.

Scene Recap: Danny's Departure and Final Decision

One bad event after another continues to follow. After the Angelo incident, Yitzak kicks Danny out of the house. Leaving Danny with no place to stay, as he refuses to go back home to Marlin and Candy. As Danny is about to take his leave Ariana gives him the idea to put the gun he got to use. She wants him to find the man who had sexually abused her and scare him with the gun.

Officially reaching the day of the Rockefeller event, another truth comes to light. Unexpectedly we find out who the man that Ariana was chasing down is. It’s none other than Marlin, Danny's stepfather. Then the events that follow after have already been told. Ariana takes the gun out him Danny's hands, attempts to shoot Marlin, they both run off, Danny returns to the boarding house which leads back to Yitzak giving Danny the passport and money to find his father in London.

Episode review: The Crowded Room Episode 3 "Murder"

Episode 3 of The Crowded Room, takes an interesting twist. Now the story is beginning to show us more of its secrets hidden underneath the front each episode. The

complicity of Danny's mind is rather disheartening yet understandable. Danny does what he does for others. We have learned in depth that Danny values others more than himself. The act of purchasing the gun to make Ariana feel safe, pushing Annabelle into a place where she should've been hidden well, and telling Jonny to leave as he handled the deal with Angelo. With all he has done Danny is given little in return, leaving him in the depressing state we know him for.

A big plot that is beginning to be pushed by the creators, is hinting at something abnormal about Danny. The way he acts, his positioning, and the timing of his actions. It has been kept hidden but now, slowly coming to light every thing will be revealed in time. The creators also make the viewers question Yitzak and Ariana's existence and that they might only be real to Danny and Danny alone. Overall, if I had to rate this episode, I'd give it an 8/10. A must-watch!

Catch episodes 1-10 available now on Apple TV+