In the second installment of Netflix’s gripping miniseries Secrets We Keep, the narrative deepens as the disappearance of Ruby, the Filipino au pair, continues to cast a shadow over the affluent Copenhagen suburb. The episode introduces new complexities, revealing the undercurrents of privilege, secrecy, and moral ambiguity that permeate the community.
The episode opens with the introduction of Aicha Petersen, a determined police officer assigned to investigate Ruby’s disappearance. Aicha’s initial inquiries reveal the dismissive attitudes of Ruby’s employers, Rasmus and Katarina.Katarina’s inability to recall Ruby’s surname and her indifference during the interview underscore a troubling detachment.Aicha’s discovery of an emergency call made by Ruby shortly before her disappearance adds urgency to the investigation.
Cecilie, still haunted by her last conversation with Ruby, becomes increasingly unsettled. Her concerns are met with resistance from her husband, Mike, who urges her to let the matter rest. Cecilie’s interactions with Angel, her own au pair, reveal a network of whispered fears and unspoken truths among the au pair community. Angel shares that Katarina cruelly suggested Ruby might have become a prostitute, a baseless and offensive claim that further fuels Cecilie’s suspicions.
The episode also delves into the troubling behavior of the neighborhood’s youth. Oscar, Rasmus and Katarina’s son, is seen filming a girl without her knowledge, while Viggo, Cecilie’s son, expresses discomfort with the situation. This subplot hints at a culture of entitlement and disregard for boundaries that may be more pervasive than initially apparent.
As Cecilie navigates these revelations, she becomes increasingly isolated. Her attempts to seek the truth are met with subtle threats and gaslighting, particularly from Rasmus, who warns her against involving the police. The tension escalates as Cecilie grapples with the realization that the people she once trusted may be complicit in a web of lies.
Director Per Fly masterfully maintains a sense of unease throughout the episode, using tight framing and muted color palettes to reflect Cecilie’s growing paranoia. The performances are compelling, with Marie Bach Hansen delivering a nuanced portrayal of a woman torn between her conscience and the desire to preserve her family’s reputation.
Secrets We Keep continues to explore themes of power dynamics, systemic inequality, and the moral compromises individuals make to maintain their status. The episode raises critical questions about complicity and the cost of silence, setting the stage for further revelations in the episodes to come.
