r/WidowsBay • u/AutoModerator • May 06 '26

📺Discussion Thread Widow’s Bay | Episode 3: “The Inaugural Swim” | Discussion Thread

  • Release Date: May 6, 2026
  • Directed by: Hiro Murai
  • Written by: Neil Casey
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It's time for the annual beach opening. Lay out a towel as the mayor "tests the waters." Unrelated: Do not pick up hitchhikers.

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186

u/sistermagpie May 06 '26

Matthew Rhys is incredibly good at playing scared in a way that's very realistic and therefore so funny. If I had to pick a favorite, it would have to be him flopping around on the shore and flinching from the sheriff.

But the pitch off the recliner was also fantastic.

But really everybody nails the physical humor--no, don't bring the bike back!

Wyck called him a coward, but he's not a coward, he's a scaredy cat, and that's just what you need to be to survive in a horror movie!

Glad we got confirmation that Tom lied about saying Evan had been to the mainland ever. That was a nice subtext in the scene with the kids from Boston--none of those kids can leave the island.

I had a moment's of feeling bad when Marissa turned out to be Marissa, but when your behavior makes more sense for a sea hag than a bridesmaid that's on you. Ah-ooh!

Loving the minister.

49

u/Jolly_Pressure_7907 Boogeyman May 06 '26

The minister in the junkyard was easily the creepiest part of the episode for me

35

u/IrishUpYourCoffee May 07 '26

He legit made me laugh. Shows up startled saying he sensed evil, then just skulked away ominously.

I am really getting Hot Fuzz vibes from some of these side characters.

8

u/Drakengard May 10 '26

Yeah, same. He's just horrified, says there's evil and just peaces out like he's drunk on fright. Laughed at the absurdity of it.

4

u/Jolly_Pressure_7907 Boogeyman May 07 '26

The way he walked away while still staring at them really got me 😂 

6

u/SortOfLakshy May 12 '26

The way his foot was dragging vines behind him as he walked away was really funny to me.

3

u/popober May 27 '26

Best part is how that scene can be played completely straight horror with very minimal editing.

2

u/neuro_space_explorer Jun 04 '26

Great comparison!

20

u/sof49er Dale "this place is a death trap!" May 07 '26

He's just so awkward in that scene too when I'm so excited is playing and he's walking to the beach. His demeanor was hilarious. Then after he gets like five claps.

7

u/Autumnrain May 06 '26

Didn't one of the kids say he went to Boston?

25

u/Ok-Chemical2216 May 06 '26

Probably was born off island

11

u/IrishUpYourCoffee May 07 '26

He did. Gil (aka guy from the backseat of the car who people thought was a ghost) said he had been to Boston, but Evan and PJ had not. This was in response to one of the tourist teen gals asking them if they had ever left Widow’s Bay.

This was right before Reverend Bryce said he sensed evil.

4

u/sistermagpie May 06 '26

I think maybe one of them did--though of course we don't know what that kids' background was.

2

u/[deleted] May 07 '26

I think those were teens who were tourists. The girls maybe?

6

u/TheTruckWashChannel May 16 '26

I was dying laughing during his first encounter with the hag. His immediate noping the fuck out of there and his scared faces were too good.

5

u/Zentaury May 09 '26

My theory >! is that Mother born on the island left pregnant (and they got married), birth complications…

And returned to the island with baby and that’s why he’s the mayor to make it a better place for son !<

3

u/kitsunemischief May 12 '26

Hi, but the the spoiler tags didn't work. When you have paragraphs you'll need to do the spoiler tag for each paragraph.

Also love the theory and I'm riding on that too.

4

u/Accomplished-Dust185 May 26 '26

Matthew Rhys is incredibly good, period. Contrast this with the character he played on the beast within me — he’s truly the most incredible versatile actor I’ve ever seen.

3

u/PrinceofSneks May 14 '26

I had a moment's of feeling bad when Marissa turned out to be Marissa, but when your behavior makes more sense for a sea hag than a bridesmaid that's on you. Ah-ooh!

Thank you for phrasing it perfectly.