Ep 3. Mommie Dearest

In the third episode of the first season of Feud: Bette and Joan, titled "Mommie Dearest," tensions between the film's stars, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, continue to rise. The episode opens with Joan's daughter, Christina, visiting her mother on set, but their strained relationship is immediately apparent. As Joan struggles with a difficult scene, Christina berates her for not being present during her childhood.

Meanwhile, Bette is dealing with her own personal issues, as her husband is hospitalized with a serious illness. She is torn between staying by his side and continuing to work on the film, but ultimately decides to prioritize her career. As shooting continues, tensions between Bette and Joan reach a breaking point during a scene where their characters physically fight. The two women become so caught up in their roles that they truly begin to despise each other.

Throughout the episode, flashbacks are shown to illustrate the difficult relationships that both Bette and Joan had with their mothers. Bette's mother was emotionally distant and disapproving of her career choice, while Joan's mother was physically abusive and pushed her into show business at a young age.

As the episode comes to a close, the film's director, Robert Aldrich, struggles to maintain control over his two legendary leading ladies. He tries to convince them to put aside their differences and focus on the work, but it becomes clear that the feud between Bette and Joan is far from over. As they continue to clash, it remains to be seen whether they will be able to finish the film or if their animosity will bring production to a halt.

"Mommie Dearest" is an intense and emotional episode that delves deeper into the complicated relationships at the heart of the Bette and Joan feud. It highlights the toll that their personal struggles and traumas have taken on them, and how those issues have contributed to the animosity between the two women. As the tension builds and the stakes get higher, viewers are left on the edge of their seats, wondering how this iconic Hollywood saga will ultimately play out.