Ep 2. Episode 2

Detective Robin Griffin is back, after the unfortunate events that happened when she last visited her hometown, Laketop, New Zealand. Everything looks different as she returns not only because of time, but also because of the different storylines. This time, Robin is going to deal with a new case of a little Asian girl, who was washed up on the shore. She was found wrapped around in chains and her identity is still a mystery. Meanwhile, Robin’s health is a question mark as the viewers will see her go through a different condition in each episode. The second episode of Top Of The Lake season 2 focuses on the arrival of a new couple in town who seem to be very close to Robin's emotionally stressed mother, who has a difficult relationship with her daughter.

The second episode of Top of the Lake season 2 starts with the beautiful view of Laketop. A new couple, Harry and Nikki, arrive in town on a bus, and Nikki seems impressed with the scenery. They later arrive at a friend’s place where they’ve planned to stay. The friend is a disabled person and looks happy seeing their friends. The scene then shifts to Robin and Johnno having a conversation where they tell each other about their respective lives. Johnno tells her that he has found love and is spending time with his girlfriend. When Robin asks how it feels to be in love, Johnno’s response is that the feeling is good, but he feels the pressure to be perfect at all times. After that, Robin takes her motorcycle and explores the countryside.

On the other hand, Robin's mother, who has been going through a tough time since Robin was last in town, is seen lying in her bed motionless. Later, Robin arrives and scans through the mail that her mother received. She finds out that her mother has been receiving chemotherapy treatments for her breast cancer, but she never once talked to her daughter about it. Robin finally confronts her mother about the chemotherapy treatments and her lies, leading to an intense argument. Her mother tells her that all she wanted was for Robin to leave Laketop as it was not good for her. This leads to a more poignant moment where Robin starts crying, and her mother asks her to forgive her.

Following that, Robin returns to work and gets briefed about the status of the case. The forensics report reveals that the chained girl is from Thailand and was pregnant at the time of her death. Robin coordinates a meeting with the Thai embassy where she hopes to identify the girl's identity and find a lead to her killer. Previously in the show, a Chinese woman, Cinnamon, was looking for her daughter, Mary, whom she believed was sold into the sex trade. In this episode, we see her trying to find her daughter's location with the help of her wealthy client.

Later, Robin visits Harry and Nikki, who are staying at her friend's place, and asks them questions about their stay in Laketop. Nikki says that Harry is investing in a plot of land and that they haven’t planned to stay very long. Robin is suspicious of their behavior and tells Johnno about it. The mysterious couple is not the only thing bothering Robin; her health is also a major concern. She is having severe stomach cramps and is unsure of the cause. Detective Adrian who has been working on the same case reveals to Robin that he is gay. Robin then visits the hotel where Mary was working, leading to the episode’s cliffhanger.

The second episode of Top of The Lake season 2 is thrilling and engaging. It sets up a particular storyline and reveals an underlying layer of intrigue that pulls the audience in and leaves them wanting more. With the case of the girl wrapped in chains and the nonchalant behavior of Harry and Nikki, the episode gives us plenty of exciting things to follow. The show's cinematography and settings are exceptional, with stunning shots of the countryside. The performances by the cast are also notable, with Elizabeth Moss as Detective Robin, effectively carrying the character's burden and pain. The episode ends with a bang, leaving viewers hungry for the next episode and eager to know what will happen next.