Rumors of Phil Dunne’s power open the episode: villagers warn he’s arrogant and reckless, and the Dunne family’s ninth son will arrive in Jaxon in three days—the same day someone is told her family will offer her to Jim Lowe. Wren and a star from The Aurora argue seduction alone won’t suffice. Elsewhere someone orders, 'Help me toss the body downstairs,' signaling danger. A woman meets Phil, offers a hairpin for last night’s work; when he mocks her she snaps, 'I’ll show you that’s not all I can do.' With Phil’s arrival and a hidden corpse, a volatile clash looms.